Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashrams

Om Namah Sivaya. The first week of December passed by like a short moment. The TTCs did very well and kept up their positive attitude in learning and being together. We were happy to have all except one student taking mantra initiation, which was an uplifting moment for all of us. The Krishna Temple was filled with the calmness of everyone who took part in it. The Kriya workshop saw quite a few students doing all the kriyas. Staff enjoyed demonstrating kriyas as well.
The Power of Positive Thinking whole week retreat included lectures and satsangs focused on different topics of “The Power of Thought”, “Yoga of Synthesis”, “Power of Gratitude and Cheerfulness”, and “The Raja Yoga Sutras of Patanjali”. We were all happy to be part of this uplifting retreat.
A sitar and tabla concert kept the energy and the spirits high, all of us diving into divine melodies, tunes and rhythms.
Finally, we were very glad to celebrate the birthdays of our two Swamis: Rajeshwaranandaji and Shankaranandaji. It was celebrated with good positive energy and wishes. Guests, TTC`s and staff alike enjoyed the evening being all together, connected, and we are wishing both Swamijis long, inspiring, healthy life and Kaivalya.
The last week of TTC went very smoothly. Students had classes focused on how to teach seniors, kids and pregnant women. Also, there were two classes of advanced pranayama. All seventeen students received spiritual names. During the chanting Satsang many TTCs led a kirtan, chanting it with lots of devotion and bhava. The final graduation on Sunday was a joyous and touching celebration. All the students passed the final exam. We are very grateful to be given such an opportunity to serve and to share teachings of Yoga and Vedanta.
On the weekend we received a nice group of students, coming for the retreat “Joy of Cooking”. We gave a very much appreciated cooking class, focusing on the main principles of a balanced yogic diet and the principles of Ayurveda.
On Sunday Kanti Devi, Swami Vairagyananda and Amba went to the Montreal Yoga centre. Kanti Devi gave an elevating Satsang, taking inspiration from the book by Swami Sivananda How to Cultivate Virtues and Eradicate Vices and sharing her memories about Swami Vishnudevanandaji. It was an uplifting and lively time to be all together.
We also began to prepare for our upcoming Christmas and New Year`s retreats.
In mid-December, an inspired group of guests attended a week-long retreat on the topic of “Build your Inner Strength”.
The highlight of the week was the Christmas party at the Montreal Center. The Camp staff helped with decorating the Center as well as with the preparation of the Christmas dinner. Almost all Camp staff drove to Montreal to attend the Christmas Satsang led by Acharya Kanti Devi accompanied by Camp Swamis. After a short kids-friendly meditation and Jaya Ganesha, Kanti Devi read a beautiful message about Love, the true spirit of Christmas from Master Sivananda directed to children of light, followed a very uplifting chanting of the Christmas carols in English, French, Spanish and Russian. The handful of kids were by that time eagerly waiting for Santa and his bag of gifts. Santa diligently distributed gifts to all the kids, teachers, karma yogis and guests. All partook of the delicious dinner and left very happy and thankful for a very joyful and peaceful evening.
We received a good amount of snow and we anticipated a white Christmas, as is the case almost every year at the Yoga Camp.
The whole of the final week was mainly dedicated to the preparations for the Christmas celebrations. The entire Ashram was beautifully decorated with bright and colourful lights on all buildings and trees. One day before Christmas we were blessed with a gigantic snow storm with continuous snow falls for 3 days. We lost electricity for 24 hours. It was not an obstacle, however: we created a beautiful atmosphere with candle lights during dinner and evening Satsang. Guests and staff enjoyed that a lot. The ashram filled up for the Christmas celebration with guests and staff joining us from Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto areas.
Our Christmas celebration morning was full of deep snow and full of good spirits from everyone. We busied ourselves with final preparations. Christmas eve started with a very elaborate Christmas dinner lovingly prepared by staff Shambu and Krishnadas. The Christmas satsang began with meditation and Jaya Ganesha and a message given by Kanti Devi from Master’s book on Jesus, his love and his teachings. It was an inspiring beginning to the evening followed by a small message given by Marilyn Rossner, speaking about Swami Vishnudevananda and his incredible mission on this earth. After that we continued with many Christmas carols sung in English, French, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Arabic, Italian, Portuguese, Hebrew and Latin. Staff joined this chanting wholeheartedly and it uplifted the atmosphere very much. Santa Claus came with his regular “Ho Ho Ho” and distributed many beautiful gifts to all present at the Krishna temple.
The Masters brought us many beautiful moments and we are very grateful to be part of it. The Staff are well, and are up and doing. Prem and OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/camp

