Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres

Om Namah Sivaya. Beginning of March the traditional Spring Retreat took place in Finkenwerderhof, one of our retreat places, two hours north of Berlin. It was a small but dedicated group of mainly young people gathering for 2 ½ days of Ashram experience. The students enjoyed the Ashram schedule with Asana Classes, Satsangs and Lectures. Nature walks were a bit in the rain but everybody was happy to be outside in nature and to get some fresh air. Sivaratri was celebrated whole heartedly. Om Namah Sivaya Chanting was powerful. We offered four Pujas during the night. A good group of students joined and the core team stayed until the end. It was mainly the Siva devotees among our close students and teachers: Sivakami, Sivajyothi, Sivapriya, Parvati, Amba, Nirmala plus the other staff and a few other people. We concluded with Arati and Prasad and a Kitcheree meal with tea in the boutique, appreciated by all. The energy in the new meditation room and the Centre was uplifted nicely. The next highlight was the one day special program with Swami Sivadasanda. It started with a teachers’ meeting. The focus was on individual support during an asana class and how to help students to improve their asana and pranayama practice. Most of the teachers stayed for a common lunch afterwards and helped to prepare for the afternoon program. Once again the new big asana hall was fully packed with 60 students for a special asana workshop. In the beginning an introductory power point show on yoga and fascia was given followed by a long and intensive asana class. The day was concluded with a well visited Satsang. Everybody left happy and inspired. The regular Centre activities went on well. We had a TTC preparation day with a small but interested group of students an our monthly open house. A good group of newcomers joined for cooking workshop, Asana demonstration, trial class and introduction to meditation. Several new people came for the Sunday evening Satsangs. We finally got our roller blinds for the boutique and the new asana rooms in the first floor. They fit perfectly and look very nice. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/berlin

Om Namah Sivaya. At the beginning of March we celebrated the Sivaratri with a nice group of students. Jyoti arrived, a new temporary staff member from Colombia, who will be with us for three months. Danielle, a work-study guest from Brazil also arrived. We said goodbye to Constanza from Portugal, who was with us as a resident for two weeks. A new meditation course started. Prem & Om to all.

http://www.sivananda.org/baires

Om Namah Sivaya. At the beginning of March Karma yogi, Jyoti from Honking, came to reopen the Centre after the Chinese New Year break, with a thorough cleaning to prepare for the Spring season. Meanwhile, in Vietnam, 7 Chinese students graduated from the Ayurveda and Yoga Counsellor certificate course with great inspiration from classical yoga and Ayurveda knowledge.  Seven Chinese TTC students also successfully graduated. We welcomed two new Chinese students for the ATTC course. Prem & Om to all.

http://www.sivanandayogachina.org

Om Namah Sivaya to all Blessed Selves from the Chennai Centre. The beginning of March we started a morning beginners course, with a good number of students. We also finished a meditation course, with Swamiji Hariomananada. All students expressed gratitude and satisfaction with the course, almost all students are dedicated to continue their meditation practice after being encouraged and motivated by Swamiji Hariomananda. We were grateful to Swamiji Hariomananda for sharing his knowledge and look forward to welcoming him in near future. A Mataji Rajeshwarananda Samadhi was held in Kerala, always sending our prayers and gratitude to Mataji. One of our staff members, Unikrishnan, left for the TTC. One of our previous staff members, Yogeshwar, came back from Madurai with new energy and dedication to serve after assisting TTC. Also Susan, a recent TTC graduate joined us as a karma yogi and was planning to stay in the Centre for 2 months. The rest of the activities in the Centre carried on usual. All staff members performed their karma yoga duties.

