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 October courses and classes were running well. Some of the class timings have changed since the reopening of the Centre and it all gets in a rhythm again which works out very well. Students got used to register for classes in advance and were fine with that. Students were positive and supportive. We trained a new teacher who did the online TTC in May and he already started to teach. Karma yogis were helping with different projects in the Centre.

Mid month we celebrated Navaratri with a Puja every morning guided online by the priest Yagneshwara from Bangalore. The energy in the Centre was uplifted in a beautiful way. On Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday we performed evening Pujas with teachers and students at the Centre and everybody was happy that this could happen. Due to the distancing rules only a small number of people could participate in each Puja but everybody who wanted to join was able to come at least once. More and more flowers gathered around the altar throughout the Navaratri week and by the end of the week an abundance of flowers filled the meditation hall. The murtis were shining and the altar looked very beautiful. Classes and courses were well visited. Online teaching also continued together with all the European Sivananda Centres. Many students of the Centre, apart from coming for classes at the Centre, also participated in online courses and Satsangs and special events. It was a blessing to be able to offer such a variety of topics and programs online and to reach so many students. 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. We are happy to announce that we are now open. Our Centres and Ashrams are following MHA guidelines closely to ensure the safety and comfort of all. The continued practice of social distancing and limited class sizes are to meet these requirements. These guidelines will be posted in all our Centres and Ashrams. Please familiarize yourself with these safety precautions: MOH Guidelines for Yoga Institutions. https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/Guidelinesonyogainstitutesandgymnasiums03082020.pdf We look forward to having you at the centre and practicing together. We are also continuing online classes. Please visit www.sivananda.org.in/online-yoga for online classes.

Meanwhile the city of Chennai was draped in cloudy & sultry weather in early October. COVID positive cases increased with simultaneous supportive & protective measures from the Government, keeping the death rate under control. We started an enthusiastic batch of “express” Beginners’ Yoga courses with 11 people. It was so heart-warming to see students returning to all classes & courses. The Centre was filled with positivity. Gopan & Sandhya returned to the Centre. Daily evening Om Namo Narayanaya chanting continued, supported by all our staffs. The Vishnu Sahasranama was very grand with our students & staffs chanting. We offered a headstand workshop, led by Mahalakshmi, with 8 enthusiastic people attending. We welcomed Nirmala Chaitanya & Santhosh from the Madurai Ashram and Venugopal, as a new staff from Coimbatore. Our Sunday evening Satsang were attended by a few of our students, along with our staff.

Chennai is pleasantly raining & cool. As the Navrathri festive season lit everyone’s heart with cheer, divinity & health. At the Chennai Centre our Navrathri was celebrated with Kolu, a daily Pooja, lightings & chanting Devi Mantras. We had a special Pooja chanting Ashtothra Sadanaamavali of Saraswathy Devi on Ayudha Pooja day, plus, praying, keeping our important instruments used for improving our life, which varied from pen, laptop, books to kitchen knife and also enjoying the sumptuous Prasads. We wished & prayed everyone a very Happy Douser. May the Goddess bless all the living beings with health & happiness. The COVID cases continued to threaten but all have learned to live with the new modified life which also opening more avenues to health & body consciousness and especially yoga. In our observation most of our students were new enrollments, thanks to our advertisements in the local newspapers, introducing our Sivananda family to more people. Our regular enquiry to our old regular students showed that they continued to practice at home, overcame the COVID blues and stayed home. We had an online class to the enthusiastic, retired employees of Reserve Bank of India on the Cisco Webex platform, conducted by our staff Shanthi Vitaya, while teaching healthy retirement planning. Also we had a staff night with special cooking by our staff Venugopal. All enjoyed a yummy dinner, which cheered the staffs greatly. Continuing our peace chanting Om Namo Narayanaaya every evening, also the Mantra for healing Vishnu Sahasranama, increasing the positivity of the Centre. Sunday evening Satsang, led by Gopan, was attended by our staffs & students with enthusiasm. Otherwise all our online classes & live Satsangs on Facebook continued. 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. With thanks to Guru’s blessing, our Centre maintained strong energy to serve the community with all of the classes well attended in October. All of the classes went well. Restorative Yoga class had 7 students, 2 beginner courses Y2 continues. One student often comes to early morning Satsang. Last Sunday, 21 people and karma yogis came to join the Satsang. A resident students stayed here for 4 days gave very positive feedback. We offered 2 new Beginners Yoga courses, free gentle classes for the community, deep relaxation classes, an outdoor pranayama workshop. We had an internal advanced asana correction training. Vegetarian pizza and salad cooking workshop had 6 students including 3 children, advanced backbend asana workshop had 7 students. We had an Open House day. We did Puja everyday for the Navaratri festival. On the 10th day, 4 karma yogis came to join the Puja bringing their belongings to get blessed. We are doing our best to keep our Sadhana strong and maintain energy. We pray for Guru’s grace and blessings. Om.

