Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashrams

Om Namah Sivaya, Greetings from the Headquarters. During mid-June we had 17 eager students for the Sadhana Intensive. They helped in the gardens for their karma yoga, which was a big help for the staff. We also had karma yoga night with all the students, guests and staff helping to plant the flowers in the garden. The maintenance crew worked a lot at the Mariamman Temple to help clean up the gardens and surrounding area from the construction. Gauri Chaitanya arrived, to be with us for the summer, cooking for kids camp and the Ashram later on in the season. The Pongala festival started, with the entire Temple lit up in lights and decorations by the devotees. It was a beautiful Pooja attended by the entire Ashram. During the festival we went up the hill every evening to support the devotees and take part in the Pooja. The number of staff slowly grew in size, receiving support for all the departments. The staff, as always, were busy preparing for the TTC, maintaining the grounds and making sure the guests were well taken care of. We hope everyone is in good spirits! Pranams to all! Om Namo Narayanaya to all Sivananda Staff from the Yoga Camp.

IDY – Yoga Camp: We held our International Yoga Day celebration in the quiet village of Val-Morin in a peaceful and simple way. The staff, guests and some of the Sadhana Intensive students were led by Prahlad, leaving the Ashram at 7:00 towards the City Hall in Val-Morin. After the 10 minutes walk we found ourselves in a nice spot right in front of the City Hall and the village church where we rolled out our mats and did few rounds of Sun Salutations and some Asanas. The small group attracted the attention of those passing by and brought the awareness of Yoga and mainly the presence of the Ashram just a couple of blocks away. To conclude we chanted Jaya Ganesha and heard some stories of Swamiji told by Prahlad, about his Peace missions and efforts of making Yoga and its benefits known. May Master and Swamiji’s blessings be with us and that their light and teachings continue to guide us all.

http://www.sivananda.org/camp

Namah Sivaya to all. In early June Yoga Vacation classes saw good number of students, despite the low season. We welcomed Srinivas ji, conducting Bhagavad Gita and Sanskrit classes for Yoga Vacationers and staff. Babyish transferred to the Delhi Centre. Surya returned to school. Nataraj, Kalyani and Rajesh travelled to Japan for programs. We welcomed new staff member, Bhavna.

During mid-June the highlight was the International Day of Yoga celebrated around the world. All our attention centered around the program in the Trivandrum Centre. In addition there various press interviews, demonstrations and classes at various venues including a class for 350 police officers lead by Suresh and assistants in Trivandrum. Most of the guests and staff went to the Centre to participate in the function there. Pranams & Om Namah Sivaya from all staff at Neyyar Dam.

IDY – NeyyarDam: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres in India were honoured to participate in the 1st India-China (Chengdu) International Yoga Festival organised by the Consulate General of India Guangzhou with support from Chinese local government. The five day event culminated on 21st June, the International Day of Yoga. Nineteen yoga teachers from India were present, including teachers from the Ashtanga (Mysore style), Kaivalyadham, Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, Isha Hatha Yoga and Indea Yoga institutions.

Apart from educating the public about the benefits of Yoga, the festival was intended to emphasize the central place of India in the history of Yoga as suggested by the festival motto ‘ Taking Yoga back to its roots’. During the opening ceremony, H.E. Ashok K. Kantha, the Ambassador of India to China referred to the large and growing popularity of Yoga in China and how it resonated with China’s own traditions like taichi. He hoped that the practice of Yoga would help to build friendly ties between India and China.

The SYVC programme included daily talks on the 5 Points of Yoga followed by basic class. Additionally the event included panel discussions, press interviews and promotional demonstrations such as yoga and Taichi and Panda yoga. The SYVC team consisted of Nataraj, Kalyani and Anisha as well as three Chinese TTC graduates; Sivani , Vidyadevi and Jyothi. Sivani provided simultaneous Chinese translation. Due to popular interest we even held two bhajan sessions with the students. The participants were very encouraged by the news of the forth coming September TTC in Dujiangyan and October opening of the new SYVC centre in Chengdu.

