Sivananda Yoga FAQ Q 1: Swamiji, how did Maya arise? A: This is an Ati-prasna or transcendental question. You will find this question coming up to your mind in various forms: When did Karma begin? When and why was the world created? Why is there evil in the world? Why did the Unmanifest manifest itself? And so on. The same question is asked by Rama in Yoga Vasishtha and Vasishtha says: "You are putting the cart before the horse. You will not be benefited by an enquiry into this question at all. Meditate and [...]

Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashrams Sivananda Ashram Yoga Camp, Val Morin, Quebec, Canada Om Namah Sivaya. The Yoga Camp Ashram closed from Sunday August 29 to Friday September 3, 2021. August was very inspiring and busy at the same time. Swami Sitaramanandaji visited the Ashram with Radha Chaitanya and Karuna Devi. Swamiji guided most of the 5 day retreat, leading the main lecture and evening Satsangs. We were very grateful for her inspiring visit. Guests and staff enjoyed all the aspects of the retreat especially the Satsangs outdoors around the Masters' statues. [...]

Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Zentrum, Berlin, Germany Om Namah Sivaya. The Berlin Centre was well visited in August. It became already a bit colder but students were still eager to practise outside in the garden. Satsangs were well received, teachers and students were happy to be back onsite. Everybody enjoyed the common chanting. A Yoga 2 course started with a good group of students. Satya went to Vienna to support the construction work in the Centre there. As August progressed classes and Satsangs continued to be [...]

Vegetarian Cuisine PRASAD - Sweet Poha – Serves 8-10 Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups thin beaten rice ¾ cup jaggery sugar 2 tsp water 1 cup grated coconut 2 tsp ghee 8-10 pieces cardamom 1 tsp white sesame seeds Preparation: Clean and sieve beaten rice to remove any powder. Crush the jaggery and set aside. Grate coconut and set aside. Dry roast sesame seeds in a skillet until they begin to sputter. Place a wide-bottomed vessel on the stove and add 2 teaspoons of ghee to melt. Add jaggery with the 2 teaspoons of water. [...]

Hatha Yoga Tip YOGA MUDRA - Lotus Position with Forward Bend Sit on a blanket. Form a foot lock as in lotus position. Fold palms of the hands and place them in between the heels and abdomen. Exhale and slowly bend forward from the hips, slowly bringing the forehead to the floor. Remain in this posture for 10 seconds. Inhale and return up to sitting position. Repeat this posture for 6 times. Variation is to fold arms behind back, opposite fingers clasping big toes of opposite feet, inhaling, exhaling then forward bend. Benefits: Tones [...]

Gurugram September 2021| Preface Om Namah Sivaya Blessed Self Greetings from all staff in the Sivananda Centres and Ashrams! Over the past few months of 2021 many TTC/ATTC teachers’ training courses and guest Yoga Vacation programs blossomed on site in many of our Ashrams while others, regulated by Covid-19 protocols, continued with the popular online versions of the same. As we turn to September in the Northern Hemisphere, the Summer holidays come to an end and the energy shifts to returning to work and starting of school. The Southern Hemisphere transitions to summer activities [...]