Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Zentrum, Berlin, Germany

Om Namah Sivaya! In November several intermediate courses and a Meditation course 2 started. We celebrated Swami Vishundevanandas Mahasamadhi with a devoted group of students and teachers. Many flowers decorated the altar beautifully and the energy was strong and full of love. The same day we had a Yoga 2 Intensive course and a successful preparation seminar for TTC. We also did a small photoshoot for our new brochure. We had a rehearsal for the theatre play for the Christmas party. The group was inspired and already looking forward to the performance. The work on the Centre brochure continued. Many Karma Yogis supported the Centre.

As November continued, we offered a day seminar on relaxation, with an inspired group of students. They enjoyed staying in the Centre for the whole day for Asanas, Pranayama, lecture and Satsang. The theater group for the Christmas play continued with their rehearsals. The construction work in and around the mens toilet was finally finished. In addition to a new toilet we now have a third staff shower and a new kitchen sink positioned closer to the reception area for washing tea glasses and soup bowls. The new look is very beautiful and modern, appreciated by all. Pushpa from Reith arrived. She stayed with us for two weeks. OM.

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Buenos Aires, Argentina, South America

Om Namah Sivaya. By Gods Grace and Masters’ blessings, all continued well and smoothly at the Buenos Aires Centre in November. We celebrated the Mahasamadhi of our Master Swami Vishnu Devananda. We offered a Puja to worship the Master, sang for the Master and remembered his farewell to this world.

Swami Premananda returned from Brazil, where he gave several conferences. We had Bhagavad Gita classes with Swami Premananda. We continued the study of Vedanta, with Swami Dayananda. We received a visit from Durga, from Uruguay, who came to give a workshop of Massage Shantala. The mothers arrived to the Centre with their babies. Swami Premananda traveled to Chile to give Yoga Conferences and Retreats. Swami Dayananda traveled to the Neuquen Centre to give weekend activities. Meanwhile in the Buenos Aires Centre we were making preparations for the End of the Year Demonstration, plus, rehearsals of the play based on the Upanishads, directed by Swami Dayananda. Aa Beginners’ Yoga Course and a Meditation Course began. We are blessed with the many Karma Yogis helping at the Centre. We hope all of you are well. Pranams. Om.

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Chengdu, China

Om Namah Sivaya from Chengdu. A November highlight was the celebration of Swamiji’s Maha Samadhi. We offered a Puja in the morning, read his Meditation and Mantra book during the mediation course and watched “In The Name of Peace” film together with the students. Everyone was feeling grateful and inspired. A Sunday morning workshop with Ambika on spices and Kicheree cooking was also quite successful. The students were so happy to learn about this simple, nutritious and yet delicious vegetarian dish. Besides these special activities, Saraswati continued to teach Yoga 1 at the Centre. We were very happy that Jaya, a new temporary staff from Taiwan, started to teach, while the other Karma Yogis are still working on it. Our English workshops went well with staff. Open classes were well attended as we turned the heat on. We were also invited to teach twice a week at a Tech company, as suggested by their manager, who is a regular student at the Centre. Saraswati began teaching 12 of their employees.

We have great news. We can return to the Qianfo Mountain for TTC in 2020 at the Taoism Temple. It’s such a blessing

. Later in November we started teaching at the Sichuan Cancer Hospital for breast cancer patients, again with the help from SYHET training. We also had a Kirtan workshop. Everyone enjoyed singing the Sanskrit chants and felt very uplifted after the workshop. Ambika continued the Beginners’ Yoga 1 course at the Centre. We continued internal English workshops and a weekly teachers’ meeting. Open classes went on just okay as it rained a lot. Ambika supported Shanti Yoga Centre. Saraswati and Hamsa continued teaching at the IT company. We offered Satsang on the topic of Anxiety. Sivani read from Swami Sivananda’s book. Master’s words served as powerful inspirations for all of us. All is well, by Guru’s Grace. May Guru’s Grace bless us all. Om Shanti. Om.

