Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres

Om Namah Sivaya. The Berlin Centre was well visited in December. Courses and classes continued and a Yoga 2 started. Early December brought the first snow, covering the garden with a thick white layer. Some of the classes were smaller than usual, but the students were happy to practice in small groups. Christmas gifts for the students were prepared. Staff worked on the planning for 2022. A new Karma Yogi who did TTC in Reith recently started to support the Centre. New students were welcomed for the Sunday Satsang about the different levels and aspects of Charity. Everybody felt inspired and uplifted with the altar radiant with beautiful flowers.

As December continued, classes continued and some of the courses ended with inspired students already signing up for January. A little Christmas gift, accompanied by an inspirational quote, was prepared. It was well received by our students. The Centre was prepared for the Christmas closure over the holidays. This year’s last Sunday Satsang was well visited, two of the students were from Beirut, Lebanon, visiting Berlin. Everyone was happy to be together and share peaceful moments and the unifying spirit of Satsang. Just before Christmas staff prepared their departure to Reith and left on the 21 Dec for the Retreathouse in Austria to support the Christmas programme and to recharge. The Berlin Centre was temporarily closed over the holidays. Swami Annapurnanda maintained the spiritual energy at the Centre with meditation and Pujas, which is much appreciated. Staff are all well. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/berlin

Om Namah Sivaya. We are grateful to be able to offer daily yoga classes through Zoom. Please join us! We will wait for you! 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 home. 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 to all Blessed Selves from the Chennai Centre. In early December we started a new 30 day weight-loss program in the evenings with 6 students and an intense pranayama course. We welcomed our new staff member Surya. Student numbers improved gradually. Apart from that, we continued our regular chanting of Om Namo Narayanaya every evening, Vishnu Sahasranama on Thursdays & Lalitha Sahasranama on Fridays for world peace. We concluded each week with Satsang.

Later in December a highlight was the Maha Mrithunjaya Homa performed in a traditional way for world health, around 50 participants (online & in-person) attended. Student numbers seem low at the Centre for the latter part of December. A one month online weight loss program progressed well with more courses planned for upcoming months. We had a small Christmas celebration at the Centre. We chanted Om Namo Narayanaya every evening, Vishnu Sahasranama on Thursdays & Lalitha Sahasranama on Fridays for peace.

Our India 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.

All our staff 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. Join us online for courses, studies, Satsangs and yoga classes. Take good care! We wish you awareness of Guru’s Grace. Om and Prem.

http://www.sivananda.org/chicago

Om Namah Sivaya from the beautiful DaLat Centre. Thanks to Guru’s blessing, our Centre can keep the strong energy to serve the community. Dalat Centre was allowed to reopen at 50% capacity. We have received a small number of students back to offline asana classes. We continued to run online classes at the same time. All classes went well.

In December, despite the Covid situation in Dalat getting more complicated at the end of October, the Centre was still able to stay open. On-site Advanced Asana and online Proper Breathing courses continued smoothly. We had online Satsangs with Swami Narayan. The online Basic Meditation course started. We finished the online Proper Breathing and on-site Advanced Asana courses. We offered an Open House class one Sunday. We started the afternoon Open Class again. The residency program also resumed this month. We trained two karma yogis – Prema and Mukti – who graduated from TTC July 2021, to teach the Open Class. Nirmala finished self-quarantining and returned to normal activities. Sivashakti served in the Ashram and leading the online Satsang and the online staff meeting weekly.

As December progressed all classes continued. On-site Advanced Asana and online Proper Breathing course finished successfully. More people joined the online basic meditation course, totalling 15 students. We had an Open House class one Sunday afternoon. We started an at-home private class, taught by our karma yogi Bhagavati. Afternoon open class reopened and we continued to recruit more students for this time frame. We had online Satsang with Swami Sita on Thursdays. Sivashakti hosted Sunday evening Satsangs online from Dalat Ashram. We started two Beginners’ Yoga courses, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. We offered a Kriyas workshop and a Tratak meditation for that evening Satsang. We welcomed one resident who will stay for two nights. Open Class training for karma yogis, Prema and Mukti, continued. The Dalat Centre staff celebrated Christmas and hosted a small Christmas party with karma yogis at the Centre.

