"I could finally take a step back and see the big picture of my life—where I had been and where I want to go." Another participant said she had no idea how deeply her divorce had affected her until she spent time here reflecting on her life, something she wasn't able to do while caught up in her busy routine at home.

The Self-Transformation Program is part of the larger Residential Program offered by the Himalayan Institute. There is a shorter Ten-Day version for those who can¹t get away for a whole month. And there is an Alumni Program for those who have already done the Self-Transformation Program and want to come back for a few days to recharge.

Who can benefit from attending the Self-Transformation Program? If you are standing at a crossroads in your life, leaving a job, going through a divorce, or simply realizing that there has to be something more to life than what you are doing, then this program, available year-round, is for you. And if you are a student, in or on your way to college, you will enjoy spending your summer months with us.

"Not only did we learn about the fundamentals of meditation, hatha yoga, and diet, but we were able to integrate it into our routine here during the month and see how, in a practical sense, it could become part of our daily lives back at home," says Michelle, another recent participant. "That's what I liked most about the program."

Developing a daily schedule and experiencing for yourself the difference that waking up on time and going to bed on time can make is just one aspect of the Self-Transformation Program that can change your life in both practical and subtle ways.

The month-long program begins with the seminar, Dynamics of Meditation in which participants learn a clear, systematic way to improve mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Not only will you be introduced to the philosophy and practice of raja yoga, you will also learn how to sit and breathe correctly, and how to awaken the pranic (energy) force, develop concentration, and meditate.

A typical day in the Self-Transformation Program includes group meditation twice a day, morning and afternoon hatha yoga classes, and daily practicums on various topics—relaxation techniques, diet and nutrition, biofeedback, and more. All meals are vegetarian and served on an "all-you-can-eat" buffet style basis. And you learn how to make simple vegetarian meals in the weekly cooking classes.

After breakfast, participants meet daily with the coordinator to discuss the program for the day. Each person is assigned a karma yoga duty for two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon. Karma yoga, or selfless service, is an integral part of life at the Institute for all residents, helping us learn how to maintain our practice in the midst of daily activities. Whether your karma yoga assignment is in construction, data entry, cooking, database administration, or a number of other areas of interest, the Institute offers many opportunities for you to use your current skills or to learn new skills that will help you when you return home. John, a recent Self-Transformation Program participant told us, "Helping out around the Institute during the STP program helped me to put into practice what I learned in the daily practicums."

The bottom line is that if you want to live a simpler and happier life, and are looking for a place to transform yourself, this is the program for you.

For information on this and other Residential Programs offered at the Himalayan Institute, contact Luke Ketterhagen at luke@himalayaninstitute.org.