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Om Namah Sivaya to all Blessed Selves from the Chennai Centre. In November Chennai returned to warm days. A new Beginners’ Yoga batch started on Mondays. This group of yoga enthusiasts, a mix of old and young people, enjoyed their yoga practice. We celebrated Swami Vishnudevananda’s Mahasamadhi. A beautiful mala of roses surrounded Swamiji’s pictures. The sandal incense purified the air and the chanting of our Guru ji mantra gave us peace. During the day prayer started at 11am, chanting Om Namo Bhagavate Vishnudevanandaya with staff and students, intensifying the spirit of celebrations, followed by lunch, offered as Prasad. Later, some was given to the crows, as is the Tamil customs. After this, a delicious feast with lot of items served by staff to all guests. All people enjoyed the food including staff. After lunch, we started preparing for Satsang for the evening. Evening conducted Satsang was a Guru Bhajan time. Gopan began the chanting with Yamuna, followed by everyone chanting the Guru Bhajans. Then, we chanted Om Trayambakam for Harihara Chaitanya who passed away. A few people attended a Kriya workshop. One of them was very satisfied to see her progress in sutra neti practice. Before she couldn’t do it through both nostrils but this time she did after funny sounds and some happy tears. We celebrated our dear staff member, Chiharu’s birthday. Everyone wished her long life and happiness. We enjoyed the evening with hot and yummy pizza.

As November progressed we had a ‘buoyant’ evening Beginners’ Yoga class with 4 students. We welcomed two full time karma yogis to the Centre, one Ms. Narayani from Japan & Ms. Shanthi Vijaya from Ooty, Tamilnadu, India. We said a thankful farewell to one of our karma yogis from Japan who was here helping us in various Centre activities for the last 6 months, including teaching Japanese students, duties which were handed over to the new Japanese karma yogi. A Pre-natal trial class was offered by Sandhya with two antenatal mothers. A Kriya practice was conducted by Mangala Chaitanya with exuberant response from 8 students attending and not minding the pouring rain at Chennai that morning. We had an enchanting Sunday evening Satsang, led by Gopan, along with our staffs, students & families. Gopan & Sandhya travelled to Gudur Ashram to attend the new TTC inauguration and Ganapati Homam, along with two priests from Chennai. We made the effort to improve our social media by posting photos, videos & posters in Instagram, Whatsapp & Facebook. All our courses, classes continued going well with a positive increase in the number of students. We also did a lot energetic karma yoga, supporting the housekeeping of the Centre, while searching for new support staff. May all live under the grace of Guru. Prayers and Greetings from Chennai Centre. Pranams! Om.

We would also like to share a video, highlighting the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre in Chennai, India. There’s an endearing section on family yoga. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFfdbT2iChg

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Chicago, USA

Om Namah Sivaya from snowy Chicago, where winter arrived with a magical quickness in early November. Satsang took on a special warmth this time of year. Classes continued as usual. Radhika continued a meditation course with enthusiastic students. Candrika began a new section of Yoga 2. Manjunath, the Centre cat, enjoyed lounging by the heating vents.

By mid November Radhika returned from the Yoga Warehouse and began a new Positive Thinking course, with seven engaging students. Candrika began teaching Yoga 1 and completed the second week of Yoga 2. Staff continued the Sanskrit study with NY Centre friends. We put up holiday lights outside of the Chicago Centre during a warm weekend day and completed a few other projects. During Sunday Satsang we discussed gratitude as a practice of Pratipaksha Bhavana. To all who celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday in November, we wish you awareness of Guru’s Grace. We are grateful to the Gurus for continuing to protect and inspire our Sadhana. Pranams to all. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi. Om.

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta DÀ LAT Centre, Dà Lat, Vietnam

Om Namah Sivaya from the beautiful DaLat Centre. In November we opened a new Yoga Beginners’ course, Y1, with 5 students attending. A Yoga Beginners’ 2 continued. We also had two students registering for the 8 session Beginners’ Yoga private class. All staff and Karma Yogis celebrated Mahasamadhi of Swami Vishnudevananda with a Puja. We also ran a SYHET counselling program with 2 people registered. Staff maintained their Sadhana.

Mid month a Yoga Beginners’ 1 course finished with 5 students registering to learn more in Beginners’ Yoga 2. One Satsang we were very happy to have a concert with Ram Vakkalanka. All enjoyed the beautiful sitar music. We offered a Restorative Yoga class, with 13 students, taught by Lakshmi (SYHET practicum student). People responded very positively to the class, which was a new and interesting experience for everyone. Staff maintained their Sadhana, helping to keep the good energy of the Centre. We pray that the Guru’s grace will always be with us. Om.

