Yes, the entry requirements have been carefully considered as the best balance between welcoming attendance and protecting the health and safety of all who attend. Meditation halls are set up for seating that supports physical distancing and to maximise ventilation where possible. However each person must take responsibility for their own decision on whether they wish to come
Frequently Asked Questions about
Venues Reopening
* Updated February 2023 *
Do Siddha Yoga venues have entry requirements?
What are the requirements for attending a Siddha Yoga event?
People are required to book and are asked to agree that, at the time of entry:
- I will respect the sacred space and the wellbeing of other people attending
- I am NOT feeling unwell and I have not tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 7 days.
- I will follow the Child-safe and Work Health & Safety guidelines put in place to provide a safe and inclusive environment for people of all ages.
Why is it necessary to book online before attending events?
The online booking or registration process allows easeful communication about the new entry conditions and helps people to confirm that they meet them.
It allows people to take personal responsibility about whether to attend, and to read and agree to the conditions the Foundation has put in place to minimise health risks.
By pre-booking you contribute valuable data that assists the Siddha Yoga Foundation to sustain the Foundation as well as the Ashrams and other venues in Australia.
How does pre-booking contribute to sustaining the Siddha Yoga Foundation and the Ashrams and other venues in Australia?
There are many benefits to pre-booking:
- We have reduced the attendance capacity to allow for adequate physical distancing, and pre-booking helps us to manage how many people can attend.
- It will allow easeful contact tracing if necessary.
- It will help the Siddha Yoga Foundation comply with government regulations (like Work Health and Safety, Occupational Health and Safety)
- It helps the Foundation to better understand and communicate with our community, and to welcome new seekers.
What if I can't book online?
If you are having difficulties booking online, we invite you to contact booking@siddhayoga.org.au (this email is regularly monitored and a person will get in touch to help you).
In some cases there may be Welcome/Registration sevites at the venue who can help you book in. It’s very important that those who have access to email and internet do pre-book. This frees up onsite Welcome/Registration sevites to support those people who are unable to book online.
Why do entry requirements differ across different types of Siddha Yoga venues?
There are different types of legal responsibilities depending on the type of venue. The Siddha Yoga Foundation is legally responsible for the operations of the two Ashrams in Australia.
Chanting and Meditation Groups are operated by volunteers/sevites and in most cases the venues are private homes. Through consultation with the local Siddha Yoga community and the owner of the host venue, they decide if further safety restrictions are necessary. Siddha Yoga Centres are run by a steering committee who implement SYF and SYDA Policies and Guidelines.
Why do the safety measures put in place go beyond current state government conditions?
The Siddha Yoga Foundation Limited in Australia has a responsibility to provide a safe environment in all its venues. It also has a duty of care under WHS and OHS laws to protect the health and well-being of staff, volunteers/sevites and visitors to its venues, regardless of state boundaries and public health orders.
The Siddha Yoga Foundation considered many different sources when deciding these safety measures.
Do I need to set up an account on the Siddha Yoga Community Portal?
For the regular Siddha Yoga events open to the public, it is not necessary to have a Community Portal account to book online. It does, though, make it quicker to complete the process if you are signed into your account.
As well as easier booking for events and activities, signing into your account will make available to you Australian organisational and community information and access to opportunities exclusive to Community Portal account holders, as well as making it easier to purchase items from the online Siddha Yoga bookstore and to make donations online.
For those offering seva, the next stage of website development will give you access to a new Seva Portal to support your area of seva.
Do I need to show proof of vaccination to attend a Siddha Yoga event?
No, it is not required to show proof of vaccination before entering a Siddha Yoga Ashram. However some smaller venues in peoples’ homes may require proof of vaccination. Please read the specific agreement carefully before you book for an event.
What happens if I can no longer attend an event I have booked for?
We understand that circumstances change. We ask you to be considerate of other people wishing to attend and please notify the Registration Team by emailingbooking@siddhayoga.org.au
Why is it recommended to wear a mask while chanting?
According to the World Health Organisation, the COVID virus is transmitted mainly through the air. It can be passed on by activities like speaking, sneezing or coughing which emit small airborne droplets. The droplets may land on a person directly, or on a surface and then be picked up. Singing is a particular risk because this generates an aerosol of tiny particles which stay in the air for hours. The risk of transmission is increased indoors. Scientific evidence shows that wearing a well-fitted face mask significantly reduces the spread of air-born infections, including COVID-19. The US Centre for Disease Control has reviewed multiple clinical trials world-wide and recommends wearing masks while indoors, especially while singing.
Read: Conversation article about a large controlled clinical trial by Australian scientists in Bangladesh. Lancet article Jan 2021 on the effectiveness of masks.
Is it mandatory to wear a mask while chanting?
It is no longer mandatory, but highly recommended to wear a mask while chanting inside. It is your choice.
Why has the capacity of our Hall/satsang venue been reduced?
To reduce the risk of transmission of viruses we are implementing physical distancing recommendations of 1.5 meters between each person. This reduces the number of people who will fit into our hall or satsang area.