Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres

Om Namah Sivaya! The Berlin Centre is open again. There are daily yoga classes. If the weather is nice, the class can take place on the platform in the garden. We offer meditation evenings on Saturday and Sunday evenings. Trial lessons offered on Saturdays – with new time 2.30-3.30pm. The yoga shop is open. Please register for all lessons and group meditations. The online program also continues. We wish you inspiring yoga classes and look forward to serve you.

Meanwhile the Berlin staff celebrated Masters birthday with an online Puja with the priest Yagneshwara Dixit directly from India on the 8th Sept. The energy was strong and loving for the whole day. A Beginners’ Yoga course started with a good group of newcomers and a trial class, also well visited. A good number of Centre students participated in the online activities and even if we do not see them in the Centre they are connected and present.

Mid month the weather was warm and sunny and many classes took place on the garden platform. Students and teachers appreciated very much to be outside as this created a very positive and lively atmosphere in the Centre. The first Yoga 1 and 2 courses started and students were eager to learn yoga. We offered weekend Satsangs on Saturday and Sunday evenings which uplifts the energy in the Centre in a beautiful way. Best wishes for health and peace. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/berlin

Om Namah Sivaya. While waiting for the go ahead to reopen the South American Sivananda Centres we are continuing yoga classes online. These classes are free, but we need to make a solidarity call to collaborate in the form of a donation or voluntary contribution that allows us to pay the rent, until the activity resumes. Any sum you can contribute will be grateful from the heart. You can contact us for any questions about practicing yoga at home through e-mail: [email protected]
or by calling 11 4804 7813. Continue your practice from your homes. For any queries do not hesitate to contact us. If changes or news arise, we will inform you. We salute you with a fervent desire for peace and health for all. We hope you are all well. Pranams. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/baires

Om Namah Sivaya from Chengdu. We prayed for more students, by Guru’s Grace. We also prayed the whole world will go through this crisis with blessings from Lord Siva and Gurus. May Guru’s Grace bless everyone. Om Shanti. Om.

http://www.sivanandayogachina.org

Om Namah Sivaya to all Blessed Selves from the Chennai Centre. Due to the unpredictability of the on-going COVID-19 situation nationally and locally we have had to change our opening dates. We request that you contact your local Centres and Ashrams directly for their latest update. We thank each and everyone involved in serving the public during these difficult times. We pray for good health for each soul in the Universe to live physically & mentally well. Our thoughts are with you all and we pray that you keep well and positive during these challenging times. May all live under the grace of Master and Guru. Pranams. All our staffs are Happy & Healthy doing their Sadhanas. Om.

Meanwhile Chennai is rainy & cloudy in September. The Corona menace reduced so our Centre’s activities picked up gradually. We celebrated Swami Sivananda’s birthday, joining the online special Satsang from Sivananda India Facebook live, Gopan singing the bhajan from the Centre along with other staffs. We had a special Pooja, reading the Ashtothram of Swamiji followed by celebration – special food Sadhya, along with our teaching faculties. The Tamil Nadu Government relaxed the lock down extensively so Chennai returned to its routine. At the Centre we continued with our two sessions of open classes only permitting 10 people per session, with prior booking and following all precautionary methods keeping COVID -19 prevention in mind. The student numbers increased considerably. We commenced our regular classes & activities, plus, a new Beginners’ Yoga course. We continued to pray for the healing of the COVID affected people & for the healing of the universe chanting “Om Namo Narayanaya” everyday in the evening by our staffs. Once a week Gopan taught kirtans to the staff following the chanting. We welcomed Ms. Nasim a new staff from Madurai Ashram. Daily morning Facebook live Satsangs & all our online courses, classes with Sivananda India also went well. All staffs continued their Sadhana and Sunday evening Satsangs.