Om Namah Sivaya. The highlight of the first week in December was mantra initiation with twenty-five students. TTC week three continued smoothly with special classes and teaching groups. Thursday night was energised by Vittal Vinod and his bhajan group with the lively participation of TTC and Yoga Vacation guests alike. A group of staff made a short yatra to Mookambika Temple for a special puja.
TTC came to a close in the following week with the exam and graduation. Yoga Vacation continued with many international guests arriving. The highlight of the week was the Lalita Sahasranama Puja. Everyone appreciated the beautiful puja, yantra and divine vibrations. Some students decided to take advantage of the Government of India, YCB exams offered by the Ashram after the TTC exam. Twenty students passed.
Even though most assistants and students left the ashram post TTC, a few stayed as staff or work-study to continue their training. New staff tackled some new karma yoga projects such as painting and cleaning. Also, daily teachers’ class group started where new teachers could teach each other and get feedback. One-year STIC students returned after a break. They will be going to Madurai for Sadhana Intensive and ATTC next month. We were very much looking forward to the Yoga Ayurveda Cultural Program and Christmas celebrations to come.
We are thankful to all the staff for their hard work. Om shanti.

http://www.sivananda.org/neyyardam

Om Namah Sivaya. Severe cold has set in with the commencement of winter and we have closed the Ashram until March as it is difficult to function during the winter. The entire Ashram has been cleaned thoroughly and everything is in place for when the cold subsides and we reopen. Praying for Swami Sivananda ji’s and Swami Vishnudevananda ji’s grace and blessings to be our guiding light. Om shanti.

http://www.sivananda.org/uttarkashi

Om Namah Sivaya. The Teachers’ Training students completed their second week in early December with the Kriya Practice. The ancient techniques of internal cleansing known for its immense benefits, focussing on internal organs that goes completely neglected nowadays.
They went on an outing to some of the famous temples in Madurai City which included the Meenakshi Devi Temple, one of the major tourist attractions of the city, the fame of which is spread far and wide. Saturday saw them starting to teach their first class as student teachers in turn refining their skills as teachers.
In mid-December the TTC moved to the final phase of the schedule, students seemingly inquisitive about how the exam would be, what find of questions would be asked and so on. They had their Advanced Pranayama session with theory and practice, the practice that always motivates students to come back for other courses.
On the completion of the course, we had two exams, one ours and the other the YCB exam which was attended by eight TTC students. For the evening dinner, staff made special food to celebrate the culmination of the course. Graduation ceremony saw all the students being awarded the diploma and officially being initiated as Sivananda Yoga Teachers. We pray for Swami Sivananda ji’s and Swami Vishnudevananda ji’s blessings to guide them always.
The most happening event for the final week of December was the preparations for our Christmas celebrations. It began with assembling the Christmas tree and preparing the hay crib. Stars of various colours gave a very aesthetic and picturesque effect to the entire set up.
Because Christmas Eve fell on a Saturday this year it gave us the opportunity to join the talent show with the festivities. We had a wonderful and blessed evening which culminated in Santa Claus visiting us and giving us some special treats. A luscious chocolate cake was cut on the occasion to the delight of everyone.
Sending New Year Greetings to all from our group of guests, students and staff. Om shanti.

www.sivananda.org/madurai

Om Namah Sivaya. The Ashram is currently closed for the winter. We will re-open from mid-May until mid-September 2023. As always, the Ashram continues with a lot of hard-work from Karma Yogis, and Gurus’ grace. Om shanti.