During mid-March we started a ladies beginners course. We also held our monthly Ganapathi Homa. We had a beautiful Pooja and decorated the Centre for this occasion,  offering a special Prasad for our guests and staff members. We also welcomed Prahaladaji and family to our Centre. Our staff and outside teachers had a chance to meet the teacher, we had a fruitful discussion about the Centre’s operation and various yoga subjects. We are grateful to meet Prahaladaji every time he is in Chennai. He always brings an inspiration and positive energy. One of our previous staff members, Supra, returned from Kerala with new knowledge and expertise in yoga practice after taking ATTC. We also welcomed a new staff member, Somashekar, a recent TTC graduate (November 2015 batch), who is planning to stay in the Centre for at least 3 months. The rest of the activities in the Centre carried on as usual, all staff members are performing their karma yoga duties and making sure that with the blessing of swamijis the Centre operates efficiently and for the benefit for the local community. With the blessings of God and Masters, we send Pranams to the Sivananda family.

http://www.sivananda.org/madras

Om Namah Sivaya. The beginning of March, we had a wonderfully uplifting Sivaratri celebration with four Pujas, Kirtan, and the largest group to join us yet: 58 people from early in the evening, 17 of whom stayed through until the finish on Tuesday morning at 5am. Siddhi returned from Finland on Tuesday afternoon and jumped right back in to service and Sadhana. On Wednesday morning Lalita Chaitainya left to visit family in Iowa for a few days. Long-time Centre teacher Radha (Gloria McCartney) led our Sunday-night Satsang and spoke on Health and Happiness through Hatha Yoga. There was a lot of rain over the week, and the air tastes of Spring.

During mid-March a new Yoga 1 course began, and on Saturday, one of the Yoga1 courses finished, to be followed with week with Yoga 2. On Wednesday, Lalita Chaitanya left to spend a few days at the Yoga Ranch during their March TTC and at New York Centre on Sunday for the Advanced Class and Satsang. The classes and Satsang over the weekend were a little quiet. The weather’s ups and downs continue, and many people continue to be ill with Spring colds and flu. Now we are looking forward to a visit this weekend from Prahlada, Sarasawati, Anoosha, and Harsha. Staff are well and send best wishes for a healthy and inspiring Spring season. Staff are well, feeling grateful for all the blessings of this life and send pranams to all. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

http://www.sivananda.org/chicago

Om Namah Sivaya. At the beginning of March three residents arrived from different countries of the world. They were happy, enjoying daily Satsang, Asana classes, and especially doing Karma yoga with an amazing attitude. One staff and one Karma yogi came from TTC and were familiarizing with Karma Yoga here. Also, we had a Special Puja, with Pandit Samavedula from India and Swamiji. This Puja brought a lot of energy to Centre. Om Namah Sivaya.

https://sivanandayogavietnam.org

Om Namah Sivaya. The beginning of March, by Gods grace and gurus blessings, we started with a beginner’s course for 6:30pm. We celebrated Shivaratri, starting at 9:00pm with a Puja, continuing on till 4:00am singing bhajans, chanting mantras and listening to Shiva stories. All the students, karma yogis and staffs enjoyed the Puja and Prasadams. We conducted a kriya workshop and a 108 Suryanamaskar class. Both classes went well. The renovation work in the Centre started with painting all interiors and changing the bathroom utensils. All our open classes and special classes continued well.

During mid-March, by Gods grace and Gurus’ blessings everything went well here. A beginner’s course for 6:00 am and 4:00 pm started. We also started the meditation course on Saturdays. The renovation work in the Centre finished and now all the interior walls are newly painted. We gathered a small group of our karma yogis and cleaned the windows in the Centre. Everybody felt good and wanted to do more of these sessions. We finished the karma yoga day with the tea, discussing about the activities in the Centre both of past and future. The open classes and all special classes continued well. Our prayers to all. Om Namo Narayanaya. Pranams.

http://www.sivananda.org/dwarka

Om Namo Narayanaya. The beginning of March we started with a Beginners’ course at 6:30pm. We celebrated Maha Sivaratri with a Pooja & chanting from 8:00pm to midnight. Around 60 people (students, teachers and staffs) participated. It was very energizing. Some of Kailash colony staff went to Noida Centre to attend Maha Sivaratri celebration from 12:00 noon to 3:30pm. We started a ‘Foundation to Meditation” course on Wednesdays. We also conducted a balancing postures workshop on the same day. The regular Satsangs were conducted as usual during the weekdays and weekends.

