Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres

Om Namah Sivaya. In February the Berlin Centre saw courses and classes continuing as usual. A Yoga 1 ended with all students continuing to Yoga 2. The outside class at the nearby fitness center was well visited and the spring retreat was almost fully booked. The spring brochure was sent to the printer and the envelopes arrived. A few maintenance projects were completed and staff had a meeting on how to use a new graphics program and share documents. Sita from Hamburg stayed us for a weekend, supporting smaller projects and we all enjoyed having her here. We had the first sunny days in weeks. The classes and the Satsang on How to Overcome Fault Finding were well visited. The altar was radiant and full with beautiful flowers.

As February continued a Yoga 1, Yoga 2, and Yoga 4 started with inspired students. A Meditation course as well as a Yoga 4-course ended with the whole group signing up for the follow-up-courses. The spring brochure arrived from the printer and we started to prepare the mailing. The online-TTC, which staff had been supporting with teaching and mentoring, came to an end with everyone passing the exam. Some of the classes were smaller than usual, we assumed due to the severe storm warnings in Germany. The Satsangs and the classes on weekends had good attendance. We received some more inscriptions for the upcoming spring retreat happening at the end of March.

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] Call: 11 4804 7813.

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 February we started a new Beginners’ Yoga batch. Regular activities at the Centre continued. We focused more on the in-person classes. Some of our old students started coming back to the Centre. We planned the kid’s and gentle yoga to start mid month. We gave farewell to one of our staff Chitra, who was serving us for the past 6 months. We wish all success for her future. We planned the start of an online Beginners’ Yoga. We ended each week with a Satsang.

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. In February, despite the Covid situation in Dalat, the Centre reopened after Lunar New Year holiday with regular classes and a new Beginners Yoga Course. We started another Beginners’ course, a Positive Thinking course, and a Basic Meditation course. We hosted 3 residents, two of them TTC graduates. Mangala from the Dalat Ashram came to support us.

As February progressed all classes continued. We continued with the Beginners’ Yoga course, the Positive Thinking course and the Basic Meditation course. Two residents (out of three in total) left the Centre. They gave good feedback about their 5-day stay. The other resident stayed a little longer. A new resident also joined the Centre. We started a private class.

We did 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. Namaste to one and all. The Dwarka Centre’s activities went well in February. We were happy that the Centre was open from Feb 7th. We started a new Beginners’ course batch at 6 am and 6 pm, an open class at 6 am, 8 am, 4 pm, and 6 pm, a kids class online at 4 pm. Students were excited to join the classes in the Centre after a long period of time. As there are many inquiries for Gentle and prenatal classes, we planned to start them soon. There are many inquiries for Advanced Asana classes and Headstand workshops, so taking that into account we planned to start those classes soon as well.

Mid month classes continued with a Beginners’ Yoga class batch at 6 am and 6 pm, Open class batches at 6 am, 8 am, 4 pm, and 6 pm. Kids class at 4 pm and Private classes. The 10 am open class batch started a week later. All the classes saw a good number of students. Gradually the number of students coming to the Centre has increased.

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.

May Master and Swamiji bless all in continuing on the yogic path. Pranams. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/dwarka

Greetings and Namaste from Sivananda Nataraja Centre. With the Grace of Gurus everything was fine at the Centre for February. We opened the Centre on 7th Feb. and started the open classes four times in a day. The number of students increased gradually. P C Kapoor returned to the Centre from Madurai after teaching at their TTC.

Mid month all went well at Centre with the Grace of Gurus. We started a Beginners’ Yoga course on Mondays at 6.30am & 4pm with a few students. The number of students increased gradually. The weather in Delhi improved over February alongside the number of students.

May Master and Swamiji bless and protect all while continuing on their yogic path. Please stay connected – https://sivananda.org.in/delhi/ Pranams to all. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/delhi

Om Namah Sivaya. All levels of asana classes and Beginners’ Yoga courses continued in February. The Centre was well visited with students coming regularly.

