Sivananda Yoga FAQ Q 1:  God is all-pervading formless Being. How can He be confined to an idol? What is the use of idol worship? A: The divinity of the all-pervading God is vibrant in every atom of creation. There is not a speck of space where He is not. Why do you then say that He is not the idols? The idol is a support for the neophyte. It is a prop of his spiritual childhood. A form or image is necessary for worship in the beginning. It is not possible for all [...]

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. With the beginning of April the weather kept warming up bringing with it more action and bigger waves of guests to the Ashram. We celebrated Lord Rama's birthday over a Puja, chanting for a long time "Sri Rama Jaya Ram, Jaya Jaya Ram Om" leaving us in a peaceful and meditative state. We continued the Silent Walks, Satsangs in Samadhi Estate and the guest programs. Kumari offered a program on Back [...]

Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Zentrum, Berlin, Germany Om Namah Sivaya! During the beginning of April we had a well visited advanced asana workshop, focusing on backward bends. Students were inspired to try the more advanced postures. The highlight was the diamond pose. Another highlight was the celebration of Ram Navami during the evening Satsang. The energy was strong, the Murthis were shining with very soft and positive energy. We also met at the Indian Embassy for the preparations of International Yoga Day. The Berlin Centre will [...]

Hatha Yoga CHILD’S POSE - BALASANA - Relaxing in a forward bend This pose stretches the back and muscles around the hips. The pose can be performed after back bends such as the cobra and locust where the muscles have been tightly contracted or after the headstand or half spinal twist. Begin from sitting on the heels and leaning forward until the forehead comes to rest on the floor. Extend arms in front palms down on the mat stretching the back forward away from the hips. Drop the hips down and ease them back [...]

Gurugram May 2017 | Preface Blessed Self, Om Namah Sivaya Two Brahmacharis were initiated into Sannyas at the Yoga Camp on 28th April 2017.  All eight EBM were present for the Homa and Mantra Diksha performed in front of the Gurus' statues in the Krishna Temple. The new Sannyasins are Swami Adi Parashaktiananda Saraswati (formerly Ananta Chaitanya from the Yoga Farm) and Swami SivaSankariananda Saraswati (formerly Sankari Chaitanya from San Francisco Center). Two dedicated staff members were also initiated into Brahmacharya. The new brahmacharis are Ganga Chaitanya (formerly Ganga from Ho Chi Minh Center) [...]