Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashrams

Om Namah Sivaya, Greetings from the Headquarters. At the beginning of February the Yoga Camp had the privilege of a special visit from Swami Shankarananda from the Yoga Vedanta Centre in Rome. He led Satsang and read from Sivananda’s Gospel of Divine Life. He taught a delightful yoga class and also concocted some delicious meals with his Italian cuisine touch. His presence brought a tranquil atmosphere at the Ashram. A fervent Puja was offered to Lord Rama. The strong energy hovered over the Camp. During Satsangs, we spoke about various topics related to love and family. A few staff members also went to a Puja for Lord Subramanya at Montreal Centre. The Ashram was filled with a spirited energy. Children and grownups were fond of the winter outings: snowshoeing on the Saraswati Trail, a full moon walk to the lake, hot chocolate and home made cookies. On the occasion of the Saint-Valentine’s day, families found their way to a holistic lifestyle, in harmony with nature and the crisp air of The Laurentian Mountains. Children were happy with the special program of practicing yoga, hear some stories about Ganesha and Krishna, colouring mandalas and singing mantras. Another snow shovelling mission was organized around the Ashram grounds. More karma yogis got involved in the current project of typing of Swami Vishnu’s interviews and talks. Other karma yogis helped with the flooring project and painting walls. Other Yoga Camp activities and maintenance continued as usual.

During mid-February the Ashram had a Puja for Devi to celebrate the adoration of the Divine Mother of all things. During Satsangs, we read from The Yogi and Daily Readings, and we explored topics such as the power of the ego, thoughts, will and actions, faith and the limitations caused by the mind, and of course, silence. Reflecting the readings the weekend program focused on silence and how observing Mouna helps considerably to find peace alongside how miscellaneous talking can be a bad habit and often distracting the mind. From silent meals to meditative walks, guests practiced self-introspection. They had the opportunity to perform Trataka meditation in the Krishna Temple. The guests broke silence that Sunday at noon, shared their experience as a group, delighted with their weekend experience. They understood the objective of Mouna and left the Camp uplifted. That Sunday, a thorough clean-up happened in the kitchen. Meanwhile big group of karma yogis worked on the Yoga Camp website, from editing, to correcting and translating into French. Some others kept working on the flooring and painting project in the registration building. Other Yoga Camp activities and maintenance went as usual. We are blessed to be carrying Swami Vishnu’s mission! Om Shanti.

http://www.sivananda.org/camp

Namah Sivaya to all. During the beginning of February the January TTC energy picked up in their fourth week with many students feeling like they did not want to leave the Ashram. We gave thanks to the Divine Mother with Lalita Sahasranama Puja, generating a very positive energy. Prahladaji made a lightning visit to the Ashram to meet the staff and students and inspect the grounds. He especially thanked the translators for their hard work. With two study sessions the students were able face the exam with confidence. Unfortunately, tragedy struck on Saturday afternoon when a TTC graduate drowned accidentally in the Neyyar Dam lake. Graduation proceeded but without the usual Talent Show and celebrations. Swami Sitaramananda raised the mood by focusing on expressing gratitude to the various people who made the TTC possible. As the TTC departed the dorms were once again overflowing with a big influx of new Yoga Vacationers. As always, we pray for Swamiji’s protection and guidance. May the Grace of God and the Masters keep us blessing all. Pranams to all the Sivananda Family.

http://www.sivananda.org/neyyardam

Om Namo Narayanaya – Greetings from Uttar Kashi. Pranams to all. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/uttarkashi

