Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres

Om Namah Sivaya. The Berlin Centre is open. More and more students come back to the Centre to continue or restart their practice. Most of the classes were outside on the garden platform. We are all very grateful that this garden exists here, in the middle of the city. Our annual summer retreat started. It took place in the North of Berlin close to the Polish border. A good group of students from Berlin and Hamburg joined for 4 days of practise in the countryside. The retreat house is a lovely place with a big terrace, which was very suitable for our yoga practise. Students and staff were happy to have real time classes, Satsangs and lectures again. Everybody left happy and recharged. Swami Annapurnandaji took care of the Centre during the retreat and kept the garden in beautiful shape which created a lovely atmosphere for the outside classes.

July proved to be a summerly month. Students were happy with the outside classes. We offered tea and cookies again, creating a nice atmosphere in the Centre when some of the students stay for tea after class. We celebrated Gurupurnima with a Puja, together with staff and close students and teachers. Many students brought flowers for the altar and the meditation hall looked very beautiful. The energy was uplifted throughout the whole Centre and students left happy and grateful. Staff are all well. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/berlin

Om Namah Sivaya. We now offer with face-to-face on-site classes. There is a beautiful and spacious room, with the appropriate sanitary measures – a space to connect! We will wait for you! Any sum you can contribute will be grateful from the heart. You can contact us for any questions about practicing yoga at home through e-mail: [email protected] or by calling 11 4804 7813. Continue your practice from your homes. 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. Our 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.

Apart from that, we continued our regular chanting of Om Namo Narayanaya every evening in July, plus, Vishnu Sahasranama & Lalitha Sahasranama. We organized an online Meditation course led by Mahalakshmi. We began a 5 days course on the topic Asana Symbolism, organized by Nirmala Chaitanya. Apart from that we continued our open classes, both online and offline with moderate number of students. We successfully completed the July Beginners’ Yoga course. We geared up for our August online workshops. Promotions went well. Back house work progressed well. We ended each week with a Satsang. 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. We wish you awareness of Guru’s Grace. Join us online for courses, studies, Satsangs and yoga classes. Take good care! Om and Prem.

http://www.sivananda.org/chicago

Om Namah Sivaya from the beautiful DaLat Centre. Even though temporarily closed to the public due to Covid safety in Vietnam, thanks to Guru’s blessing, our Centre can keep the strong energy to serve the community during July. We had an online Satsang with Swami Sita. A Basic Meditation Course continued with the 4th session. Non-Violent Communication Course by Swami Narayanananda finished successfully. The Dalat staff joined Swami Sita’s special course on the occasion of Los Angeles Centre’s re-opening. We continued to run all online classes in cooperation with Ho Chi Minh Centre and Ha Noi Centre. Directors of the three Centres have online meetings weekly to ensure smooth operations of the current programs and discuss new programs. We gained a good amount of income from selling tailor-made meditation mats and cushions. Dalat staff continued their study through multiple online courses. All staff members joined the training course on how to teach the Proper Breathing Course. Sivashakti travelled back to the Dalat Ashram to support the upcoming TTC.

Mid July. We had four consecutive online Satsangs with Swami Sita, plus celebration of Guru Purnima. The Positive Thinking course continued smoothly. We successfully started and finished the Proper Breathing Course and Applied Calligraphy for Likhita Japa Course. We continued to run all online classes in cooperation with Ho Chi Minh Centre and Ha Noi Centre. Directors of the three Centres have online meetings weekly to ensure smooth operations of the current programs and discuss new programs. We started another Proper Breathing Course. We started the Intermediate Meditation Course for those who finished the basic meditation course. Also, we reopened the SYHET counselling program, this time Online, which offers practicum opportunities for Sankari and Nirmala under the mentoring of Sivashakti. 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. We look forward to practicing together. We’ll are continuing with our online classes, courses & programs. For details, please visit sivananda.org.in/online-yoga The Covid-19 pandemic situation has escalated in Delhi keeping students at home for now. The staff are well at the Centre. May Master and Swamiji bless all in continuing on the yogic path. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/dwarka

