Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashrams

Om Namah Sivaya. In early February, we held a retreat “Yoga and Nature”. A mixed group of beginners and intermediate students enjoyed the inspiring talks about the power of outer silence in nature and inner silence in meditation. We experienced very beautiful sunny days but also extremely cold (we spent one day at minus 30 degrees) but nonetheless the guests enthusiatically went out for invigorating walks in the forest.
The renovation work in the Mathaji Hall is progressing well under the able guidance of Swami Sankarananda. The demolition work is over and new drywalls have been put in. We are happily starting to see the new hall taking shape.
We received good groups of students coming for the “Relaxation and Stress Management” retreat. All students participated in activities eagerly. We were glad to have dynamic noon lectures where many guests participated by asking questions. During the retreat, we led students to Samadhi Estate and visited Swami Vishnudevananda`s house. We chanted mantra for peace and shared some stories from Swamiji’s life. Several nature walks were done that kept guests in a good spirit as well. Guests left very grateful and ready to apply teachings of yoga at home. We also worked on a newsletter announcing different guest programs and online Teacher`s Training Course Information days.
Later in the month we held a retreat “Yoga and Snow Shoeing”. Besides regular yoga classes, satsangs and lectures, students could enjoy walks with the snowshoes every day. A few of the staff members led the guests along different trails such as Saraswati/Durga trails and also up to the Subramanya Temple. On the weekend we offered to students two possibilities of more “beginners” and more “advanced” levels of snowshoeing. In this inspiring retreat students enthusiastically participated in yogic as well as snowshoeing activities. We are very happy to see several students staying with us for two or even three weeks for yoga vacation programs. It makes them go deeper into the practice, while we are ready to serve them with more personal guidance. One of them subscribed for the Teachers Training Course in April. We also held a Teachers Training Open House. There were seven interested students. Some of them are aspiring to do TTC in July or April.
We also did a thorough cleaning and painting of the hall.
We are sending our prayers and love to Pranava Chaitanya for his peaceful transition. We chanted Om Tryambakam for his new journey towards Light. May Masters’ blessings be upon us all. Om and Prem.

http://www.sivananda.org/camp

Om Namah Sivaya. The Lalita Sahasranama puja added to the positive energy of the final week of TTC. The advanced pranayama classes were much appreciated along with the specialist classes. The pregnancy and childrens’ classes were particularly enjoyed, being entertaining as well as instructive. The Bhagavad Gita classes were finished with the Gita arati and joyful bhajans. 23 students went on to do the YCB exam including six Japanese students.
We had our second Vedanta Retreat titled Drik Drishya Viveka, a text by Ramana Maharishi. Ten keen students absorbed the concepts of Advaita Vedanta during the seven-day retreat. The following Sunday satsang was lively with the Vedanta Retreat’s graduation and initiation of 44 TTC and 25 for the Ayurveda Wellness Course students.
The highlight of the middle of the month was the seven-day TTC refresher course. 42 TTC alumni from as far back as 1992 joined the course. They were fully engaged with pranayama practice at five o’clock in the morning, followed by satsang, special asana classes and talks, and an opportunity to interact with the teachers.
Our seven STIC students also completed one year of study and training. During the year, they completed TTC, ATTC, Sadhana Intensive, Sadhana Mandalam, Adapted Sivananda Course and Ayurveda Wellness Course for a well-rounded experience. On the same night TTC refreshers received a certificate of participation. On Sunday, 24 AWC students graduated. They were delighted with the course and their teachers.

http://www.sivananda.org/neyyardam

Om Namah Sivaya. The Ashram remained closed in February 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

Namaste. The ATTC progressed well during the month and the Talent show had a vibrant display of singing, vedic hymn chanting, and playing of musical instruments: every performance took the audience to different levels of enjoyment. Yoga Vacationers also revelled in the ashram beauty with learning of Yoga and the discipline that goes with it.
After the conclusion of the ATTC, the ashram again geared up for the upcoming TTC. The focus was mostly on cleaning up, especially the dorms and the grounds. Seventeen eager students were initiated by the course teachers with the blessings of Swami Sivananda ji and Swami Vishnudevananda ji. Sending Prem and Om to all from our group of guests, students and staffs.