Om Namo Narayanaya. During the beginning of February, and the 3rd week of ATTC, the students really came together as a group. There is great intensity among the students with respect to Pranayama. The energy of the group was felt during Satsangs where everyone immersed themselves in chanting and talks. The batch of Yoga Vacationers was a combination of beginners and intermediate practitioners, hence we conducted separate classes for them. Many students attended coaching classes to improve their asana and pranayama practice. It was a joyful week for all of us as we welcomed Anoop ji’s new baby daughter to the Sivananda family. We wished the mother and newborn good health and happiness. On 7th February we celebrated Swami Gayatriananda’s birthday with a Devi Puja, held at the Mahakali temple. The temple was decorated beautifully with lamps and flowers and everyone offered their prayer to the deity. The Puja concluded with special prasad, which was relished by all. The staff benefited from Swami Shivabhaktananda’s contribution in group karma yoga, as he directed us towards meticulously gardening and weeding the open areas in the Ashram. One of the days, students, guests, and staff spent a couple of hours with Prahlad ji in cleaning the vast area and pond outside the Ashram. This followed by collection and disposal of many wastes and garbage. The locals were pleasantly surprised by the cleaning. One Saturday, the talent show was a display of some unique talents of our otherwise familiar group of ATTC students. There was a spectacular performance of hula hoop by a Yoga Vacationer, among dancing and chanting. Prahlad ji had a short visit to Neyyar Dam Ashram to address the new TTC and AWC batch.

By mid-February we saw the last week of ATTC completed. There was great enthusiasm among the students as they took maximum advantage of the day off to prepare for the exam. The morning and evening Satsangs were very inspiring and full of energy with many coming forward to participate in chanting. By the grace of Master and Swamiji , the everybody performed very well in their exams. Many staff and students gave a helping hand in preparing for the graduation feast. The final Talent Show of the ATTC batch had students, yoga vacationers and staff indulging in some fun performances. A couple of students stayed back at the Ashram to volunteer as Karma Yogis. We were delighted to welcome them to our family. One Sunday, ATTC students, yoga vacationers and staff took part in the monthly Medical Camp, conducted by Sivananda Rural Hospital in assistance from Vikram Hospital. Everybody was very supportive and came forward to help the patients, especially the ATTC students. They were very happy to be a part of this cause. We also prepared for the meeting with Quality Council of India (QCI) representatives. The officials arrived at the Ashram from Neyyar Dam for the meeting with Prahlad ji and other staff members. The QCI officials conducted an audit and were happy with our work. We noted their suggestions and will incorporate the same for the upcoming courses. One night we had a stimulating talk by Mr. M. Dhinagar Vel, MD of India Foods Ltd who gave us an insight on healthy eating, motivating everyone to switch to natural and healthier eating habits. The talk culminated with Q&A session where many came forward to clarify their doubts regarding various ingredients and foodstuff.

We bid farewell to Prahlad ji and Swami Shivabhakananda who left the Ashram after spending almost 6 weeks with us. We wished them safe travels. It was a truly enriching experience in their presence and we hoped that they visit us soon. In the meanwhile Kapoor ji and his wife made a short visit to our Ashram. New guests started arriving for the subsequent training course. Staff are thanking God and our Masters for their blessings. With prayers and regards from all Ashramites worldwide. Om.

www.sivananda.org/madurai

Om Namah Sivaya! During the beginning of February four eager students joined us for the Yoga Immersion week for Beginners. Swami Satyapremananda gave the daily workshops and some of the asana classes, along with other staff members. We were happy to unexpectedly welcome Swami Shambudevananda for a weekend, whose flight to the Bahamas had been cancelled due to weather conditions. The focus of the weekend Satsangs and workshops was the ‘Yoga of Relationships’, led by Srinivasan, Swami Satyapremananda, and Swami Shambudevananda. As always, the guests left inspired and refreshed. All are well and continue to enjoy the beautiful winter landscapes.

By mid-February the staff prepared for a full Ashram. We welcomed  some 47 guests for the Introduction to Meditation program. As Monday was a holiday, many guests stayed the Sunday night, too. Srinivasan led the morning and afternoon weekend workshops, and Swami Satyapremananda led the evening Satsangs and Monday workshop. We held separate well-attended beginner and open yoga classes. Good feedback was received by many first-time visitors. Kanti Devi joined as a karma yogi. Daria left the Ashram for a while. We look forward to her return, scheduled in May. The staff are well. Pranams to all from the beautiful Catskills Mountains! Om.

Om Namah Sivaya. During the beginning of February the Yoga Farm sent prayers along with Swami Jnaneswariananda, who travelled to Taiwan and India. The Ashram keeps being blessed with much rain with more to come. Sunshine broke through long enough for the Ayurveda Agroforestry weekend with Spencer Nielsen teaching with permaculture and Ayurveda principles working with fruit trees and establishing plant guilds for healthy edible and healing ecosystems. Swami Dharmananda co-taught the Yoga of Leadership course with Leila Naderi, as a stepping stone to the TTC and Swamiji’s vision to train peace ambassadors in the world. Students inquired into the qualities that define positive leadership, ethics (Yamas and Niyamas), and how to cultivate creativity and inspiration in oneself and others.