As September progressed the Chennai weather became windy & rainy, keeping the atmosphere of the Centre moist & breezy. We offered a new Beginners’ Yoga course with great enthusiasm and ten people joining the course. We did Ganapathi Homa, celebrating the new Tamil Month “Puratasi” which is considered as an auspicious month in the South India specially in Tamil Nadu. We conducted an online class for the retiring officers from the Reserve Bank of India, with our TTC teacher Mahalakshmi, explaining the importance of yoga, our Sivananda Lineage & how they can keep themselves physically, mentally & spiritually healthy practicing yoga post retirement. Although the Government relaxed the lock down extensively, the COVID positive case count moved up & down, but with reduced fatalities. Gradually the student number visiting the Centre for practice scaled up remarkably. We geared up for starting the regular class schedule. All our social media & website updated for the re-opening of the Centre. Also we submitted an advertisement regarding the reopening the Centre to the local newspaper, Adyar Times & in the National newspaper The Hindu – Chennai edition. We started with the new Beginners’ Yoga course in Gentle Yoga with Uma. We also had a lunch outing with all our staffs, enjoying the break from “the COVID blues”. Otherwise, we continued all our online classes along with Sivanada India and also our Facebook live Satsang in the mornings. All our staffs are happy & doing their Sadhanas. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/madras

Om Namah Sivaya from the Chicago Centre. We are grateful to the Gurus for continuing to protect and inspire our Sadhana. We wish you awareness of Guru’s Grace. Join us online for courses, studies, Satsangs and yoga classes. Take good care! Om and Prem!

http://www.sivananda.org/chicago

Om Namah Sivaya from the beautiful DaLat Centre. In October, because of COVID-19, we are temporarily closed for two weeks. All the classes are taught online. Our Fanpage has class livestream everyday.

Meanwhile in September, and thanks to Guru’s blessing, our Centre maintained strong energy to serve the community with all of the classes well attended. Meditation course had 6 students, Advanced asana class had 4 students, 2 Beginner courses started with 6 students in total. Abhyanga self-massage workshop, with the guidance of Shamble, had 31 students (12 offline, 19 online). We opened a free gentle class for the community. A Mooncake workshop had 5 attendees. All of the mooncakes we made were sold out within 2 days. Ram Vakkalanka gave a live concert which attracted 32 people to come and enjoy. We opened a Proper Diet course, Vegetarian Pho cooking workshop and Restorative Yoga workshop. Satsang and staff Sadhana were strong and maintained the energy. We pray for Guru’s grace and blessings. Om.

https://sivanandayogavietnam.org

Om Namah Sivaya to all. Due to the unpredictability of the on-going COVID-19 situation nationally and locally we have had to change our opening dates. We request that you contact your local Centres and Ashrams directly for their latest update. Please stay connected – https://sivananda.org.in/dwarka/

On Sept 8th, we celebrated Swami Sivananda ji’s birthday with Pooja and Satsang along with staff and teachers. staff are doing their respective karma yoga. The staff are well at the Centre. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/dwarka

Greetings from Sivananda Nataraja Centre. Due to the unpredictability of the on-going COVID-19 situation nationally and locally we have had to change our opening dates. We request that you contact your local Centres and Ashrams directly for their latest update. Our thoughts are with you all and we pray that you keep well and positive during these challenging times. Please stay connected – https://sivananda.org.in/delhi/ The staff are well at the Centre. Om.

For September all remained well at the Centre and staff were well, with the Grace of Gurus. We had the Centre sanitized before we started teaching in person classes. In the beginning we conducted only three open classes every day at 6.30 am, 8.30 am and 10 am.

http://www.sivananda.org/delhi

Om Namah Sivaya. The Geneva Centre reopened with a special schedule of 1-3 open classes per day and adherence to necessary hygiene measures with a maximum of 10 participants per class or course.

The main focus was the open classes, starting the Courses and workshops later in September. We kept all the COVID regulations in place. A medical doctor who visited the Centre complimented how the Centre worked so well (social distancing, etc…) and hpw it really was a place for inner peace and recharging of energy. The renovations in front of the Centre continued, with some noisy stone cutting. It has been 4 years that this big building has undergone renovations. The interior renovations has been completed, but outside remains in progress. Charles also visited and gifted some spiritual books to the staff. The Centre notably had half of the student count, compared to before the lockdown. We had a Yoga 1, with 7 students. We also started the pensioners classes with half of the students only, 10 instead of 20, to accommodate physical distancing. We also set up the weekly online classes, a cooperation of Paris, Geneva Centres and Orleans Ashram. We had a total of 14 active teachers. Nirmala (Norma) completed the first online TTC and also a 10 days program in Orleans this summer for the corrections, etc. With best wishes for health and peace. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/geneva