Greetings from Sivananda Nataraja Centre. The Covid-19 situation remains in India, keeping students at home for now. The staff are well at the Centre. 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. We continued with online activities. The staff also participated in the European online workshops, classes and Satsangs. The teachers take care of the Centre during the summer. We have 4 online classes per week from Monday to Thursday. Girija is in Orleans until end of August. With best wishes for health and peace. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/geneva

Om Namah Sivaya. In July the Hochiminh Centre went through a lot of changes because of the Covid-19 ‘s reoccurrence in Vietnam.

The Hochiminh Centre remained closed in July. Because the Covid situation, Ho Chi Minh City was getting more serious. Hochiminh Centre continued all the online classes, well attended by our students. We started the Ayurveda online course, Level 2, taught by Shambu with a good number of students. Staff was very good with daily Sadhana practice and karma yoga. Senior staff held meetings with other directors from Dalat Ashram and Centres to update the news and programs to have a good supporting network. Last but not least,  staff continued joining online Satsang and classes with Swami Sitaramananda from Yoga farm, USA, and Swami Narayanananda from Dalat Ashram to keep on inspiration.

Hochiminh Centre was busy with a lot of different programs online. We started the new Yoga for cancer survivors online course taught by Daya Chaitanya with 15 students. This course was offered for free to help the Cancer patient who was suffering during Covid. Mahashakti also started the new Kriyas online workshop with a good number of attendants. A highlight was the busy weekend with lot of programs, such as online free Workshop of yoga correction of Ganga Chaitanya with 84 attendants; Yoga for stress release free introductory workshops with 170 students taught by Daya Chaitanya; Raja Yoga 4 day course and Satsang online taught by Swami Sitaramananda with 66 students. Besides teaching a lot of online classes, we also did Guru Purnima Puja to honour the blessing of our Guru. Staff also practiced weekly Bhavagad Gita chanting online together with staff from the other Centre in Hanoi and Dalat. We pray for everyone’s health and inspiration to keep practicing and teaching! May the Sivananda family worldwide be safe and continue the wonderful teachings, in all ways possible. Om.

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

Om Namah Sivaya. The London Centre is currently offer online classes and courses. 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.
Meanwhile in July the London Centre life continued, although the number of students remains low. However, some classes and activities attracted a relatively good number of students, like some of our online courses and particularly the Saturday morning asana class. Whoever comes here, whether punctually or regularly quite systematically come very happy, and leave the Centre very happy, so grateful to have this haven of peace and goodness from our Masters, near their home. 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. Blessed Sivananda Yoga Community, the Sivananda Yoga Centre in Los Angeles has reopened.

This challenging time is our opportunity to turn inward, deepen our practice and keep our community strong and healthy. Through Satsang and our collective positive thoughts, we support each other and the world. Visit our website for our online offerings: daily yoga classes, workshops and courses, plus Satsangs with Acharya Swami Sitaramananda. Boost your immune system by practicing all paths of Yoga; feel healthier and stronger in both body and mind. Meanwhile, we are combing through the reopening regulations for LA County “fitness Centres”, as we begin envisioning reopening  the LA Centre in the coming month or so.

In July the LA Centre work continued on the yoga deck in anticipation of a visit from Swami Sitaramananda, Swami Dharmananda and Mahalakshmi. Our 3-day weekend program “Five Tools to Rebuild Your Life” included 5 talks with Swami Sita and 3 asana classes with Swami Dharmananda, plus Satsang. Topics included: Prana, Positive Thinking, Adaptability, Detachment and Meditation. The talks were clear and insightful. Many Asian students joined online with translation. Pundit Samavedula and Pundit Mani Sharma performed a powerful Chandi Homa on the almost-completed deck to bless all to clear the energy of Covid and boost the energy of peace. A weekend asana class and Sunday evening Satsang were held on the deck as well. We finished a Sanskrit course and started a Mysteries of the Mind course. Longtime Sivananda friends Tara Durga Devi and Chandra visited the Centre for the first time. Mahadevika visited from the Yoga Farm to do Ayurvedic treatments at the LA Centre for a few weeks.