By mid-February the Ashram received much more purifying rain, saturating the earth and bringing many seasonal streams coming to life. Bright yellow daffodils were blooming all around the Ashram grounds, bringing joy to guests and staff. The 5-day Beginner course, taught by Karuna Devi, was very inspiring for our guests. They learned and practiced the 5 Points of Yoga and greatly appreciated the regulated lifestyle of daily meditation, chanting, asana and pranayama and especially a Yogic cooking workshop. Swami Dharmananda led a Stress and Relaxation weekend group, with teachings on Prana and the Mechanics of the Mind in relation to stress, including teachings on the 5 Points of Yoga to reduce negative effects of stress in daily life. Staff and guests enjoyed a beautiful visit to the Yuba river for a short hike, pranayama and meditation. We welcome Omkari, current staff at LA Centre, who joined the Ashram for the next month. We all felt the grace of Master and Swamiji this month. Om Namah Sivaya to all Blessed Selves, from the Yoga Farm.

http://www.sivananda.org/farm

Om Namo Narayanaya, Blessed Selves. During the beginning of February the Ashram welcomed Joan Borysenko, a cell biologist, psychologist, spiritual educator and authour. She presented the topic on “Writing Down the Light: A Conscious Retelling of Your Life’s Story”, in which she explained how we can rewire our brain by changing the stories, which we tell ourselves. Our priest, Krishnan Namboodiri, performed a Ganapati Vidya Homa, specially for the TTCs and their teachers in order to remove the obstacles and bestow knowledge during their course. We were happy to welcome Shaman, healer and ceremonial leader, Brant Second. He introduced to us the indigenous wisdom of the Huichol, one of the last traditional tribes in Mexico. In his workshops he taught the Dance of the Deer Ceremony and other ancient shamanic techniques. We bid farewell to Swami Brahmananda, who travelled to Columbia for a week, giving Satsangs and inspiring talks in a Sivananda affiliated Yoga Centre “Atman Yoga”, in Medellin, Colombia. Meanwhile, at the Ashram we started a new program under the title “Searching Inside: Bringing Mindful Awareness to Life and Work”, with Gopi Kallayil, who founded and teaches a weekly Yoga program for Google employees, called “Yoglers”; and Mirabai Bush, who works with organizations to bring contemplative principles to the workplace. They inspired us to incorporate our Yoga practice into our day to day life, especially when we are not in an Ashram setting. Arjuna gave a series of workshops during the “Beginners Yoga Immersion Week”, in which the participants had a chance to build a strong foundation for their practice and empowered them to continue their practice at home. Iswara Chaitanya taught a wonderful Essentials of Yoga II course to a group of Karma Yogis, allowing them to go deeper into their studies and Hatha Yoga practice. Swami Hridyananda taught the Annual Meditation Retreat and Madhavi (Molly Birkholm) taught a week-long iRest Yoga Nidra Level 1 Teacher Training Course.

During mid-February we welcomed frequent visitors, Suba and Ramesh Parmar, to present Bharathanatyam Dance and Music and Preksha Meditation respectively. We also welcomed Ralph White, who presented multiple Satsangs and workshops on the “Quest for the Mysteries of Spiritual Experience“, in which he took us on a journey through the history of the awakening of consciousness and spirituality. We welcomed back Swami Brahmananda, who was visiting Atman Yoga, the affiliated Sivananda Yoga Centre in Medellin. We started the Symposium “Nature of Reality“, in which we explored the meaning of life through non-dual perspectives. Means Kafatos, who is an acclaimed scholar of quantum theory and consciousness, represented the aspect of Kasmir Saivism. Sally Kempton gave beautiful talks on Shakti from the tantric tradition. Debashish Banerjee, a professor of South Asian Philosophy and Culture, introduced Sri Aurobindo’s life and his exploration of the nature of reality as well as Sankhya philosophy. Swami Brahmananda presented the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta and how to put it into practical terms. Senior staff and Narayani taught an Essentials of Yoga I course for new Karma Yogis, who just arrived to the Ashram. Narayani Chaitanya taught an Essentials of Meditation course, in which the participants were introduced to practice of meditation and received practical guidelines on how to meditate. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/nassau