www.sivanandayogaranch.org/‎

Om Namah Sivaya. We began the month of December with a Beginners Course. The students were very appreciative of the classical yoga teachings and their time in the beautiful ashram as they learned about the Five Points of Yoga for health and peace. Over the following weekend we had an Ayurvedic Massage Rejuvenation Retreat. All the guests had their own ayurvedic treatment as well as yoga classes, lectures, and delicious vegetarian meals prepared by the staff. Swami Jnaneswariananda taught an online Vedanta course with students as they remembered and practiced the teachings of Adi Sankaracharya. Swami Adiparashakti began an online Yoga class on Fridays at 4 pm with the hope of keeping the connection with many students past and present.
We decorated the Yoga Hall with Christmas decorations and enjoyed popcorn and hot chocolate, as we listened to Christmas carols and got into the holiday festive mood. Swami Dharmananda worked on the re-application process with IAYT, which needs to happen every six years. It is amazing to think that it has already been six years since we started the Yoga Health Educator program.
The Ashram has been experiencing a lot of rain and the earth is soaking it all up!
The following week we had a Yuba River outing which was refreshing for all the staff who went. We also re-started our weekly sadhana meeting where staff share their experiences of highs and lows in sadhana from the past week. The next day we had a nice Guru Puja and over the weekend we had a Meditation course led by Swami Dharmananda. The students learned techniques of Meditation and yogic understanding of how the mind functions. Swami Adiparashakti continued his online yoga class. We carry on with regular Puja and Aratis at all the nine temples and shrines in the Ashram.
In mid-December we had a course on Five Practices for Healthy Living. Students studied and practiced the Five Points of Yoga with daily asana and pranayama classes and workshops covering the Five Points. Over the weekend we had a Positive Thinking course which included yoga classes and workshops covering the topic.
We started our Holiday Program at the end of December with workshops and satsangs on topics such as: Teachings for Contentment, Cultivating Sattva, Labyrinth Walk, Chanting Divine Names, Devotional Stories, Teaching of Ramayana, Yoga of Devotion, Bhagavad Gita, Life of Jesus, Christmas Kirtan, Grace and Forgiveness, Teaching of St. Francis, Christ, Krishna, and You.
We were happy to have the LA Center staff drive up and join us for the celebration as well. We had a beautiful Christmas Eve with a special dinner feast, singing of Christmas carols, hot apple cider, homemade cookies, followed by a special guest visitor from the North Pole. We shared gifts with all the staff and guests and opened all the gifts together. We have also been busy with play rehearsals getting ready to perform the Ramayana play with all the staff. We are all feeling the blessings of Master and Swamiji. Om shanti.

