Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres

Om Namah Sivaya. The month of February started with a one week special program with the Indian priest Yagneshwara Dixit. The energy in the Centre was uplifted by daily Pujas. Several inspiring weekend programs saw good numbers of students throughout the month: a big group of interested students joined for the workshop on Yoga@Home and learned how to integrate Yoga practice in their daily schedule. The first open house this year went also well, students were interested and thankful for this first yoga experience in the Centre. Classes and courses were running good, students enjoy the renovated asana space. We had good support from Karma Yogis who helped with the mailing of the new brochure and several maintenance projects around the house. Nadapriya, a close teacher from Poland joined the Berlin staff team for 2 month. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/berlin

Om Namah Sivaya. During mid-February it was extremely hot in Buenos Aires and we had to keep the air conditioning on for all the classes. We invited representatives from other yoga schools to the Centre to organize the annual Yoga Day in the city of Buenos Aires. We offered a kriyas workshop, a “Yoga for the Back” workshop and a free introductory class, all crowded with students. Prem & Om to all.

http://www.sivananda.org/baires

Om Namah Sivaya. During February the Chengdu Centre was closed for the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays and while staff went to Vietnam TTC for further training, recharge and translation service. A group of 7 students from China took the TTC in Vietnam, led by Swami Sitaramananda and other teachers. Meanwhile, we were endeavoring to broaden our base of Sivananda supporters and promote the upcoming TTC in China. Prem & Om to all.

http://www.sivanandayogachina.org

Om Namah Sivaya to all Blessed Selves from the Chennai Centre. At the beginning of February we started a new morning Beginners course. The student number remained relatively low, so we encouraged locals to join the Centre by posting updates in social media and local newspapers about upcoming events. We completed all the planned painting work in the main Centre building and the back house. We also carried out all the usual cleaning and and small maintenance work, as required. The rest of the activities in the Centre were carried out as usual, with all the staff members performing their karma yoga duties and making sure that, with the blessing of Master and Swamiji, the Centre operated efficiently, for the benefit for the local community.

During mid-February we started an evening Beginners course. Gopan went to Neyyar Dam for the All India Directors Meeting, thrilled to meet all the directors of India’s Sivananda Centres and Ashrams and part of the EDBM and discuss our future plans and challenges. We welcomed back one of our staff members Isabel, who just completed TTC course in Neyyar Dam. She is planning to stay at the Chennai Centre until June. Also one of karma yogis from Canada, Sri Devi, stopped over in our Centre and kindly offered her help for 1 week on her way back to Canada. The rest of the activities in the Centre were carried out as usual. All the staff members performed their karma yoga duties, making sure that with the blessing of Master and Swamiji, the Centre operated efficiently, for the benefit for the local community. With the blessings of God and Masters, we send Pranams to the Sivananda family.

http://www.sivananda.org/madras

Om Namah Sivaya. At the beginning of February, by the Grace of the Gurus, all continued well, with three additional drop-in classes starting, on Monday mornings at 8:00am, on Wednesdays at 3:30pm, and on Thursdays at 5:30pm. As well, a new session of Tuesday evening Yoga 1 started, as well as an all-new “Introduction to the Sanskrit Alphabet” course. We offered a Kirtan night. Attendance was good and the Centre felt lively. On NFL’s Super Bowl game day, which Chicagoans love to watch, we saw fewer students.

During mid-February a new Positive Thinking course started, with students 10 registered. The Yoga 1, Yoga 2, and Sanskrit Alphabet courses continued well. It was somewhat quieter attendance for drop-in classes. Many people, including Satsang regulars, continued to be away sick with colds or flu. Chicago winter weather continued at its unpredictable best, including a windstorm that was strong enough to blow a truck off the road and a window out of a high rise building. The storm followed with a beautifully sunny and warm Spring-like day, which gave us the perfect opportunity to clear the fallen sticks and debris from the day before. We looked forward to a visit from Srinivasan. Staff are well, feeling grateful for all the blessings of this life and send pranams to all. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