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. The month began with a Hatha Yoga and the Mind course with daily asana practice, satsang readings from the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and daily lectures on how Hatha Yoga supports meditation and a healthy mind and emotions. We welcomed several Yoga Vacationers with all enjoying beautiful cool sunny days.
Pandit Bhima Samavedula performed Navagraha puja along with daily pujas at the temples. Pandit-ji also presented weekly Hanuman Chalisa chanting and explained the meaning of each verse with many wonderful stories.
Karma yogis were busy working on the new garden gate and planting veggie starts, repairing the orchard fence, and trimming lavender.
Later in the month, we had a Yoga Beginner course introducing the 5 Points of Yoga and Yoga lifestyle to the guests. We had several yoga vacationers join us for the week as well. The weekend included the Online Taste of TTC program taught by the swamis, giving students the chance to experience a typical day of TTC practice and lectures and concluding with Satsang with Swami Sitaramananda from Vietnam, speaking on the importance of the Classical Yoga lineage. We also introduced a new program at the Ashram, the Sacred Tour, sharing the history of the Ashram with a tour of the Temples and Shrines, with many stories about the founding of the temples and the deities. Guests were grateful to learn about Swami Vishnudevananda’s time at the Yoga Farm.
On Sivaratri staff and guests gathered in the Radha Krishna Hall for all-night vigil with pandit Bhima Samavedula leading 4 pujas through the night. Each puja had special significance with separate offerings of bilva leaves, rice, kum kum, and holy ash. The swamis led chanting and were joined by the Shakti Rising kirtan group leading beautiful chants and bringing great peace to all.
Meanwhile, we also had the weekend Meditation course, introducing the Raja Yoga meditation practice and 5 Points of Yoga.
Later in the month, we held some Good Karma Diet cooking workshops with guests learning hands-on how to cook simple and sattvic meals. The afternoon workshops focused on healthy diet and the 5 Points of Yoga. We are grateful for this opportunity to serve. Om shanti.

http://www.sivananda.org/farm

Greetings from the Yoga Retreat. We had the great honor of hosting Swamini Atmaprakashananda, who was with us for month, teaching a daily course on the Mandukya Upanishad with Adi Shankaracharya’s Bhashya. The morning course was available live via zoom to serious at-home students also. Swaminiji is the direct disciple of Swami Dayananda Saraswati, and expounds on the text with great understanding and insight. We also celebrated the graduation of the January TTC and ATTC courses. Students in both courses worked hard and successfully completed the program. Some of the special presenters and their programs were: Davod Azad – Mystical Joy: Sufi Music and Whirling; Eben Alexander and Karen Newell – Finding Connection and Purpose through Spiritual Health; and Neal Pearson – Overcome Pain through Yoga. Following the January graduation, we inaugurated the February TTC course with 11 onsite and 2 online students.
The group adapted well to ashram life and the course content. Our priest Krishnam Nambrodhi performed a Ganapati Vidya homa to bless and assist in removing obstacles during this course of study. We had several special presenters: Nikki Myers – “Cultivating Sustainable Recovery from All Addictions”; and, Jose Rugue Ribeiro – “Practical Well-Being: Ayurveda for a Harmonious Body, Mind, and Spirit”. We also hosted John Perkins who presented “Touching the Jaguar: Transforming Fear into Positive Action”, which was a well-attended program with John leading 3 evening satsangs and numerous afternoon workshops. We also welcomed Manas Kshirsagar, an Ayurvedic doctor, who started a series of evening satsangs on living in accordance with Ayurvedic principles. There continued to be several online courses taught weekly by the Swamis and senior staff.
Later in the month we had a 5-day Ayurvedic Kichari cleanse, led by Dr. Kshirsigar. Swamini Atmaprakashananda led a series of satsangs on the Vision of the Bhagavad Gita. Swaminiji expounded on how the Bhagavad Gita is the nectar of all the Upanishads, and contains all the teachings of Vedanta. It was an inspiring few days of morning and evening satsangs given by Swaminiji.
Maha Sivaratri was an inspired and powerful evening, with pujas, continuous chanting, joy and celebration. Most all participants were able to remain for the entire evening, which ended in the serving of plentiful prasads. The ashram was resonating with positive energy. We suffered a tremendous loss late in the month, as a beloved staff member of our Sivananda family, Pranava Chaitanya passed away. Pranava Chaitanya, who loved the ocean, was taking his daily swim when he was struck by a jetski. He passed away in the hospital later that evening. Pranava Chaitanya had been a staff of the ashram for 16 years, teaching TTC and ATTC courses, guest programs, and managing the kitchen, along with countless other tasks. He served selflessly and led an exemplary life of a karma yogi, touching many lives around the world. Pranava Chaitanya was a much beloved teacher, a dedicated staff and a humble and beautiful soul, and will be surely missed. The community here at the ashram immediately came together at the hearing of his passing, with prayers for his safe and smooth departure, and to support one another through this shocking event. On Sunday evening the priest performed an Atma Shanti Puja in his honor for a peaceful transition. The satang hall was full and we had nearly 400 participants joining us on zoom. The priest recited the Vishnu Sahasranama while the congregation circumambulated the platform, making continuous offerings of flowers to the special altar set up for this purpose. There were also additional ceremonies in the following days, which were very healing for those of us dealing with his loss. May the Grace of Master Sivananda and Swami Vishnudevananda be with Pranava Chaitanya and protect him as he is making his transition.