http://www.sivananda.org/neyyardam

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

IDY – Uttar Kashi: The participation of Sivananda Kutir, Netala for the International Yoga Day celebrations on June 21, 2015:
In the morning, on the invitation of the Principal, DIG Sri J P Yadavji, we visited the Indo Tibetan Border Police Training Facility at Mandanda near Uttarkashi. He graciously welcomed the teachers, staff and students of our Ashram. Thereafter, we conducted a Yoga Class for the approximate 300 Jawans and officers of ITBP present there. The program was conducted as per the protocol sent by the Government for the event. All our students, staff and teachers participated in conducting and assisting the class. On completion of the class, the Principal Sri J P Yadavji, thanked us for visiting the camp and successfully conducting the Yoga program. He also invited us to his residence and offered us some refreshments. In the evening, we visited the Tapovan Kutir Ashram in Uttarkashi. The Yoga community at Uttarkashi had organized a demonstration, talk
and video show for the local people here. Three of our students also demonstrated Asanas to the attending Swamis, yogis and the public. After a video show on India’s great yogis and some light refreshments, we returned to the Ashram. Pranams to all.

http://www.sivananda.org/uttarkashi

Om Namo Narayanaya. Pranams from Madurai. In early June there was no more escape from June’s Sun; the heat grilled us red but only when out. Interior areas of Ashram continued to be charmingly cool; thanks to the thatched roofs, vegetation, lush lawn and the sprinklers that drizzles around. Yoga vacationers continued to absorb themselves into their practice while the lesser strength and quieter environment was working to their advantage. Staff karma yoga continued on various parts of the field, picking stones, weeds and plastic that bring us in close connection with soil every evening. A second batch of staff took a day off to Kodaikanal, a favorite summer escape for tourists.

During mid-June the prime focus was June 21st, the International Day of Yoga! Our chief attention went into planning the welcoming ceremony of the first International Day of Yoga while also curious noticing the attention it was receiving nationwide and worldwide. Yoga day, as the meaning implies, was celebrated the yoga way where the Ashram, Centre, staff and students united themselves as one team in presenting the celebration in a planned sequence to a varied group of audiences, the general public first, the India-Tibet Border Police team next and lastly to kids and elders through discourses, demonstrations, gifting special edition Yoga Day brochures of ISYVC along with pamphlets of Meenakshi Ashram and Madurai Centre in the presence of VIPs and media. The first part of the event was opened at 6:00 AM in Sundaram Park called by the locals as the Walker’s Club. The ceremony was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner of Police of Madurai city in the distinguished presence of Dr. Narayanasamy, Trustee and other VIPs. About 150 people took part to learn and explore the practice of asanas. At its conclusion, the specially released Organization edition of Yoga Day brochures was distributed to the public along with Ashram and Centre pamphlets. The second part of the event was presented to an interesting group, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, at their camp. A large group of 300 policemen went through the 12 basic postures with absolute sincerity. Both sessions were taught by Yashpal with the assistance of Ashram and Centre staff. After accepting their hospitality, we moved on to the last part of the celebration in the Meenakshi Ashram which was a Kids’ special. Following a formal inaugural ceremony at 4:30 PM by prominent Administrative Officials of the city our yoga kids from the neighboring village and school children from Madurai showcased few challenging asanas with such ease and confidence. After conclusion of the program, high tea and dinner was served for about 200 hundred people in the Ashram premises. The event appeared to be well reaching and well received by the participants. While this was happening here we were equally glad to hear through Anisha regarding the India-China Yoga festival and how the lectures on Swami Vishnu’s 5 points of Yoga, practice classes of 12 basic postures and specially arranged chanting sessions presented by Natarajji and Kalyaniji to a largely Chinese audience had a promising reception. We hope and wish that the beginning of this celebration would globally mark the true purpose of Yoga, uniting one’s own outer to their inner, uniting minds, cultures and civilization, a ‘True World Order’ giving rise to universal peace and harmony as envisioned by Swamiji. Om Shanti. Om shanti. All are well and conveying Pranams. OM.

IDY – Meenakshi Ashram: Om Namah Sivaya! The first International Yoga Day celebrations was jointly organized by Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Meenakshi ashram and Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre at Madurai. Our celebrations were three-fold encompassing three different groups: simple civilians who tries to cope up with the challenges of their life, intensely trained police who serve at the Indo-Tibetan Border and finally at ashram with a group of children and senior citizens. The first part of the event was opened at 6:00 AM in Sundaram park called by the locals as walker’s club. The ceremony was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner of Police of Madurai city in the distinguished presence of Dr. Narayanasamy, Trustee and other VIPs. About 150 people took part to learn and explore the practice of asanas. At its conclusion the specially released organizational edition of Yoga day brochures was distributed to the public along with Ashram and Centre pamphlets. The second part of the event was presented to an interesting group, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, at their camp. A large group of 300 policemen went through the 12 basic postures with absolute sincerity. Both sessions was taught by Yashpal with the assistance of Ashram and Centre staff. After accepting their hospitality, we moved on to the last part of the celebration in Meenakshi ashram which was a Kids special. Following a formal inaugural ceremony at 4:30 PM by prominent Administrative Officials of the city our yoga kids from the neighbouring village and school children from Madurai showcased few challenging asanas with such ease and confidence. After conclusion of the program, high tea and dinner was served for about 200 hundred people in the ashram premises. We hope and wish that the beginning of this celebration would globally mark the true purpose of ‘Yoga’, uniting cultures and civilization, a ‘True World Order’ as envisioned by Swamiji.