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta DWARKA Centre, Delhi, India

Om Namah Sivaya. November started with our regular Beginners’ Yoga course at 6am and 4pm with good numbers of students. A Yoga 2 started also on same day at 6am and 4 pm. We had a Swami Vishnudevananda Maha Samadhi day celebration with a Havan in the early morning with staffs, students and teachers, then a Bandara, where our teachers helped us distribute food to over 500 people. The evening Satsang on that special day created nice chanting to our Gurus. After that, we served dinner on such a peaceful day. We started a meditation course, with Vijay sir. We had kriya workshop. It was good. We offered an Asana Jayam yoga class with 2 hours of practice. The students follow our programs regularly. By the God’s grace and Gurus’ blessings, all activities went well. Thank you and good wishes to all the Sivananda community from Dwarka Centre, Delhi. Om Namo Bhagavate Vishnudevananda. Om.

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta NATARAJA Centre, Delhi, India

Greetings from Sivananda Nataraja Centre. In November we started two Beginners’ Yoga Y1 courses at 6.30am and 4.00pm. We also conducted a workshop on “Low Back Pain” which was very much appreciated by the students. The air quality in Delhi improved which resulted in an increase in the number of students in open classes as well in the Beginners’ Yoga course. The rest of the Centre’s activities went well, with the Grace of Gurus. Thanks and good wishes to all the Sivananda community. Sending Pranams for peace and happiness. Om.

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Geneva, Switzerland

Om Namah Sivaya. In November a Beginners’ Yoga 1 course started. We rearranged the basement and brought some curtains up, so they can be reinstalled in the staff room. The main event for November was the Mahasamadhi Puja. We also showed the new version of “In The Name of Peace” film, with French subtitles. Our French-only speaking students liked that very much. The whole weekend was dedicated to Swamiji to bring his message again to the new students in Geneva. Two of our students enrolled in the TTC in Orleans in November. We also celebrated the birthday of Ananta in a sattvic and happy way after the Sunday Satsang. Lots of love was in the air.

Meanwhile the renovations continued on inside and outside the Geneva Centre. A new cupboard and a new shoe shelf were installed in the Annex entrance, as well as a new carpet. In front of the Centre we had heavy construction, such as digging into the floor and laying of new pipes, part of a 4-5 month project. The entrance of the Centre could be reached only by walking around the building. We had a stress management workshop. We also had a workshop about Yogic cooking, with the topic “How To Use Spices”, led by Narayani. A group of teachers and students rehearsed the holiday theatre play each week. We also prepared the Centre for the visit of Swami Sivadasanandaji visiting the Centre for a one day program. OM.

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Om Namah Sivaya. With Guru’s Grace, we had very good attendance and much activity at the Ho Chi Minh Centre in November. Daya Chaitanya started a Beginners’ Yoga course with 21 students. We offered students a workshop “Meditation with a Candle – Tratak”, taught by Bonita, with 23 students attending. Ganapati, from Hanoi, a 2015 staff member of our Centre visited our Centre and gave a workshop about “How To Give First Aid to Fainting People” to the staffs and karma yogis, with 15 attendants. This was very helpful information, as there had been two students fainting when they were doing asana class. Luckily they became alright after a while. Thank you to Guru blessing. There was rain in HCM recently, as a result of the storm near Vietnam.

November continued to be busy with a massage course. Led by Tarini and a weekend Yoga 2, led by Phuong Thu. Mahashakti started a Beginners’ Yoga 1. The staffs enjoyed a silent walk in the nice cool early morning which was unusual weather in Hochiminh City (usually it is always hot). One Satsang talk was about Dharma, led by Daya Chaitanya, which inspired everyone. Pranams to the Sivananda Family. Om Sri Maha Lakshmyai Namah! Om.

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, London, England

Om Namah Sivaya. In November God gave us an uplifting week with the celebration of Swami Vishnudevananda Maha Samadhi. Swami Jyotirmayananda led a beautiful Puja. Joy and bhakti were in the air. There was a cheerful mood with the preparations of the Puja. we were all grateful for the beautiful opportunity to tune with Swamiji’s energy and his teachings. The Centre also had an inspiring Satsang celebrating the Jala Samadhi of Swamiji. After the Sunday prayers, Swami Jyotirmayananda read a beautiful description of the that day from “The Yogi” and we saw a video of that occasion. We all appreciated seeing the images hearing the bells, the conches and the mantras. Swami Vishnu’s energy brought peace and deep respect, devotion and Prem. A Raja Yoga course started with a little group of nine motivated students. There was a study retreat on Yoga and Anatomy one weekend. Four students stayed in the Centre and around fourteen students were there for the workshops. The staff was also there. We all appreciated the practical pieces of advice and the wider vision of the physical body. The staff had a refreshing extra time of Japa in the middle of the day. Much prana was given to the new brochure. Many corrections were done and a couple of improvised photo shoots were also done. Some students booked their classes online. We put some prana into the teacher’s and karma yogis’ planning. Some teachers came back from holidays and confirmed their karma yoga schedule. They confirmed also their participation in the Christmas play. God gave us early aratis in the evenings and early nights. We had also an inspiring short chanting of the Gita.

