Shiva Ashram

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The Shiva Ashram is the home of Shiva Yoga, which was founded in 1991 by the director, Mahamandaleshwar Swami Shankarananda (Swamiji), and co-director Ma Devi Saraswati. Shiva Yoga traces its lineage to the Indian saints, Bhagawan Nityananda and Muktananda.

The Shiva Ashram is a residential meditation and spiritual centre [1] in Mount Eliza, on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, about one hour outside of Melbourne. The ashram was established in its present location in 1996.

Swami Shankarananda was the teacher in residence. [2] There were 40 permanent residents, and many people came for short and long term visits from Melbourne, interstate and overseas to attend courses, retreats and teacher training programs. [3]

In March 2015, Yoga Australia suspended accreditation to the Shiva Ashram following allegations of sexual abuse. [4] [5] Since then, the Ashram has gone into liquidation. [6] [7]

Shiva Ashram Grounds

The grounds of the Shiva Ashram have several feature gardens, [8] principal among them an interfaith garden in which each of the world’s major religions is honoured. The ashram has participated in the Australian Open Gardens scheme for the past 2 years [9]

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References

  1. "The Training of a Western Guru", by Peggy Hailstone, Australian Yoga Life, page 46, Issue 42, March–May 2014
  2. A 'Down Under' Moment in Interfaith Relations, National Catholic Review - Blog:In All Things, Mar 31 2014
  3. Shiva Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Archived 2013-05-14 at the Wayback Machine
  4. "Mt Eliza ashram members to decide on future in wake of abuse allegations", Eddie Morton, Herald Sun, 24 April, 2015. Retrieved 18 June, 2015.
  5. "Yoga Australia Position on The Age article titled - Police investigate sex abuse claims at Shiva School of Meditation and Yoga", 25 March, 2015. Retrieved 18 June, 2015. Archived 2015-06-18 at the Wayback Machine
  6. "Yoga school to be wound up", Keith Platt, Mornington Peninsula News, 27 April, 2015. Retrieved 18 June, 2015.
  7. "Ashram could wind up amid sex abuse allegations", Jane Lee, The Age, 28 March, 2015. Retrieved 18 June, 2015.
  8. Green To The Soul - Australian Yoga Journal
  9. Victorian Government Contact Centre - Shiva Ashram Open Garden Archived 2014-03-31 at the Wayback Machine