During mid-March, with the Grace of the Masters, we started two beginners’ courses one at 6:30am and the other at 4:00pm. We also started a weekend ‘Foundation to Meditation’ course one Saturday. We conducted two workshops, “Yoga for Spine Flexibility” & a Headstand workshop. We had a Bhagavad Gita study circle one Thursday from 12:00 to 1:00pm. The usual Sunday Satsangs were conducted at 6:00pm. Milan came back from Neyyar Dam. With the Grace of the Gurus our daily schedules at the Centre continued well along with few private classes for student who can’t join the regular class. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/delhi

Om Namah Sivaya, from Noida. The beginning of March, with the Blessings and Grace Of our Beloved Masters, we started two beginners course at 10 am and 6.30 pm. We had a hip opening workshop, well attended by five enthusiastic students. We had a trial class and an introduction to Yoga in nearby multi-story apartments, attended by good number of residents, most of them were motivated, showing their interest in joining the beginners course. With the change in weather the number of students was increasing. Pravin a new staff has joined for six months ,he did TTC from Neyyar Dam in Jan. 2016. With the Blessings and Grace Of our Beloved Masters we send Pranams and our best wishes to all the Sivananda family

http://www.sivananda.org.in/noida

Om Namah Sivaya. The beginning of March had a peaceful Sivaratri celebration with more than half of the group staying until the end. Teachers came with beautiful flowers and Prasad and the altar was radiant and full of prana. Courses and classes continued and a Y3 started, with a nice group of students. New programs were installed and tested on the computers. The newsletter was sent out. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/geneva

Om Namah Sivaya. The beginning of March we started with a uplifting Puja for Sivaratri. Open classes saw more students. Some of the evening classes were full with students very focused on their practice. We also welcomed a new resident from Germany that will stay with us for one month. We also started a Yoga 2 beginners course with students from previous courses. We conducted a Kirtan workshop that was received very well by students. We are excited to welcome new staff members here at the HCM Centre. Some of the TTC graduates committed to an extended period of time serving with us. We were also sending our positive energy to the Dalat retreat for ATTC. We wished them all an inspiring course. Staff members continued to do their Sadhana daily. We are blessed to be inspired everyday Guru’s teachings.

During mid-March we welcomed back Ganga and the new staff, Daya, to our team whom brought lot of high energy from the TTC in Dalat. We also sent off Mirabai to Dalat for the Sadhana Intensive course. It will be a great time for her to recharge after a great efforts of Mirabai to maintain the Centre when all the main staff went to support the TTC Dalat last month. We started the new Yoga 1 beginner course, with a good number of students. They were very happy after the 1st class. The general number of students for open class and Satsang increased positively. A remarkable event was seen with the Satsang/Puja, led by Pandit Samavedula from India. It was an uplifting Puja. We are happy to be blessed by the divine mother and gurus. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

Om Namah Sivaya. The beginning of March we had the third week of the TTC here, with 21 students. A highlight was the Sivaratri celebration. Many close students came. We started with 68 students and about 1/3 stayed the whole night. The first Puja was conducted by a local priest. The staff conducted the other four Pujas. The TTC was going well as they started teaching yoga classes to each other. We also had the anatomy lectures, with Savitri, a medical doctor and Sivananda trained teacher. She has been coming since many years to London and Orleans, to help with anatomy teaching in the TTCs and ATTCs. Chandra continued with the Bhagavad Gita classes. He also gave one Satsang on happiness. We had inspiring Satsangs: chanting Satsang, story Satsang, Likitha Japa, etc… One of the TTC students joined staff after the TTC. Om Shanti.