http://www.sivananda.org/farm

Om Namah Sivaya. We had a full and busy week to begin December. At the start there were several devotional kirtan concerts during the evening satsangs, and mid-day workshops, all lead by Acharya Mangalananda, a disciple of Anandamayi Ma. The workshops were entitled Tools for Awakening: The Divine Names and the Divine Feminine. The TTC/ATTC entered their fourth week of class and had mantra initiation. One could feel the deep sense of silence and stillness of the Ashram during the morning hours of initiation. The four students who were part of the nine-day TTC immersion, had their graduation ceremony in the Krishna temple. The following day was the TTC/ATTC day off, and students joined together for lively study groups as the excitement of winding down the last month was approaching. By Gurus’ grace all students in both courses passed the exam, and we celebrated the graduation which was full of inspiration.
The next day we welcomed guest presenter Mala Cunningham, who gave Satsangs and workshops on “Neuroscience and How and Why Yoga works”. Mala offered a three-day course focusing on the vagus nerve and regulation of the nervous system through Yogic practices. We welcomed back Shyam and Mohini on Friday, who arrived to teach the December TTC course. By Saturday most of the November TTC students had left the ashram with warm good-byes and hopes to return to the Ashram again soon.
On Saturday evening we celebrated the Gita Jayanti by chanting the entire 18 chapters of the Bhagavad Gita, led by the ashram priest, Krishnam Nambroodiri. The Gita Parayana started at 7 pm and took approximately 2.5 hours to complete. Afterwards, Krishnam Nambroodiri performed Puja and Arati, and the entire event left all participants uplifted and full of joy. Staff and karma yogis had a few days in between the courses to prepare for the start of the next TTC. It is an intimate group of 10 students with one on-line student and three nine-day immersion students scheduled to join in week three.
The TTCs acclimatised nicely to the first week of the course. On two evenings we had special virtual satsangs via Zoom, with guest presenter Dr. Paul Dugliss. Dr. Dugliss is both a medical and Ayurvedic doctor. He spoke on the topic of Ayurvedic psychology and how to metabolize emotions and experiences. The following day was the graduation of Thai Yoga Massage level 2, and we bad farewell to the instructor, Sukha Wong, and the many students who were with us for several weeks during the training. Swami Shambhudevananda led a three-day Yoga Vacation program series on Meditation, which was very well attended. We presented In the Name of Peace at morning satsang, warming our hearts with love and devotion for Swamiji and his mission. On Friday, the TTC day off, we started the day with a Ganapati Vidya Homa, to bless the course, teachers and students and invoke the removal of obstacles that may hinder advancement on the path. All departments are gearing up for the higher number of holiday guests, expected to arrive in a few weeks. Staff began holiday decorating with colourful lights and Christmas trees, and a feeling of holiday good cheer filled the Ashram. Some of the satsang topics were on the life and teachings of Lord Jesus, devotion, and prayer.
The TTCs were getting on well in the second week of the course. They are a mature and disciplined group. Two TTCs from the previous month’s group decided to stay on for karma yoga, and we were happy to welcome them to our community.
We celebrated the birthday of Narayani Chaitanya, with many well-wishers at the evening satsang sending blessings for another year ahead.
Early in the week, special guest presenter Sat Bir Khalsa, and his wife arrived at the Ashram. From the Sikh tradition, Sat Bir Khalsa gave talks at the evening Satsangs and Yoga Vacation workshops entitled Science and Research on How Yoga Works. We also welcomed Tom Spector to the Ashram for his annual program on Meditation and Healing. Tom led some midday workshops towards the end of the week, which were very well attended, and helped guests to establish a meditation practice.
The Ashram glowed in Christmas colours for the holiday season. Swami Brahmananda gave evening satsangs on the Life and Teachings of Lord Jesus, weaving them with Vedanta. On Sunday night we began the celebration of Hanukkah by lighting the first candle of the Menorah, and hearing a beautiful explanation of this Jewish holiday, the festival of light. Holiday festivities are being felt as guest numbers increase, keeping staff and karma yogis busy in joyful service. The karma yogis are remaining regular in their sadhana and attend weekly sadhana meetings to help stay inspired in their practice. Sending pranams to all.

http://www.sivananda.org/nassau

Om Namah Sivaya. The retreat house was closed until 16 December.
The online courses “Hatha Yoga – Physical, Mental and Spiritual Strength” with Swami Sivadasananda continued. A new four weeks online course “Meditation – Know How” with Swami Ramapriyananda began in early December. Online students and staff enjoyed the sharing of the morning and evening Satsangs.
Most of the upcoming Online Christmas and New Year’s programme will be transmitted live online: https://www.sivananda.at/en/online-yoga-at-christmas-new-year/
We used the time to continue planning of the 2023 programs, installation of a new management system in our shop and simplifying the telephone system.
The new online course “Enrich Your Life with Asanas” with Swami Narayanananda began in the second week. It combined detailed asana and pranayama practice with practical hints on yogic lifestyle.
We implemented various website updates, continued the preparations for the upcoming TTC and the Christmas and New Year Retreat. On the weekend the yoga hall was decorated beautifully. The rooms were also prepared for the staff from the European Centers who visited for Christmas.
In mid-December, we spent the week with preparations for the upcoming programs. The last details in the yoga hall were finished and a wonderful Christmas tree was decorated.
We were happy to receive a small guest group for the Yoga and Thought Power weekend, followed by the participants of the December TTC who arrived from Europe, Taiwan and Canada. They were welcomed by wonderful winter weather in the Tyrolean Alps. In the inauguration on Sunday it was interesting to hear in how many different ways the students came to yoga.
The participants of the TTC gradually got used to their daily routine. They are attentive and open to the teachings. On their first morning enjoyed a walk before breakfast.
We did the last preparations for the Christmas programme. On Thursday and Friday many guests and staff arrived for the Retreat.
The Christmas satsang on Christmas Eve was joyful with an inspiring Christmas message, a reading from the Bible and international carols. The online participants were delighted and the onsite students enjoyed the freshly baked Prasad. On Christmas Day at noon TTCs, guests and staff went for a longer Christmas walk. Om shanti