Third week in July saw our Rejuvenation Week came to an end with our last kitchari meal and then preparations for Guru Purnima Puja. Jai to the Gurus and their sound guidance. In the powerful afterglow of the Puja, a recent online TTC grad in attendance received mantra initiation. Weekend programs included a Self-Abhyanga Workshop with Mahadevika and a talk on the Sattva of Jupiter with Komilla Sutton. San Francisco teacher Lalitha visited the Centre for a day of karma yoga. Staff took Mahadevika on low-key outings to Griffith Park and the nearby Peace Labyrinth. It was a joy to have a few of our regulars back to Sunday evening Satsang—now on the new deck. We are very blessed. 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/

During the fourth week of the TTC, we were happy to receive Swami Sivadasananda for inspiring classes and Satsangs in the summer Ashram in Western Spain. About 28 teachers and guests arrived for a dynamic week full of activities and also 8 TTC online graduates came for the in person completion of their TTC. TTC students tuned very well to the change of energy and most of them received mantra initiation in a beautiful ceremony outdoors. Swamiji gave Satsang in the Madrid Centre. Close teachers and students were happy to join after so many months. The Satsang topic: Master of your destiny, came across well. Most stayed afterwards to meet and greet in the open air patio without the face mask. 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. Due to the unpredictability of the on-going Covid-19 pandemic situation we recommend you contact your local Centres and Ashrams directly for their latest update. Free online Yoga classes, courses and programs are always available during the Covid-19 pandemic. We look forward to having you at the Centre and practising together. Please familiarise yourself with these safety precautions at https://www.mohfw.gov.in We thank our Masters for all blessings and support bestowed. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/madurai

Om Namah Sivaya from the Montevideo Centre. During the month of July the Montevideo Centre’s activities continued to be very positive, both in person and online. Since the evolution of the pandemic is better controlled, we will increase the length of the
classes up to 1 hour 15 minutes. Teachers and students were happy with this. It was a little difficult, at the beginning for teachers to adapt to one hour class. We are planning by September to be with regular schedule.

Later in July we continued with our regular classes and workshops. We prepared our program for August with Buenos Aires Centre, Durga Devi and Dr.
Padma from Montevideo. We had a very nice Satsang online, led by Narayan from Brazil. It was very inspiring with lots of Kirtans and devotion. Vani Devi translated into Spanish. We celebrated Gurupurmina. Kanti Devi and Chandrashekar conducted the ceremony. Eliana, the secretary at Montevideo Centre, prepared the altar with lots of flowers. Kanti Devi talked about the auspicious day of Guru Purnima and focus on Gurudev’s teaching from his autobiography: The Need of a Guru. People felt very touched by this talk and tuned into his experience. Kanti Devi continued with the same book sharing Gurudev’s tours in India and Ceylon. He described all details, the effort and joy to share Divine knowledge. We saw how Swami Vishnudevananda had the inspiration, and he moved toward the spiritual path all of us. Pajña translated into Portuguese. We prayed 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 have an extensive lineup of online classes.
Visit https://sivanandacanada.org/montreal/class-schedule/
Visit https://sivanandacanada.org/montreal/Covid-19-19-regulations/ for more information. New to online yoga and practice? Use code: FREE7 at checkout to get 1 week of unlimited classes for free and take time out to rest, recover, and replenish with our virtual yoga classes! Sign up!