http://www.sivananda.org/london

Om Namah Sivaya. The beginning of March we had the third week of the TTC here, with 21 students. A highlight was the Sivaratri celebration. Many close students came. We started with 68 students and about 1/3 stayed the whole night. The first Puja was conducted by a local priest. The staff conducted the other four Pujas. The TTC was going well as they started teaching yoga classes to each other. We also had the anatomy lectures, with Savitri, a medical doctor and Sivananda trained teacher. She has been coming since many years to London and Orleans, to help with anatomy teaching in the TTCs and ATTCs. Chandra continued with the Bhagavad Gita classes. He also gave one Satsang on happiness. We had inspiring Satsangs: chanting Satsang, story Satsang, Likitha Japa, etc… One of the TTC students joined staff after the TTC. Om Shanti.

http://www.sivananda.org/la

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed Selves! The main focus of the month was the preparations for the International Easter family retreat in South Spain, with more than 65 adults and 13 children coming. Swami Gopalananda from Paris joined the staff team of 10 close teachers who supported this program  resulting a very uplifting experience for all. We were also happy to have special guest Marilyn Rossner with over 100 persons coming for Satsang. Marilyn took special care to explain the benefits of yoga and vegetarian diet. A close group of students joined for Sivaratri celebration. The pure energy created by the Mantra chanting could be felt even after several days. Saraswati Chaitanya spent one week in Munich and staffs and close teachers took good care of the Centre. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/madrid

Om Namah Sivaya. The beginning of March saw all staff blessed to attend Maha Sivaratri in Neyyar Dam. It was good to be part of this festival where all staff did Jagrana all night by chanting Om Namah Sivaya untll morning 4:00 am. Our one of the staff blessed on the holy occasion by taking Brahmcharya in the same night and given name Parvati Chaitanya. We pray to God and Gurus to protect her in spiritual path and give her strength to reach her goal. The Madurai Centre was closed during Sivaratri. Rest of everything went well with Grace of Yogeswara.

During mid-March all the classes continued well, both in and out of the Centre. A Mudra workshop was given by Parvati Chaitanya, which was well appreciated by participants. We welcome Asmeena staff from Neyyardam while she was on her trip to Rameswaram and Chidambram. She stayed with us for few days. We were blessed to welcome Prahlad ji and Saraswati ji, along with Harsha. We discussed about the Centre situations. Prahlad ji gave his guidance for all the staffs. Everything else was fine, with Gurus grace. Pranams to all from Temple city Madurai Centre. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi!!

http://www.sivananda.org/madurai

Om Namah Sivaya. Om Namo Narayanaya to the Sivananda family.

Om Namah Sivaya! The beginning of March we continued with classes as normal.
Most important was the test class, with several students interested in the beginners yoga course in April. Prema (the temporary staff) helped a lot, working at the library and giving yoga classes almost every day.

During mid-March we started with the Intensive Course for beginners dictated by a new teacher, Priya. We were glad to inform that the attendance was very good (9 students both days). We held a successfully Open Yoga Day. The people who attended showed a lot of interest after the journey and many of them decided to start a beginners course. Prema (the temporary staff) helped at the library and giving yoga classes almost every day. The rest of the activities developed normally. Om Shanti!!

http://www.sivananda.org/montevideo

Om Namah Sivaya from the Montreal Centre! The beginning of March we enjoyed an increase in the number of students. February was a hard month in the city due to the strange hot/cold weather, leading to many people falling ill. The sun was out shining brightly with temperatures soaring up to 8 degrees, which directly affected the energy and mood of people, resulting in many more happy students! Two Yoga 1 courses started with 6 students each, all fresh and eager to develop a strong practice. Satsangs continued to pick up with around 15-18 students during the Wednesday’s and 35-45 on Sunday’s. We began a few renovations at the Centre, improving the kitchen and boutique space! The kids class finished their first session of 10 classes and will begin again after the Easter weekend, giving the teachers an opportunity to plan the classes and also allow the children to miss their fun and active class just a little bit! We were thankful for the opportunity to serve the students who continued to be a source of inspiration and ever so thankful for the grace of Master and Swamiji. Pranams to all! The support received from students, teachers and karma yogis gives us the inspiration to keep marching forward for Swamiji’s mission!