http://www.sivananda.org/chicago

Om Namah Sivaya. The Dalat Centre was fully supporting the TTC Vietnam, organized in the hills on the outskirt of the City, near Tuyen Lam lake, about 45 minutes away of the Dalat Centre. We were happy that the Dalat Centre was able to be instrumental to get the TTC permit of operation and also negotiating the contract with the TTC location’s resort. It was a very busy time for the staff. We were happy that the TTC started smoothly after all the coordinated efforts. Two dedicated staff Sivashakti and Leela injured their legs a week before TTC and rested at home, not being able to teach Yoga, with plastered legs and on crutches. The Centre was closed for TET (Vietnamese New Year) holidays waiting to open soon when the new staff reinforcement arrives from Yoga Farm. Guru’s grace is abundant supporting us. Om Namah Sivaya.

https://sivanandayogavietnam.org

Om Namah Sivaya. At the beginning of February, with God’s grace and Gurus blessings everything was well here. We started our Beginner’s courses – 6:30 Am and 4:00 Pm batch, both with good number of students. We also started a weekend Beginners course with 23 students and two teachers assigned for the class. We also conducted a headstand workshop one Saturday, which went well. The students were happy. Regular open classes were also conducted, including the prenatal, gentle and kids classes. We pray for everybody. Peace and Joy.

During mid-February, by Gods grace and gurus blessings, everything went well here. We started a Monday beginner’s course for 6:00 Am and 4:00 Pm the batch. We conducted the “Yoga for Back” workshop. One Saturday we conducted a special advanced class for twenty three students. The weather was getting warmer here. All the open classes saw a good number of students. The enquires for beginners classes also increased. Each week we were seeing good number of students in the trial classes, the prenatal, gentle and kids classes as well. Our prayers for everybody. Pranams.

http://www.sivananda.org/dwarka

Om Namo Narayanaya. With the grace of the Masters everything in the Centre went well. At the beginning of February we started with two Beginners’ courses, one at 6:30am and the other at 4:00pm. Two couples came for private class. One of the couple was from Canada and the other was from New York. They were happy with the yoga & meditation class they attended. They will be visiting our Ashram in Canada and Centre in New York when they return back to their home. We started Yoga 2(Intermediate course) on Tuesdays. We conducted a Headstand workshop. The recent “Foundation to Meditation” course was successfully completed.

During mid-February, with the Grace of the Masters, we added a Beginners’ course at 4:00pm into our regular daily schedule. We started another “Foundation to Meditation” course on Wednesday evenings. Swami Rajashwariananda and Swami Keshavananda arrived at the Centre. Swami Keshavananda conducted an “Advance Yoga Asana Variations” workshop, in which the students appreciated his correction skills. It was good learning for the teachers to experience how one can help all the practitioners to improve their postures. Swami Rajashwariananda taught an open class on the same day. They left for Rudraprayag for the TTC. Kapoorji came back from Neyyar Dam after the All India Directors Meeting. We had a Bhajans evening one Sunday from 6:00 to 730pm with Parul Garg (Sivananda yoga Teacher). A good number of people attended, enjoying the program. With blessings of the Gurus everything in the Centre went well. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/delhi

Om Namah Sivaya, from Noida. At the beginning of February, with the Blessings and Grace Of our Beloved Masters, we had a End of Winter week for the year 2016 with our Gentle Yoga Batch, Beginners Batch at 10 am and 6:30 pm and Open class ongoing Batches. From 1st February we started with 4pm Open Class new Batch as well changed 7am batch to 6:30am, Sunday Kids Yoga class and Sunday Satsang, with Kapoorji.
We had a Shatkriya Workshop on 6th Feb and commenced Foundation to Meditation Course on 3rd February at 6:30pm.

