Ascent (magazine)
ascent was an independent, not-for-profit magazine published quarterly that explores the intersection of spiritual values with social and political issues, art, culture and contemporary thought. ascent also published a website, a blog, books, and held an annual retreat at Yasodhara Ashram. The tag line for the magazine was "Yoga for an inspired life". Its offices were based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. History ascent started as an in-house journal for Yasodhara Ashram in 1963. It was founded by Swami Sivananda Radha who started teaching yoga in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1956 when she returned from India where she was initiated into Sanyas by Swami Sivananda Saraswati of Rishikesh. In 1959, she moved to the West coast of Canada and established an ashram in Burnaby, British Columbia. She instructed people in Indian dance, hatha yoga, mantra, and meditation. Within a few years Swami Sivananda Radha began looking for land outside of the city. In 1963 she established Yasodhara Ashram, a spiritual retreat center, on Kootenay Lake near Nelson, British Columbia. In July 1963 she began sending out a monthly newsletter to her associates and friends. They functioned as a way to keep people engaged with the work and activities being carried out