Om Namah Sivaya. The Ho Chi Minh Centre is open. In September the Centre was very busy with many classes and courses. We had close to our all-time high attendance in the Centre.  Ganga Chaitanya began an Advanced Asana course with 12 people, and continued to train recent TTC graduates, with three 90-minute sessions taught every weekday morning back to back (6 am to 10:30 am). There was also a festive atmosphere in the Centre with many close teachers and Karma Yogis returning and joining for the noon meals with celebration of Ganga Chaitanya’s birthday and a special Vietnamese moon cake baking workshop for the mid-Autumn festival with past-time karma yogi Tarini of TTC Nov 2017. Jagadamba began teaching Ayurveda for the first time with 12 students coming for her introductory course, and she began a Yoga 1 course with three people. Mahashakti began a Pranayama & Kriyas course with 10 people. Satsangs were well-attended with 20 to 30 people coming in the evenings.

By mid September we had our all-time high attendance in the Ho Chi Minh Centre! We started a Meditation Course taught by Swami Pranavananda with 18 people.  Some of the residents joined the course and recent TTC graduate Karuna Devi translated into Vietnamese. (Only two of the students are not Vietnamese.) We started a prenatal course taught by Mahashakti with two people.  We had a Massage Therapy Course taught by outside teacher Tarini with 12 people.  The training of TTC graduates continued, taught by Ganga Chaitanya, with many students coming for training, Karma Yoga and Satsang. We pray for everyone’s health and inspiration to keep practicing and teaching! May the Sivananda family worldwide be safe and continue the wonderful teachings, in all ways possible. Om.

https://sivanandayogavietnam.org/ho-chi-minh-center/

Om Namah Sivaya. The London Centre has reopened. You can reserve your online yoga class via the MindBody app. For more information, please call us on +44 (0) 208 780 0160 or if would like to receive our daily newsletter. A COVID reminder – by being attentive together, we can ensure that everyone can fully enjoy the Centre.
https://sivanandalondon.org/guidelines-for-visiting-the-Centre/

September 1st we welcomed the first in-person student attending classes. They were happy to be back and satisfied with the yoga class, after a short moment of adjustment to the new flooring and distancing rules. The contact with the students showed how much yoga is needed right now in the lives of the people and inspired the staff even more to serve the community.
The following days carried the notion of “iterative improvement”: day after day the staff reacted to feedback on the onsite classes, the online offering, the onsite / online class (a workaround to enable the staff to teach while still in quarantine), the website, the newsletter communication, the COVID measurements, etc.
People slowly but steadily returned back to their “yoga home”, grateful for the spiritual shelter the Centre provides. Further technical improvements were made by the staff, so that more students can attend the classes in a COVID regulation-friendly way. In order to continue to tailor the offerings to the needs of the community, the staff asked for feedback from the community, via the newsletter, for future class times and ways how to hold public Satsangs again. From an internal staff-life perspective, the Centre focused on aquainting a new staff member, finding a new harmony and continuing to increase the sattvic energy and deep cleaning projects. The staff team of three enjoys each others company and the life at the Centre.
The third week after its reopening, the Centre remained a haven of peace and quiet for Londoners. Class attendance increased in numbers slowly but continuously. The staff took advantage of the rather peaceful times at the Centre to increase the sattva by focusing on housekeeping, kitchen, altar deep cleaning and organizing projects. Karma Yogis returned to the Centre to support this ambition. All the while, continuous improvements concerning the pricing model and schedule were implemented to further discover and meet the needs of the students in these special times. The staff looked forward with optimism and calmness to the next month and what it may bring. With best wishes for health and inner peace. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/london

Om Namo Narayanaya. Blessed Sivananda Yoga Community, the Sivananda Yoga Centre in Los Angeles is closed until California businesses are cleared to reopen. This challenging time is our opportunity to turn inward, deepen our practice and keep our community strong and healthy. Through Satsang and our collective positive thoughts, we support each other and the world. Visit our website for our online offerings: daily yoga classes, workshops and courses, plus Satsangs with Acharya Swami Sitaramananda. Boost your immune system by practicing all paths of Yoga; feel healthier and stronger in both body and mind.

