A Day At The Ashram (ADATA) - September 2022

Welcome to the Ashram!

Ashram means "anti-fatigue" in Sanskrit : a refuge, a place of spirituality where weariness is replaced by serenity and inner peace. A privately-owned house situated close to Nice on the French Riviera, the Ashram is the residence of author and photographer Olivier Remualdo, whose intimate connection with India have brought him powerful experiences and profound insights. 

For many years, he has been exploring through photographic projects the spiritual and mythological dimensions of India. His multiple adventures took him on a quest for the mythical river Saraswati, and a few years later a Yatra (pilgrimage) through the Himalayas, walking 600 kms towards the source of the sacred river Ganga.

Along the way he met many Sâdhus, spiritual descendants of the first sages of humanity. He spent time with them, striving to capture the essence of their wisdom, and made them a promise : to share their message in the West.

He published the book Sâdhus, the Holy Men of Hinduism in 2013, in which he shares some of his encounters with them.

In 2019, he met Saraswati during a Kirtan program in the South of France. Raised in Swami Muktananda's ashram in Ganeshpuri, India, and daily absorbing the teachings of this great master on Bhakti, Jñana and Karma Yoga — the paths of devotion, knowledge and action — her entire life has been a practice of finding beauty in what is.

She now teaches Yin Yoga, Gentle Hatha, Yoga Nidra and the Philosophy of Yoga, and regularly holds programs during which she shares the sacred wisdom of Hinduism with those who seek joy and inner peace.

A Day At The Ashram (ADATA) was co-created between Saraswati and Remu (Olivier’s nickname) in 2019. 

ADATA’s programs start at 10am and finish at 10pm — they include Yoga, Meditation, two delicious meals (prepared by Remu with fresh produce grown in the Ashram’s vegetable garden), Satsang, Kirtan, and Puja in the evening around the Dhuni, the sacred fireplace. 

Guests are invited to contemplate on a given theme and enjoy sweet silence in the beautiful scenery of the gardens, in the company of pet hens (who enjoy being picked up and cuddled), a duck, frogs and friendly fish (also pettable) — and of course Kali the cat and her son Laddu, who has now become bigger than his mom. 

ADATA always includes a period of Silence, during which communication happens without words. Looks, smiles and hugs are exchanged, gestures or written words are added to convey more detail.  

The day ends around the fire with a Bhandara feast, eating a variety of delicious homemade Indian vegetarian dishes, lovingly prepared by Remu and Saraswati.