41st Annual Regional Retreat
Theme: One Step Towards SAI
Where:
Walden West (Saratoga)
15555 Sanborn Road,
Saratoga, CA 95070
When :
Saturday, August 31, 2024
&
Sunday, September 1, 2024
(Labor Day Weekend)
Theme: One Step Towards SAI
Where:
Walden West (Saratoga)
15555 Sanborn Road,
Saratoga, CA 95070
When :
Saturday, August 31, 2024
&
Sunday, September 1, 2024
(Labor Day Weekend)
Dr. Sunder Iyer is a distinguished alumnus of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, having been part of the first batch of students that enrolled at the Puttaparthi campus in 1979. He pursued his undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees in Banking and Finance there, later joining the faculty until 1994.
During his tenure as a student, Sunder experienced numerous personal interactions with Swami, gaining insights directly from His divine teachings. He also served as one of Swami's personal attendants for a time, an opportunity that allowed him to observe Swami's daily routines and receive individual guidance. In a significant personal event, Swami personally officiated Sunder's marriage to Maya in 1992 in His own room at Prashanti Nilayam.
Sunder's deep engagement with yoga, for which he was uniquely honored with a gold medal by Swami during the 1984 convocation, reflects his dedication to the discipline. His learning was enriched at the feet of Swami and visiting masters at the ashram. Sunder's commitment to disseminating Sai's teachings through yoga and meditation has led him to host workshops globally. Following Swami's Mahasamadhi, he resigned from his professional duties to devote himself fully to teaching traditional yoga principles rooted in Sanathana Dharma, a mission he considers his life's work. He has been recognized as an Ecumenical Minister by the Unity of All Religions in Ojai, California.
Together with his wife Maya, Dr. Iyer has established the Kaivalya Yoga Gurukulam, a virtual institute focused on Yoga, Vedanta, and Human Advancement. Operating as a non-profit 501c3 Charitable Trust, the Gurukulam offers a range of online programs like Satsangs and Yoga classes via their YouTube Channel: KYG Yoga, accessible to all at no charge. Funded through generous and loving donations, their initiative aims to spread the ancient teachings of Yoga and Vedanta widely. For more information, click here to visit their website.
TIME |
ACTIVITIES |
VENUE |
YA |
|---|---|---|---|
07:30 AM - 10:00 AM | Registration | Dining Hall |
|
08:00 AM - 09:30 AM | Breakfast | Dining Hall |
|
09:30 AM - 10:00 AM | Check-in and assemble in Main Prayer Hall | Main Prayer Hall |
|
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM | Devotional Singing Session | Main Prayer Hall |
|
| Welcome | Main Prayer Hall |
|
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM | Speaker Session with Dr. Sunder Iyer | Main Prayer Hall |
|
12:30 PM - 02:00 PM | Lunch / Registration | Dining Hall |
|
12:30 PM - 01:30 PM | YAs Meet with Dr. Sunder Iyer | - | Outside Seating Area |
02:00 PM - 03:30 PM | Breakout Activities | Main Prayer Hall |
|
03:30 PM - 04:00 PM | Tea Break + Regroup | Dining Hall |
|
04:00 PM - 05:00 PM | Sai TED Talks - Regional Speakers | Main Prayer Hall |
|
05:00 PM - 05:10 PM | Sai 100 Service Update | Main Prayer Hall |
|
05:10 PM - 06:00 PM | Guided Nature Walk | Grounds |
|
06:00 PM - 07:30 PM | Dinner & Registration | Dining Hall |
|
07:30 PM - 09:00 PM | Cultural Offering (Indian & Western, sharing of expression) | Main Prayer Hall |
|
09:00 PM - 09:15 PM | Devotional Singing and Closing Prayers | Main Prayer Hall |
|
09:15 PM - 10:30 PM | BhaJam Session | Main Prayer Hall |
|
10:30 PM | Lights Out | Grounds |
|
TIME |
ACTIVITIES |
VENUE |
YA |
|---|---|---|---|
05:30 AM - 06:00 AM | Morning Prayers - 21 Aums, Suprabatham | Main Prayer Hall |
|
06:00 AM - 06:45 AM | Nagarsankirtan | Grounds |
|
06:45 AM - 07:15 AM | Firebowl | Grounds |
|
07:15 AM - 08:00 AM | Yoga | Main Prayer Hall |
|
| Breakfast |
|
|
09:30 AM - 10:30 AM | Devotional Singing Session | Main Prayer Hall |
|
| Welcome + Announcements + Refocus |
|
|
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM | SSE Offering | Main Prayer Hall |
|
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM | Speaker Session with Dr. Sunder Iyer | Main Prayer Hall |
|
12:30 PM - 02:00 PM | Lunch / Registration | Dining Hall |
|
02:00 PM - 02:45 PM | Speaker Session Q&A : Dr. Sunder Iyer | Main Prayer Hall |
|
02:45 PM - 03:00 PM | Stretch + Water Break + Workshop Setup | Main Prayer Hall |
|
03:00 PM - 04:00 PM | SAI 100 Initiatives | Main Prayer Hall |
|
| Devotional Singing Session + Thank yous + Closing Prayers |
|
|
| Visit Swami's Room |
|
|
05:00 PM Onwards | Boxed Dinner | Dining Hall |
|
Please read the following instructions and click the 'Register' button at the bottom of this page to register using a credit card. If you would like to mail a check, then please send an email to reg7retreat@gmail.com/6504300888.