By mid November the Christmas season could be felt in the air as we enjoyed some short and successful rehearsals of the Christmas play. We were all happy to welcome Kailas who came back recharged with prana from the Himalayas. Swami Jyotirmayananda put a lot of prana in the preparations for the EBM. She explained many details to Kailas, to Sivapriya and to Swami Nityananda. Swami Nityanandaji left. Her presence was very positive for the Centre. Her support and guidance were precious for all. We will miss her. Swami Kailasananda and Swami Jyotirmayananda guided Kailas and Sivapriya with many logistic and administrative projects. The Masters kept sending help. Vishnupriya, who did her TTC here this summer, came to support the Centre for one week. Durga, a karma yogi from the Paris Centre, came to stay with us for 10 days. The staff had an asana workshop and time for japa in the afternoons. We also chanted some slokas of the Bhagavad Gita in the evening arati. Kailas enjoyed teaching the Gita on Wednesdays and an asana course untitled “Develop Your Strength”. The Raja Yoga course continued with a group of motivated students. God gave us Sunshine, rain and precious help. We had a residential retreat titled: “The Power of Positive Thinking” with a group of motivated students, most of them teachers. There was a cheerful mood within the workshops, the morning Satsangs and walks, with the students and the regular activities of the Centre. Kailas gave a joyful and spontaneous Satsang on the topic of Raja Yoga. Swami Nityananda centered an evening Satsang around some inspiring words of Swami Sivanananda on the topic “Transforming Negative Emotions”. Chandra gave a beautiful Satsang around “Inspiring Stories From The Life of Swami Vishnudevananda”. The students returned back home willing to come back very soon for the next retreats and for the different activities of the Centre. We felt blessed and grateful to be able to continue the Swami Vishnudevananda’s Peace Mission. OM.

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Om Namo Narayanaya. In November we featured Ayurveda programs, with Deviyani and local Ayurvedic doctor, Bharathi A.V. Many lifestyle considerations were discussed in depth. With humour, she promoted “souping” over juicing. Pandit Manisharma presided over a beautiful Siva Puja, creating a clay sivalingham, as well as a 2D lingham of 108 tea lights. We negotiated with a college-prep STEM school, around the corner from our new Centre, to offer an afternoon class designed for their students, with classes as many as five times a week. We did some flyer distribution at University of Southern California (USC) and looked forward to connecting with their Office of Religious Studies, as well as their Wellness Centre. The USC campus is less than a 10-minute drive from the Centre. A student of the London Centre came for class and a meal. She is a psychologist and we had a very engaging discussion about Yoga Health Education! Senior Ayurvedic Practitioner and Yoga Therapist, Arun Deva, enumerated three categories of Ayurvedic psychology during his program. He stressed the importance of the Yamas and Niyamas and reminded us that our emotions are 100% responsible for the quality of our life. We marked the two-month anniversary at our new location. Staff members stepped in to cook in Radha Chaitanya’s absence. Staff spent a few sessions dipping into the Mandukya Upanishad. Om.

The Los Angeles SIVANANDA YOGA VEDANTA Centre
3741 W 27th St, Los Angeles, CA
310-822-9642

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Madrid, Spain

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed Selves! November was inspiring with several new courses and workshops offered. One highlight was the cooking course “A Yogic Diet”, with 35 participants. The asana hall was transformed into a kitchen. Everyone was delighted with the recipes. With the help of karma yogis, preparations of the Autumn festival started and several maintenance projects took place. The biggest highlight was the celebration of the Mahasamadhi of Swami Vishnudevananda with a beautiful and uplifting Puja.

We were blessed with beautiful Autumn festival ¡Live Yoga! with Swami Sivadasananda, Gopala and senior teachers of the Centre. The asana classes, teachers’ workshops and inspiring lectures were filled to the maximum. Evening Satsangs, with over 100 people, were vibrating with strong chanting. Festive bandharas were served each day. Around 25 teachers, all from Spain, stayed in the Centre overnight transforming the building into a mini Ashram for the occasion. Teachers and students from the affiliated Centres in Barcelona, Granada and Lisbon also attended. It was a joy to see the Centre shining with so many smiling faces. Grateful to Master and Swamiji for inspiring so many souls on their path. OM.