During mid-February, with the Blessings and Grace Of our Beloved Masters, we are having a Beginning of the Summer week of 2016 with our Gentle Yoga Batch, Beginners Batch at 10am and 6:30pm and Open class ongoing Batches, continuing the Foundation to Meditation Course and Sunday Kids Yoga class. Yamuna joined the Centre for a short period from 17th February. Dasji completed his TTC recently from Madurai. He dedicated a few hours in the Centre from Monday to Friday in the day time as a trainee teacher, so to become an active member in the Centre. We send Pranams and our best wishes to all the Sivananda family.

http://www.sivananda.org.in/noida

Om Namah Sivaya. In February we had a TTC-preparation course with inspired students, one of them coming from Fribourg. A cooking course for new vegetarians was well prepared and s with new Karma yogis who were inspired by the opportunity to dedicate their time. The light and sattvic meal was enjoyed by everyone and the students left happy and satisfied. We also had a workshop about vital energy which included an explanation of the three bodies and the five Koshas and students could develop a deeper understanding about how yoga works. After some research for renovating the computers a new computer was bought installed in the office. Mahadev is taking time to study French and is already teaching most of the class in the local language. Fresh plants were planted on the terrace welcoming spring in a colourful way. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/geneva

Om Namah Sivaya. At the beginning of February the HCM Centre was closed for 10

days from 5 -15 February for the New Year TET holidays. We then were busy welcoming the swamis, teachers and staff passing through, on their way to Dalat TTC. Swami Sitaramananda , Swami Pranavananda, and Swami Narayanananda performed a New Year Puja for the Centre to prepare the Centre for another successful year of service and teaching. Mirabai and Priya remained at the Centre when other staff travelled to Dalat to support TTC, or extending their TET holidays. It was a great year of growth of the Centre and we wish the International Sivananda community a strong Hanuman Monkey Year of dedication and devotion.

During mid-February we finished the TET Holiday (Vietnamese New Year). The Centre was quiet because the regular students were still traveling, resting in their family’s home town or joining the TTC in Dalat. We had an Open House, with morning and evening classes taught by our staff Priya and outside teacher Nirmala, both of whom took TTC last year in Dalat. Four students joined each class, and two students signed up for Yoga 1. We welcomed Durga eLela. She gave an Ayurveda lecture during a Sunday Satsang.  The students were very happy to know about Ayurveda. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

Om Namah Sivaya. At the beginning of February we featured a special Saturday afternoon program around a workshop, “Posture, Flexibility and Anatomy” which was followed by a themed asana class and a Satsang on the topic “Concentration – The Key to Success in Life”. We welcomed Padma, a senior physiotherapist and Sivananda Trained Teacher who gave an insightful workshop providing a deeper understanding of the anatomy related to yoga and the levels of flexibility and its impact on asanas. Preparations for the upcoming TTC were in full swing and we were happy to see that the first winter TTC in the London Centre is becoming very popular, with 21 students registered so far. The new brochure was finalised and has been sent out per email to all the Centre students.

During mid-February the London Centre was transformed into a real city Ashram. Bunk beds were assembled, the basement reorganised and rooms turned into dormitories. On a sunny Sunday afternoon, we welcomed the 21 TTC students from France, Greece, Holland, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and the UK, ranging in age between 20 and 82. We were very happy to welcome Ananta from the Orleans Ashram and Manohara from the Paris Centre for the 4 weeks of course teaching. Om Shanti.

http://www.sivananda.org/london

Om Namo Narayanaya! At the beginning of February we saw another successful completion of a Yoga One Course! A Meditation Two Course continued smoothly on Sunday mornings. Wednesday and Sunday evening Satsangs were well attended where we enjoyed chanting Kirtan and Sunday Prayer together. Besides our normal community Gentle Yoga class, we also had a deaf yoga and kids’ yoga class. There were two Ma Durga Pujas one Friday: one at the Centre and one at the staff residence to initiated the new apartment, nicked named Panchavatti, by Swami Sitaramananda.

