Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres

Om Namah Sivaya. We had two powerful Pujas for Swami Vishnudevanandas Mahasamadi with a small but dedicated group of close students. The energy was uplifted and radiating in the whole Centre. Several courses started, a raja Yoga course, Yoga 1 and several higher courses. The reconstruction works went on successfully, we started to paint the ground floor and the creamy white new colour is brilliant and response from students is very positive. Saturday was again Karma Yoga day and we finished the preparation of the walls for painting in the new rooms. We concluded the week with a well visited Satsang and Sunday prayers. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/berlin

Om Namah Sivaya. Prem & Om to all.

http://www.sivananda.org/baires

Om Namah Sivaya. In early November we had five more people signed up as members. The activities were a little slow due to the season and the fact we are still fairly new. So staff and Karma Yogis worked together to put our names on various mapping/listing services online. Sundari hosted a teachers’ meeting to review common issues the karma yoga teachers often encounter in their classes. Vidya Devi, who graduated from 2015 Vietnam TTC, came to give a class to staff at the Centre and it went very well. One Sunday, we had a small Satsang with a few recent TTC graduates and two members. Everyone was inspired by what Swami Sivananda said about peace, reflecting on what happened in Paris earlier this month.

During mid-November we had three more members join the Centre. The weekdays were a little slow with a few regular members coming to take the hatha yoga classes, but more new faces come to check the Centre out. We had an eventful weekend, with Sundari teaching a well attended gentle yoga workshop. Then we welcomed Jyoti from Hong Kong to share how aromatherapy can aid different aspects of yoga life. We closed the weekend with a joyful Satsang. May the world be filled with peace and love. Prem & Om to all.

Om Namah Sivaya to all Blessed Selves from the Chennai Centre. In early November we started beginners’ course with a good number of students. It continued to pour heavily as well with most of the areas around are flooded. We were seeing lesser students because of the inconvenience caused by the rain throughout Chennai. Students were not able to reach the Centre on time for classes due to heavy rains. We also experienced long power cuts since the electricity wires burned out and took a long time to get fixed. Apart from that, all is good. On the 9th, we celebrated Swamiji’s Mahasamadhi with a Guru Pooja. Most of our teachers and students joined in to receive his blessings.

During mid-November we started off by doing Ganapathi Homa with some of our students joined in. It continued to pour heavily at an alarming rate, making things more difficult, as a result there is a huge drop in the students’ number. The Centre was surrounded by water with too many mosquitoes around the kitchen area. We considered moving the furniture from the back building if things don’t get better. With the blessings of God and Masters, everything was fine here. Hope all things are good on your side. Sending Pranams to the Sivananda family.

http://www.sivananda.org/madras

Om Namah Sivaya. In early November by the Grace of the Gurus all continued well. We started with Puja in honour of Swamiji’s Mahasamadhi and a special Satsang and Puja for Diwali and Swamiji’s Jalasamadhi. The Positive Thinking and Meditation course continued well, and the Yoga 1 and Yoga 2 courses came to a finish. We had a Sattvic Sweets cooking workshop. Kamala Chaitanya left for the Camp to assist TTC. We thanked her for her service and Sadhana here, look forward to seeing her back at the Ranch at in the New Year and pray that Master and Swamiji continued to protect and guide her always. There were several days of raw, windy weather, immediately followed by sunny, beautiful spring-like days, and attendance seemed to go up and down with the temperatures. We were grateful for the continuing rich harvest of greens from the garden and for all the blessings of this life.

During mid-November all continued steadily, with very healthy attendance, in spite of the first truly wintry weather of the season. A new fully registered Yoga 1 course started on Tuesdays, as well as Yoga 2 on Wednesdays. Our resident, Hari, left to visit family and then will move into a vegetarian co-op in the neighborhood. We thanked him for his good company and contribution, praying the Gurus continue to guide and protect him, and hope that he will continue to be a presence around the Centre. Long-time teacher Radha (Gloria McCartney) led one of our Sunday-evening Satsangs and speaking on gratitude as Americans prepared for the Thanksgiving holiday. We gave thanks for our abundant blessings and for our whole Sivananda family. We felt great gratitude for the guidance and protections of the Gurus. Staff were well and send pranams to all. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

http://www.sivananda.org/chicago

Om Namah Sivaya. In early November one resident left and one new residents came. The house was calm and peaceful with six residents and three staff members. Open classes were almost full of residents and students. many maintenance projects has been done by a male karma yogi from Ho Chi Minh. Saraswati, the director of the Centre, went to Ha Noi to celebrate the Opening of the affiliated Sivananda Yoga Centre in HaNoi – the third Sivananda Centre in Vietnam. Guru’s grace is always with us. Pranams to all Sivananda Staff. Om.

