Soltara Healing Center

The Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville is a world-renowned spiritual center, yoga academy, and communal living community in Buckingham County, Virginia. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the complex spans 750 hectares along the James River. The ashram was founded in 1980 by Sri Swami Satchidananda, the Indian yoga master who gained fame in the West, among other things, for opening the legendary 1969 Woodstock Festival.

Philosophy & Yoga Style

Yogaville serves as the international headquarters for Integral Yoga, founded by Swami Satchidananda. This holistic approach combines six classical branches of yoga (Hatha, Raja, Bhakti, Karma, Jnana, and Japa) to harmonize body, mind, and soul and promote a peaceful, meaningful life. The community’s ethical foundation is based on the classical principles of the yamas and niyamas from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.

The Centerpiece: The LOTUS Shrine

The most striking landmark on the grounds is the Light of Truth Universal Shrine (LOTUS). Designed in the shape of a giant, pink lotus flower, this temple is dedicated to world peace and harmony among all religions. Inside the shrine, altars for all major world religions burn under a central beam of light, symbolizing the founder’s philosophy: “Truth is One, Paths are Many.”

The On-Site Experience: Day Visits & Retreats

Visitors can experience the grounds in various ways—from spiritual workshops to training programs lasting several weeks: • Day Visits: For a flat fee (approx. 54 USD), guests can purchase a day pass. This includes access to two Hatha yoga classes, three group meditations, vegetarian meals, and guided tours of the LOTUS Shrine. • Retreats & Workshops: The ashram offers structured programs such as the New Year’s Silent Retreat, writing workshops (Divine Discoveries), and certified training programs for yoga and meditation teachers. • Lifestyle & Rules: Life at the ashram is strictly communal and governed by traditional rules. There are three fixed, strictly vegetarian/vegan meals a day. Alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and weapons are strictly prohibited, as is bringing eggs or meat onto the premises. Additionally, quiet hours (lights out) begin at 10:00 p.m.

Community & Surroundings

In addition to the actual ashram facilities (lodging, dining hall, library, and monks’ ashrams), a permanent residential community has formed around the grounds. Here, like-minded individuals and families have purchased plots of land to permanently integrate the principles of Integral Yoga into their daily lives. For nature lovers, the expansive grounds also offer several hours of scenic hiking trails through the woods and along the James River.

Guided by a Deeper Purpose

Soltara was born from a shared vision: a space where healing could unfold in harmony with nature, tradition, and community. What began as a deep calling to serve has evolved into a sanctuary where people from around the world come to reconnect with themselves, each other, and the Earth, and remember what truly matters.

With a deep respect for the land and an ethos of safety, integrity, and reciprocity, our commitment to individual and collective thriving is our call to service. We aim to build a culture and community based on grounded, accessible wisdom rooted in a spirit of cultural awareness and education.

Our Commitment to You Your wellbeing, safety, and support remain at the center of every step of the journey.

Medical Permit & Clinic Soltara holds a permit from the Costa Rican Ministry of Health to provide natural and alternative health therapies, which cover all the services we offer. Our onsite clinic includes a general medicine doctor's office, with a local doctor providing health checks at the start & end of each retreat.

Medical Screening Every guest completes a detailed medical and psychological intake process, reviewed individually by our team, including a 1:1 intake call. A licensed physician conducts a physical exam at our onsite clinic upon arrival and before departure.

Experienced Team Skilled, compassionate healers, plant medicine therapists, and trauma-informed facilitators support guests with presence and attunement, creating a grounded environment where each person feels seen, respected, and supported throughout their journey.

Whole-Person Safety Beyond the physical, we hold space for your emotional, energetic, & spiritual wellbeing - with 24/7 facilitator support, onsite security, and thoughtful protocols to rest easy & embrace the process fully. Our team of healers and facilitators work in harmony to create a container that is both spiritually alive and clinically responsible.

Medically Permitted in Costa Rica Soltara has a permit from the Costa Rican Ministry of Health to provide natural and alternative health therapies, which covers the services we provide as part of the retreat experience.

We also have an onsite general medicine doctor’s office, as well as a local doctor on staff who provides health checks for every guest at the beginning and end of each retreat in our onsite clinic.

Doctor speaking with a retreat guest during a consultationClean consultation room inside the onsite clinic Important Health Notice We are unable to accept guests who have or have had a history of psychosis, schizophrenia, epilepsy, or active substance use disorder. Soltara does not provide substance use detox or rehabilitation services. If you are unsure whether a retreat is appropriate for you or your loved one, please reach out before registering.

Informed Consent We encourage all prospective guests to review our terms and safety waiver before registering for a retreat.

Your safety is paramount, both in and out of ceremony. As such, we have implemented the following measures and practices as part of our risk mitigation program.

Comprehensive Intake & Screening Complete Disclosure & Transparency Emergency Access & Protocols Reliable Medical Communication Compassionate Protection Safe Grounds & Lighting Experienced Healers & Facilitators Comprehensive Preparation Support Medical Professional Consultation Physical Health Checks 24/7 Communication System Fully Stocked Medical Kit Optimal Staff Ratios Limited After-Dark Access Multilingual Support Staff The Foundational Ayahuasca Recipe - No Admixtures A hand holding a white daisy against a blue sky HELD WITH CARE

A Compassionate Environment Our team of skilled, compassionate facilitators and healers is always present to assist. Plant medicine can bring forward emotions, memories, and patterns from the subconscious that may be ready for awareness and healing as part of the journey.

Facilitators help guests enhance their innate healing intelligence - gently guiding each person through the awakening of their own inner landscape.