During mid-February Sunday Satsang saw a beautiful gathering. A friend of the Centre, Nichole, and student, Robert, led Kirtan, we all chanted whole-heartily and full of devotion. We offered a Devi Puja at the Centre and at a staff residence to honour Lakshmi. May she bring us all spiritual abundance and prosperity! Meditation Two course continued smoothly on Sunday mornings, where students are very involved and asking many questions. There were two Karma Yoga parties. We organized, decluttered and cleaned out the storage at the Centre. We also did some gardening, as rain graced Los Angeles and brought life out of the soil. May Grace of the Guru continue to shelter and guide us. Staff are well and are sending Pranams to all.

http://www.sivananda.org/la

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed Selves! During February we saw an increase in the number of students coming for classes as well as courses.  Swami Sivadasananda came for a one day special program with an asana class followed by evening Satsang on the topic “Yoga in daily life”: the main hall was full and everyone was grateful for the energy shared and inspiration. An international newsletter regarding the Easter Retreat was sent and inscriptions are coming. Brochures for Summer School and TTC Aluenda  2016 were sent to close teachers all over Spain. Gopala left for the Valencia Yoga Congress, where he taught two classes (including a Kriya workshop!) and actively promoted Centre activities with the support of local teachers. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/madrid

Om Namah Sivaya. At the beginning of February the winter seemed to finish and summer started slowly slowly. It was hot, compared to January. We started a new yoga Beginner course in the mornings – 6am and 10 am. We restarted the classes for the chairman of TVS company Mss. Shobhana Ramachandran, after a long gap. Classes in Centre such as open class, Kids class, and gentle class continued smoothly, with the grace of Gods and Gurus. We were blessed to partake in the final TTC inauguration ceremony in our Madurai Meenakshi Ashram, with all our staff. Two of our long time students and well wisher, Mr. Suresh (owner of Sarvana Hotel) and his wife, joined the latest TTC in Madurai. Everything else went well with Yogeswar Krishana.

During mid-February, under presence of the Gurus, all are spreading the Sivananda teachings to many as people as possible. Classes in the Centre went well, including the beginner course, open classes, private classes and kids class. One Saturday a Mudra class workshop was given by Pariah, which was well appreciated by the students. A 108 round of Surya Namaskar was conducted for students, with many people who attend the Sunday class. We offered public Sunday Satsangs, with students and staff attending. Pranams to all from Temple city Madurai Centre. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi!!

http://www.sivananda.org/madurai

Om Namah Sivaya. Om Namo Narayanaya to the Sivananda family.

http://www.sivananda.org/milano

Om Namah Sivaya! At the beginning of February we had lots of energy. The Centre was crowded. Teachers Enrique, Anandi and Nirmala arrived to give their lessons. We formed a nice group for the pregnancy class. Many people registered for the Beginners courses on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The Friday meditations were guided by Lalita and Chandra. We viewed the TTC video, showing all activities that took place during the January TTC in Garopaba, Brazil. The people who came to the Saturday trial class signed up for the next Beginners course, starting on February 15th. The rest of the activities developed normally.

Sao Paulo: With the Grace of the Lord and the Master everything we are doing a lot of work to start the Centre in Sao Paulo. There have been a lot of donations and help from the teachers and karma yogis. The house chosen was very comfortable, although small. We were working in the diffusion as well as maintenance. The official inauguration will be at April 10th. All are invited.

During mid-February classes were developing normally. We started the last Beginners course of February with a good turnout of students. Priya, a new teacher who came from TTC – Garopaba, assisted with the Beginners classes.  A highlight was the Open House Day, carried out with the support of Anandi, with the Introduction to Yoga talk. We continued to experience high temperatures during this intense summer. The rest of the activities developed normally. Om Shanti!!

http://www.sivananda.org/montevideo

Om Namah Sivaya from the Montreal Centre! At the beginning of February, the Centre enjoyed yet another busy schedule. The beginner Yoga 1 courses concluded, with many students signing up for upcoming Yoga 2 courses. Nikhila conducted a workshop on Bhakti Yoga which was attended by 4 students and a talk of the same subject during Satsang, for which we had more than usual students. Three students completed the Yoga 1 & 2 Intensive course and received a free 2 week unlimited pass to motivate them to attend the open classes and continue to develop a strong practice. The gentle yoga classes continued to be popular, with numbers increasing every week. Saraswati led a hip opening workshop which was attended by 10 eager students. We only had 6 children quiet kids class, which was unusual as we have at least 10 every week! Needless to say the adults in the dynamique class enjoyed a peaceful and relaxing class! The Sunday evening open class continued to be very popular, with over 20 students attending the class. Swami Shivabhaktananda led Satsang – “How to Develop Virtues”. Students and teachers alike were happy with knowledge shared by Swamiji through his humour and practical approach in his explanations. We are blessed to have the grace of our Master and Guru, new teachers and karma yogis offering their time to help out at the Centre. Sending Pranams to all!!