We did our best to keep our Sadhana strong and maintain energy. We pray for Guru’s grace and blessings for 2022. Om.

https://sivanandayogavietnam.org

Om Namah Sivaya to all. Namaste to one and all. The Dwarka Centre’s activities went well in December. We started new Beginners’ Yoga classes (6 am and 6 pm), Basic open classes (morning and evening), and an online kids class (4 pm). The cold winter weather here in Delhi Dwarka was getting worse day by day which slightly affect the number of students coming to the Centre. The number of enquiries for online open classes, onsite meditation classes and pranayama classes remained high, taking that into account we have plans to start the classes in near future.

Mid monthwe offered a Maha Mrityunjaya Homam, a devotional ceremony dedicated to Lord Siva, to gain Jaya, or victory over death, Mritya. It was conducted simultaneously at our Centre, and broadcast on social media. It was conducted for health, longevity, and healing.

Over the course of this pandemic, people around the world suffer and face hardship in many ways. As each new variant surfaces, new disruptions to public life are experienced and families and communities continue to grapple with fear, endangerment, and loss of life. In times of trouble and calamity in the world, our teacher Swami Vishnudevananda ji always prayed for the welfare of humanity.

The new batch of Beginners’ Yoga classes started morning and evening alongside Open classes and online kids classes and private classes. We started a new batch of weekend Beginners’ Yoga courses that helped students who are busy with their week schedules. As Meditation classes offered by Vijay ji were in high demand, we conducted these classes both in the mornings and evenings, with a good number of students. As the cold winter set in Delhi, the number of students attending the classes was affected. Inquiries for the Pranayama, Prenatal, and Gentle classes increased so we are planned to start these classes in near future. We celebrated Christmas with cakes and gifts.

Hope for the best in 2022. May Master and Swamiji bless all in continuing on the yogic path. Pranams. Om.

We continued with our online classes, courses & programs. For details, please visit sivananda.org.in/online-yoga

http://www.sivananda.org/dwarka

Greetings and Namaste from Sivananda Nataraja Centre. With the Grace of Gurus everything was fine at the Centre for December. We started a Beginners’ Yoga on Mondays.
The number of students in open classes was not increasing, maybe because of the severe winter cold and air pollution in Delhi. Hope the number of students will increase in the new year.

The rest our activities went well at the Centre and all the staff are doing well with the Grace of Gurus. May Master and Swamiji bless and protect all while continuing on their yogic path in 2022. Please stay connected – https://sivananda.org.in/delhi/ Pranams to all. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/delhi

Om Namah Sivaya. Asana classes and Beginners’ Yoga courses continued in December. The Centre was well visited with students coming regularly. The Sunday positive thinking course ended. We held the last Satsang before the end of the year, well attended by the teachers. With best wishes for health and peace in 2022. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/geneva

Om Namah Sivaya. The Hochiminh Centre remained closed in December and continued teaching online classes.  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 in 2022. Om.

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

Om Namah Sivaya. In early December, the Centre started to offer two weekly Satsangs again. The small groups of students in attendance commented how uplifted they feel to meditate, chant and study Masters books again in the direct presence of fellow yogis. While people prepared for the Christmas Holidays, classes gradually became quieter. The intimacy of the small Centre activities easily allowed us to connect to the students. The direct personal contact was rewarding for everyone involved. New yoga mats arrived for the main asana hall, their joyful colours brighten up the hall very nicely. The Peace Garden was further beautified now the paving stones have been treated and their natural warms colours have reappeared.
By mid month two new online courses were created at the threshold of the New Year.  A two-day online Positive Thinking course took place between Christmas and New Year. An online meditation course will start in January 2022. The Centre staff prepared for the closure over the Christmas Holidays while staff travel to Reith. Students were encouraged to join the international online End of the Year programmes, organized by Reith. We were happy to see the enrolments starting to come in. May the Masters’ blessings and protection be with all of you, always. With best wishes for health and inner peace. Om Tat Sat. OM.

You can reserve your online yoga class or course via MindBody. For more information, please call us on +44 (0) 208 780 0160 or if would like to receive our daily newsletter.

http://www.sivananda.org/london

Om Namo Narayanaya. In early December the Centre was elated to have our holiday celebration in person. We decorated around the outside deck and had people come in the afternoon, so we could meet outdoors. We had Satsang, sang many carols, were visited by Santa Claus and visited over a potluck feast. There was a mix of old and new friends. The atmosphere was warm and congenial, with one long-time supporter saying it was the best time she’d had in a long time. She didn’t want to go home. We started a Bhakti Yoga Course and an 8-session grief group. We had two retreat guests for three days and offered afternoon workshops on Positive Thinking. We hosted a practice class for recent TTC grads to teach each other and receive feedback. We recently reconnected with ClassPass, a fitness subscription plan, which has brought a few extra in-person students to yoga classes.