www.sivananda.org/madurai

Om Namah Sivaya! In early June we started the TTC course. The students were introduced to the Gurus during the inauguration and Satsangs. We had a Ganapathi Homa for the success of the course. It was a beautiful traditional ceremony performed by the local Hindu priest, Manoj Kumar. Srininvasan and Saraswati left for the Bahamas to take part in the 60th birthday celebrations for Swami Swaroopananda. It was also Srinivasan’s birthday the same day, and staff sent well wishes to him via a short video recorded after the morning staff meeting. Dr. Marilyn Rossner arrived for a program she lead on “Kama Yoga as a Path to Happiness”. Marilyn led Satsangs and gave a workshop. Her program was inspiring. Rabbi Zoe Zak joined us to give an uplifting musical performance during Satsang. The weather has been holding up with sunshine and blue skies.

During mid-June the staff kept very busy between the TTC, gardening, grounds maintenance and various other upkeep. We worked on painting projects throughout the Ashram, preparing for summer. Iswari, our Ayurveda Practitioner, gave a presentation on Ayurveda at a Friday night Satsang. Atmarama Dasa arrived for a weekend to perform a concert. All staff are well, strong in their Sadhana and send their pranams.

IDY – Ranch: For the celebration of the first International Day of Yoga, Srininvasan was invited to the United Nations for the ceremonies to mark this significant day. Many of our staff went into New York City where there were events happenings throughout. Our staff went to Times Square, where yoga classes were taking place, and handed out hundreds of the commemorative magazines printed by ISYVC, to passers by on the streets of NYC. At the New York Centre, free classes were taught all day and the evening Satsang, lead by Srininvasan, was a full house. It was a memorable day, to say the least. It had an inspiring effect on all of us.

Om Namah Sivaya! In early June and following the TTC we had 2 days to prepare for the arrival of ATTC students, staff, and karma yogis. Swami Sitaramananda inaugurated 27 students into the course with a Ganapathi Puja performed by Swami Vasishtananda. The students adapted quickly to the course schedule and many staff have joined in the early morning pranayama. Swami Sitaramananda is the main lecturer, Swami Pranavananda teaches the Raja Yoga and the Hatha Yoga with Ananta Chaitanya, Lilamayi, and Sri Devi, and Swmi Jnaneswariananda is teaching the Anatomy and Physiology and Sanskrit. Machiko, director of the Tokyo Centre, Ganga, director of the Ho Chi Mihn Centre and other staff and students from Taiwan, Japan, China, Vietnam, have come to participate in the course. We also have students from the United States, Brazil, and Dubai. Swami Dharmananda traveled to Los Angeles to go to IAYT conference and help the LA Centre and will continue on to Tokyo to help direct the Centre for a few weeks when Machiko is at the Farm. We welcomed Indian teacher from S-VYASA Yoga University Raguramji and a group of 58, including 9 children, from a local SF chapter of Yoga Bharati, returning for their annual retreat. The Ashram was full and alive to more than capacity with staff given up their rooms for guests. Hasu Patel ji and Stephen Fiske both gave outstanding concerts, appreciated by all.