1. Pre-registration is required even if you are a day attendee.
2. Lodging Information:
3. Retreat Pricing:
Participant Category |
Economy/Dorm |
Camping |
Day Use (Per Day) |
|---|---|---|---|
Super Seniors (>=75) | $158 | $120 | $60 |
Adults (>40 and <75) | $186 | $140 | $71 |
Young Adults (>=18 to <=40) | $140 | $105 | $52 |
Senior Child (>10 and <=18) | $102 | $77 | $39 |
Young Child (>3 and <=10) | $56 | $42 | $20 |
Toddler (<=3) | Free | Free | Free |
Notes:
4. Scholarship (Need-Based Financial Assistance) Fund:
We do not want anyone to "miss" the retreat because of financial constraints. Participants may apply for scholarships or need-based financial assistance. However, scholarship funds are limited, and devotees are encouraged to consider all stay options. Scholarships will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we might have to wait till we receive all scholarship requests before deciding. Please get in touch with registration for scholarships. Participants may also voluntarily contribute towards scholarship amounts beyond the retreat fee.
5. For any questions, please email to reg7retreat@gmail.com
The SSE Camp at the retreat is a 2-day program and marks the start of the SSE year. It is a fun way to have a field trip to begin the year!
It is a wonderful opportunity to meet and spend time with children from other Centers, and make new friends in the Sai World!
TIME |
ACTIVITIES |
VENUE |
|---|---|---|
07:30 AM - 09:00 AM | Check-in & Breakfast | Dining Hall |
09:00 AM - 09:45 AM | SSE children to assemble in the dining hall at 9am for song practice. | Main Prayer Hall |
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM | Devotional singing (5 SSE-led bhajans) | Main Prayer Hall |
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM | SSE departs for Camp to lawns outside the registration area | |
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Ice-breaker and Game | Lawn Area |
| Lunch | Dining Hall |
01:45pm | Assemble in amphitheater | |
02:00 PM - 02:45 PM | SSE Groups 1/2 Meet with Dr. Sunder Iyer | Amphitheater / dining hall |
SSE Group 3/4 QUIZ PREP | Mezanine floor |
|
03:00 PM - 03:45 PM | SSE Groups 3/4 Meet with Dr. Sunder Iyer | Amphitheater/dining hall |
SSE Groups 1/2: Logo drawing & free time | Mezanine floor |
|
03:30 PM - 04:00 PM | Snacks/ Bio-break | Dining Hall |
04:00 PM - 04:45 PM | Charades on Values | Amphitheater/dining hall |
05:00 PM - 06:00 PM | Guided Nature Walk | Outdoors |
06:00 PM - 07:30 PM | Dinner | Dining Hall |
07:30 PM - 09:00 PM | MOVIE NIGHT | Amphitheater |
TIME |
ACTIVITIES |
VENUE |
|---|---|---|
05:30 AM - 08:00 AM | SSE join parents in Suprabhatam, Firebowl & Yoga | |
| Breakfast | Dining Hall |
08:45 AM | SSE children to assemble in the prayer hall | Main Prayer Hall |
09:30 AM - 10:30 AM | Devotional Singing (5 SSE-led bhajans) | Main Prayer Hall |
| SSE children to get organized |
|
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM | SSE presents group song and quiz | Main Prayer Hall |
|
| |
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM | MAGIC show & workshop | Amphitheater/ dining hall |
12:00 PM - 01:45 PM | Lunch | Dining Hall |
1:45 PM | Assemble in amphitheater | |
02:00 PM - 03:00 PM | SSE Groups 1/2 - Japanese Art led by Mika | Dining Hall/ Mezanine Floor |
02:00 PM - 03:30 PM | SSE Groups 3/4 - Creating a board game | Dining Hall/ Mezanine Floor |
03:30 PM - 03:45 PM | Snacks/ Bio-break | Dining hall |
03:45 PM | SSE reports to Prayer Hall | Main Prayer Hall |
| Devotional Singing & Closing Prayers | Main Prayer Hall |
05:00 PM Onwards | Boxed Dinner | Main Prayer Hall |
All SSE children are encouraged to attend it!