By mid December two recent TTC grads, Haridas and Yashoda, taught the open classes. Mahalakshmi left to visit family. We offered an Ayurvedic Massage Weekend with Mahadevika. She and her son Kumara arrived from the Yoga Farm. We kept her busy with new students trying the body treatments. All were ready to book when she comes next! Courses, counselling, classes, music with Hasu Patel, Bhagavad Gita study all continued smoothly. We built several raised beds for the garden, hoping to get in a winter crop of greens. There were some much-needed and welcomed heavy rains in December peppered with some of the clearest days of the year.

Mirabai arrived from Japan to spend three months in California. She jumped right into cooking and cleaning. A Yoga 1 course ended. We drove to the Yoga Farm just prior to Christmas to join in their holiday program. We were amazed to see gushing streams and random waterfalls on our trip, all from the recent significant rains. The guest speakers were excellent as always at the Ashram. Swami Sivasankariananda was on the cooking team for Christmas Eve dinner. We were happy to be with the larger Sivananda family for Christmas. We fielded lots of inquiries about the New Year’s retreat in LA. We are grateful to serve.

May the Gurus guide us as our reach grows wider and wider in 2022. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/la

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed Selves! Welcome to the oasis of peace amid the pressures of everyday life in the city. The Sivananda Yoga Centre in Madrid is the place where you can recharge and reconnect with yourself. https://www.sivananda.es/protocolo-sanitario/

In early December classes and courses continued despite the long weekend in Spain. Our focus was planning for the Christmas and Winter season in the Centre. Several maintenance projects were done. Students enjoy the renewed reception area where tea and cookies service is back!

During mid December classes and courses started to slow down as Christmas season approached. New office projects were implemented such a new online reservation system. Christmas gifts were distributed to students and teachers, consisting on a small package of herbal tea presented with a spiritual message from Master Sivananda. Everyone was touched and grateful. Swami Santoshananda travelled to Reith for the Christmas and New Years Program.

The Centre was closed for onsite classes during the Christmas season. Many students joined the online programs. Improvements in the web and reservation system were finished during this time and a new and fresh looking Madrid brochure for the coming year was sent for printing.

We are grateful to Master and Swamiji. Staff are well and sending our best wishes for health and peace in 2022. Pranams to all. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/madrid

Om Namah Sivaya to all. Due to the unpredictability of the on-going Covid-19 pandemic situation we recommend you contact your local Centres and Ashrams directly for their latest update. Free online Yoga classes, courses and programs are always available during the Covid-19 pandemic. We look forward to having you at the Centre and practicing together. Please familiarize yourself with these safety precautions at https://www.mohfw.gov.in We thank our Masters for all blessings and support bestowed. May all be blessed with equanimity and steadiness in practice. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/madurai

Om Namah Sivaya from the Montevideo Centre. In early December the Centre continued its regular activities. We prepared all details for our next special Christmas Satsang. We arranged for a group of devotional singers to bring the joy of music and divine name. Kanti Devi and Chandra organized the second library at the Centre. It was set at the second floor, and it has mostly their personal books and many, many pictures from 1969. A new place for staff was organized. Chandra took her mother, who is 101 years old to her house by the beach. She was very happy. Kanti Devi was at the Centre preparing the house to receive Rajeswari, from Spain and Mirabai and her family coming from Montreal. We offered our South American Satsangs. It was very nice to see the interest and devotion from teachers and students. Our TTC on Bariloche was launched and we already had one student registered.

Mid month we started the scheduling of the activities for the month of January 2022, in person and online, together with Swami Dayananda from Buenos Aires. Chandra completed the latest Beginners’ Yoga Course and we launched the next one, to start on January 13th 2022. Dra. Padma reached the end of the Adapted Yoga workshops which will begin again on January 21st. Our Christmas Satsang at the Centre was a highlight. We prepared a very nice and simple program, inviting a chorus to perform beautiful bhajans and kirtans. Kanti Devi presented a very inspiring talk based on Swami Sivananda’s teachings. Chandra led the repetition of the mantra for peace and Rajeswari, our daughter who just came from Barcelona, performed Aarati. Prasad and gifts were offered to all the participants. It was very thrilling to see many teachers and old students once again. Chandra ran from the main hall to the meditation room to conduct Satsang online. Kanti Devi led it with translation into Portuguese, thanks to Prajna. We continued with the entire process and the publication in networks of the next face-to-face and online TTC to begin in March 2022, together with the Intensive Sadhana.