http://www.sivananda.org/montreal

Om Namah Sivaya. One of the highlights of February was a special program with Yoga Acharya Swami Sivadasananda with two longer asana-workshops and two Satsangs. We held a day “Relaxation and Stress-Reduction” at the Centre as well as a further teachers training day with the title “Yoga@Home”. We also taught a cooking class “Quick and Easy Dishes for Busy People” and a four week course “Vegetarian Cooking”, each session consisting of 40 minutes of theory and 50 minutes of practice where a number of recipes will be cooked. We are looking forward to welcome you at the Sivananda Yoga Centre Munich! OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/munich

Om Namah Sivaya! At the beginning of February we finished a couple of Yoga 1 and Yoga 2 courses. It was a great turnout. We prepared to start new courses immediately after. Neeti led an evening Satsang and a Bhagavad Gita study night. The number of people coming each week is steadily rising. Anandakaya arrived from the Ashram and stayed for a week to finish her Yoga 1 course and then left for the Ranch. We greatly appreciated her help and wished her well on her next move. We had our monthly Open House. It began slow but picked up as time went on, with the classes almost all full. Everyone appeared very pleased with the classes and the meal. The basement was being worked on by some outside karma yogis, looking less cluttered and more organized. We were hoping to finish that project and move on from the basement soon to begin painting some of the walls in the Centre. Shakti led the Sunday evening Satsang with a good turnout, despite it being Super Bowl Sunday.

During mid-February the shift to more spring-like weather was refreshing for everyone. The energy and focus of the students attending the classes was inspiring. We finished a Yoga 3 course and an Introduction to Meditation course and prepped to start new courses. Neeti led the evening Satsang and then traveled to the Yoga Ranch to lead a a weekend workshop on the Bhagavad Gita. Kamala Chaitanya arrived from the Ashram with Neeti, Anandakaya and Jose, an outside karma yogi. Kamala Chaitanya led a Sunday evening Satsang, which was very inspiring and well attended. All the Staff are well and send their pranams. With Guru’s grace, we will be blessed and inspired to carry on his peace mission. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/ny

Om Namah Sivaya. The Centre was blessed with Swami Kailasananda presence. Swamiji visited the Centre for many days giving inspiring  Satsangs, putting a dose of sattva in the house, guiding and inspiring everyone. There were 3 well attended workshops on The yoga of positive relations,  Mantra and  yoga @work.  We had also the continuation of a nutrition course, a positive thinking course and a meditation course. There was a cooking class and an interesting fourth hours lecture on stress management given by the scientist Philippe Bobola. We had a successful Open House with more than 400 students visiting  the Centre for the regular classes and the special activities. 80 students were there for the trial class. The new comers got inspired by the teachings of Swami Sivananda and Swami Vishnudevananda. We had some meetings to evaluate the renovations in two asana rooms and in the back office. The karma yogis did a deep cleaning and reorganization of the kitchen. They took also care of the Main halls’ rain gutters on the roof and put new humidifier on the radiators. We are working and experimenting  a new accounting software Quickbooks for Paris and Orléans which give a good view of the incomes and expenses every month with automatic bank reconciliations. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/paris

Om Namah Sivaya from Brasil. At the beginning of February Jaya Sri, who is from Brazil arrived and is serving for a few months. Due to the Carnaval Holiday in Brazil on Monday/ Tuesday, the Centre was closed.