September in California started with the finale of the Yoga Farm Labor Day program. Swami Sivasankariananda spoke on Neuroplasticity and Pain. Devotees joined a Satsang online to celebrate Swami Sivananda’s Birthday Puja. We read Master’s statements about himself from the Sivananda Daily Readings and then a few pages about his life from the book “From God to God Man”. We continued the readings for the next days, enjoying hearing details of Swamiji’s life. Radha Chaitanya taught a workshop on making Veggie Rolls and Miso Soup. We offered a Coping with Challenges Retreat Day, with Gajananam. Swami Sivasankariananda taught a yoga class for stress management, which was well-received. We held the last class of our Traditional Sanskrit Prayers course. Karma Yogi Ananda made the needed repairs at the Centre and built a small outdoor shrine for our Jupiter Murthi before he left. Total reported COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles County at the beginning of September 2020: 255,000 (474 per day).

Mid September Radha Chaitanya drove to the Yoga Farm for SYHET Module 2. Yoga Farm staff Radha came to Los Angeles to serve in her absence. Swami Sivasankariananda taught 4 hours of Yoga for Chronic Pain for SYHET, including awareness practices and a pain care yoga class. We enjoyed attending Benoy Behl’s Indian art history class online, with his exquisite photos and impressive knowledge. We offered a Yantra Painting Workshop online. We did two afternoon workshops on the Art of Processing Emotions. A Meditation 1 course ended. Total reported COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles County mid September 2020: 262,133 (810 per day). Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/la

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed Selves! The Madrid Centre is open. We would like to thank all the support and solidarity received. It has been an unforgettable few months and soon we will be able to welcome you to what is more than ever, your home. The capacity of the room is limited to 15 people and you must book in advance. Check here our sanitary measures and protocols for responsible practice. Online classes will continue to be open and free throughout the summer. We are waiting for you from September 7 2020, if conditions permit, to enjoy face-to-face classes in our open spaces.

The Centre re opened for in person asana classes in early September after many months closed. We taught the classes on the outdoor patio. Students and teachers were happy to be back. A new possible TTC location in Spain was visited. Mid month the Online and in person classes continued with a good flow. A Yoga 1 started with 9 students. Focus was on promotion of the upcoming TTCOL starting October 4th. With our best wishes for health and peace. We were grateful to Master and Swamiji for inspiring so many souls on their path. Pranams to all. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/madrid

Om Namah Sivaya to all. Due to the unpredictability of the on-going COVID-19 situation nationally and locally we have had to change our opening dates. We request that you contact your local Centres and Ashrams directly for their latest update. Free online Yoga classes, courses and programs are available during the COVID-19 pandemic. Boost your immune system by practicing all paths of Yoga to feel healthier and stronger in both body and mind. We thank our Masters for all blessings and support bestowed. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/madurai

Om Namah Sivaya from the Montevideo Centre. The Montevideo Centre is open. In September we started a new Beginners’ Yoga course with 10 students. We organized a very special program to celebrate Swami Sivananda’s birthday. We convoked teachers from different countries to participate. Everybody was very happy being part of this celebration honouring Gurudev. Even though the program was online some students sent flowers to the Centre. Many teachers were invited to choose sentences from Gurudev and then they read after the Archana. It was really very emotive and more than 125 devotees participated. During Satsang we invited Gopala from Rio de Janeiro to give different talks, one on Upadesha and another on Nada Yoga. There were very nice and inspiring. Unfortunately, “termites” came again to visit us. We had to fumigate again an area at the Centre. We continued advertising for our next Spanish TTC Online. It will start in October. Online programs continued with students from different parts of America. Lalita, from Chile, taught the open class and then a special class for beginners. Narayan from Franca, Brazil, participated with the talks. Regular programs continued at the Centre and online supported by the grace of the Masters. We prayed intensely for peace and harmony in this world. May the Grace of Gurudev and Swamiji be upon us all. Om Shanti. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/montevideo