We are happy to serve, love to all. We pray intensely for peace and harmony in this world in 2022. 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! We are temporarly closed due to COVID restrictions until further notice of the government. We have an extensive lineup of online classes. 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 in 2022. Pranams to all. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/montreal

Om Namah Sivaya. December started with a good trial class offered one Saturday afternoon. The participants enjoyed the yoga experience and two of them booked the last Beginners’ Yoga course starting before Christmas. We prepared small Christmas presents for the students: A gift-bag with lemon grass tea and an inspiring quote about self effort and divine grace. Some closer students booked a winter retreat in the Sivananda Yoga Retreat House in Reith / Tyrol / Austria. We were happy to meet them there for Christmas and New Year when our Centre will be closed.

By mid December we started a Yoga 1 – Beginners’ Yoga course with a group of very motivated participants. We had the last on-site classes in the Centre for this year. The evening Sunday Satsang was well attended. Students were happy to come together one more time and thanked us for keeping our activities up during this partly not so easy year. The Centre closed from 20 December to 6 January 2022 inclusive. We continued with the online classes and offered a beautiful online Christmas and New Years program. The staff joined the Christmas and New Years program in the Sivananda Yoga Retreat House in Reith / Tyrol / Austria. The Centre will reopen on 7 January 2022. In the meantime students can take part in the online classes.

We wish everyone health and inner strength in 2022. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/munich

Om Namah Sivaya from Manhattan. For most of December we were lucky to have had quite warm weather. Now, late in December, winter finally arrived. In-person classes were steadily attended. We welcomed Dharmini who joined us as temporary staff. She had been staff at the Ranch. She has come all the way from Jerusalem. The Centre closed for the Holiday season.

We send our blessings for all to stay healthy, positive and strong in Sadhana in 2022! 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. Early December gave us a calm atmosphere at the Centre. There were less students than usual for all the activities classes and courses. We had cheerful mornings with an intense beginners course from Monday to Saturday parallel to the open classes. There was a workshop on prana and breathing, given by Gopala. We created an unlimited card for the last days of December, before the 24th Dec. Some students bought the card. The meditation course continued. The specialist of the central heating came, he said that they had to change the whole system. Meanwhile we have to push a button several times a day in order to keep it working. For the morning Satsangs we read some chapters of the Gita, Vishnudevananda Upadesha, Thought Power and letters. For the evening Satsangs we had cheerful kirtans and inspiring words of Swamiji on the topic of Ananda and Sadhana from Vishnudevananda Upadesha. We had also the Sunday prayers and inspiring words on the topic of Health from Bliss Divine. We were happy to see our Gurubai Parvati who passed by on her way to London. Sivakami stayed with us and Ganga remained in Orleans. Yann repaired one door and two showers. Is very practical to have a handy man in the family. The Centre looked welcoming with many posters for the activities of 2022 and some new flowers in the entrance. Many tulips were planted in the entrance to give joy on the coming spring. Christmas was in the air. Humble decorations were displayed. We were looking forwards to the peace Puja with the priest on the 19th Dec. We continued to chant Om Namo Narayanaya for peace daily; to do the morning Puja with Bangalore on Fridays; to participate in the online Satsang on Thursdays and follow the Fire of yoga and the hatha yoga inspirations.

