Hatha Yoga MAYURASANA - Peacock - Intermediate Level While in this pose the body resembles a peacock with its feathers spread out behind. Mayurasana is a balancing posture. Start in a kneeling position, then move your knees apart. Place your arms between your legs, bringing your elbows in close together and into your abdomen. Next, lay your hands flat on the floor, with your wrists together and your fingers pointing back toward your feet. Starting Pose: sit on your heels with your knees wide apart. Keep your hands directly under your abdomen. Lean forward, [...]

Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Zentrum, Berlin, Germany Om Namah Sivaya! Courses and classes were good. Several higher courses started, students were happy about this option of regular practice. The first highlight was a well visited further training for Yoga Teachers with a good group of inspired teachers from several cities in Northern Germany and Centre teachers. The topic was going deeper into the art of correcting Asanas by a closer understanding of underlying anatomic structures. The day was completed with a Satsang on an article on [...]

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. The month of July began with our summer season well underway! With the start of our 2 week Yoga Vacation, TTC, and Kids Camp the Ashram was full. There was much energy and movement with everything running smoothly. On top of the high number of guest and student arrivals, we had the pleasure of welcoming back some special guests as well. Swami Rajesharanandaji arrived from Rome to visit us for [...]

Sivananda Yoga FAQ Q 1:  I have been reading the Upanishads and other scriptures and I find one and the same thing in all of them. They say that everything we come across is unreal, only God is real and that we have to think and understand the Truth by ourselves. How are we to do it, Swamiji? A: Reading will help you only to a certain extent. Too much reading will land you in confusion. You should meditate and concentrate on one particular idea. That particular idea should serve as the eye-opener. Then [...]

Vegetarian Cuisine CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES These truffles are the perfect Prasad. Makes 20 large or 40 small. Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups confectioners sugar 1/2 cup chopped nuts 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 4 tablespoons margarine 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 to 2 tablespoons soy milk Hot chocolate mix for coating Directions: Combine the confectioners sugar, chopped nuts, cocoa powder, margarine, and vanilla extract in a bowl. Slowly add the soy milk; the mixture should be sticky, but not runny. Chill until firm, then form the mixture into small balls. Coat with the hot chocolate mix [...]