Sivananda Yoga FAQ Q 1: What are the marks of spiritual progress? A: Peace, cheerfulness, contentment, dispassion, fearlessness and an unperturbed state of mind under all conditions indicate that you are advancing in the spiritual path. Spiritual progress is not measured by Siddhis or powers, but only by the depth of your bliss in meditation. These are sure tests of your spiritual progress: • Is your interest in inner spiritual activity and outer Sadhana increasing day after day? • Does spiritual life mean to your consciousness a matter of great delight, a delight far [...]

Vegetarian Cuisine APPLESAUCE SPICE CAKE This cake is full of the spicy aromas and flavours of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, for a teatime cake that is simple to make and does not require hours of baking as traditional fruit cakes do. It can be served plain or covered with butter frosting. Serves 6-10 Ingredients: 3 eating apples ½ cup water 5 tablespoons honey or barley malt syrup 4 tablespoons butter melted, or oil 2 ½ cups whole wheat flour 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon sea salt 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground [...]

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. By the closing of February we had sunshine, melting snow and warmer days. We experienced a mild but rumbling earthquake on 22nd Feb. Nature and its magnificence can never stop amazing us. We had guests pouring in for the Shivaratri festival and the programs. We had over a 100 people for the Shivaratri celebrations, starting at 8pm on Friday the 21st Feb, continuing on till 6am the next morning. [...]

Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Zentrum, Berlin, Germany Om Namah Sivaya! In February several higher courses started, among them a Bhagavad Gita course and a Thought Power course 2. We celebrated Sivaratri with “Om Namah Sivaya” chanting plus, four Pujas throughout the night. A good group of students and teachers participated, helping create a very uplifted energy which could be felt during the whole following weekend in the Centre. We had a Beginners’ Yoga course start with a good group of students plus, many students for drop in [...]

Hatha Yoga Tip USTRASANA - CAMEL POSE - A backward bend - Beginner and intermediate level. Starting position: Kneel on mat , body straight up with knees and feet hip width apart. Feet point back. Breathe slowly and rhythmically. Arms hang loosely. Supporting the lower back with both hands, bend backward on an inhalation. Take head back first, then shoulders and chest, then the lower back. Keep supporting the lower back with elbows close together. Hold for up to 30 seconds breathing rhythmically . Either deepen the pose or come out of pose by [...]