During mid-March we could actually announce “Spring has sprung” in Montreal. We saw sunshine and a shift in energy, as many people started to move after the long dark month of February. Student numbers continued to increase for the open classes with many of the regular students returning to their practice after taking extended vacations or being busy with work. A Yoga 2 course ended with 5 happy students, one of them deciding to join the Centre as a karma yogi! Swami Shivabhaktananda arrived from India and spent the night at the Centre. He led the Satsang the next morning and then returned to the Yoga Camp. Lakshmana, a young karma yogi, spent a few days at the Centre and helped with some painting work. We were also busy with open and dynamic classes, and also conducted 108 sun salutations, attended by 9 students. Sunday night Swami Shivabhaktananda led Satsang, talking about the significance of the Bhagavad Gita. Gita returned to the Centre with many of the students happy to see her as she spent 5 months as staff last year. We were in the process of doing some spring cleaning and small renovations around the Centre. Thanks to the Grace of the Guru’s we have more teachers and karma yogis coming forward and offering their time and services to the Centre. The community of teachers and staff continues to grow, we are ever so grateful for the support and inspiration. We are blessed to have the grace of our Master and Guru. Sending Pranams to all!!

http://www.sivananda.org/montreal

Om Namah Sivaya. The beginning of March the spiritual highlight was the celebration of Sivaratri. We started with a Satsang at 8 p.m. and then continued chanting the Siva-mantra the whole night. In between we performed the traditional four Pujas to the Siva-Lingam. After the last Puja and final Arati we served a warm kitcheree to all those who had stayed till the end. Our festivities ended at around four o´clock in the morning so that everybody could still get a few hours of sleep to be fit for the day. We had very successful yoga teachers further training day on the topic of proper relaxation. A good group of participants came for this training enjoying the day with special yoga class, lecture, workshop and Satsang. We were especially happy that more than half of the participants were active teachers of the Centre. We held a special meeting with Swami Sivadasananda for which we invited all of our regular course teachers. The aim of the meeting was to discuss how to improve our course teaching properties. Swami Sivadasananda motivated us to let the bodies of the students “speak” to us telling us their needs and bringing us ideas how to individually help each student to make progress in the asana experience. Also mentioned was giving to students a good relaxation experience. We also had two inspiring evening Satsangs with Swami Sivadasananda during his stay. A group of very motivated participants took part in our Meditation Beginners Course. We were happy to have Swami Durgananda with us during that whole week. Swamiji took a lot of time to give guidance for our personal Sadhana and answering many questions concerning the running of the Centre.  Saraswati Chaitanya came for a couple of days to Munich to recharge and be with the acharyas.

During mid-March our longest running course, which is now almost 15 years old, started into a new round as Yoga 150. A group of very interested students continued their Meditation 2 course and onto Meditation 3 course. Apart from silent meditation, chanting of Jaya Ganesha and one Kirtan in each session they learned about the three bodies in connection with meditation. We were happy to have two inspiring evening Satsangs with Swami Sivadasananda upon his return from the special program he had given in the Berlin Centre. OM Namah Sivaya from the Sivananda Yoga Centre Munich! OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/munich

Om Namah Sivaya! The beginning of March we wrapped up a few courses and started a few new courses as well. Ishwara came down from the Ranch to join the Centre staff for the month of March while Shakti helped teach the Teacher Training Course at the Ashram in the Catskills. Adam and Gopi arrived from Bahamas and spent the night at the Centre before leaving the following day for the Ranch. Elva (Sri Devi), a recent TTC graduate also arrived to spend sixth months at the Ranch. One Saturday we offered “Deaf Yoga” with Geeta.