Mid December. Life gave us an uplifting Peace Yantra Puja, led by the priest Yagneswara Dixit. Swami Kailasananda came for the celebration, accompanied by Narayana, Rukmini and Pushkar, the dog. Rukmini chanted beautifully during the offerings. Everyone appreciated the peaceful mood, the mantras, the many little candles, the Yantra, the chanting, the Prasad and the little Om Namo Narayanaya card given by Swamiji at the end. It was a beautiful way to celebrate Christmas. The priest arrived from Bangalore, he stayed 2 days at the Centre before going to Orleans. He did Abishekam for all the deities and then the purification of the building. There were two days of strikes of the public transportations. The days were calm, some students bought an unlimited 10 days pass for the open classes. For the public Satsangs we had beautiful kirtans, inspiring words of Master on the topic of discourse and  a letter of Master inviting us to tune soul to soul with him in the silence. The central heating still did not worked properly so plans were made to change the whole system. The Masters keep sending precious help. Prana was put towards the inventory, the planning of January and little renovations. We had an uplifting day starting with a Satsang led by Swami Kailasananda, followed by a Siva Puja led by the priest. Swamiji, the priest, our Gurubais and Pushkar (the dog) went back to Orleans that day in the afternoon. We were happy to see Vasishta who came back from Orleans after finishing his TTC. Swami Nityananda and him created an overview for January 2022 activities. There was a cheerful evening Satsang with many kirtans  and an inspiring letter from Master on the topic of Satsang. It was the last public Satsang of the year then the Centre closed for holidays. Vasishta gave an asana class to Swami Nityananda. He was precise and confident. He will be teaching by himself very soon. Vasishta and Saraswati stayed in Paris to see their families. Sundari went home. Gopala, Swami Nityananda and Ganga went to Orleans to celebrate Christmas with the Sivananda family. Meanwhile we continued to give the online classes from the Ashram.

We continued to chant daily online the Om Namo Narayanaya for peace chant. May Swami Sivananda and Swami Vishnudevananda continue to guide and to inspire all of us. With all our wishes for health and peace for 2022. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/paris

Om Namah Sivaya. December started with the last candle of Hanukkah with a special concert with Ohad Rain, he sang many beautiful bhajans and Hanukkah songs. We had a wonderful retreat on the subject of Raja Yoga. Swami Shambhu gave interesting lectures, Bhargavi Chaitanya taught a yoga class and Pranava Chaitanya prepared delicious feasts with the help of karma yogis. Many people joined the retreat and we had a wonderful time together. We had sacred music concert with Narayan Jyoti. The atmosphere was full with devotion and high spirits.

Mid December Swami Hridyananda gave an evening Satsang on the subject of Japa. Bhargavi Chaitanya opened a new advanced meditation course and finished a Yoga 1 course. Many of the students continue to Yoga 2 course. Pranava Chaitanya opened a new meditation course for beginners. We continued to promote our open classes serving a nice soup and chai at the end of each class. We planned a special retreat for the coming new year. Bhargavi Chaitanya gave an evening Satsang on the subject of Jesus and his birth. We celebrated Christmas with a beautiful Puja. Some teachers joined us for the celebration. Everyone got a nice present – a beautiful yoga t shirt. Pranava Chaitanya opened a new meditation course. We had very strong winds and lots of rain at the end of December. Some of the classes were cancelled, but in spite of this, some brave yogis still came to yoga classes.

May the Master’s grace be with all. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/telaviv

Om Namah Sivaya. December started with a Teachers Meeting with Karma yogis joining from many places across the nation as well as from overseas. A 2-day Gentle Yoga workshop related to SYHET was given online by Santi. Jyotish monthly talk session navigated by Keiko Ito was offered. A meditation course progressed well. A Kirtan workshop was offered, joined by regular students. Our neighbours were kind to bring us seasonal vegetables, lovingly grown by them. We enjoyed fresh vegetables everyday.

By mid December a Vedanta study session navigated by Yashashvin was offered. We gave a trial class one Sunday. A 5 session Meditation course was completed and the students joined the Satsangs to continue the practice.

Happy holidays! With the arrival of a full-fledged winter, the Shojiko Retreat will be closed from the end of 2021 until mid April 2022. Good number of students visited and stayed with us as we won’t be able to see each other for a short while. Online asana classes went well, and online Satsang led by Swami Sitaramanandaji was always inspiring and uplifting to our minds. Mirabai left for the Yoga Farm for recharging the mind and body and for spiritual learning. Online asana classes went well in December with good number of students attending.

May Master and Swamiji’s grace be with all in 2022. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi. Om.

http://www.sivananda.jp

Om Namah Sivaya. In December we started several Yoga 1 and 2 as well as meditation courses. We continued with open classes and morning online courses. Maheswari taught a Karma Yoga workshop with students registering both online and in person. There were concerns in Toronto over the new Covid variants and government directions were anticipated. Our regular end of the year cleaning was done at the Centre and we prepared the boutique inventory.