With best wishes for health and peace. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/geneva

Greetings from the Hanoi Centre. Thanks to Guru’s blessing, our Centre can keep strong energy to serve the community online and onsite during the pandemic. In February we started the Lunar New Year on 5/2/2022. Online Satsangs with Swami Sita on Thursdays and Swami Narayana on Sundays each with about 50 students. The Beginners’ Yoga online course started with 5 students and the Nutrition Course started with 12 students. The Centre’s staff practices their Sadhana. Om.

Om Namah Sivaya. We pray for everyone’s health and inspiration to keep practicing and teaching! May the Sivananda family worldwide be safe. Om.

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

Om Namah Sivaya. In early February, the first Level 1 Beginners’ Yoga course started after the pandemic years and was attended by an inspired group of newcomers. Class and Satsang attendance increased humbly, but noticeably, as restrictions in the UK relaxed further. It was a joy for everyone to see the Centre becoming more lively. A retreat was planned during the Spring Bank Holiday for the beginning of June at the Orleans Ashram.
During mid month extremely strong winds resulted in a quiet London Centre over those very stormy days. One of the teachers planned to move in to the Centre as a resident in March and we are looking forward to seeing the Centre more strongly supported on a day-to-day basis. The Centre started organising a retreat in national park Snowdonia in Wales over the summer bank holiday in August.
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.
May the Masters’ blessings and protection be with all of you, always. With best wishes for health and inner peace. Om Tat Sat. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/london

Om Namo Narayanaya. In early February we were happy to welcome Ganga Chaitanya to the Centre. She spent her first days in quarantine—eating and sleeping well. San Francisco teacher Lalitha Vaidyanathan gave a very well-attended workshop on Ayurveda and Menopause. The participants happily shared their personal experiences and eagerly received Ayurveda’s practical guidance. We looked forward to more collaboration with Lalitha. We offered a sweet Bhakti Yoga Workshop. Swami Sivasankari reviewed a Long Covid training from IAYT, hoping to guide Abhaya and others with her/their lingering symptoms. We may have found the Ayurveda massage therapist we have been looking for—she just showed up for Satsang one Wednesday evening! We launched a fundraising campaign for our Global Village grief support group where the need is great. We had a week of summer weather and were drawn outdoors. We started a rose garden in the front yard, as recommended by Niranjna Babu as a Vastu energetic correction. We planted 3 of 5 bare root roses and buried a copper yantra per his directions.

By mid February Ganga Chaitanya started a 4-session Advanced Asana Course, meeting twice a week for two hours. Abhaya enjoyed the challenge (and made progress on her headstand). Ganga Chaitanya also led a Kriya and Cleansing Weekend for some serious students who were happy to be absorbed in learning. In addition, we had two retreat guests who were happy to learn about the four paths of yoga. We also offered a Kirtan Workshop. A new SIHY student signed up for 3 sessions. A Sleep Course finished. Mahalakshmi went to the Yoga Farm for a few days.

We are grateful to support this mission and humbly serve. May the Gurus guide us as our reach grows wider and wider. 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 February we focused on preparing a mailing of the Centre brochure. Several maintenance projects were done as well. One new teacher from the last online TTC started teaching open classes after a period of assisting. The February online TTC went very well with the students improving their teaching skills quite rapidly. We also started to receive enrolments for the several yoga retreats in the coming Spring. We look forward to practicing yoga in nature!

Several beginners courses started mid February. The weather was very nice so we prepared the outdoor patio for the onsite classes. The coming retreats and onsite programs were actively promoted. One important main focus was the translation and online administration of several European webinars including the new course with Dr Marilyn Rossner “Self-Healing for body and mind” with many followers in Spain.

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

http://www.sivananda.org/madrid

Om Namah Sivaya to all. All classes are currently offered online. Please visit sivananda.org.in/online for more information. 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. We are happy to serve, love to all. We pray 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. We were very happy to reopen the Montreal Centre after 2 months closure due to Covid restrictions. When the students arrived to the first morning class they enjoyed a meal to celebrate the reopening of the Centre. We had a well attended workshop on Relaxation, very well appreciated by the students. One Sunday Satsang with Atmaram, the topic was about the source of suffering: the 5 kleshas, then followed by a meal. We were happy to see teachers and students coming back for Satsang. The new TTC teachers assisted a few classes at the Centre.