https://sivanandayogavietnam.org

Om Namah Sivaya to all. We are happy to inform you that our centre is open since 21st of September onwards. We look forward to welcoming you back and practicing together. We’ll also be continuing with our classes, courses & programs. For details, please visit sivananda.org.in/online-yoga

By the god grace and guru’s blessing went well in the Centre in October. Students numbers are gradually increasing. We offered Beginners’ Yoga courses, a headstand workshop and trial class, all attended by good numbers of students. The staff are well at the Centre. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/dwarka

Greetings from Sivananda Nataraja Centre. We are happy to announce that we are now open. Our Centres and Ashrams are following MHA guidelines closely to ensure the safety and comfort of all. The continued practice of social distancing and limited class sizes are to meet these requirements. These guidelines will be posted in all our Centres and Ashrams. Please familiarize yourself with these safety precautions: MOH Guidelines for Yoga Institutions. We look forward to having you at the centre and practicing together. We are also continuing online classes. Please visit www.sivananda.org.in/online-yoga for online classes. Please stay connected – https://sivananda.org.in/delhi/ The staff are well at the Centre. Om.

For October all staff remained well at the Centre 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. We are getting few students because of fear of COVID-19 and because of this we could not start the Beginners’ Yoga course. We are getting few students in open classes. We are running three open classes in a day at different timings. We have been calling our old students and telling them that the Centre is open. Vipin has gone to his home for ten days. He has not been to his home in last one year. Jaypal our cook has also gone to his home on leave. Om.

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 in October were the open classes, courses and workshops. A new Yoga 1 started and 2 Yoga 1 finished with some students ready for the Yoga 2. A new session of Yoga for pensioners started with 10 participants. We used to have 20 participants, but with new COVID regulations we have to keep distance, so the city decided to organize it for 10 pensioners. We participated in the “Yoga in Medicine” online course, given by Chandrika. A Yoga 1 and a Yoga 2 started. Main event were the Navaratri Pujas. Jnaneshwari came and helped with the setup and many students brought flowers. Annapurna made wonderful Prasad. The Centre was blessed with the good vibrations from the Pujas and also the online Pujas which were conducted by Yagneshwara in India. With best wishes for health and peace. Om Aim Saraswatyai Namaha. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/geneva

Om Namah Sivaya. The Ho Chi Minh Centre is open.

In October the Centre was very busy with many classes and courses. We had very high energy with nearly record attendance, as Swami Narayanananda and Priya Chaitanya led several special programs here in the Centre and also at other affiliated Sivananda Yoga Centres in Ho Chi Minh City.  In the Centre we had a Bhagavad Gita workshop with 16 people, and the staff all went to one affiliated Centre for a Satsang. Ganga Chaitanya started an anatomy course, teaching every morning for 90 minutes with 30 people attending. Most of the students are TTC graduates and close Karma Yogis, and some are participating online. We started a Beginners’ Yoga course, taught by Mahashakti, with 8 students, and another Beginners’ Yoga course, taught by Devika, with 6 students. We had a two-day workshop on proper diet, taught by Mangala, with theory on the first day and cooking workshop on the second day. Sunday Satsangs were well-attended with 20-30 people as were the evening Satsangs.

By mid October Hochiminh Centre had a wonderful week of celebrations for Navaratri. We did Pujas everyday with many students and karma yogis joining throughout the week. The Centre was full of flowers, fruits, music and good energy. Students kept coming for
Beginners’ Yoga courses, open classes, as well as Satsangs. Ganga Chaitanya continued the anatomy course for teachers of the Centre. We had a successful headstand workshop, taught by Mahashakti, with 12 attendances. Last but not least the workshop Hand Embroidery also went well with 6 students, taught by Mahadevi. We all felt the divine mother blessing for all the staff and students on our path. 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.

Despite of the worldwide sanitary situation, the students were happy to come to the Centre to recharge in a peaceful atmosphere during the month October. The staff worked to put everything in place to accommodate them in the best possible conditions (sanitary precautions, maintenance of the Centre, a warm welcome) The staff also continued its projects to deep clean, bringing harmony and sattva in the Centre. Our students were regular attendees to the classes, investing in their practice. Karma yogis and teachers aloke were involved in the life of the Centre and were always present and willing to help us. Kailas was very busy with administration work in October while Bhagavati finished the basement project and started the boutique project to bring more prana there and inspire the yogis who come in daily. 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.