Om Namah Sivaya and Greetings from the Montreal Centre! The Montreal Centre is open. Please RESERVE YOUR PLACE for each class.
· Pre-register for all classes, email us at [email protected] to reserve your spot.
· Only 15 spaces available per class.
· Drop-ins might be refused due to limited space.
Visit https://sivanandacanada.org/montreal/COVID-19-regulations/ for more information. Pranams to all. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/montreal

Om Namah Sivaya. The Munich Centre is open again, however, with a few changes in the Munich corona measures planned from Thursday, September 24th, we can still continue to carry out all of our activities in compliance with our hygiene concept as these changes do not affect sporting events. There are daily in-person yoga classes each day, as well as courses for beginners and experts. We also offer meditation evenings. We ask for your registration for all events as space is limited.

Meanwhile during September some students came for the first time after the reopening of the Centre. We finished our plans for a new schedule for the autumn, with more classes and courses. We also did research to find an air cleaner which would help us to keep on teaching in a safe manner in autumn and winter.

Mid September we had the last session of the online course “Mysteries of the Mind”. The participants were very motivated and continued with other courses. We worked out a new schedule for more courses and open classes. Many students responded already very positively to the new schedule and have been already enrolling to continue their yogic Sadhana in the Centre. Swami Narayanananda went to the Sivananda Yoga Retreat House in Reith/Tyrol/Austria and Swami Vidyananda came back from there to Munich. All are very grateful to stay connected to the teachings of the Masters. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/munich

Om Namah Sivaya from Manhattan. The Centre remains closed as we wait for the government directives to restart operations. We continued to teach classes and courses in conjunction with the Ranch and Chicago. We send our blessings for all to stay healthy, positive and strong in Sadhana! Join us online for courses, studies, Satsangs and yoga classes. May Gurudev’s blessings continue to light our path. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/ny

Om Namah Sivaya. The Paris Centre will be closed for two weeks from September 26 to October 9 inclusive. All Online courses are maintained.

Meanwhile, in September we celebrated Masters’ anniversary with a morning Puja online with the priest from Bangalore. Beautiful to know that a big part of the family was together tuning with the energy of Swami Sivananda. A meditation course started with a humble group of 9 motivated students. Teachers and karma yogis returned from the holidays. An army of them put a dose of sattva in the house. A Yoga 2 started with 20 students. The Centre greeted a new teacher, Pranava, who was assisting the open classes for a couple of years and started to give open classes. Uma will be teaching soon. For the public Satsangs we chanted many Guru bhajans and some inspiring words from Master Sivananda on the topic of bhakti, silence and Guru. There was an uplifting energy during the daily Om Namo Narayanaya chanting. Some teachers and students chanted with us. The staff appreciated the evening online Satsang, connecting with Reith. The public demonstrations nearby started again with the “gilets jaunes” (“yellow vests”) movement. We had less students that afternoon. One Sunday morning, the staff enjoyed a morning of Sadhana with a Sarasvati Puja, done by the priest from Bangalore and an asana class with Swami Sivadasananda. Little by little the students returned. There is a harmonious mood in the Centre.

By mid September, Life gave us sunny days with blue skies. We continued to chant Om Namo Narayanaya daily. One of the students of the latest Yoga 1 was almost blind. She appreciated the course. The meditation course continued. During the public Satsangs we had many kirtans and some inspiring words of Master from the Universal companion and from the Science of Yoga on the topics of God, Meditation and Mind. Some teachers cancelled at last moment because they were ill. Some students, teachers and karma yogis are in quarantine. The Masters sent an army of karma yogis to support the Centre and to put a dose of sattva here and there. Many teachers from the last Orleans TTC arrived as karma yogis and for the Satsangs and classes. The staff life was uplifted by the online Pujas, courses, Satsangs and classes given by the acharyas, the special guest, the priest and the Gurubais. May Swami Sivananda and Swami Vishnudevananda continue to guide and to inspire all of us. With all our wishes for health and peace. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/paris

Greetings from Porto Alegre. We remain united! Wishing to all of you health and peace. May all live under Master’s and Guru’s grace. Om Shanti. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/portoalegre

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed Selves. The Roma Centre is open, offering a space of peace for your yoga practice. We are happy to give you the opportunity to participate in the lessons, both live at the Roma Centre and online. There is a maximum of 9 people per class at the Centre. Make a reservation first. We ask you to send an email to [email protected] Important: book each lesson separately for each activity. You will receive the link corresponding to that activity. To book, write to: [email protected] with your name, telephone number and e-mail address.