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

Om Namah Sivaya. February started with Munich staff offering two new courses: A Yoga 1 Beginners’ Yoga course on Mondays and a Yoga 2 course on Tuesdays. The participants of both courses were very motivated and enjoyed the benefits of the yoga practice for their well-being. The new Centre brochure came from the printer. A number of karma yogis helped us to quickly prepare the mailing which was quickly delivered to the post office.

By mid February we started 3 courses: A Yoga 2 course, a Yoga 4 and a medium level course. All students were inspired and enjoyed their yoga experience. The official Covid-restrictions were slightly loosened this month which made it easier for students to come to the Centre. Student numbers already increased slightly.

We wish everyone health and inner strength. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/munich

Om Namah Sivaya. 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. In early February Life gave us a cheerful mood with the presence of the karma yogis and the students. There were little classes everywhere. There were even a couple of beginners courses in the boutique area. For the public Satsangs God gave us many kirtans and inspiring words of Master on how to overcome anger.  He gave us many kirtans and uplifting words on karma yoga from an article of Swami Sitaramananda. The Sunday prayers and the story of King Puranjana from the Srimad Bhagavatam. In the morning Satsangs and evening aratis we had the teachings of the Masters, reading of chapter three from the Gita and the chanting of Mahisasura Mardini and the Lalita Sahasranama. We did part of the French online Satsang and also a Siva Puja, led by the priest online from Orleans. The staff enjoyed teaching, doing Sadhana, chanting for peace daily and doing their duties. Vasishta started to work on the realisation of a new brochure for the spring. Swami Nityananda and Parvati assisted him choosing some pictures. Parallel to the regular classes and courses there were two workshops on the topics of Prana and Fear given by Gopala and Omkari. There was also a Meditation course. The Masters keep sending armies of karma yogis. Everyone is healthy.

Mid February Life gave us uplifting energy with the visit of Swami Kailasananda and the gurubais from Orleans. Swamiji gave an inspiring Satsang on the topics of Service and how to get rid of Suffering, from a disciple of Shankara Acharya. Swamiji’s talk gave prana and joy to everyone. There was a big family in attendance for the Satsang led by Swamiji before she returned to the Ashram. In the morning Satsangs and evening Aratis we had the teachings of the Masters, reading of chapter four from the Gita and the chanting of Mahisasura Mardini and the Lalita Sahasranama. We held a Durga Puja, led by the priest online from Orleans. We were grateful to have a silent walk. We were happy to see Saraswati who travelled from Orleans to give an interesting Yoga and Anatomy workshop on the topic of fascia. All the participants appreciated the teachings and the practice. Vasishta was in the Ashram. Ganga was away for four days. The Masters kept sending armies of karma yogis to support the Centre. They did a deep cleaning of the Main Hall. The new brochure was being prepared. Vasishta put extra prana onto the graphics. There was a strike of public transport. A couple of teachers couldn’t come to the Centre. There were less students for the regular onsite classes. Gopala gave a joyful Satsang. He read and commented a letter of Master inviting us to read the Gita. He read also a text of Swamiji on the topic of samskaras. To end the Satsang he read the story of Sudhama from the Srimad Bhagavatam. The staff and a couple of karma yogis did a training of the Sunday prayers. For the evening Satsang we had a cheerful mood for the chanting and inspiring words of Masters on the topic of Silence from Bliss Divine and Vishnudevananda Upadesha. We noticed the students slowly coming returning.

Om Namo Narayanaya for 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

Om Namah Sivaya. February started with Swami Hridyananda leading a Sunday evening Satsang on the subject of meditation. We had new people join for the first time. We were working on our system of promoting the courses and taking care of all the people interested in different activities of the Centre. We promoted a new yoga 1 and meditation course and also advanced meditation course and positive thinking course. We had a quiet and nice weekend full of Sadhana and wonderful Shabbat feast that Sivakami Chaitanya prepared.

