Institute for Vaishnava Studies

Located in the heart of Gainesville, Florida, the Institute for Vaishnava Studies (IVS) is an educational program designed to provide full-immersion experiences for students interested in practicing bhakti yoga in a temple atmosphere.  Based out of the Krishna House facility, located one block north of the UF campus, students live in the temple ashram for one to two semesters, studying ancient Vedic scriptures, including the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, which provide foundational teachings on the philosophy of bhakti yoga.  In addition to philosophy, other aspects of bhakti yoga are taught including mantra meditation, vegetarian cooking, devotional music, and Sanskrit.  In exchange for tuition and room & board, the students serve Krishna Lunch on campus, organize community educational classes, assist in temple programs, and help maintain the temple/ashram facility.  Students are also given an opportunity to learn community living skills, organic gardening techniques, composting systems, restaurant/kitchen management skills and vegan cooking.

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