Frequently Asked Questions & Policies

We hope the information below answers most of your questions about Samanvaya Living’s experiences and offerings.

As our experiences vary in format – from live online gatherings and YouTube content to in-person gatherings and residential retreats – some details may differ from one experience to another. Where relevant, the specific event or offering page will provide the latest information.

If you need any further assistance, please feel free to get in touch – we’ll be happy to help.


About Samanvaya
Who are Samanvaya Living offerings for?

Our offerings are open to anyone seeking greater balance, awareness and meaningful connection in everyday life.

Participants often include working professionals, parents, educators, students, artists, caregivers and anyone looking to slow down and reconnect with themselves in a supportive community.

Whether you’re new to yoga and meditation or have an existing practice, you’re welcome to participate. We encourage everyone to engage at a pace that feels comfortable and to honour their own physical and emotional limits throughout the experience.

Do I need prior experience with yoga or meditation?

Not at all.

Our experiences are designed to be welcoming, inclusive and accessible to everyone. Whether you’re completely new or have been exploring these practices for years, you’ll be guided with care and encouraged to participate at your own pace.

What can I expect during a Samanvaya Living experience?

Every Samanvaya experience is thoughtfully designed around a unique theme and may include a blend of:

  • Psychology-based knowledge sharing
  • Guided reflection
  • Integral Yoga
  • Breath awareness
  • Meditation
  • Sound experiences
  • Live devotional or contemplative music
  • Journaling and self-reflection
  • Meaningful conversations
  • Tea and community interaction

The exact format varies depending on the experience.

Is this therapy, counselling or medical treatment?

No.

Our offerings are educational and experiential in nature. They draw upon psychological insights, yoga, contemplative practices, music and other wellbeing practices to offer opportunities for learning, self-exploration, rejuvenation and developing practical tools for everyday life.

They are not a substitute for medical advice, medical treatment, psychotherapy, counselling, psychiatric care or crisis intervention. If you are experiencing significant physical, emotional or mental health concerns, we encourage you to seek appropriate support from a qualified healthcare or mental health professional.

Is Samanvaya Living associated with any particular religion?

No. We welcome people from all backgrounds, beliefs and life experiences.

Our work draws inspiration from psychology, yoga, contemplative traditions, music and India’s rich cultural heritage. The emphasis is on lived experience, self-awareness and wellbeing rather than any particular religious belief or practice.

How large are the events?

Most of our experiences are intentionally kept small to create a warm, participative and personal environment.

The maximum number of participants varies depending on the venue and format and will be mentioned on the individual event page wherever applicable.

Who facilitates Samanvaya Living experiences?

Samanvaya Living experiences are facilitated by our founding team and invited collaborators, bringing together experience in counselling psychology, yoga, meditation, music, heritage and contemplative practice.

Each experience is carefully curated to create a balanced and meaningful experience for participants.

→ Meet the Facilitators


Samanvaya Online
What is Samanvaya Online?

Samanvaya Online brings our approach to you through live online experiences and YouTube content.

Live experiences are hosted on Zoom and may be free or paid, depending on the offering. Our YouTube channel includes free content, while selected deeper explorations may also be available through YouTube Membership.

Each experience will specify its format, date, participation details and, where applicable, its fee.

→ Explore Samanvaya Online

Are Samanvaya Online experiences free or paid?

Both.

Samanvaya Online includes a mix of free and paid experiences. Live Zoom experiences may be offered either free of charge or for a participation fee. Our YouTube channel includes free content, while selected deeper explorations may be available through YouTube Membership.

The format and participation details will always be mentioned with the individual experience.

How do I join a live online experience?

Live online experiences are hosted on Zoom.

After registration, participants will receive the relevant access information and any instructions needed to join. Please check the individual experience page and your confirmation email for details.

We recommend joining a few minutes before the scheduled start time and participating from a quiet space where you can engage comfortably.

What can I find on Samanvaya’s YouTube channel?

Our YouTube channel is a growing space for Samanvaya content that you can explore at your own pace.

It includes free videos such as guided practices, reflections, music, conversations and explorations around themes we care about. Selected content may also be available exclusively to YouTube Members.

→ Visit the Samanvaya Living YouTube channel

Are YouTube videos a replacement for live Samanvaya experiences?

Not necessarily.

Some themes may be explored through both live online experiences and YouTube content, while others may be created specifically for one format.

Live experiences offer the opportunity for shared participation, conversation and interaction. YouTube content allows you to explore selected practices and ideas at your own pace.

Each experience is designed according to the nature of the theme.

Where is Samanvaya’s members-only YouTube content hosted?

Samanvaya’s free YouTube content is published on the Samanvaya Living YouTube channel.