May the blessings of the Masters be upon us all! Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/telaviv

Om Namah Sivaya. February started with a TTC Experiential Workshop guided by Swami Sitaramanandaji, in which Swamiji gave a talk on “Yoga of Relationship”. Many of the attendees asked questions regarding relationship based on their own experiences. This workshop became a good opportunity to apply Yoga to day-to-day life. We offered the final TTC briefing session and felt that a good number of students were eagerly waiting for the TTC to start. The monthly Vedanta study session navigated by Yashashvin was held.

By mid February Swami Narayanandaji from the Da Lat Ashram in Vietnam introduced a part of Bhagavad Gita during a TTC final briefing session. The attendees were listening to the teachings with enthusiasm. Shanti devi offered a Yoga Nidra workshop. Keiko Ito gave the monthly Jyotish talk session. The Kirtan workshop was led by Mirabai. The International Satsang led by Swami Sitaramanandaji continued to be so inspiring to many students.

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

http://www.sivananda.jp

Om Namah Sivaya. The Toronto Centre opened for in person classes early February. Our students slowly returned to the Centre. All precautionary Covid restrictions were observed. We started a new in person Yoga 1 course. Maheswari taught the Bhakti Yoga workshop. Open classes were offered both in person and online. An early morning pranayama course was offered in February. We continued with meditation courses and a gentle yoga course. The winter weather was easing up a little bit after the extremely cold spell. A lot of protests were underway in the streets against Covid mandates in Toronto.

Mid February: The Toronto Centre had several ongoing in person courses and Saraswati started a new Introduction to Meditation and Meditation 2 course. We spent some time improving the quality of the online audio for classes and recorded several videos for the courses. A couple of new teachers started teaching yoga classes. Mookambika and Gopala visited from Montreal and we all spent a nice Family Day weekend together.

May Master and Swamiji’s blessings bring all good health and peace. 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. Greetings to all from Trivandrum Centre Kerala South of India. In February all went well with Guru’s grace. All our regular classes went fine even with a few less students. We started a new Yoga beginner course for the ladies with sufficient number of students. The weather brought rain which gave good relief from the dry heat. Yashpal returned from Neyyardam Jan TTC. All staffs were fine and were regular with their Sadhana practice, busy with teaching and managing other functions of the Centre. Sunday Satsang was attended by good number of people at the Centre as well as in online as we were live streaming. Praying for every one health.

By mid month we started a Beginners’ Yoga course. The fencing work progressed. Our staff, Vishnu, travelled to the Meenakshi Ashram to do his TTC. Our old staff Sareh brought with her a small group of Iranian students who stayed with us for 3 days before going to Meenakshi Ashram. They joined their friends who were attending the TTC there. It was good to have international students with us after so many months in Covid lockdown. Hopefully we will have many more coming in the near future. All staff maintained the Centre, keeping up with their Sadhana.

Praying for world peace – Om Namo Narayanaya.

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 February we had a one week holiday. Many students left the city for vacation in the country side. A few courses continued including a new Yoga 2 course, consisting of a group of pensioners who very much enjoy the quiet morning time for their yoga. With the help of some devoted Karma Yogis we started some maintenance projects. Teachers continued their Karma Yoga with online translations. The staff contributed to the online activities with teaching, hosting and mentoring.

Mid January: Two more Yoga courses started. We had a workshop on Overcoming Fear, which was much appreciated. Satsangs and drop in classes were well attended. The number of courses increased. Some small maintenance projects were finished. The new Centre brochure was finalized and preparations for the bulk mailing started.

Staff are well. We wish everyone health and inner strength. 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 February.
The Centre operated as usual and enjoyed returning students and increasing prana. A new request was from a senior government official (not a novice in yoga) for individual yoga lessons. We’re happy to serve, to be able to offer very good conditions, teachers and confidentiality. After a Satsang at the Centre, the staff took part in an exclusive TTC OL talent show. We were touched how many participants were opening the corners of their spirits. We had a great Kirtan singing workshop. A group of 7 participants, most of whom were teachers, had an amazing spiritual heart-opening practice together.

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

http://www.sivananda.org/vilnius