Immersive Yoga & Meditation
Work-Study Program in Kona, Hawaiʻi
“Konalani Yoga Ashram’s Work Study Experience was a truly transformative journey that exceeded all my expectations. The teachers are incredibly knowledgeable and their approach is filled with joy and curiosity, making the practice both profound and playful. The work was uplifting, but also challenged me. I met my resistance each day, and keep moving forward through it. It taught me how to grow.” – Tara Sundari
What is Seva? Spiritual Growth through Selfless Service
Discover the power of seva, or karma yoga, as you work with a sense of open-heartedness and shared purpose. Volunteers help maintain and beautify Konalani while providing a clean, relaxing, nourishing space for guests.
Tasks include landscaping, housekeeping, meal prep, and more. Through these tasks, you’ll learn the invaluable skill of being present while developing conscious awareness as you support our humanitarian mission of bringing Peace to all Beings on Earth
Discover Authentic Yoga Practice
Dive deep into self-exploration and experience a heart-centered approach to meditation and life as you learn about the ShambhavAnanda Yoga tradition through meditation classes, yoga sessions, and satsang with our revered teacher, His Holiness Rishi Maha Mandaleshwar Sri Shambhavananda.
Our practice includes:
Daily Group Meditation and Chanting
Satsang (Questions and Answers)
Spiritual Art Class
Hatha Yoga
Yoga is more than postures. Yoga is a Lifestyle
Immerse yourself into Ashram life with a community of dedicated yogic practitioners! Between 4 - 6 people usually live at the ashram at any time. Accommodations are single or double occupancy with shared bathrooms. All utilities, necessities and comforts will be provided to make your stay at Konalani nourishing and enjoyable. Healthy Vegetarian meals are provided.
“During my time at Konalani I was graced with the opportunity to experience deep transformation both spiritually and personally that will continue to aid me for the rest of my life. I loved the wonderful mix of community, growth, discipline, and fun.” - Colin L.
— Sri Shambhavananda
“When you serve something greater than your own needs, you find tremendous joy. People who have given themselves to something greater than themselves always radiate with this happiness”
Example Ashram Schedule*:
6:00AM - 7:30AM : Morning Practice (Guru Gita, Kirtan, Mantra, Meditation)
NOTE: During Retreat and teacher trainings there may also be Yoga Classes taught in the morning.
7:30AM - 8:30AM : Breakfast & Break
8:30AM - 1230PM : Morning Seva
12:30PM - 1:30PM : Lunch & Break
1:30PM - 4:00PM : Afternoon Seva
NOTE: During Retreats and Teacher Trainings there can also be group dinner & clean up from 5-6:30PM
Monday Afternoon : Kirtan, Satsang & Meditation
Tuesday Afternoon: Alternating Yoga Class & Yoga Study Hall
Thursday Afternoon: Philosophy & Meditation Class
NOTE: During Retreats and Teacher Trainings, there is no Tuesday Class, but there may be additional yoga classes and group Meditation opportunities.
*Example Schedule. Subject to change
Step 1: Learn about the Experience
Is this experience the right fit for you right now?
We know that living at the ashram isn’t right for everyone. Or, it’s not the right time to join such structured community living. But for some, it’s exactly the right time—and exactly the right path — to propel oneself in new direction. At ShambhvAnanda Yoga, we do not force our path on anyone. Instead, we live our own path authentically and give each person the support to truly understand for themselves what it means to live consciously, empowering them to take their next steps.
In this video, we take time to talk openly about the work-study program: what you’ll be receiving, what is expected, and the many benefits that come with it. From there, it’s yours to explore—to see if this opportunity resonates with you and feels like the right next step in your journey.
A Day in the Life
In this video, we’d like to give you a clearer sense of the daily work-study schedule you’ll be stepping into at Konalani. We’re a highly-functioning ashram: we meditate before sunrise, we dedicate full days to selfless service, and we support each other while living closely as a spiritual community. Our days are guided by practice, purpose, and a sincere wish for inner growth.
This path asks a lot—and it gives a lot.
Work-study participants commit to three to six months and follow our full-time rhythm: six days a week of selfless service, one day off, and regular participation in all main practices and community programs. The video below outlines the typical structure, though our schedule naturally shifts throughout the year.
A Living Tradition
One of the priceless aspects of the Shambhavananda Yoga tradition is the presence of living teachers, lead by His Holiness Rishi Mahamandaleshwar Sri Shambhavananda, whom we call Babaji.