https://sivanandayogavietnam.org

Om Namah Sivaya. In early November everybody was doing well here, guided by the Divine Grace and Gurus’ blessings. We started with the Swami Vishnu’s Mahasamadhi day. We had special Puja and Havan. We chanted “Om Namo Narayanaya” with our students and teachers. We then celebrated Diwali with a nice Puja for Devi. We had two special classes that day and gave gulabjamon to the soudants, made by our teacher Anilji. We had good number of students in both open classes and in beginners’ class. We prayed for peace and happiness for everybody out there. We hope all the Sivananda family are happy and doing well. Sending all our love and wishes. Pranams. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/dwarka

Om Namo Narayanaya. In early November the Diwali week started with an auspicious day on 9th Nov. The staffs & few students attended when a priest performed a Guru Pada Puja in remembrance of Swami Vishnudevananda’s Maha Samadhi. Although our Master is always in our thought, in a special day like this helps us to strengthen our connection and get blessings from the Guru. Then we held Swamiji’s Jala Samadhi and a Diwali celebration spirit. We had a special Satsang chanting Gurus Bhajans and Om Namo Narayanaya in the morning. As a Sivananda family we gathered together for special feast in morning, lit lamps to invite Goddess Lakshmi, chanted Shri Lalita Sahasranama and played with crackers by evening in celebration of Diwali. The usual Sunday Satsangs were conducted to uplift ourselves, praying for all and to maintain the Centre’s positive energy. Due to holidays, the income and number of students reduced for a short period of time.

During mid-November, with the Grace of the Masters, we started a Beginner’s course at 10:00am. We conducted a private class for a group of 16 peoples on the same day. We were happy to receive Kapoorji, returning from Madurai after the Oct-Nov 2015 TTC. He was with us until he returned to Madurai for Nov-Dec TTC. We started a private class for a group of 4 people from Switzerland one Saturday. We were teaching them a Beginner’s and a Meditation course. The winter already started in Delhi and so prepared ourselves for the season. Sunday Satsangs were conducted, motivating and energizing as usual. With the blessing of the Gurus everything is going well at the Centre.

http://www.sivananda.org/delhi

In early November the Centre was in tranquility as our practitioners had taken some time out of Yoga practice to celebrate Diwali, evident in the income and student numbers of that week. We could then have some time for ourselves in the festive week and also enormous chanting of peace mantra on Swamiji’s Mahasamadhi day and Jalasamadhi day. On that note we extended our gratitude to the Gentle Yoga practitioners who actually showed up every other morning with glowing faces and always with guardian like affection to all of us. We had finished an evening beginner batch and a meditation course. The modifications we expected to have on the compound wall could not progress as our resource person, Balaji, had their business affected in the heavy rain battered in Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu. We wished a speedy recovery for all from any loss. We waited for Kapoor ji return to guide us on altering the operating cycle according to the real time situations.

During mid-November we hosted the visit of a nice bunch of Sadhakas and Sanyasins of ISYV family, after Rudraprayag TTC. Kapoor ji had also visited us many times, boosting our activities here. Our new altered class schedule for this winter commenced on the 23rd of November until the end of March. Our practitioners were readily informed of the time changes. With Guru’s blessings, open sessions and Gentle Yoga sessions went well. We are looking forward to have Milan with us soon! Pranams.

Om Namah Sivaya. Courses and classes continued with good attendance. Sundari arrived from Paris to support the Centre. We had a nice open day with a many students completely new to yoga but very open and seriously interested. A spiritual highlight was a beautiful Deewali Puja where we received lovely flowers for the altar which is still shining and full of prana. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/geneva

Om Namah Sivaya. In early November Swami Pranavananda, Ganga, and Saraswati (Dalat Centre) and outside teacher Mary all went to Hanoi to help inaugurate a new Sivananda Affiliated Yoga Centre. The Centre was actually the second one opened in Hanoi by a close teacher and Karma Yogi Sundari. Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, a huge city in the north, two hours by plane from Ho Chi Minh City, and the new Centre will be very important for introducing Yoga and inspiring people to join the TTC and other courses and retreats offered in Dalat.  About 80 people attended the opening ceremony which included well-received words of welcome by Sundari, who explained the purpose of the Centre and why Hanoi needs the Classical Yoga Teachings.  There were many students, teachers and Karma Yogis, and also many new people, and some were not able to attend as the room cannot hold more people!  We had a nice Puja with beautiful large white marble murthis and lively chanting by all.  In the Ho Chi Minh Centre we had a wonderful celebration of Swami Vishnudevanandaji’s Mahasamadhi with a Puja attended by 15 students.  We started a Meditation course with three students, and had two workshops, one on Nutrition taught by Narayan with 11 students, and one on Anatomy taught by Rama with 12 students. Yoga 1 and Yoga 2 courses finished this week. The staff were doing well and happy, with Guru’s Grace, sending their pranams to all. Pranams.