Throughout July we noticed many more students returning to the Centre. The classes at the park on Saturdays went very well. We continued to have online classes running in parallel to the onsite classes. Many students and teachers expressed that they are so grateful to be able to come to the Centre again. The Sunday Satsangs were also well attended. Swami Sankarananda coordinated the maintenance projects. Karma yogis were very happy to help 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. In July we started the second Beginners’ Yoga course since the reopening of the Centre. Every day regular students of the Munich Centre returned after the lockdown, telling us how happy they are that they can practice again with us here on site. Most of the participants had attended our free trial class the week before and are now very eager to learn more. We printed postcards with the schedule of our on-site classes on the frontside and our online-classes on the reverse side then asked our students to distribute these cards in shops, in their place of work etc. The result was a well attended yoga class the following Sunday afternoon. A number of teachers, students and also some newcomers joined us for the following evening Satsang. The spiritual highlight of July was the celebration of Swami Sivananda´s Mahasamadhi. We had a special evening Satsang with Guru Kirtans, tuning into Master’s sankalpa to spread and share the knowledge of Yoga.

Apart from the normal classes and courses we taught a weekend Beginners’ Yoga course to a very motivated group of students. They liked it very much and will continue with the second part of the course. We performed a beautiful Gurupoornima Puja for which we had also invited some close students and teachers. We were very happy to have Swami Durgananda with us. Swami took a lot of time to talk to the staff giving inspiration and guidance. Swami Sivadasananda also came to the Centre for one night on his way from the Retreat House in Reith/Tyrol/Austria to the TTC in Spain. We wish everyone health and inner strength. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/munich

Om Namah Sivaya from Manhattan. In mid July the New York Centre finally opened, although for only a very limited number of classes. To start off a new beginning we had a Puja on the 15th of July. It was conducted by Manoj Panigrah. He is the head priest of the Hindu Temple In the upstate area of New York State. He came with his lovely family for the celebrations. This was, of course, followed by a meal. Some of the regular teachers and Karma yogis had been invited to participate, It was a pretty good turnout. It was good to have such an auspicious start especially since we lost our dear pet cat Rama recently. He left us on the 23rd of June after being the longest serving staff member.

As July moved along the Centre continued to hold in-person classes in spite of a teacher and staff crunch. We were very grateful to the KarmaYogis and teachers (online as well as in person) who continued to support the Centre. The weather was surprisingly pleasant for July. Typically it can be quite hot at this time of year. We continued the tradition of weekly Pujas. A couple of devotees who live locally join in every Sunday. We successfully continued to teach online classes and courses in conjunction with the Ranch Ashram and Chicago Centre.

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. The Paris Centre is open. We continued to chant daily online the Om Namo Narayanaya for peace chant. We also chanted the mantra onsite with a group of students and karma yogis.

Life gave us festive mood in the July evenings with little courses and the open practice. For the evening Aratis we listened and chanted mantras for Siva on Mondays, the Hanuman Chalisa on Tuesdays and the Lailita Sahasranama on Fridays. We participated in the online Satsang Thursday evenings and to the online Puja Friday mornings. We enjoyed silent walks. The Fire of yoga on Saturday. During the week, staff enjoyed welcoming the students at the reception, teaching, cooking, chanting for peace and performing our daily duties. For the public Satsangs there were inspiring words of Master Sivananda on the topics of Gita, sincerity and sadhana. There was a festive mood before, during and after the Satsangs. We enjoyed chanting and meditating together. Swami Jyotirmayananda gave an inspiring Satsang, appreciated by everyone. The Centre was happy to welcome Vashista from Orleans to support the Centre for ten days. He started to get familiar with the rhythm of the Centre. Sivakami went home. The Centre will have new teachers. Durga Dev, Daya Devi and Jnaneshwari assisted the open classes. They were confident and precise. Ganga was on the journey of learning to play the harmonium. She got a new one and she’s learning fast. There was a positive thinking course and a workshop on how to control anger, with few students attending. Holidays were in the air as the students left Paris for the summer.