During mid-February we had 3 new beginners groups. Three new teachers started training to teach their own classes soon. Staff are well and sending pranams to all the Sivananda family. Om Om Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/portoalegre

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed selves. At the beginning of February we had a concert one Saturday and special Satsang, focused on the Chanting of Om, both programs were given by two teachers who are professional musicians. Many regular students attended along with guests coming for the first time. We also had a headstand workshop one weekend. We send Pranams to all Staff, Teachers, and Students around the World and pray that Master and Swamiji continue to guide and protect us. Om Shanti.

http://www.sivananda.org/rome

Om Namo Narayanaya, Blessed Selves. At the beginning of February we were invited to teach a lunchtime yoga class at Deloitte Consulting in downtown San Francisco as one of their “health month” events. The Centre was part of the fitness studio network, ClassPass, where for a monthly fee, members can take classes at any studios in the network. ClassPass continues to draw students to the Centre with 26 students in January alone. We held a Friday afternoon Chanting Workshop, which will be offered regularly due to the positive response. Seven people came for a Yoga Nidra session one Saturday afternoon. They felt deeply nourished and are requesting repeat sessions. Sunday Satsang topic was “Surrender” and how we must be prepared for a radical change when there is real integral self-surrender at the core of our heart.

During mid-February we started and finished healthy sized Yoga 1 courses. We developed a relationship with Ayurvedic practitioner, Kathy Gehlken. One Saturday, she offered a cooking workshop “Jumpstart Your Digestion”. Participants were pleased to consider the medicinal properties of food and spices. Each took home spice, tea and kitcheree mixes according to their constitution. Sankari Chaitanya started a Sanskrit class with Gajananam. She also attended the Wisdom 2.0 Conference in San Francisco, where the “tech industry” looked into mindfulness. It certainly reaffirmed that there is a large audience in need of what we teach. Pranams to all from the new San Francisco Centre.

http://www.sivananda.org/sanfrancisco

Om Namah sivaya. At the beginning of February we held the last Swami Swaroopananda Q&A evening for his visit. Our big asana room was over packed with more than 100 people. The evening attracted many of our new students who were so inspired to meet Swami Swaroopananda for the first time. The event was a great success and everyone came out uplifted and motivated by Swamiji’s lucid and inspiring answers and insight on the Yogic practices and their goal. We welcomed Shankara Chaitanya back to the Centre after a month long visit to the Bahamas Yoga Retreat, where he taught the Hatha Yoga portion of the ATTC. Shankara came back beaming with energy and filled us all with enthusiasm with stories and insights from his visit to the Ashram. We opened a new meditation course, with 12 participants and Yoga 3 with 14 students. Most of our energy was focused on promoting Swami Swaroopananda’s Q&A evening as well as the new programs with Shankara Chaitanya.

During mid-February Swami Swaroopananda, Swami Prema, Jnaneshwari and Kumari left Israel on their way to the Yoga Retreat after a most wonderful, eventful and inspiring seven month stay in Israel. Their stay enriched the Centre in many ways. Staff and students were very grateful for everything they shared with us these past seven months.
A new Meditation course started with 12 students. Registration for upcoming courses progressed very nicely. The staff took the time to rest and rejuvenate after a very intense week of preparations and final arrangements for the flight of Swami Swaroopananda, Swami Prema and their helpers. Pranams to all the Sivananda Family from the Tel Aviv Centre.

http://www.sivananda.org/telaviv

Om Namah Sivaya. At the beginning of February the weather was still cold and the air is exceedingly dry. Machiko and Shantidevi were ill with flu for a few days. We cancelled Satsanga from a few days. The Centre was supported by outside karma yogis, appearing to teach classes and courses, also offering hands for the housekeeping and cooking. We gratefully completed all classes and courses with their help. Machiko and Shantidevi soon recovered and returned to their duties. Machiko travelled to Vietnam to support TTC. Yamuna came back and stayed as a staff to support daily duties during Machiko’s absence.

A “Yoga Nidra workshop” was held, which was fully booked, with 23 students. New sessions of Yoga1 and Yoga2 courses started with 29 students participating. 18 people arrived to “Trial Class” one Sunday. Among them, 5 students paid annual membership fee and became a member, and 4 people dropped in Yoga1 course which was held right after the trial class.

