An Ashram is where we share traditional teachings to complete your yoga journey to the absolute destination that is ever your Self. In a place that is pristine, it is easy to experience yourself as the pristine beauty of nature and life itself. But you can’t hold onto an experience. Sundaram means ‘the Beautiful’. That Beauty which experiences all beauty. Not as ‘Separate’ or ‘apart’, not something you have to hold onto, but your Self, as the True Beauty of life itself. At Sundaram ashram we support your journey to keep experiencing yourself as that Beauty that doesn’t stop in the comfort of your own home.

Whether you’re new to yoga, a seasoned practitioner, new yoga teacher or a teacher with experience you’ll find home on the ashram. Offering a range of deeper practices to choose from to suit your experience and level of understanding and ample knowledge that will fill in all the missing pieces and put yoga into perspective. Be prepared to unleash your best self as a yogi and or teacher! 

The focus of the program is Self Knowledge. A learning system based in the ancient vedic wisdom culture and ever fresh teachings of the Upanishads. We use the Yoga of Knowledge as the core principle. Putting self-understanding first, once you have the biggest questions answered in your life like: who am I? why am I here? What is my life purpose? Then nothing can stand in the way of you having an abundant, generous and successful life.

First you will discover your true Self, your true destination and life purpose and what it means to be a human being. You will also add the full array of yogic tools to your practice including never before taught breathwork (pranayama based in the ancient Tamil siddha tradition) which leads to a totally agile mind and ‘diamond’ body. The acuity of Mantra, Mudras and meditations that tap into your pure potential.  Asana classes with an ayurvedic and healing focus and inspiring monthly Satsang’s where you are encouraged to ask the difficult questions that come up during classes and talks or life in general. 

Self-Knowledge is the English translation of Atma Vidya which means Knowledge or Light on Self. Self-Knowledge is from the philosophy of Vedanta. One of the six core ancient philosophies of India. Vedanta comes at the end of the Vedas and means the “end of knowledge” which resolves in the knower. Which is YOU as YOU. Self knowledge is the springboard and the foundation of every class on the Ashram. Once you have gone through a foundations course you will hear that same language. The language of Self woven throughout each class. 

Rachel Zinman and John Weddepohl are the teachers who bring their wealth of experience to Sundaram. Having both studied yoga since they were 19 John has more than 50 years of experience and having taught together all over the world for the last 12 years, still in constant touch with their guru’s in India, individually they share a wealth of knowledge and wisdom. 

LIVE classes feature either Rachel or John every day of the week except Fridays, where we meet for Q and A once a month.  All classes are either at 7 am or 5 pm AEST. You can covert to your time zone here 

LOTUS membership fee is $49 AUD per month/$488 AUD per year for full access which includes:

✔️ Weekly LIVE online classes with Rachel and John (includes all classes listed on the Ashram)

✔️Sundaram Online Community with access to Rachel and John for support and questions

✔️Unlimited access to The Sundaram Ashram Virtual Library including:

✔️ 8 Foundations in Self Knowledge Courses

✔️ 7 Advanced Self Knowledge Courses

✔️ 120 Yoga Classes

✔️ 208 Upasana Meditations

✔️ 7 Ishta Mala Sequence with variations

✔️ 49 Advanced Pranayama Classes

✔️ 20 Monthly Mantra, Mudra, Meditation Intention Setting Classes

✔️ 25 Q and A sessions

✔️ 4 Kirtans

✔️ 9 Special Events and talks

SUNFLOWER membership fee $29 AUD per month/$300 AUD per year for basic Access which includes:

Basic Access to the Sundaram Ashram Virtual Library

✔️ 13 Foundations in Self Knowledge Classes

✔️ 50 Yoga Classes (classes updated weekly)

✔️ 42 Upasana meditations

✔️ 7 Ishta Mala Sequences with variations

Check out our are free E-retreat which includes a special offer of 10% off your first month on the ashram.

Yes, we gather on our own private community channel on Slack. It’s a great way to stay up to date when new classes are uploaded into the virtual library and to ask questions, contact us one and one and share with other members insights from the course and classes.

We offer regular in person courses and retreats from our hub in Byron Bay, Australia. Members get first dibs on spaces in the courses and special discounts to attend.

Membership is a month by month or year commitment. If you choose to join us for a Foundations in Self Knowledge course we encourage you to commit for at least three months as a the course is 12-16 weeks.

Yes, you need to give us at least three days notice prior to the end of the current month via email via info@rachelzinmanyoga.com

 Please see our terms and conditions for our refund policy.

Head to www.rachelzinmanyoga.com/register to sign up

Our classes are best viewed from your laptop, desktop computer, newest iphone or android version.  Please make sure you always play with the latest update on your phone and computer. If there are any technical issues, please contact info@rachelzinmanyoga.com  

The teaching of Self Knowledge is designed to awaken you to what you already are, which is the antithesis of how we are taught to think. I.e. to benefit I have to do something to get something.

Self Knowledge awakens you to the fact that you have the mental acuity to handle anything!  

✔️ Master your thoughts: Become acutely of aware of your relationship to your thoughts and emotions. Instead of thinking and acting out of habit you learn to master your thoughts. Imagine a complete 360 shift in how you think about yourself and the world around you.

✔️ Improved physical health: All yoga practices have incredible benefits including greater strength and flexibility as well as better sleep, improved mood, enhanced body awareness, tolerance for stressful circumstances 

✔️ Greater Acuity and Mental efficacy: Self Knowledge sharpens your mental clarity and focus, allowing you to approach challenges and problem solving with greater alacrity and ease.

✔️ Improved Relationships and relating: Relationship is all about being able to see the other persons perspective and act compassionately. Self Knowledge levels the playing field. Seeing that no one is greater or less than, develops better communication skills, increased empathy, and a deeper understanding the natural relationships between all living beings, leading to stronger and more fulfilling relationships.

✔️ Sense of Purpose: Knowing the reason for our existence allows us to live the life we choose. Enhancing our creativity and unique way of expressing our passions in the world

✔️ Greater Resilience: When you understand yourself as the unshakable foundation in whose presence all life’s changes and challenges occur your capacity for resilience is boundless. 

✔️ Empowered Decision Making: Self Knowledge teaches through logical reasoning that there is only one outcome in life and that you are that outcome. When we don’t feel pressured into decision making and understand that every choice leads us back to ourselves. We are free to make choices that are creative and inspired.

✔️ Unbound Creativity: Awaken to your natural creativity and intuition and problem solve in ways that go beyond personal ideals and beliefs. Approach your field of interest with fresh perspectives and new ideas.

✔️ Lasting Joy and Happiness: This is the jewel of the teaching. Once we awaken to our true nature, we shine like a diamond. There are so many unique facets to our expression as an individual and yet who we are is brilliant strong and unchanging. This is the nature of happiness and who we are before we even had the thought of happiness. Happiness is not a “thing’ to be captured or to get. As it is the nature of who we are. Once we recognise it as ourselves it never disappears.