While the Samanvaya Living channel develops its own eligibility for YouTube Membership, selected members-only Samanvaya content is currently planned to be hosted through the Aditya Pathak YouTube channel.

The content is created as part of the Samanvaya Online offering, and the membership arrangement will be clearly identified wherever relevant.


Preparing for an Experience
What should I bring or prepare for an experience?

What you need depends on the format of the experience.

For in-person experiences, usual recommendations are comfortable clothing, a water bottle, a journal or a yoga mat. The individual event page will mention if there is anything that you need to bring specifically.

For live online experiences, we recommend joining from a quiet, comfortable space with a stable internet connection. If any additional preparation or materials are required, these will be shared with the event details.

For YouTube content, you can generally participate at your own pace and in a setting that works for you.

Should I let you know about any health conditions or injuries?

Yes.

If you have any medical condition, recent surgery, injury, mobility limitation, pregnancy, or any physical or emotional concern that may affect your participation, please inform us before the event.

This helps our facilitators provide appropriate guidance and suggest modifications where possible, so that your experience remains safe and comfortable.


Registration, Payments & Cancellations
Are Samanvaya Community Gatherings free?

Yes.

Community Gatherings are offered free of charge and are open to all, as part of Samanvaya Living’s effort to make certain experiences and conversations accessible to the wider community.

Voluntary contributions are welcome from those who would like to support Samanvaya Living and help us continue creating such offerings. Contributions are entirely optional and have no bearing on participation.

Why do I need to register for a free Community Gathering?

While our Community Gatherings are free to attend, registration may be required for some events because places may be limited and we need to plan appropriately for the venue and experience.

If you register but later find that you cannot attend, we would appreciate it if you could let us know in advance, especially where places are limited.

How can international participants make payments?

International participants can pay through a secure PayPal payment link in a global currency.

Please complete the registration form with your regular details, add “International payment” in the payment-related fields, and mention in the comments that you would like to receive the payment link. We will send the payment details to you by email.

What if I need to cancel after registering?

We understand that plans can sometimes change.

Cancellation and refund policies may vary depending on the experience. The applicable cancellation and refund terms will be clearly stated on the individual registration or event page.

For paid experiences where no specific policy is stated, registration fees are generally non-refundable because of advance commitments towards venues, facilitators and event arrangements.

If you’re unable to attend, please let us know as early as possible. Where feasible, we may be able to transfer your registration to another suitable Samanvaya Living experience. Such transfers are considered on a case-by-case basis and are subject to availability.

For free Community Gatherings, there is no participation fee or refund applicable.

For YouTube Memberships, membership billing and cancellation are handled through YouTube and are subject to YouTube’s applicable terms and policies.

What happens in case of an emergency or unforeseen circumstances?

We understand that life doesn’t always go as planned.

If you’re unable to attend a paid experience due to a personal emergency or because of unforeseen circumstances such as extreme weather, natural calamities, transport disruptions, government restrictions, public safety concerns, curfews, protests, bandhs, or other situations beyond anyone’s control, we regret that we are generally unable to offer refunds, as the costs of organising the experience – including venue bookings and facilitator arrangements – may be committed in advance.

Where possible, we’ll be happy to explore whether your registration can be transferred to another suitable Samanvaya Living experience. Such transfers are considered on a case-by-case basis and depend on the nature of the experience and availability.

Thank you for your understanding and for supporting the care, preparation and commitment that goes into creating these shared experiences.

What happens if Samanvaya Living cancels an experience?

If we need to cancel a paid experience for any reason, you’ll receive a 100% refund of your registration fee.

Alternatively, if you prefer, you may choose to transfer your registration to another Samanvaya Living experience, where possible.


Community & Communication
Will photographs or videos be taken during Samanvaya experiences?

We may capture photographs, screenshots, audio or video recordings to document the experience and share glimpses with our community.

These may be used by Samanvaya Living for educational, community and promotional purposes across our website, social media and other communication channels.

If you have a specific concern about appearing in photographs or videos, please let us know before the experience, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your request.

For online experiences, any specific information about recording, participant visibility or use of recordings will be shared with participants as part of the event details.

How will Samanvaya Living communicate with me?

We’ll use your email address and/or phone number to send you information related to your registration, payment confirmation, event reminders, venue updates and other important event-related communication.

We may also occasionally share updates about future Samanvaya Living events and offerings. You can opt out of non-essential communications at any time.


Voices from the Journey
What have participants shared about previous Samanvaya Living experiences?

Participants often describe our experiences as calm, welcoming and thoughtfully curated spaces that help them reconnect with themselves and with others.

→ Voices from the Journey


Still Have a Question?

We’d love to hear from you.

If your question isn’t answered here, please reach out through our Contact page or send us a message. We’ll be happy to help you choose the Samanvaya experience that’s right for you.