Work-studies get to see this spiritual relationship play out between our Guru and his students, and learn from the thousands-year old meditative wisdoms made contemporary by living teachers. There is absolutely no need for work-studies to feel they are entering into a devoted student-teacher relationship. However, what you do need as a work-study is genuine respect and curiosity to be a part of an Ashram — a space of sacred refuge.
In this video, we take time to explain the student-Guru dynamic in more detail, helping you understand both the spirit of the relationship and the expectations surrounding it. For some, this will be an extraordinary opportunity. For others, it simply wont not resonate—and that’s okay. As always, we present what we have to give, and trust you to discern whether it feels like the right fit for you.
Meditate with us
Now that you’ve watched the introductory videos, take a moment to meditate with us. To the right of this screen (or below depending on your device) you’ll find a playlist of 22 guided meditations. Click the three horizontal bars with the play icon to browse the full list. Choose any meditation that resonates, settle in, and see how the practice feels for you.
One meditation won’t capture the full depth of the ShambhavAnanda tradition, but it will offer a glimpse of our approach. If it speaks to you, feel free to explore a few more at your own pace.
Ashram Guidelines
Thanks for taking the time to watch the videos and meditate with us. The final step in this preparation course is simple: read through our ashram guidelines and make sure the lifestyle and expectations feel like the right fit for you.
Community Living Guidelines – shared values, practices, and respectful boundaries
Selfless Service Guidelines – how seva becomes part of your spiritual practice
Kitchen & Meal Guidelines – food preparation, cleanliness, and shared meals
Shrine Guidelines – how to engage in shrine life with reverence
Health Protocols – basic agreements that help keep everyone well
Step 2: Application & Interview
Thank you for watching the videos and getting this far in the volunteer process. The application is intentionally thorough — we want to get to know you, understand your motivations, and make sure this is the right fit for both you and the ashram. The time you take to reflect and fill this out helps us do that. We appreciate it, and we look forward to hearing from you.
Step 3: Preparing For Your Experience…
After completing your interview and receiving confirmation of your participation in the work-study program, the next step is to prepare. This includes taking time to read about our tradition, become familiar with our core practices, and begin learning the foundational techniques you’ll be doing while you’re here. You’ll also find guidance on how to pack appropriately for your stay, along with answers to frequently asked questions.
The button below, Preparatory Materials, will guide you through each of these steps one by one.
While You’re Here: After arriving at the ashram, use the link below to access important information for your stay, including community guidelines, explanations of practices, instructions for opening and closing the shrine, advanced meditation practices, pranayama, and more. This resource is designed to support you throughout your entire work-study experience.
FAQ:
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Our Work-Study program is a live-in opportunity at a meditation ashram in Hawai‘i. It blends daily meditation practice, selfless service (seva), and community living. Participants support the ashram’s daily operations while deepening their spiritual practice.
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The full-time Work-Study program is a 3–6 month commitment. This length of stay is important for settling into the rhythm of ashram life and contributing meaningfully to the community.
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Yes. For commitments shorter than three months, we offer the Yogi Lifestyle Immersion program—a paid option with an $850 per month tuition. It includes half-days of service, simple lodging, all meals, and access to our meditation programs. This is ideal for people who want a shorter experience or who can’t commit to the full Work-Study program.
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For the 3–6 month Work-Study program, there is no tuition. Room, meals, and meditation instruction are included in exchange for your service.
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Yes. All Work-Study participants are invited to take part in our 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training free of charge. This training is accredited with the Yoga Alliance and normally valued at $2,000.
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Tasks vary widely depending on the day. You may support outdoor projects like landscaping or gardening, or indoor tasks such as dishwashing, housekeeping, food prep, office work, or helping with group programs. We look for flexibility and a willingness to step into whatever the ashram needs. If you have particular skills—cooking, carpentry, administration, photography, etc.—we try to place you where your strengths can shine.
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Days include morning meditation practice, seva blocks, shared meals, and time for rest or personal practice. The rhythm is structured but supportive, and everything is designed to help you grow inwardly while serving outwardly.
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People who thrive here are receptive, grounded, willing to work, and genuinely interested in meditation and community living. This is not a vacation; it’s an immersive spiritual environment rooted in an authentic lineage.
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Everyone begins with our short online prep program, which includes four brief videos about the lifestyle, expectations, and meditation practices. After watching, you’ll fill out the application form and we’ll contact you to schedule an interview.
Prep Program: https://konalaniyoga.org/konalani-work-study-info
Password: konalani