During mid-March we started a fresh batch of new weekly courses and prepped for a few upcoming workshops. Neeti led a Wednesday evening Satsang as well as the weekly Bhagavad Gita lectures. Sundari left for the Ranch for a weekend. A long time karma yogi and anatomy specialist, Bharata, held a workshop on correcting posture through a yogic practice. The same day Sundari returned from the Catskills, accompanied by Lalita Chaitanya, who also arrived from the Ranch to stay overnight before heading back to Chicago. Lalita Chaitanya led an advanced asana class as well as the evening Satsang. All the Staff were well and send their pranams. With Guru’s grace, we will be blessed and inspired to carry on his peace mission. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/ny

Om Namah Sivaya. March started with the peaceful and meditative vibration of Sivaratri. We had a beautiful powerful Celebration. 98 persons were there to chant the Mantra. 40 people were there for the last Puja. The morning after, we kept mauna for the breakfast and for the cleaning of the house in a peaceful atmosphere while the mantra continued to vibrate within. During the month there was an assessment of the many maintenance projects to do in the building.  Some of the projects started already and some others will be done on April. This month there were a concentration, an asana and headstand workshops. There was also a cooking class for the new vegetarians and a positive teachers’ meeting. The students were happy to have the new brochure online and on paper. The Masters sent many hands to put a dose of sattva in the house. The cellar was cleared, some spider webs from the ceilings were removed, all the windows and radiators were cleaned and the kitchen was reorganized. A new specialist on eradication of mice did a visit to evaluate the situation; she will come again next week. We had intense evenings with the big regular classes, the regular Yoga 1, Yoga 2, Yoga 2+ and two intense courses.  A Raja yoga week course and a Meditation course twice a week.

The Open House was moderated but successful. Many smiling new visitors were inspired by Swami Sivanandas’ and Swami Vishnu’s teachings. Om Shanti. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/paris

Om Namah Sivaya from Brasil. The beginning of March we finished one more beginners course with 10 students. The new class on Fridays at 10 a.m. had new students. We celebrated Sivaratri from 22:00 pm – 01:00 am, with teachers, students and friends.

Staff were well and sending pranams to all the Sivananda family. Om Om Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/portoalegre

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed selves. We send pranams from Roma. Om Shanti.

http://www.sivananda.org/rome

Om Namo Narayanaya, Blessed Selves. At the beginning of March The San Francisco staff and two students drove to the Yoga Farm to celebrate Sivaratri there. We were very energized for the drive back, full of ideas for the Centre. Swami Jnaneswariananda arrived from India, and stayed for a weekend to teach. She spoke about the Mandukya Upanishad and the Om mantra plus the journey of Viveka and Vairagya, using the mind to transcend the mind. We offered Satsang, a three-hour asana class and brunch that weekend. All in attendance at the evening Satsang were TTC graduates, so Swami Jnaneswari cleverly connected a review of Sanskrit terms of a letter from the Sivananda Upanishad. Three new teachers assisted classes.

During mid-March we offered a Community Class for adults, teens and a separate class for children, followed by a Dosa Night. A very congenial group ate dosas by donation. Many offered to do Karma Yoga for the Centre. We started two courses – a Yoga 2 and a Meditation 1. Students also attended a body alignment class as well as an open class with emphasis on arm strength. Our monthly Sunday Bhagavad Gita series continued with Gajananam, who reminded us that you can’t be the observer and the doer at the same time. Pranams to all from the new San Francisco Centre.

http://www.sivananda.org/sanfrancisco

Om Namah sivaya. At the beginning of March a new Yoga 1 started with 16 students and a new Meditation course started, with 12 students. We held a fascinating lecture with Dr. Yossi Halamish, a practicing psychiatrist and a brain researcher. Dr. Halamish spoke about sleep and the most recent discoveries of science about its importance for healthy brain function and how spiritual practices can contribute to healthy and rejuvenating sleep. This weekend program attracted many students both new and old, especially for the free morning class and for the special Kirtan night, held by Narayan Jyoti, Rama and Shanti Devi. We bid farewell to Bhargavi who travelled to the Bahamas for a month to help as assistant in the March TTC. Amba, a new TTC graduate in Lithuania, came to Israel to do her post doctorate in Mathematics and joined us as staff for a month to help while Bhargavi is away. She had a great spirit of karma yoga. Her integration into the Centre was immediate.