http://www.sivananda.org/nassau

Om Namah Sivaya. The TTCs did very well in the second week of their course as they began to teach each other in groups. At the same time the guests were interested in the topics of the Yoga Lifestyle week. Both TTCs and guests enjoyed their morning walks throughout the month.
The 5-day February-Retreat “Psychosomatic Effects of the Asanas” started. Chandrika gave two wonderful Ayurveda lectures via Zoom from Munich. They were broadcast in the yoga hall and guests and TTCs very much appreciated the opportunity to ask questions.
The online morning Pranayama course and the introduction into the new online course “Ayurveda – Treasure” for health were well attended.
The following week the TTCs all participated enthusiastically in the kriya workshop and the main lectures continued with the anatomy topics. The guests developed their strength and flexibility in the asana classes, and enjoyed lectures on the psychology of mantra repetition and yogic lifestyle. They were grateful for receiving advice on how to integrate yoga practice in daily life and some were very interested to take TTC. We had inspiring satsangs with likita japa practice, spiritual stories and Swami Sivananda´s teaching songs. All the TTCs especially enjoyed the evening chanting satsang.
The following week the TTC program started with the advanced pranayama workshop and on the Monday at noon we did a longer walk with TTCs and guests. We stopped at a beautiful small lake and hot chocolate and cake were brought as a surprise. The TTCs studied diligently and passed an excellent exam. There was a lot of happiness in the graduation ceremony.
A larger guest group arrived for the Carnival Retreat “Integral Balance with Yoga” and Sivaratri. The Sivaratri celebration was shared with the ashram in Orleans and transmitted online. We did a puja and a short and powerful chanting of the Siva mantra. The second part of the very popular online course “Hatha-Yoga – Tap the Source” also began.
The Carnival Retreat participants left happy and inspired. At the same time the yoga relaxation days started for the guests with focus on the stress-relieving and mental effects of asanas and pranayama. The following weekend the participants of the February TTC arrived and we had a lively inauguration. Om shanti.

http://www.sivananda.org/tyrol

The TTC group finished their course well. They passed their exams with flying colours and were very happy to return home with a box of tools to enrich their life. Two of the students stayed on as staff. Our guests programmes included the themes « Boost vitality and mental health », « Body to Mind connection », « Power of Mantras ». We welcomed a small group of students from the London centre for a four-day retreat; they were three, new to the ashram and arrived for the week on « Body to Mind connection ». All the guests appreciated spending some days in the ashram even if it was cold. Returning students were very happy and grateful to be able to eat in the comfortable new kitchen. They had a variety of conferences, asana workshop and silent walks during the day. Staff completed repainting the rooms in the château building. Towards the end of the month, there was one week of staff sadhana week where the ashram was closed. There was daily chanting of the Lalita sahasrananam and fasting periods. All activities kept the staff busy and enthusiastic during the month. By the Grace of the Masters, teachers had a lot of opportunities to share time and teachings with the TTC students and guests.