During mid-June the ATTC completed their second week of courses. They are filled with prana and insights from their Sadhana and lectures. Tulku Sherdor continued his program on Meditation techniques during 4 evening Satsangs, going deeper in the topic of the mind and meditation. Manu Dawson arrived to lead the Ten Day Fasting and Detoxification program with 11 guests and 2 staff participating in this purification. Nandini is assisting Manu while Tarini is preparing the raw food and juices prescribed by Manu. Documentary film maker Benoy Behl arrived at the Ashram to continue his film on Unity in Diversity, Sivananda Yoga Path to Peace. We had a concert with Babukishan, perfotming Kirtan in the Baul tradition of Bengal. His short, but energetic performance had the yoga hall on its feet chanting and dancing. 38 staff, students, and guests loaded into vans and cars at 6:30 in the morning to travel to San Francisco for the International Yoga Day held in Marina Park near the Golden Gate Bridge. The event was organized by the Indian Consulate in San Francisco and several schools of yoga in the city. We had a booth with information on the Centre and the Yoga Farm, books, clothing, and other items. Swami Sitaramananda gave a well received talk on yoga and meditation while students and staff demonstrated Surya Namaskar and 12 basic asanas behind her, emphasizing the importance of the asana practice as a means to higher practices. At the Yoga Farm we invited the public to visit the Ashram and partake in free events, including a walking tour of the Ashram, Kirtan workshop with Deviyani, lecture by Swami Pranavananda on the science of Yoga, asana class, and a Satsang on Peace. The ATTC students who stayed behind filled in for the staff in San Francisco and helped keep the Ashram running smoothly throughout for the day.Om Namah Sivaya to all blessed selves from the Yoga Farm.

IDY – Yoga Farm: The Yoga Farm staff and 6 international students’ (including a 76 years old taiwanese man as limber as a 20 yrs of young) travelled to San Francisco to participate in the IDY event. Their presentation stood out in its beautiful and precise demonstration of the 12 postures sequence, both in basic form and in advanced form, accompanied by the talk of Swami Sitaramananda who explained the specifics of our teaching, 5 points, 4 paths, 12 postures . She also led the crowd of 1000 or so to a few minutes of meditation. We had our booth well supplied and 38 of us came from the Yoga farm for the event which took place in Marina green park near GG park. There were more then 25 items to the collective presentation of many schools, and an official appearance of the SF consul and the India minister of Finances. Film maker Benoy Behl arrived from Delhi to film the event and interview people. We carried on to visit SF center and complete our longest day of the year at the beautiful SF center.

http://www.sivananda.org/farm

Om Namo Narayanaya, Blessed Selves. In early June the Ashram celebrated Swami Swaroopananda’s 60th birthday – a special guest list of Ashram friends presented in front of a truly global Sivananda family audience with devotees flying in from all corners of the globe. We began with a a Ganapati Puja to officially open the celebrations, giving way to Swami Medhananda to talk on practical vedanta that night. Swami Atmamanda, a Sivananda discipline blessed us with talks on Godly Gossip – a collection of life experiences he’s had along his spiritual path, including amusing anecdotes from his time with Swami Sivananda, while our very own Swami Swaroopananda gave talks on his time with Swami Vishnudevananda. An all inclusive mandala was created (and destroyed by the rain) on the tennis court where anyone and everyone was invited to contribute their creative vision. Musical enlightenment came from tender performances from Atmarama Dass, GS Sachdev and Swapan Chaudhuri, and the inimitable Krishna Das who blessed us with a 2.5 hour concert! The climax to the celebrations came on the Sunday – an extended Satsang program began with a shasta Puja performed by Krishna Namboodri; intermittent talks and chanting from previous guests; gift presentations and heartfelt renditions of special memories of their time with Swamiji from around the world; a huge feast with quite possibly the world’s largest cake. The energy that surmounted left everyone touched with a link to all gurus, whether on this plane or another, whether in this lineage or not – we feel blessed that the door was briefly opened on the heart of the Sivananda heritage, and devotees old and new were able to connect not just with each other, but directly with what keeps each individual dedicated to this organization. Master Ou Wen Wei offered an introduction to Qi-Gong explaining the key to good health and happiness was through internal communion with God. We said congratulations to the May TTC students who graduated mid-week. We then welcomed another group of peace-leaders-in-the-making for our first ever June TTC – what a poetic example of how the original mission from the masters continues.

During mid-June Summer definitely arrived in the Bahamas but luckily we have the beautiful ocean to keep everyone cool! Jnaneshwari offered talks on health from Bliss Divine, followed by Swami Hridyananda on Swami Sivananda’s 21 spiritual instructions and Swami Brahmananda on the topic of God. We were treated with an uplifting concert by GS Sachdev accompanied by Nitin Mitta on the tabla, followed by a series of lectures by Swami Hridyananda on how to use yoga to transcend depression and anxiety.
A special Durga Puja performed by our priest Krishnanamboodri brought blessings from Mother Nature just in time for summer solstice, which coincided with the first ever International Yoga Day. A busy day for us as we welcomed 75 special guests led by the Indian Minister to participate in a special program ending with an exquisite lunch prepared by our ever talented kitchen staff. Two hours of Surya Namaskars led by Krishnanamboodri must also be mentioned – pictures of all the staff and guests getting involved can be found on our facebook page! Om Shanti from all the staff in Nassau.