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Madurai, India

Om Namah Sivaya. Namaste from the Madurai Centre. In November the courses and classes at the Madurai Centre ran smoothly. We started a new Morning Beginners’ Yoga course with good number of participants. With the help of a Meenakshi Ashram Karma Yogi we completed the painting and made it ready for shooting. We had video shooting of all our classes introducing family yoga to our Kids’ Yoga class students. They were happy. Three locals from Chennai, along with Nirmala Chaitanya and Shanti Das, from Yoga Camp Canada, were making this promotional video. We welcomed our new family members from Yoga Camp, Radha and husband Lakshmana, to help us for next 6 months. Sunday Satsang was special as we filmed the Satsang also. All is good at the Madurai Centre. We thank our Masters for all blessings and support bestowed. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi. Om

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Montevideo, Uruguay

Om Namah Sivaya! November was “Moving Month” at the Montevideo Centre. We finished the last classes at the headquarters in early November for the repairs. Estimates say the work will take more than a month, maybe two. Since the invasion of termites was huge, they still appeared everywhere. The floor of our big central patio had to be removed due to a broken pipe and under that floor on the ground termites appeared, also under the marble sockets, even in the ceiling. They were becoming a nightmare. With trust and perseverance we will soon overcome this Karma. In our move from the Centre we carried the necessary implements for the classes to the Santo Domingo school: cushions, mats, and others. Evening classes started at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at that place. The morning classes, two Beginners’ Yoga courses, a 3.30 p.m. class took place in the apartment next to the Centre where we also moved mats and equipment. Notifications were sent to all students and teachers informing about changes in schedules and locations. All obliged and aware that at some point we would temporarily leave the Centre. We finished collecting and packing books, workstations, printers, office supplies, folders… everything! Thankfully the vast majority of students continued taking classes and accompanying us in this process. We were more than grateful to everyone.

We started the week coordinating and reviewing new changes doing due to the building work. We had to suspend classes in the apartment where Kanti Devi and Chandraskar live because, the places assigned to store the library, boutique, altar and other things will also be repaired, so we will have to move those things to the apartment. We notified everyone on social media and sent notices to students and teachers about the new changes. A successful course on Energy Lines of the Thai Yoga Massage was led by Mirabai. Classes at the Santo Domingo School continued well, scheduled to continue until December 6, whereby the institution closes for Summer Holidays. Although we still have no date for the completion of the building work it is a fact that will last until next year, since in December and the first days of January the construction sector takes leave. May the Grace of Gurudev and Swamiji be upon all of us. Om.

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Om Namah Sivaya and Greetings from the Montreal Centre! By the grace of the Masters and all the support of the community, everything ran well at the Montreal Centre in November. The snow season in Montreal officially began. Meanwhile all the classes and courses ran smoothly. The positive thinking course, the Ayurveda for beginners and the meditation for beginners completed. We were happy to welcome Lalita Chaitanya from her travel to Thailand. Swami Shivabhaktananda completed the Raja Yoga course, the students were very grateful for his inspirational teachings. We had a special celebration for Swami Vishnudevananda’s Mahasamadhi and Jalasamadhi. Swami Shivabhaktananda led the Satsang with 72 participants. We had the blessing to have the priest Harisha to perform the Puja, he did it beautifully, the celebration was full of positive energy and the chanting full of devotion. Everyone left feeling uplifted and grateful. By the grace of the masters, everything is well at the Centre.

We were kept quite busy between courses, workshops and classes. Our last batch of Beginners’ Yoga courses continued with good attendance, with students already wanting to register for the next levels in January. We had a steady flow of students for the classes with the morning classes continuing to be most popular. Many karma yogis pulled in during the week to clean, do reception, office work etc… We chanted the “Mahamantra” from 6am to 6pm, throughout the course of the day there were 5-6 people for every hour and a total of 34 participated. It was a very powerful and challenging experience and students are already looking forward to the next session. We had a workshop on “Yoga for The Eyes” with 14 participants. Satsangs were full of life with many students, out of which 12 were attending for the first time. We continued to keep busy preparing for the end of the year and Christmas celebrations, brochures, website etc. As always we were grateful for the opportunities presented to us and are every thankful for the Grace of the Guru’s. By the grace of the masters, everything was well at the Centre. Pranams to all! Om.