May Master and Swamiji’s blessings bring all good health and peace in 2022. May 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. Pranams to all from Trivandrum Centre Kerala South of India. In December all went well with Guru’s grace. We started with a Ladies’ Beginner Yoga course. The student number in the Centre gradually increased. All our staff along with a few students went to the Neyyardam Ashram for the TTC graduation ceremony. Students were inspired to see 55 graduate teachers added to the family and hoping that they will be teaching one fine day. Sunday Satsang was quite energetic with many people.

By mid month all classes continued well, by gods grace. We offered a Maha Mrityunjaya Homa which was live from our Centre Facebook page for the public to receive the blessings and be part of the Homa. The Homa was conducted basically from each location in India, dedicated to world peace and health. We also started a Beginners Yoga course in the morning with a few students. All other classes were doing fine. Kids enjoyed their classes on weekends and happy to take the privilege to come out from home for yoga after a long period away. The climate was moderate in Trivandrum. Sunday Satsangs were attended by a good number of spiritual aspirants. The week before Christmas was in a festive mood. Our classes went smoothly. We started a new evening Beginners’ Yoga course with sufficient number of students. On Christmas Eve we were invited by our Neyyardam Ashram to be part of the Christmas celebration. All the staff enjoyed the program. Sunday Satsang was conducted by Natraj ji along with Swami Gayathri. It was attended by a good number of people. We also offered the Christmas cake.

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 all around in the planet. Please stay connected. Pranams to all from Trivandrum Centre Kerala South of India. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/trivandrum

Om Namah Sivaya. Participation in our on-site yoga classes and evening meditations is possible if you have been tested, vaccinated or recovered, please bring proof with you. We continue to offer an extensive online and live schedule. https://wien.sivananda.yoga/kalender-yoga-online/
In early December we saw the last week of the lockdown in Austria. The Vienna Centre remained closed as staff were at the Sivananda Yoga Retreat House in Reith/Tyrol. Students were thankful to participate in the online Satsangs, classes and courses. Teachers supported us with translating online-activities.

Mid December the Vienna Centre was still closed with staff at the Sivananda Yoga Retreat House in Reith/Tyrol. A highlight in Reith was the Christmas Celebration which was on site and online at the same time. Many participants joined from all over the world and were grateful for this service. A good number of Vienna students participated in the online Satsangs, classes and courses. Teachers supported us with translating online-activities. For further details please see the weekly report from Reith.

Staff are well. We wish everyone health and inner strength for 2022. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vienna

Om Namah Sivaya. We were very glad that the Vilnius Centre could function, that new students could arrive and previous students and teachers could return to Yoga in December. Classes and courses for the beginners (Yoga 1 and 2 on different timings) took place as usual. We were very glad that the course Yoga 1 in Russian language started with a nice group of students: Polish, Ukrainian and Russian. Ishwari, graduated from TTC in Reith in September, taught in a loving way, so students were very happy.

By mid December all yoga classes for beginners have been successfully completed for the year, with students continuing with studies after the New Year in Yoga two courses.
Meanwhile we focused on accounting work and much more pleasant things to prepare for the holidays. We decorated the main hall, built a modest but cosy living Christmas tree. We prepared over 150 gifts for students. We appreciated the ideas received from Reith and Berlin Centre. Cute gifts resulted: nice postcard with inspiring quotations and a fancy bag with lemongrass tea and information on how to make it. In Lithuania, students do not drink much tea before or after the classes. From now on, we will make lemongrass tea – maybe many will like it and new useful habit will develop.

A short, festive week. 28 people – 18 teachers and relatively new students – gathered in Satsang. It was so good to chant mantras and hymns, creating wonderful prana. The Christmas message of devotion from Swami Sivananda’s book created an even more special atmosphere and everything was crowned with the most delicious Prasadam made by Mother Parvati. After Satsang, we had a Christmas party with the teachers of the yoga Centre, which gathered over 20. Everyone was thrilled by the very creative and sincere greeting recorded by Swami Sivadasananda to the teachers with a surprise – singing Silent Night in Lithuanian language. Another meaningful thing was a quote from some wise man was attached to each gift. Everyone pulled out the gift at random and everyone was surprised how that quote corresponded to a person’s condition or character or lifestyle. And the real thing was that work for the common good, in this case the preparation for the festivities, created a sense of oneness and the flowers of universal love emerge from it …

We are very grateful to the teachers, who support the Centre so well. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vilnius