IDY – Nassau: A beautiful, blue sky greeted us on June 21st in the Bahamas, after our meditation walk before sunrise on the beach. At the request of The High Commission of India, Kingston, Jamaica, Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas and the State Bank of India, Nassau partnered to host a special event in honor of INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA. The day’s special activities began at 8am, with 2 hours of Surya Namaskar, led by our priest, Krishnan Namboodiri, who invoked continual chanting while doing the asanas.
75 Guests were greeted at the Nassau Dock by senior staff member, Pranava, and then transported by boats to Paradise Island. A huge banner hung from the rafters denoting the historic day and we listened to a few opening remarks by our partner and CEO of the State Bank of India, Puneet Narain. The local guests were then escorted to the main platform to join vacation guests, karma yogis and staff for the welcome by senior staff member, Rukmini. A meaningful talk followed by Swami Brahmananda, ‘Yoga and a Healthy Lifestyle’, with demonstrations by senior staff member, Krishna Das. Children’s activities, snacks and special children’s yoga class took place, led by karma yogis, while the adults were led in a traditional yoga class by senior staff member, Iswara and several assistants. Children and parents united for a vegetarian feast prepared with love by our wonderful chef, Ambika and her crew of karma yogis. After a bit of ice cream, tours were given, providing a glance into the history and future vision for the Ashram. We shared plans and renderings for our new temple and are excited that a few of those reviewing the plans offered to be part of the fund raising committee! Some of the guests remained at the Ashram for beach time and enjoyment of the ocean. Others were transported back to Nassau by our boats, by Captains Ganesha and Keith. It was a great day of yoga and community spirit! Special thanks to Minakshi and Mary for their organization and production of the event.

http://www.sivananda.org/nassau

Om Namah Sivaya. The last week of May the TTC and ATTC entered into the 3rd week of their studies. A highlight were readings from the Srimad Bhagavatam accompanied by exquisite Indian classical music. Swami Durgananda and Swami Sivadasananda were present at the Retreat House and gave inspiring Satsangs. Dr Kamlesh, Ayurveda Acharya, gave well received lectures for TTCs and guests. The beautiful weather permitted to teach outside and all felt very happy with this. The TTC and ATTC students were preparing for their final exams which they completed successfully. The graduation ceremony was joyfully celebrated in high spirits. Mid of June a new certificate course named Health for Meditation started. Swami Ramapriyananda guided the group in meditation techniques, the use of a spiritual diary, japa, a healthy diet and more. The participants enjoyed the variety of topics and the practical approach. We also welcomed a nice group of TTCs for the further training on Yoga during Pregnancy. Padmavati, Sivananda Yoga Teacher from Berlin and experienced midwife, led the group through the different stages of pregnancy and their special requirements. OM.

IDY – Reith: The International Yoga Day. For the morning yoga class 30 guests came from the area as well as from Germany, England, Scotland, Israel and Canada. The Mayor of the village Reith came to congratulate for the event. After the class a free snack was enjoyed at the hotel and then we gathered again for the lecture with Swami Vidyananda on the cross-cultural message of yoga. Afterwards we did an asana demonstration with detailed information on the 12 basic postures. In the afternoon the program continued at the event hall of the village of Reith. New visitors came to listen to the lecture of Swami Ramapriyananda about the latest research on yoga and medicine. The lecture was followed by another free yoga class with 30 participants. The day ended with a casual get together with lovingly prepared vegetarian snacks and tea. The whole weekend was a full success and people left satisfied.

http://www.sivananda.org/tyrol

Om Namah Sivaya. Our first TTC of the year ended on high spirits. All 38 students got their certificate and almost half of them passed with an excellent test. Swami Kailasananada was here for the graduation ceremony. The priest chanted auspicious mantras for the well being and quick evolution of all graduates. This month we hosted a few local guest speakers, Cecile Dubois who spoke about geobiology, Jean-James Garreau, a nutrition expert and Loic Sallet, who gave talks on the conscious use of water. Madhavi Birkholm gave a nice presentation on Yoga Nidra and on Yoga for Anxiety and Trauma. Highlight of the month was the ‘TTC Refresher’ ; after an intense preparation we were happy to receive Swami Durgananda, Swami Sivadasananda, Swami Kailasananda and other staff and 150 Sivananda Yoga Teachers. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/orleans