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Munich, Germany

Om Namah Sivaya. In early November we held our monthly Open House. Attendance was good – most of the participants stayed the whole afternoon for the full program consisting of an asana demonstration, a meditation workshop and a trial class. Four persons were also very interested in the TTC presentation. We had a workshop with the title “How to Develop a Calm Mind”. We started a Ramayana course with a group of very inspired students. The spiritual highlight was the Puja we performed on the occasion of Swami Vishnudevananda’s Mahasamadhi. Students showed their devotion by bringing beautiful flowers and very nice Prasad. Swami Narayanananda came for that weekend from the Sivananda Yoga Retreat House in Reith/Tyrol/Austria to support us here in Munich. We taught a Meditation Weekend Course to a very open minded group of students. We offered a TTC Preparation class where almost all participants were sure they will take one of the upcoming TTCs. We also taught an advanced asana workshop. The main focus was on the backward bending variations wheel, half-moon and diamond position. Swami Narayanananda came for a weekend from Reith to Munich. He taught the advanced class that Friday evening, the Sunday afternoon class and gave the Satsang on Sunday. OM.

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Neuquén, Argentina

Om Namah Sivaya from Neuquen. Om Shanti and Prem to everyone. Om.

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, New York, USA

Om Namah Sivaya. Om Namo Narayanaya from Manhattan, New York City, where by grace, all continued well at the Centre in November. A few new courses started: Positive Thinking with Bhavani, Atma Bodha Part 2 with Swami Satyapremananda, and Yoga 2 with Mirabai. By Grace, other courses continued well and drop-in attendance was a little livelier. Swami Satyapremananda went to the Yoga Ranch to lead a weekend program on Practice of Santosha. In addition to the regular classes, Geeta led her twice-monthly Deaf Yoga class and Tandava led a Headstand Workshop, with 13 people in attendance. Srinivasanji came from the Ranch to lead the evening Satsang.

Later in November: Happy American Thanksgiving from Manhattan, where we had a week of fellowship and learning. A 4-week Introduction to Sanskrit course began. The Positive Thinking and Yoga 2 courses continued well, and the Atma Bodha Part 2 course concluded, leaving everyone inspired and wanting more. Swami Satyapremananda gave the last in a 3-part series of talks on Karma, Dharma & Compassion during Satsangs. We were happy to welcome Swamini Svatmavidyananda, who visited New York Centre for the first time to offer a program called “The Path Not Taken: Self-Realization and Self-Resolve,” which was a series of 3 talks focusing on shreyas and preyas in Kenopanishad. Mokshapriya led preparations for the New York Centre’s special Thanksgiving Satsang and feast. Srinivasan, Saraswati, Ambika, and Nisha came from the Yoga Ranch for the celebration. Srinivasanji led the evening Satsang and Ambika, Nisha, and Mokshapriya were the main cooks for the feast. Karma yogis helped with cooking, decorating, and cleanup. The evening saw wonderful participation, with 102 people in attendance, lovely chanting and terrific food. Staff were grateful for the community and the grace of the Gurus and are sending pranams to all. May Gurudev’s blessings continue to light our path. Om.

Centre de Yoga Sivananda Vedanta, Paris, France

Om Namah Sivaya. OM.

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Porto Alegre, Brasil, South America

Greetings from Porto Alegre. The highlight of November was the celebration of Swami Vishnu ́s Mahasamadhi and Jalasamadhi. We did a Puja and received a visit of two Sivananda teachers from France. All the participants demonstrated a real love and devotion for Swamiji. We initiated the latest Beginners’ Yoga course with 3 enthusiastic and very interested students. The rest of activities running normally. May all live under Master’s and Guru’s grace. Om Shanti. Om.

Centro Yoga Vedanta Sivananda, Rome, Italy

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed Selves. Staff are sending best wishes for an inspiring month of November to all. OM.

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, San Francisco, California, USA

Om Namo Narayanaya, Blessed Selves. In November San Francisco continued a Yoga 1, 2, and 5. Students remain inspired. Parvati, a beloved SF Centre staff left for the Yoga Farm to receive inspiration and mentorship for SYHET from Swami Sitaramanada. Swami Vashistananda graced the Centre with a Devi Puja and new Saree for Durga. Swamiji also cooked for the staff and evening students before he left for India. Tara Durga Devi, a long time Sivananda Teacher, taught one of the first TTCs at the Yoga Farm with Swami Vishnudevanada, and remains a supporter of the Yoga Farm and Swami Sitaramananda . Tara Durga Devi led our monthly teachers meeting, reviewing the intricacies of teaching an all levels class. All were inspired by her over-50 years of practice, as she demonstrated many postures. Her resources were helpful for intermediate, beginners, and practiced students. A beautiful Satsang and topic of Non Violent Communication, was led by Kiran Patel, a long time Sivananda teacher and psychologist. Student participation was very high. We are always thankful to our teachers and Gurus that have created the space to hold so much important work. We felt the Gurus’ blessings this month. May the Truth be spread far and wide. Om.