http://www.sivananda.org/tyrol

In the month of December, our last batch of TTC students graduated with flying colours. They were all very grateful for this opportunity as were the teachers to be able to share the teachings of yoga. This month, one student graduated from the one-month Yoga and Study programme focusing on the Bhagavad Gita. We also had the visit of Anusha Cherer, a Bharata Natyam performer, who did a beautiful performance and a workshop to teach all of us some basics during the week. Her visit brought much joy while bringing a different cultural experience for the students and guests.
Madalassa joined us back on staff team. Two of our new staff have now completed extra training to teach the guests classes.
For the Christmas Retreat and visit of the European Acharyas, we prepared the ashram in full dynamism. Keeping busy to prepare the welcome kept us warm at heart despite the weather going colder.
On the 23rd December, guests started arriving for our end of year retreat. The Acharyas, Swami Durgananda and Swami Sivadasananda also arrived with our guest of honour Sri Venugopal Goswami. On the 24th of December, the Bhagavata Saptaha started to the delight of our heart. All staff had a wonderful opportunity to listen to the Saptaha. We are grateful to the Masters for these opportunities to serve everyday. Om shanti.

http://www.sivananda.org/orleans

Om Namah Sivaya. Our TTC continued well in early December: the second week went smoothly. All were challenged by the sudden arrival of unseasonal stormy and colder weather. We welcomed Swami Sitaramananda back to the Ashram after a seven-month trip to the USA. All are happy to have Swamiji’s presence and energy directly with us once more. TTC students were happy to experience Swamiji’s teaching “live” having experienced her classes only via video link. Along with Swamiji, Sivakami Chaitanya and Priya Chaitanya also arrived back. We welcomed Swami Pranavananda, also arriving back in Vietnam after an extended stay at the Los Angeles Center, he came straight to the ashram in Dalat to help with teaching of the TTC. In addition to the TTC we are welcoming a steady flow of Yoga Vacation guests, including more and more international visitors. Staff are well and inspired with the higher energy that the TTC brings. Activities at the Yoga Health house are gradually increasing, with more visitors coming each week to participate in workshops and classes.
The following week was the closing week of the TTC. All students continued very steady in their practice. Many of the group took mantra initiation in ceremonies held early in the morning; in the evening they were happy to receive spiritual names. The staff enjoyed a party to celebrate the successful running of the TTC. All received gifts and shared about their learning during the month. On Saturday all students completed the exam and with only one exception received teaching certificates. We were especially happy to award certificates to our most senior student of 74 years of age, and to the youngest of 19. TTC students gave touching testimonials on what they had learned and realized during the course. From Thursday onward we started to receive many Yoga Vacation guests, including groups from the cities of Can Tho and Phan Thiet, which meant that the ashram was almost full to capacity. Yoga Vacation guests were happy to benefit from the heightened energy of the TTC graduation time. This week Swami Pranavananda led the international online satsang on Meditation in Daily Life.
Two new courses started in mid-December: 24 students joined us for a week-long Introduction to Meditation course, then a further 24 joined us for the inauguration of the nine-day Vedanta and Silence course. All classes for the Vedanta and Silence course were taught by Swami Sitaramananda, with morning study of Shankaracharya’s Viveka Chudamani, then afternoon practice with the course split into two groups for sessions of Self-inquiry. Throughout the course Swamiji and staff were working on the Vietnamese translation of Viveka Chudamani, which was completed and printed in time for the graduation ceremony. On the last day of the course students gave heartfelt feedback on the insights and realizations that they had experienced through the study and practice period. The Introduction to Meditation students were very appreciative of their week’s study and practice.
We received another group of 45 guests at the weekend: all teachers and managers from one of the largest education organizations in Vietnam. The group stayed for a four-day retreat and were very happy with their experience of Yoga life. Staff have been very busy taking care of these events and also preparing for the upcoming Christmas celebrations. Our reception area has been decorated, and a group of staff have been preparing for the performance of Christmas carols. We send Christmas greetings to all with best wishes for a peaceful and happy holiday season.
The final week of December was busy with a large number of Yoga Vacation guests, including a group of 25 who came from the coastal town of Quy Nhon. We also welcomed increasing numbers of international guests as travel and visa restrictions are eased. During the week guests enjoyed a long trek, guided by staff, of about 15 km into the forest adjacent to the ashram.
Our reception area was beautifully decorated in preparation for Christmas celebrations. On Christmas Eve we held a special Satsang, with a talk by Swami Sitaramananda on the meaning of the Christmas celebration, followed by a performance of several traditional Christmas carols by a group of our staff. The musical performance was followed by the arrival of Santa Claus carrying gifts for all those present.
All are well and grateful for Guru’s grace. Om shanti.