Om Namah Sivaya. During the beginning of February the Retreat House Ashram was delighted to receive the priest Yagneshwara Dixit for a 5 day visit. Daily Pujas elevated the energy at the main altar and two beautiful Pujas for Ganesha and Saraswati were much appreciated by all. The January TTC went very well. The close-knit group applied themselves wholeheartedly, developing a nice group. A quiet and focussed atmosphere surrounded the mantra initiation. The Yoga Vacation guests enjoyed a special winter retreat on the psychosomatic effects of the asanas. We fitted regular walks into the daily program, making the most of the magical winter beauty.

During mid-February the YV guests took part in the Yoga Relaxation Days. The focus was on releasing stress through different methods, be it with asanas, positive thinking, relaxed eating or mantra chanting. The YV guests enjoyed a gentle program for beginners. Satsangs were lively with everyone deeply involved in the chanting. Both TTC’s students and guests led us in the kirtans. Preparations for the TTC in Rudraprayag and ATTC in Uttarkashi picked up in pace. Swami Ramapriyananda left for India. The main focus was the last week of TTC. Final lectures were given, the last classes taught and a big review prepared the TTC’s for the exam, which everyone passed. It all came to a harmonious end with a very touching graduation ceremony. In the get-together that followed we enjoyed some impromptu moments reflecting on what has been a simply wonderful TTC journey. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/tyrol

Om Namah Sivaya. During February the Ashram held a week on Yoga and Vitality. We had lectures on workshops on health, the 5 Points of Yoga, 4 Paths of Yoga and lots of chanting. We enjoyed the first Spring days with a wonderful excursion along the Loire River, which was like an ocean of flowers. We had a cooking weekend, with Ganga from Paris. It was well received with 3 lectures and one cooking workshop. Amba started teaching. She also helped a lot at the reception area, with the absence of Kalyani, our receptionist, who was on holidays. Narayana gave a Kriya workshop. All the new staff were learning something new, bringing good energy into the Ashram. We were looking forward to Sivaratri. Om Namah Sivaya.

http://www.sivananda.org/orleans

Om Namah Sivaya from the Da Lat Ashram. At the beginning of February the Ashram saw a considerable shift in activity as Swami Sitaramananda arrived back from India. Final preparations for the start of the February TTC were made in many areas. Staff started to arrive from many different parts of the world. Our Satsang shifted again to the large Yoga Hall to accommodate the increasing numbers. We welcomed priest Pandit Samavedula, who visited from India to celebrate two Homa ceremonies, including both Chandi and Vastu Homas, and then a Ganesha Homa for the beginning of the TTC. The traditional ceremonies lifted the energy at the Ashram. The first TTC students started to arrive, with arrivals continuing over the weekend to be ready for the initiation of the course. Staff were inspired by the prospect of working with a large group of Vietnamese and international students, They pray for Master’s and Swamiji’s support, blessings and protection.

Mid-February was momentous at the new Ashram, which saw the initiation of our first Teacher Training Course since the official opening. 82 Students from all parts of Vietnam and from all over the world arrived and well prepared and ready for initiation. All different aspects of the new Ashram had to come into full operation to deal with the needs of new students and the 28 staff and karma yogis supporting them. Students quickly adapted to the routine and took to their karma yoga tasks with enthusiasm, helping everything to run smoothly. Kitchen karma yogis rose to the challenge of providing the large number of meals to satisfy many different palates. The first week of classes ended with a talent show on the Saturday evening, when we heard traditional folk songs from the North and South of Vietnam. The evening ended with all participating in a rousing traditional dance to celebrate brotherhood and unity. We began our regular sunrise walk to the mountainside, providing a wonderful start for the students. We’re also happy welcome a regular flow of Yoga Vacation guests who enjoyed the heightened energy during the TTC, plus participating in daily Yoga Vacation workshops. We feel every day grateful for Masters and Swamiji’s grace. Om.