After the successful completion of the TTC in Bracciano with 10 students graduating with very good marks, we started the process of moving back to Rome, bringing all the material back to the Centre and packing it away for the next year. We also prepared the Centre for a reopening after the Centre was closed due for the TTC. We were happy that the Centre will have new teachers. We are getting many inquiries for the Beginners’ Yoga and other courses starting in September. We had an open house one Saturday with various trial classes. It was very harmonious with many young people participating. Almost everyone registered for the upcoming courses and classes. We had a beautiful Puja for Masters Birthday. Students are happy to come back to the Centre. We still taught all the classes online to students from all over Italy. We continued the group study on the Raja Yoga Sutras of Patanjali online. Some students registered for the online Beginners’ Yoga and the meditation courses. Satsangs were well attended at the Centre and online. Bhagirati helped at the Centre for a couple weeks. Share the new rules of behavior, be well and safe together. Sending Love and prana to all of you. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/rome

Om Namo Narayanaya, Blessed Selves. The San Francisco Sivananda Centre is permanently closed. Please visit the Yoga Farm Ashram and Los Angeles Centre for a list of online classes and courses.

http://www.sivananda.org/sanfrancisco

Om Namah Sivaya. Om Shanti Shanti to all the Sivananda family.
Centro Internacional Sivananda de Yoga e Vedanta Sao Paulo is temporarily closed. Om.

https://www.sivananda.org/saopaulo

Om Namah Sivaya. The Tel Aviv Centre was open briefly, but now closed. Meanwhile, in September the staff opened a new online Raja yoga course and a Yoga 2 course. We celebrated the blessed occasion of the birthday of Swami Sivananda with a beautiful Puja, a lot of chanting, Prasads and inspiring teachings. We celebrated the birthday of Bhargavi Chaitanya with a Puja. She received many gifts and a beautiful message from the Sivananda Upanishad. Sunday Satsang was on the topic of the life of Swami Sivananda.

By mid September two courses started, Patanjali and Ayurveda, and Yoga 2 and Advanced asana courses ended. We celebrated the Jewish New Year with a festive feast and inspiring teaching about the spiritual meaning of the holiday. The government issued a 3-week lockdown due to the spreading of the coronavirus, so the Centre is back to offering all the activities online. The staff received intensive training in adapt, adjust, accommodate! 🙂 May the Master’s grace be with all. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/telaviv

Om Namah Sivaya. The Tokyo Centre is open as well as Online. At the beginning of September, in celebration of the 133rd birthday anniversary of Master Swami Sivananda, we joined for Puja performed as a part of the program of the Online TTC at the Dalat Ashram. We were grateful for giving us this opportunity to celebrate Master’s birthday with many people together, even though it was through online. A Sivananda Yoga 12 Basic Postures workshop and a Gentle Yoga workshop were given. COVID-19 has caused a difficult situation for Karma yogis to come to the Centre, however, they gradually returned for a practice of selfless service, which enables the staff at the Centre to fully engage in supporting the Online TTC. We were thankful for their support and Guru’s grace.

By mid-month Phrayuki Naradevo, a Japanese monk at the Buddhist Temple in Thailand, gave a dharma talk and shared with us teachings from the Buddhism viewpoint. He talked about the importance of mental preparation to reach the common goal of any religion, peace of mind. It was very inspiring and conducive for an aspirant. A new Yoga 1 course began, attended by 6 people starting their path of Yoga. We offered a Restorative Yoga workshop, by which the students enjoyed a deep relaxation. May Master and Swamiji’s grace be with all. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi. Om.

http://www.sivananda.jp

Om Namah Sivaya. In September we started a new series of in-person gentle yoga classes and we finished a meditation course. We had a Gentle Yoga training. We contacted the new Toronto teachers who just finished TTC at the Yoga Camp and arranged for some of them to assist classes and join the Toronto Centre. We had a nice Archana for Master’s birthday with some students joining online. Saraswati, Mookambika and Nalini spent a weekend in nature, on a nearby farm owned by one of our teachers while Gopala managed the Centre. Mayooran came back to the Centre as a resident as it is the start of the new school year.