Mid month Life continued to give us an uplifting atmosphere with the Celebration of Gurupurnima and the visit of Swami Kailasananda for an evening Satsang. There was a workshop on concentration onsite and a meditation at the light of the Gita online course. The staff enjoyed teaching many small courses and classes. We also enjoyed teaching bigger classes and having good participation for the Satsangs. The daily chanting for peace was uplifting with the students online and a couple of karma yogis onsite. Vasishta was in tune with the rhythm of the Centre. He brought sweet bhakti mood and was of great help assisting in the reception, doing the daily accounts, assisting with many office projects, putting a dose of sattva into the house, cooking healthy food and preparing special Prasad. We celebrated a beautiful Gurupurnima day. We had Swamiji’s Puja in the morning. In the evening there was a special public Satsang with meditation, Jaya Ganesha, Deva Deva Sivananda Kirtan and Guru Stotra. We had also alternated with satchidananda Guru chanting, readings on the topic of Guru from Vishnudevananda Upadesha and Bliss Divine. Some close teachers were happy to read. After the Arati, we offered flowers to Masters Padukas while singing Guru Kirtans. Saraswati who came today from the Ashram chanted Jay Jay Gurudeva with bhava. The staff assisted with everything with joy and devotion. Everyone appreciated the opportunity to tune with the Masters and with the Guru within. In the evening we participated to the Gurupurnima’s online Satsang with Reith. We watched a video of the Master after the online Satsang. The next day we had the visit of Swami Kailasananda and our gurubais Parvati and Ganapati from Orleans. Swamiji gave an inspiring Satsang on the topic of mind from ‘Mind and its Mysteries’. Swamiji listened to all and worked on the boutique display. There was a cheerful mood after the Satsang. We were grateful to have Swamiji as our Acharya. There was a big family in the evening to eat the delicious snack prepared by Vasishta. The little cat Lila was also there. For the evening Aratis we continued to listen and chant mantras for Siva on Mondays, Hanuman Chalisa on Tuesdays and Lailita Sahasranama on Fridays and participate in the online Satsang Thursday evenings and to the online Puja Friday mornings. We enjoyed The Fire of yoga on the weekend. Life continued to offer sunny days. The plants continued to bloom as Ganga took good care of them. 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. In July we did some renovation in the reception area. We painted and decorated the walls with beautiful mandalas and Indian designs. Also the sitting area was renovated and a new tea corner was set. Swami Shambhu opened a new Bhagavad Gita course, on the ninth chapter. Bhargavi Chaitanya finished teaching a Raja Yoga course combining meditation practice and study of Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

By the third week in July Bhargavi Chaitanya opened a new Beginners’ Yoga course with 2 assistants. One of them, Or, has just finished the online teacher training course and was very happy to join a yoga course at the Centre. We put a lot of energy into promoting our program for the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Sivananda Centre in Israel. A big program of many special classes, performances, lectures and events was planned for August. We were very excited to welcome many students who have practiced in the Centre over the years. We continued to beautify our garden and the entrance of the Centre. We added a sound system at the entrance, so that everyone who comes close is welcomed with pleasant soothing music. We celebrated the Guru Poornima with a beautiful Puja, with some of the teachers arriving to the Centre and some joining us on Zoom. There were plenty of delicious prasads, beautiful kirtan and a lot of bhakti. May the Master’s grace be with all. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/telaviv

Om Namah Sivaya. The Tokyo Centre transitioned to the Shojiko Retreat Centre and teaching online classes. In July we virtually joined a special program in celebration of a reopening of the Los Angeles Centre which gave us an opportunity to listen to a talk by Swami Sitaramananda, along with Japanese translation service. The Sympathy Communication course, offered as 5 sessions, hosted by the DaLat Ashram in Vietnam was successfully completed. The students were immensely inspired, attentive and receptive to the teachings. We held a briefing session on the SYHET course starting in October and some students proceeded to signing up for the program. Online asana classes have been going very well.