In preparation for Navaratri, we offered a Puja Workshop and a Slaying Demons talk. We were so engrossed in the stories of Krishna’s triumph over Putana, Aghasura, Kaliya and Kamsa that we did not get to the Devi Mahatmyam! We started a 5-session course on Forgiveness. Discussions were heartfelt. Afternoon workshops included: Hip Opening and Classical Indian Vocal Exercises. Five sessions of our ongoing series with Hasu Patel finished this week, as well as a Positive Thinking 2 course. We were fundraising for another round of eight sessions of the Global Village grief support group, with the intention that the participants attend free. Staff went to the beach for sunset one Saturday evening, connecting with a couple of masked devotees. We were uplifted by the week of powerful Navaratri Pujas, with chanting of the Mahishasura Mardhini and Devi Mahatmyam. For more connection with students, we mailed some of them small boxes of blessed flower petals, Prasad and Devi photos. Komilla Sutton spoke on the significance of an isolated moon in Jyotish. We appreciated her clarity and generosity. We continued to assist with the East Coast/West Coast TTC. Our large avocado tree continues to provide her harvest. 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 to enjoy face-to-face classes in our open spaces.

In October a meditation course was offered with 10 inspired students. The Spring-like weather allowed us to continue classes in our outdoor patio despite the lock down in the city of Madrid. We also had a steady group joining for the live online classes reaching the 100 flat rate subscribers. The TTCOL first week went very well. Students are shining after three weeks of intense practice. Classes and courses continued as usual. The Navaratri celebrations where uplifting with daily Pujas and the reading of Devi Mahatmiam. 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 October we experienced very pleasant and sunny temperatures. Students were very active and happy students with the classes. They thanked us for their practice at the Centre. Regular programs continued in the Centre plus online classes, all supported by the grace of the Masters. We started the chair yoga workshop with great enthusiasm, given by Dr. Padma. Participants were very committed to the practice. Swami Dayananda led Satsangs. Durga Devi, staff at the yoga retreat in Bahamas, also led Satsangs. She prepared carefully and presented very beautifully. She spoke about mantras and Japa. It was very nice talk sharing teaching from Bliss Divine and Meditation and Mantras. Kanti Devi’s Satsang was about meditation from the book Concentration and Meditation by Swami Sivananda. The third edition of our TTC Online continued. Students were a very interested and committed to the practice. We prepared for the November TTCIL, together with the European Centres, where we will add the Portuguese translation. Kanti Devi and Chandrashekar were still active with their temporary move in order to allowed neighbors to repair all damages they caused to their property.

By mid October the weather was rainy at times, then sunny and hot. The Centre was shining during Navaratri week. The celebration was programmed in order for people to follow every day from their homes. In previous days Kanti Devi guided students and teachers to set a little altar and be ready for the offering of flowers and rice. Imagine the positive aspect of this present situation. All those homes with light and the sincere intention of transformation.
Even though the length of the program was short each day, the intensity was very profound. Kanti Devi and Chandrashekar prepared all details to make it possible. The altar was beautifully decorated with lots of flowers, incense and delicious Prasad. Rice pudding, fruits, “alfajores” (typical sweet from Uruguay) and a carrot cake (Brazilian recipe) decorated with jasmines and roses from Kanti’s little garden. Each Centre and affiliated Centre in South America joined in this celebration. Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay were the different places from where we transmitted the ceremonies. We also invited the participants to sing chants for the Devi. All America vibrated with those songs full of love and devotions. We were one, one heart, one soul. It was very, very, beautiful. We still received messages thanking the opportunity to participate in this spiritual event. The TTC online continued its course as we prepared for the next new starting in November. Other 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! Visit https://sivanandacanada.org/montreal/COVID-19-regulations/ or the Yoga Camp website for more information. May God’s grace and the teachers’ blessings always remain with us and guide us into being of impeccable service to the people around the world. Pranams to all. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/montreal

The Munich Centre is open again. We continue to carry out all of our activities in compliance with Munich COVID health guidelines. There are daily in-person yoga classes each day, as well as courses for Beginners’ Yoga and experts. We also offer meditation evenings. We ask for your registration for all events as space is limited.