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, San Paulo, Brasil

Om Namah Sivaya. May the Masters continue to pour prana and harmony onto the Sao Paulo Sivananda Centre. Om Shanti Shanti to all the Sivananda family. Om Shanti.

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Tel Aviv, Israel

Om Namah Sivaya. November was full of special events! We were happy to welcome Swami Shambhudevananda who arrived for a visit from the Yoga Retreat. We held an evening of Questions & Answers with Swami Swaroopananda at the Sivananda affiliated Centre in Eilat. Eilat is the southernmost city in the country located in the desert area on the banks of the Red Sea. The Centre has operated for 18 years, managed by Ganesha. The Swamis, staff, and karma yogis from the Tel Aviv Centre went to Eilat to take part in the event. The evening session was very successful with over seventy participants! The Eilat Sivananda community is very large. We were grateful for Ganesha, the staff, and karma yogis for the great service they do. A quiet and peaceful weekend in the Mata Ashram celebrated Swami Vishnudevananda’s MahaSamadhi. During a beautiful Puja Swami Swaroopananda talked about Swami Vishnudevananda’s life and mission and told many stories about his experiences with him. Swamiji’s energy was felt strongly and it touched everyone. After the Puja, we enjoyed the large variety of Prasads. Meanwhile, at the Tel Aviv Centre, Bhargavi Chaitanya led the Satsang and read from Swami Vishnu’s writings.

We continued with a 5 year anniversary celebration in the Mata Ashram later in November. There was a special Puja held for the occasion, in the presence of Swami Swaroopananda, Swami Prema Swaroopananda, Swami Shambhudevananda, senior staff, karma yogis and devotees. The Puja was beautiful, Swami Swaroopananda spoke about the important role and mission of the Ashram and blessed its continuation of service and spreading Swami Vishnudevananda’s teachings. The atmosphere was full of joy and bliss. Meanwhile, back in the Tel Aviv Centre, a new Raja yoga, a Yoga 3 and a meditation level 2 course began. We had new karma yogis joining us to help with reception, house tasks, watering the garden and other projects. They seemed to have an inspiration and connection to the Centre and a wished to volunteer on a weekly basis. This was a great help for us! We offered a very special event, with an evening of Questions & Answers with Swami Swaroopananda. Over a hundred of us gathered to hear his words of wisdom, leaving encouraged and inspired. Sivakami Chaitanya led an evening Satsang on the topic of ‘Bhakti’. We wish all a blessed and inspiring upcoming December! Other courses and classes went well. May the Master’s grace be with all! Om.

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Tokyo, Japan

Om Namah Sivaya. In early November we held a Karma yoga party in which good number of students helped us with renovating the Centre to prevent the cold, making an additional changing room and cleaning the whole building. A new monthly Vedanta class started using the style of discussion. Trial classes were offered with many of the attendees signing up for our membership. Mirabai took a trip to the North-Eastern district of Japan to give a TTC briefing session one weekend. An Ayurveda cooking workshop was held one Saturday. We performed a Puja for Swami Vishnudevananda’s Mahasamadhi remembrance, with 14 students joining.

Later in November we launched a study session for TTC graduates on every Tuesday where we shared the tips and skills for teaching asana. Many of the graduates who have completed the Thai TTC in October visited us at the Centre as a Karma yogis, starting their selfless service on their own pace. In the mean time, we continued preparation for the arrival of winter, such as installing cold-preventing mattresses on the floors in the asana rooms and hanging extra curtains for an insulation against cold. A new Yoga 2 course started. Other 2 batches of Beginners’ Yoga 1 and another batch of Yoga 2 went well. Yashoda, a 2007 Neyyar Dam TTC graduate, gave a Mandala Painting workshop. The students learned how to paint mandala with finger tips using pastels, having a good time focusing on their own mandala paintings. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi. Om.