Later in July the 4-day Raja Yoga course guided by Swami Sitaramananda at the Yoga Farm in California was held, joined by a large group of 68 attendees from Japan, Vietnam and US. We received positive feedbacks from many students that they were immensely inspired. The Sanskrit class by Vanidevi was given. Online asana classes have been going well with good number of students attending. May Master and Swamiji’s grace be with all. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi. Om.

http://www.sivananda.jp

Om Namah Sivaya. In July we continued to teach online as the Toronto Centre remained closed. We finished another Yoga 1 and Gentle yoga course. The Pranayama challenge had some enthusiastic early morning students. We were hoping to start Yoga in the Park. Our garden was bearing lovely tomatoes, oregano, basil and other nice gifts from Nature. Several karma yogis and teachers helped maintain the Centre’s outdoor.

We had a very nice group of Yoga 1 students finishing a course later in July and many continued to practice online, hoping that soon they would be able to join in person. The government announced stage 3 of reopening which allows Yoga Centres to open, following all the measures regarding social distancing, limited capacity etc. We planned to open gradually for some open classes. Some teachers were happy to teach at the Centre while some prefer to wait. Several karma yogis came to help clean up the Centre and do some small maintenance projects. The weather in Toronto was hot and humid mid July, regardless everyone was enjoying bright sunny days. We continued to also teach online, maintaining virtual contact with our students and teachers. 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. In early July the Trivandrum Centre remained closed, functioning online for our Sivananda community, offering many online classes until we open physically. We had a bit of relief from the heat as there was a good few rains. Our staff Mira went to the NeyyarDam Ashram for a few weeks. All is good at the Centre by gurus and gods grace.

By mid July we opened the Centre for people to assume their classes after nearly two month lockdown. Staff continued their Sadhana and duties. 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 around in the planet. Praying for world health and peace – OM NAMO NARAYANAYA. Please stay connected.

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/
During July the Vienna staff saw the first week of the summer vacation begin in Vienna. The Centre’s student count went up, mainly due to the drop in classes. Also the trial class was well visited. New students were registering for the next Yoga 1 courses. For July and until end of August the Centre will be reorganized. Inspired Karma Yogis freshly painted the new Temple room on the 3rd floor. Swami Narayanananda and Swami Karunananda arrived from Reith to support the Centre with the coming changes. The weather continued to be summerly hot.
The student count remained stable during the weeks of summer holidays. The Meditation 1 course finished with an inspired group of students and will continue in September. The online activities were still well appreciated. Highlight of July was the Gurupurnima celebration, some close teachers came to celebrate with the staff. The energy was powerful and uplifting, for the teachers it was the first Pooja in the Centre since a long time. Karma Yogis supported the Centre devotedly. Staff are well. We wish everyone health and inner strength. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vienna

Om Namah Sivaya. During July our Centre was open only four days because of a scheduled yoga retreat on 12-18 of July. Teachers were taking care and teaching the classes and courses. In the yoga retreat we had different programs, including special activities for the kids and Sivananda teacher’s weekend. The camp was successful in all respects: the asana lessons were led by the most experienced teachers of the Centre, the lecture series were dedicated to four classic yoga paths, and the topics were such that both beginners and yoga teachers had something to learn and learn in more depth. Satsangs with many Kirtans were strong energetically, also newcomers joined the chanting, and anyone willing had the opportunity to lead the Kirtan. We were very grateful that Swami Sivadasananda joined the retreat online and enriched our program with the inspiration, wisdom of the scriptures and his own experience. Swamiji gave a Satsang and lecture for all and a workshop for the teachers. The weather was especially warm – more than 30 degrees, but we were rescued by a large air-conditioned hall and a pond with running spring water. The food was a little too delicious for the yogis – lots of butter and sweets because the cooks were devotees of Krishna. After the camp we had a lot of good feedback, everyone was very happy and grateful. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vilnius