During mid-March registration for the upcoming Passover Yoga Retreat started like a tornado and in 4 days almost 50% of the rooms were booked. We expected that by the end of next week registration would be finalized. A Meditation 2 course started with 16 students. The “Positive Thinking and Guided Imagery” workshop started with 11 students. Our new website project launched. It felt just like building a house. Our building plans were out for approval. We were receiving a lot of support and good advice by professional karma yogis. We spent a weekend in the Ashram Matta were Spring gave us a spectacular show of blooming flowers with so many fragrances and colors. Pranams to all the Sivananda Family from the Tel Aviv Centre.

http://www.sivananda.org/telaviv

Om Namah Sivaya. The beginning of March and the weather was cold and rainy. A “Back Bend” workshop was held one Sunday with 12 students participating. The students who joined the back bendworkshop also dropped into Satsanga, so it was a lively Satsanga. Eleven students joined “Tattva Bodha” study class, held by Kiran. We had 10 people in our “Trial Class”.

During mid-March the weather was warmer in Tokyo. A “Vegetarian Meals” workshop was held one Sunday with 6 people. Yamuna was in charge of this workshop arranging several Japanese menus especially for Spring season. Students seemed happy to learned as they ate the meals. A Karma yogi, from Portugal and living in Tokyo, started teaching open class in English. He also regularly taught the class on Sundays. Two new Karma yogis started practicing and preparing to teach the asana class. Om and Prem to all the Sivananda family. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

http://www.sivananda.jp

Om Namah Sivaya. The beginning of March saw warm weather in Toronto. We had regular attendance for open classes and many new students came for Sunday Satsangs. An evening Yoga 1 course started as well as a Yoga 2 course. Radha taught Teen yoga class on Saturday mornings. Saraswati and Harsha left for India where they will spend two weeks. Preparations were underway for the annual Toronto Yoga Show that will take place at the beginning of April.

During mid-March the Monday and Wednesday 7am Yoga 1 course started. The Saturday open classes were very busy as well as the “Asana Symbol Thematic Series” workshops, taught by Janaki. Durairaj left for India for few months. We were very grateful for his hard work and humble service and look forward to seeing him again at the end of June. Durga came to help at the Centre for two weeks while Prahlad and Saraswati were in India. Pranams to all.

http://www.sivananda.org/toronto

Om Namah Sivaya. The beginning of March, with the blessings of our Gurus a new beginners’ batch started on Monday mornings, with good number of students. All other classes went smoothly. Prahlad ji conducted a meeting for the paid staff members. He gave valuable advice for the betterment of the Centre. The Lalitha Sahasra Nama Pooja was conducted on Fridays. Satsang was led by Sri. Rajesh.

Mid-March started with a Ganapathy Homa on the first day of the new Malayalam month. A new beginners’ batch started in the evenings. All other classes went well. One Saturday evening we conducted a Surya Namaskar workshop for the students, which helped them to improve their postures. Lalitha Sahasra Nama Pooja was conducted on Fridays. Satsang was led by Padmavati ji. Pranams to all. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

http://www.sivananda.org/trivandrum

Om Namah Sivaya. The beginning of March saw the spiritual highlight of the Sivaratri celebration. A nice crowd of enthusiasts gathered in the Temple room and most stayed until the early morning hours, chanting the Mantra OM Namah Sivaya with fervour. Four Pujas were done with milk, ghee, honey and curd. Several new courses started with “Yoga 82” being the most advanced course. A small TTC prep course was offered. This is also the day when we cooked a full meal for the students, creating a nice yogic family sitting together each time.

During mid-March we had a day of Mantras with an elevating workshop and a lively Satsang. We did a thorough clean-up of shelves and basement and some work on advertisement. Mira left to India after serving nicely for a month at the Centre. Easter arrived with some students traveling to Reith. Staff are well and are sending Pranams. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vienna

Om Namah Sivaya. The beginning of March started with several courses as well as one extra Yoga 1 course, taught only to English speaking students. We had an Open Day with a smaller group of students. For the first time we gave an “Introduction to Proper Diet” including the demonstration of cooking and recipes. Karma yogis supported the Centre well as well as the teachers. Pranams to all the Sivananda family. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vilnius