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Om Namah Sivaya. In early November we started new Beginners’ Yoga course, a new meditation course and a new teen course. Mayavan taught “Light on Prana and Its Governance” workshop. We finished our program at one of the high schools. Prahlad went to the Ashram for Swamiji’s Mahasamadhi Puja and for the Temple closing. Lots of students enjoyed Satsangs and celebrations of devotion. An Ayurvedic cooking workshop with Dr Sonal and weekend intensive Kids and Teen yoga teacher training with Saraswati were held for groups of very engaged students and teachers. Prahlad went to the retreat outside of Toronto with a group of fifty students who appreciated following an Ashram schedule and spending time away from the city. Hadi arrived from Montreal and did photo shoot on Saturday morning for our new brochure and website updates. Bhumi left to work in New Mexico until spring 2020 and Mirabai from Montreal came to take the Kids and Teen course and help at the Centre for a week. All are well. We send Om Namo Narayanaya to everyone. Pranams. Om.

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Trivandrum, Kerala, India

Om Namah Sivaya. Pranams to all from gods own country, Trivandrum Centre. During mid-November the Trivandrum Centre started a new Ladies’ Beginners’ Yoga course, and finished the successful weekend Beginners’ Yoga batch. Other classes went well. The painting project in the Centre went well as we set up for a video shoot. We thanking Nataraj ji for sending a Karma Yogi for painting from the Neyyar Dam Ashram. We also would like to thank Rohini ji to assist this project. Devi Pujas were conducted Fridays. On Sundays our monthly Ganapathy Homam took place. All is well from Trivandrum. We pray for one and all’s health in our large Sivananda family. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi. Om.

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Vienna, Austria

Om Namah Sivaya. November was a lively and inspiring with five Beginners’ Yoga and an advanced course starting. One of our teachers returned full of prana from the Sadhana Intensive in Uttarkashi. We are happy to have her back. We welcomed a group of open minded teenagers for a yoga class. They came with their teacher and really enjoyed their stay at the Centre. We had a headstand workshop with a motivated group. We also had a good open day with many students new to yoga. It was a refreshing day with good conversations and diligent helpers where we also saw students coming back to the Centre who have not been here for a long time. The theatre rehearsals continued and the group is inspired and doing well under the guidance of a professional actress and director. Office furniture was restored and rearranged to create more space. The highlight of November was the Mahasamadhi Puja for Swami Vishnudevananda ji. Many of our teachers were here and it was a wonderful and devotional atmosphere. The altar was full with flowers and Swami Vishnudevananda jis picture was decorated with a beautiful garland. Everyone left happy and satisfied.

We offered a special program with Swami Ramapriyananda who arrived from the Retreat House, Tyrol. It started on Saturday with an in-depth correction workshop for yoga teachers, focusing on the triangle. Many of our teachers were here and stayed on for the Asana workshop and the Satsang, drawing inspiration from Patanjalis Yoga Sutras. We were happy to see the hall full of students, some of them were here for the first time and felt blessed to have found a place full of prana and joy. The program continued with an Asana workshop on how to develop and increase the breathing capacity with Yoga. It ended with a beautiful Satsang full of Bhakti, were Swamiji shared impressions of her recent stay in India and thoughts about love, compassion and the sweetness of devotion. Everyone was touched and left happy and deeply satisfied. Swami Ramapriyananda also supported the Centre with the ongoing renovation project and guided us with rearranging lights and furniture to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere in the reception area. A Y2, Y3 and Y12 started and staff also focussed on preparing and organizing upcoming special programs and retreats for 2020. OM.

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Vilnuis, Lithuania

Om Namah Sivaya. In November classes and courses happened as usual. A course “Intro to Meditation” started on Tuesdays. It was wonderful that one student was 16 years old boy, who was quite deeply interested in mantras and meditation. It was interesting to notice that the Beginners’ Yoga popular time shifted from 6 p.m to 8 p.m., so we adjusted and offered Yoga 1, 2 and 4 at that time. A Saturday workshop on breathing was well taught by Bharati. Students, totally novices in yoga, were happy with a more practical than theoretical class. The November highlight was Swamiji Mahasamadhi Puja. Beautiful energy was manifested: a mixture of joy and sorrow with the hope and feeling of support and love. After the studies of Hastamalaka Stotram scripture, Swami Sivadasananda left the Centre to continue the Eastern European program in Moscow. Durga Devi went to Moscow to take part in the program. Both in Vilnius and Moscow, the programs with Swami Sivadasananda were well received by the local students and teachers. Teachers took care of the Centre for two days until Durga Devi came back from Moscow. Classes and courses continued, but a bit fewer students came. The weather changed and some time was needed to adapt to the cold wind and negative temperature. We had our last Open Day of the year. We saw motivated students listening carefully to the teachings and eager to learn yoga. For the first time two students, a couple, attending both trial classes offered on that day. OM.