www.sivanandayogavietnam.org/

Greetings from Tapaswini Ashram, Gudur. The first week of December was a busy TTC first week with the staff and students finding their balance and synchronicity. To this end, a trip to the beach was organised, along with chanting at the Temple and it helped everybody to become comfortable with each other. On Gita Jayanti, there was full Gita chanting in the Temple in the morning along with the normal TTC and Yoga Vacation programs. The atmosphere in the Ashram is of serious learning and trying to find the right way to go forward.
By mid-December, the TTC had reached its third week. The photo shoot for TTC was done and in the evening all the staff were treated to dinner outside, which they enjoyed. The next day was the Guru Paduka Pooja with six people getting Mantra deeksha. On Friday all staff and guests joined in for the trip to Sri Kalahasti temple. On Sunday, all the Staff, TTC and Yoga Vacationers got together to give the Temple a good cleaning. On Monday everybody enjoyed the special food made by Krishna with TTC students assisting.
By the final week of the TTC the exam tension was palpable among the students. Fortunately, the weather was co-operating. The Gita Arati was conducted on Thursday and with the students cooked on Friday. The exam on the next day went without any hitch and all the students did well, which segued well into the evening feast and graduation ceremony. Later on, the guests and students enjoyed Christmas night with cake and gifts. The celebrations went on quite late. Swami Janardananandaji left for Uttarkashi and all the TTC students left the following day. The remaining nine guests enthusiastically attended all programs. Om shanti.

www.sivananda.org.in/gudur

Om Namah Sivaya. Atmashakti Chaitanya offered a study session on Sivananda Yoga online from the Da Lat Ashram in Vietnam in early December, which a good number of students joined and learned practical ideas of yoga.
Some of the 2022 March Online TTC graduates came to visit us at the Shojiko Retreat, and enjoyed Satsang and kirtan chanting in-person. The Yoga 2 course was completed and the students were ready to go on with yoga practice on regular basis.
Following on from the previous week, we had another visit by TTC graduates, and they enjoyed the nature around the Shojiko Lake and a reunion with their TTC classmates. On Saturday, a charity program hosted by a Karma yogi Chtrupi was given, and earnings will be donated to the SYVC Japan. A trial class was offered, and the attendees proceeded to sign up for the membership as well as the Yoga 1 course. Our neighbour’s children gathered at the Shojiko Retreat and had a great time making a decoration for Christmas, doing some yoga postures, etc.
In mid-December, we offered our monthly program: Vedanta Study Session in which the students read the textbook written in Japanese. The students who have been studying for a long time attended online, and have now concluded the last session of this year.
The Shojiko Lake saw arrival of harsh but beautiful winter season with snow fall.
A kirtan workshop and evening satsang led by Mirabai were offered in Tokyo, for which many students gathered for the first time in long time since the Tokyo Centre had been permanently closed. We celebrated both a reunion and Christmas. This program is expected to continue to happen on a regular basis from now onward. Just before Christmas, the Jyotish talk session navigated by Keiko Ito was held, joined by 16 students. TTC briefing session by Atmashakti Chaitanya who has been staying at the Da Lat ashram in Vietnam is offered constantly. Happy holiday! Om shanti.

 https://sivananda.jp/eng/shojiko-retreat/  http://www.sivananda.jp