Hatha Yoga ANJANEYASANA - THE CRESCENT MOON A balance of weight on the back knee and front foot, with body emulating the shape of the crescent moon. You can practice this pose from early days of practice to increase your sense of balance and work on flexibility of back, hip flexors, thigh and chest expansion. In the regular pose, begin on knees, and take one foot forward between your hands, foot flat on mat. Then extend the other leg back, with knee on the mat. You can relax the back foot. The thigh is [...]

Vegetarian Cuisine PRUNE MOUSSE - A creamy simple dessert full of fibre. Prunes are an anti-oxidant superfood.  Another plus factor is that they do not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar levels and have a low glycemic index rating. Serves 4-6. Ingredients: 9 ounces dried prunes, pitted 1 cup water 1 tablespoon agar-agar flakes (for thickening) 1 tablespoon honey or date syrup 2 ¼ cups creamy plain yoghurt 1 teaspoon lemon juice ¼ cup chopped nuts to decorate Preparation: 1. Put the prunes and water in a pan and bring to boil, let [...]

Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Zentrum, Berlin, Germany Om Namah Sivaya. In early September students and teachers enjoyed the last summer days as still some classes could still be offered in the open air on the platform. One Y2 course and several higher courses started. The Centre celebrated Master’s birthday with a morning Puja, attended by a beautiful group of devoted students. A Meditation course was offered. Residents, Laura and Savitri, adapted nicely to the rhythm of the Centre and are of great support in the evening. [...]

Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashrams Sivananda Ashram Yoga Camp, Sivananda Headquarters, Val Morin, Quebec, Canada Om Namah Sivaya, Greetings from the Headquarters. Early September saw the Ashram’s maintenance staff working on cleaning up at the Subramanya Temple after the Labour Day long weekend, plus beginning various painting jobs. A lot of the guests checked out after the Labour Day long weekend, keeping the housekeeping team busy for a few days! We celebrated Master Sivananda's birthday with an Abhishekam by Master and Swamiji's statues. There were over 10 guests and some [...]

Sivananda Yoga FAQ Q 1: Can prayers cure diseases when doctors fail? Is it true that more things are wrought by prayers than the world could dream of? A: Doctors and medicines are only instruments in the hands of God. Unless God wills, none can cure, or get cured. Man should do his best, with initiative, enterprise and perseverance, but depend on God's grace for everything. To bear with suffering and accept it as a blessing of God in disguise is great wisdom. Prayer invokes the inner potentialities of the individual, which flow only [...]