During October we taught a Beginners’ Yoga course to a very motivated group of newcomers on Saturdays and Sundays. Despite the insecurity with rising COVID infections the students were happy to be able to come to the Centre. The long-term students continued their practice in intermediate and advanced courses and are happy to meet their “yoga-mates” again. New people came to the trial class and showed their interest to start their practice with us. We celebrated Navaratri by joining the Navaratri online Pujas every morning with Priest Yagneshwara conducting and guiding from India. We performed a Puja in an evening Satsang. It was a beautiful event with many students coming to the Centre. A number of courses started into a new round – among them a well attended Yoga 2 course. It was inspiring to see how students progressed and felt the benefits of the yoga practice! One of our teachers was tested positive on COVID. We had to report to the city health department. They informed us that our COVID health precautions were very good and that because there was only a very small risk of infection nobody fortunately had to be put under quarantine. Swami Vidyananda went to Salzburg, Austria to hold a two week long yoga vacation program. Mirabai came from Reith to support the Centre during this time. 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 continues to give its courses online. Face-to-face classes are suspended until further notice following recent decrees related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For October the Paris Centre remained closed. In the city of Paris some bars, restaurants, universities, swimming pools, sports Centres, cinemas and other places were also closed. We continued to teach online and to chant Om Namo Narayanaya daily online and on site.
The plants bloomed thanks to the rainy season and the care of all. The Main Altar looked beautiful and fresh. The teachers brought flowers. The blessings of the Masters, helped to keep the energy of the Centre up with the Sadhana collective and the karma yoga of teachers and gurubais. The inspiring Satsangs and programs from Reith and Orleans gave us inspiration and joy. Like the last weekends, we were a group of ten teachers in the Main Hall to do the fire of yoga with Swami Sivadasananda. We did private Satsangs at the time of the regular public ones at 6pm and at 8pm on Wednesdays with close teachers and karma yogis. We continued to read the Srimat Bhagavatam in the morning Satsangs. In the public Satsangs we finished reading from the inspiring chapter of Sadhana from Bliss Divine. The Master has been giving us a beautiful messages inviting us to accept life as it is. There was a harmonious mood in the Centre.

By mid October, Life gave us an uplifting week with the Navaratri celebrations, joining in with the whole family and the priest from Bangalore in the mornings and with a little family in the early evenings. The workers repaired the main leaks and will come the next days to do more reparations. The Centre remains closed. In Paris, the curfew from 9pm also continued. We continued to teach the regular online classes and chanting of Om Namo Narayanaya as well as some small yoga 1’s in order to catch-up some courses that had started before the closing. Most days ended with the Satsangs, connecting with Reith and Orleans. Many students asked to exchange their class cards for online classes. Saraswati went home for some time. To keep the energy up some close karma yogis and teachers joined us to do collective Sadhana and karma yoga. We had daily small classes onsite for the teachers as well as offering the Navaratri Pujas and the Fire of Yoga during. The renovations on the roof continued as the workers repaired some new leaks coming from the gutters. The Altar looked like a blooming Garden. Navaratri brought deepness and expansion in our lives. May the Divine Mother destroy all negativity and bring love and peace. 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. We are happy to give you the opportunity to participate in the lessons online. 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. 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 is now closed and all courses are offered online.

In October a new Bhagavad Gita course started. The course was taught by Swami Shambhudevanada in English, and a simultaneous translation to Hebrew was also offered. A Thought Power course finished and the students were inspired to continue their study in more courses. Swami Shambhu led the Satsang and gave an inspiring talk on Lord Siva. We entered the third week of the lockdown and all the activities are online. A few teachers and karma yogis who live very close to the Centre could still come and support the staff with their service. We feel very blessed by the Grace of our teachers to be able to serve and share the knowledge of yoga.

By mid October the celebration of Navaratri and the energy of the Divine Mother was felt strongly, filling us with strength, devotion, and inspiration. A new Yoga for Kids teachers’ training, Pranayama and Thought power courses started,. A Positive Thinking and Yoga philosophy courses ended. We worked on two exciting projects. One was to teach yoga in the nearby hospital, free of charge, as an act of gratitude for the incredible service of the health care providers at this challenging time. The second project was teaching meditation, Ayurveda and positive thinking as an education program to the bank employees. Happy Navaratri to all! 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 October we offered a 4-day Ramayana Study Meeting with Srinivas who is a Sanskrit and Bhagavad Gita teacher at the TTC and ATTC in India, with a Japanese translation service by Chandrika. Despite the weekdays, good number of students joined the meetings, enjoying learning about one of the most classical story in India. The number of people who start to practice yoga is growing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sivananda Yoga 12 Basics workshop was held in which many of the Online TTC graduates joined, turning into an opportunity to actually meet each other and interact with each other. Kumari Noriko gave an online Taiwanese Foot Massage workshop. A Taiwanese foot massage is well-known as rather painful but the attendees found it enjoyable and comfortable and learned about the self practice method.

