Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Zentrum, Berlin, Germany Om Namah Sivaya! In March the Centre was closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. We started with online Yoga classes, via Zoom, together with Vienna, Munich and Reith and were very well received by the students. In the first week classes were all for free. Staff also started preparing renovation works in the Berlin Centre, freshly painting the interior walls. Every evening all staff participated at the online Satsang coming from the Seminar House in Reith, Austria. Each Satsang was [...]

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. In March the COVID related seclusion and lockdown has taken a new turn for us. We had only one guest staying with us. While she was here, she was given personalized attention and classes for asanas, philosophy, kirtan and any interaction she needed. She was attended by Jagadamba, Bhavana and Swami Vairagyananda for classes. Finally, the guest left promising to come back as soon as the Ashram reopens. Now [...]

Vegetarian Cuisine CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES These vegan 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 coconut oil • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1 to 2 tablespoons soy milk • Hot chocolate mix for coating Directions: 1. 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. 2. Chill until firm, then form [...]

Sivananda Yoga FAQ Q 1: What is Vairagya? A: Vairagya is the opposite of raga. It is dispassion or non attachment. It is indifference to sensual objects herein and hereafter. Vairagya thins out the fatty sensual mind. It turns the mind inward (antarmukh vritti). This is the most important qualification for an aspirant. It is the one and the only means to enter into nirvikalpa samadhi. There are four stages in vairagya: 1. Yatamanam. This is an attempt not to allow the mind to run into sensual grooves. 2. Vyatirekam. In this stage some [...]

Hatha Yoga Tip 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 [...]