During mid-February a “Laughter Yoga” workshop was held on a Sunday, with 12 people attending. A Sunday morning Satsanga was popular with 18 people attending, plus 6 students who just finished TTC in India. One person sign up for Karma Yogi and will start duties immediately. A Friday evening open class was popular with 12 students attending. Om and Prem to all the Sivananda family. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

http://www.sivananda.jp

Om Namah Sivaya. At the beginning of February the weather in Toronto was unusually warm for this time of the year with not a trace of snow in the forecast! Our courses and classes continued with good attendance. We started another Beginner’s course and concluded a meditation course. One Saturday we offered a Headstand workshop. All evening and morning Satsangs are very well attended. Prahlad left for Neyyar Dam Ashram in India where he will be teaching ATTC for the next month. Our resident, Kanti left for India to do her ATTC and then further, home to Belarus to spend time with her family.

During mid-February a Yoga 2, early morning Yoga 1 and meditation courses started. Vijay offered an Indian vegetarian cooking workshop that had full attendance. Bhavani prepared several lovely meals for our youth from the mental health centre and a local school staff, that were very much appreciated. She left for home after spending almost 2 months at the Centre where she immersed herself in learning and karma yoga. We welcomed our new staff,  Radha, who arrived from India where she was a karma yogi translating for Japanese TTC students. A lot of students regularly signed up for our dinners which contribute to building a very strong community. Morning Satsangs were attended by some students who come before their work and before the school which is very inspiring for all of us. Satsangs continued to attract many new students, some signing up for the beginner courses. Pranams to all.

http://www.sivananda.org/toronto

Om Namah Sivaya. At the beginning of February, with the blessings of our Gurus, a new Beginners’ batch started in the evenings. The current ladies batch completed their course. We conducted a Head Stand workshop for the students, which helped them to improve their posture. Open, Kids, Gentle Yoga and Advance class went well. Lalitha Sahasra Nama Puja was conducted by our regular priest on Fridays. Satsang was led by Sw. Janardhanananda ji.

During mid-February the Summer heat was intensifying. Regardless, students were enthusiastic to do their practice. Our director, Rajesh, went to Neyyar Dam Ashram for the annual India Directors Meeting. A Beginners’ morning batch started on the same day morning. Lalitha Sahasra Nama Puja was conducted by our regular priest on Fridays. Satsang was led by Sri. Nataraj ji. Pranams to all. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

http://www.sivananda.org/trivandrum

Om Namah Sivaya. During the last week of January we held a seminar “Yoga@Home” on the weekend, including a workshop on tips and techniques to improve the home practice. Swami Keshavananda came for a two weeks stay at the Centre. He started renovation works on the kitchen and reception area including a new interior design. Many Karma Yogis supported the Centre with dismantling the old kitchen and painting walls and windows. Though the weekend was the beginning of one weeks winter holiday many students came for classes and also the Satsangs were well attended. During the first week of February the renovation work on the kitchen and reception area, went on. New kitchen furniture as assembled and walls and windows were painted. Later on this month Several new courses started. The special programme with Swami Ramapriyananda brought a lively energy and the yoga workshop and Satsang were well received. Swami Satyananda went to Uttarkashi to teach in the ATTC. Staff are well and are sending Pranams. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vienna

Om Namah Sivaya. In February we started with several beginners and higher courses with good number of the students. We had a “Yoga for the Back” workshop with thirty participants. There was presentation of power point, explaining some anatomy details, five points, alignment, stress influence on the muscles etc. In practical part sun salutation was explained in detail, also some specific exercises for improving back alignment were done. We held as well cooking class named “Quick to prepare vegetarian dishes for busy people”. Close Karma yogi and teacher gave the practical part of  this class explaining simple menu, spicing and positive attitude during the cooking itself. We are welcoming more students and many teachers for different Satsangs and Prana is building up well with different chants, Kirtans and readings from Master`s book Bliss Divine.Yearly brochure planning is going well. Team of karma yogis supporting the Centre during the week and on weekend in different departments of the Centre and also in reception. Pranams to all the Sivananda family. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vilnius