During mid-October a Sun salutation workshop was offered. The students reviewed the efficacy and benefits of the Sun salutation exercise and checked the sequence in detail, by which they got better access to the healthier habit. A 20-day Pranayama Challenge was successfully completed and most of the attendees went through from start to finish. Keshava and Kumari who graduated from the Online TTC started to practice a selfless service at the Centre, putting the teachings into practice in keeping with the essence of Karma yoga. May Master and Swamiji’s grace be with all. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi. Om.

http://www.sivananda.jp

Om Namah Sivaya. The Toronto Centre continues to offer its courses and classes online.

In October, due to new Ontario government health measures the Centre had to close again. It is a temporary measure that the Canadian government introduced in order to regulate the increase numbers of COVID cases. We continued to teach online, maintaining contact with our students and teachers. We celebrated Thanksgiving and reminded ourselves that amidst all difficulties there is a lot we can all be thankful for this year. Maheswari continued with a Bhagavad Gita course which helped a lot of students feel supported throughout the past six months. We joined several Pujas online and also had Navaratri Puja at the Centre, chanting from Devi Mahatmayam. Several teachers continued to teach gentle and regular classes. Laksmana, one of our teachers from London, Ontario came to visit for a few days for a weekend. The Staff continued with their regular Sadhana and karma yoga and were very disciplined with their schedule. May Master and Swamiji’s blessings bring all good health and peace and that we continue to be useful for many. 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] Om.

Trivandrum was rainy in early October. The Centre remained teaching online. We focused on Social Media advertisements to make our community confident that we are taking precautionary safety measures. Otherwise all is well at Centre and Staff kept well by their regular practice. 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 October a higher course started with one of our senior teachers as well as a Yoga 2 and some of the classes at the Centre were fully booked. We had daily visitors in the shop, mostly people who come for the first time and we try to interest them for our diverse online programs. Students returned to continue their yoga practice after a longer pause and some of the new students were also interested in the TTC. Close teachers come for the morning Satsangs and stay on for Karma yoga afterwards which created a nice energy. We had a nice Satsang about “Justice”.
As October marched on, Swami Satyananda arrived from Reith to continue his service in Vienna and was warmly welcomed by everyone. With him some of the online activities shifted to Vienna. The energy was up with staff participating in the daily online Navaratri Pujas. Some of the students came with beautiful flowers and Prasad. The altar was radiating with peace and bliss. We had again good support from Karma Yogis for maintenance and household. Due to government measures taken in response to the COVID situation in Austria, the number of students per class reduced to six instead of ten. We aimed to find a way to continue serving the students the best possible way. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vienna

Om Namah Sivaya. The Vilnius Centre is open.

In October, courses classes and Satsangs continued successfully. It’s was pity that we could not accept all the new souls and to help the Beginners’ Yoga to go a bit deeper with the practice in further courses, for example,Yoga 3. Our rooms were not big enough, so in the courses we do teach there are 6-7 students at the most because of the COVID-19 situation. Same with the main hall – we can fit 10 students less than usual. More students come for the Satsangs, Beginners’ Yoga and novices. Two girls from Great Britain came, one of them completed TTC in Canada. Three 3 Russians came. Having Satsang in two languages allowed us to experience the feeling of universality and unity. We were glad that 4 participants in TTCOL in Reith did well and passed the exam very well. A good team was working to ensure the teaching and translating into Lithuanian language: karma yogis Janaki, Madhavi, Daya Devi, Chaitanya and of course Surya, arrived to the Vilnius Centre for one month to teach asana class, how to teach yoga and to translate. TTC energy attracted more students and karma yogis. Everyone of them made their small but most important contribution to the life of the Centre. We received a first financial COVID 19 support from the government.

Mid-month we were blessed with the Navratri Pujas. Every day the students came to practice Bhakti yoga – to perform the ceremonies together, enjoy reading of the scripture, chanting and Prasads. The Centre was full of positive prana. Courses and classes continued  as usual. Karma yogis, Parvati and Bharati, made a very nice festive lunch. We had a meditation workshop as well. Lithuanian students in TTCOL passed their weekly exams very successfully. Health and Peace to all. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vilnius

Love rules without a sword and binds without a cord. – Sri Swami Sivananda