By mid September we had new Yoga 1 started plus, a workshop taught by Saraswati. Some new TTC students started assisting and were doing very well. We started contacting students for our November retreat and worked on the rest of our Fall schedule. We had some of our close students join our Saturday Puja. The weather transitioned to much cooler in Toronto and lots of people stayed inside so some of the COVID restrictions were brought back by the government. The Staff continued with their regular Sadhana and karma yoga and were very disciplined with their schedule. We send Om Namo Narayanaya to everyone. Pranams. Love to all. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/toronto

Om Namah Sivaya. Due to the unpredictability of the on-going COVID-19 situation nationally and locally we have had to change our opening dates. We request that you contact your local Centres and Ashrams directly for their latest update.Join us through online classes, courses and programs online. Sending Prem and Om to all from our family of guests and staffs. Our thoughts are with you all and we pray that you keep well and positive during these challenging times. Keep up your Sadhana and prayer for one and around in the planet. Praying for world health and peace – OM NAMO NARAYANAYA. Please stay connected. [email protected]

In September, the Centre remains online and yet to decide when to open for all in person classes. Swamiji’s birth anniversary was celebrated with the Neyyar Dam Ashram. Although the Centre is not officially opened and functioning through Social Media, on 15th we opened the Centre for those who we came to know, to prepare ourselves when everything goes well. We will make an announcement on the Social Media page to get our long term student back once we can open fully. We will follow the MHA guideline strictly so that people feel safe and comfortable environments to come and practice. In September the weather was quite rainy. Otherwise all is well at Centre. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/trivandrum

Om Namah Sivaya. The Vienna Centre is open. There are 1-2 daily in-person yoga classes in the Centre with a meditation session offered on Sunday evenings. The yoga shop is also open again. Please register for all lessons.

Early September a Yoga 1-course started with a nice group of students as well as an advanced course with a senior teacher. It was a joyful reunion after half a year closed. Everybody was happy to be back to Yoga. Swami Sivananda’s birthday was celebrated with a beautiful Puja. We also had many phone calls inquiring about upcoming courses. In the course of a week teachers returned from the Retreathouse in Tyrol, inspired, recharged and ready to continue their service at the Centre. We participated in the continuation of the online program with Marilyn Rossner which was again a mind-broadening and elevating experience.

As September marched on a Y2 started with a small group of inspired students. As Vienna has been declared as “Red Zone” after the number of infections has increased, we were especially careful with cleaning and disinfecting in order to provide a safe environment for everyone visiting. We had uplifting Pujas with some of our teachers bringing beautiful flowers and Prasad for the altar. During a peaceful Satsang, with teachers and close students, Sunday prayers were chanted softly with the windows wide open and marvellous late summer weather. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vienna

Om Namah Sivaya. The Vilnius Centre is open. In September Courses, classes and Satsangs saw a good amount of the students, increasing every week. The only one staff of the Centre, Durga Devi, was absent for 4 days. The remaining teachers took good care of the Centre. Yoga classes and courses for beginners continued successfully. Yoga 1 started on Thursdays with 10 motivated fairly young students. Our young teacher Chaitanya started teaching a smaller Yoga 1 group and is doing very well. We updated the class for seniors once a week and, knowing how important it was to them, served fresh vegetarian soup. The quarantine for teachers and students who attended class with a student with a COVID was finally over. It is nice to see how happy everyone was when they returned to the House of Masters. We held an Open Day – the first since the start of quarantine. A lot of people checked in, but only a part of them visited – probably the weather was too good – the last warm sunny weekend. Health and Peace to all. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vilnius

Desire is the seed from which sprouts ceaseless births. Reduce your desires and live self contented. – Sri Swami Sivananda