http://www.sivananda.org/orleans

Om Namah Sivaya. We were happy to start the February TTC. Before the pandemic this had been our international course, translated into different languages. This year we are happy to welcome foreign students once more, a group of 9 from Japan, plus one student from London, UK. We also welcomed Japanese karma yogis and translators to help with the group. The course is taught in English with translation into Vietnamese and Japanese. Swami Sitaramananda is teaching the main lectures, Swami Adiparashaktiananda is heading the Hatha Yoga team, Swami Narayanananda is teaching Bhagavad Gita, and Daya Chaitanya is teaching chanting. A large number of teaching assistants and other staff are supporting the course of 51 students, in total a group of 48 staff is present. Initiation took place in an inspiring ceremony and in the evening satsang students were already introducing themselves.
The first week of our international TTC ran smoothly, with all of the students adapting well to the rhythm of study and practice. Students enjoyed two satsangs outdoors, one evening with a bonfire, and one morning starting early to watch a beautiful sunrise from the mountainside. All have also settled in well to karma yoga activities, with a large group helping to clean up the ashram grounds. We have been joined also by some Yoga vacation guests who have enjoyed this time of heightened energy. Our Thursday morning satsang, led by Swami Sitaramananda, was streamed online for an international group of participants.
TTC continued steadily into the second week. Students’ learning this week included the practice of Kriyas, an introduction to Ayurveda, and how Yoga practice can relieve issues with stress. The highlight of the week was Sivaratri: the TTC students joined with the first puja and Swami Sitaramananda spoke about the spiritual significance of the event. The Ashram staff then continued with the celebration and with further pujas and of course chanting of mantra until early morning. The following week Swami Sitaramananda began a new on-site and online course, “Essentials of Yoga Health and Self-Healing”. More than 70 people participated in the 9-week course. SYHET distance learning and practicum work continued well. The TTC students entertained us all with a talent show. Staff have been busy preparing for the arrival of students for the 9-day TTC immersion program for students who completed TTC online. The group included students from Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. All were quick to adapt to the course routine and very much appreciated the experience of being here in the ashram to experience the energy of the course directly. The week’s study and practice went well. On Saturday the group entertained us with a talent show that had a very international flavour, with contributions from all of the national groups here. We also welcomed Yoga Vacation guests during the TTC course.
Staff are all well and inspired. Om shanti.

www.sivanandayogavietnam.org/

Namaste. The month opened with the last week of TTC and students were completely devoted to their practice and preparing for the final day. We had a small group of 8 with students from 5 different countries but as usual with Guru’s grace the course went without any setback. Along with the TTC exam, even YCB practicals and theory was conducted where 8 students including staff took the exam. All students did very well in the exam and their overall attitude was also very sincere to the course. We ended the course with a Graduation Ceremony and an exceptional talent show where all students were dressed in Indian ethnic clothes and took part in singing and dancing. We are very thankful to Kapoor ji for heading the group so effortlessly and to all the staff and teachers for helping. Kapoor ji left for Delhi and we hope to have him back with us in future.
The ashram was very quiet after the completion of TTC with few Yoga Vacation guests. We celebrated Shivratri where puja was performed along with bhajan chanting with staff, guests and people from the nearby villages. Each year, this festival brings alot of energy and positivity among us.
The focus in the following week was on the Yoga Vacation. We have three guests who have been attending all the programs enthusiastically. The quiet time has enabled the staff to attend to maintenance, group karma yoga, and their personal practice.
Sending our prayers and pranams to all of you. Om shanti.

www.sivananda.org.in/gudur

Om Namah Sivaya. A study session on Sivananda Yoga led by Atmashakti Chaitanya given online from the Da Lat ashram in Vietnam, was joined by good number of students with great interest and enthusiasm for learning. Yoga 1 has been going well, and an Open class in English was attended by many students familiar with asana practice guided in English.
The Shojiko area had record snowfall in mid-February. Neighbouring roads were closed: there was no coming and going of cars and vehicles and we enjoyed the weekend filled with silence. We are grateful that we are able to continue online programs by Guru’s grace. Online asana classes and courses have been going well as has the Sanskrit class taught by Vanidevi.
The Shojiko Lake was covered with snow. Although it was bitterly cold, staff continued daily sadhana. We helped a lady in her 90s who lives next door with shovelling the snow outside her house. She was so grateful to us, and we are glad that we are able to make a contribution to the local community. We picked up speed in our preparations for reopening the Shojiko Retreat in spring as well as the Japan tour by Swami Sitaramananda and Swami Adiparashakti. A briefing session for TTC at the Farm in May was given by Atmashakti Chaitanya. A good number of students are interested.
Toward the end of the month, the online Yoga 1 was completed successfully with all the students proceeding to the Yoga 2 to deepen their spiritual learning. As the snow started to melt, staff were very busy with preparation for reopening the Retreat in April with car maintenance, house renovation, yard maintenance, etc. We were also consulted about health by our neighbours from time to time, continuing to make a contribution to the community.

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