https://sivanandayogavietnam.org/ho-chi-minh-center/

Om Namah Sivaya. In early November there was a very positive mini-retreat in the London Centre for a weekend which included a Level 1 Intensive and a 2-day course entitled How to Boost your Immune System for the Winter through Ayurveda with Angela Hope-Murray. Both programmes attracted several new and enthusiastic students, and others who are known to the Centre but live further afield. All took the opportunity to spend the weekend practicing yoga and studying Ayurveda. Participants were very inspired by the informative lectures and the Ayurveda cooking workshop. There was an air of joy in the Centre throughout the weekend. The energy of the Centre was further uplifted by two evening Pujas for the Mahasamadhi of Swamiji and for Deevali.  The brightly illuminated altar with Deevali lamps and candles radiated a very peaceful energy which could be felt throughout the Centre. OM & Prem to All.

http://www.sivananda.org/london

Om Namo Narayanaya! In early November we did a Puja to celebrate Diwali and Swamiji’s Jala-samadhi day. The altar was very beautiful with divya lamps everywhere. A new Yoga One course started on Tuesdays with enthusiastic students ready to receive Swamiji’s teaching. Yoga Two on Monday evenings and Meditation One on Sunday mornings continued smoothly. Swami Omkarananda hosted a movie night one Saturday at the Centre. Sunday we all gathered to chant Sunday Prayers together and met some friends visiting the Centre for their first time.

During mid-November it was a warm and sunny week at the Centre, both the weather and in our hearts. Swami Ramananda, of Integral Yoga, spoke at a Satsang about The Power of Love for Healing and Transformation, giving us practical methods to cultivate compassion in daily life. Swami Narayanananda came to visit from the Ashram and gave two workshops. Students learned about the nature of thoughts, what are positive thoughts and introduced us to the practice of Bhakti Yoga. During a Sunday Satsang Swamiji concluded with a talk on Building Relationships with Compassionate Communication – applying the teachings of Yoga to overcome common emotional difficulties. We prepared to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with positivity and melting hearts. The Staff send their Pranams. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/la

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed Selves! This month the Centre saw a lot of movement both in terms of visitors and staffs as well as of activities. We took the opportunity to clear out space, giving away old things, relocating house and altar storage and making available the use of a third small kitchen which is now used for prasad, altar and special programs. The new asana room, which is now called ´Ganesha´, has been much enjoyed by the students. Staffs Ishwara from Vilnius and Ishwari fromVienna arrived to support the Centre. In mid November we were happy to have the visit of Marilyn Rossner and Sister Leona. Marilyn took the time to speak to the staffs and gave an inspiring Satsang with many stories of Swamiji and his Peace mission. Swami Sivadasananda arrived for the special weekend festival – “Connect with the source” – and stayed with us for nearly one week. The festival program started with a highly interesting talk on the spirituality in today´s world by book author Emilio Carillo, drawing many people to the Centre. Swami Sivadasanda gave very inspiring workshops and Satsangs, and further inspiring lectures and classes were given by Lakshmi and Gopala. The program also included a teachers meeting. The festival was very well attended, prana was high and vibrant and everyone felt uplifted and inspired. Preparations for the Christmas play have begun and rehearsals will commence soon. Seven graduates from the last TTC Aluenda have started teaching. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/madrid

Om Namah Sivaya. During mid-November we started with lots of activity in regular classes. Students and several teachers continued rehearsal the songs for Christmas Satsang, as well as the advance students for asanas demonstration. Kanti Devi traveled to Spain and Israel so as to be at the EBM meeting. Chandra traveled to Brazil. On Saturday 21st November we had the Open House Day with a good number of people and visiting and registering for the Beginners Courses. The rest of the activities developed normally. The Staff convey their Pranams to all. Om Shanti!!

http://www.sivananda.org/madurai

Om Namah Sivaya and Om Namo Narayanaya to the Sivananda family.

Om Namah Sivaya! In early November we started with excellent climate. The days were very nice and spring like. Some students practiced advanced asanas and others began singing in the choir so as to be present at the Year End party. A Beginners Course started, with lots of energy. We did a Pooja so as to celebrate Swami VishnuDevananda’s Mahasamadhi. We also had a beautiful Diwali ceremony. The Centre was recharged with energy. We lit every corner of the house. Teachers and students loved the celebrations.

During mid-November it was busy at the Centre with a few painting and cleaning projects. Gita spent a week at the Ashram, enjoying the Satsang and the energy of the TTC before she left back to Mexico. Durga Devi helped paint the staff rooms. They are now bright and warm shades of yellow and orange. Another karma yogi, Sophie, spent a week working on the Centre’s brochure. Kamala Chaitanya for a weekend at the Centre. Pierre conducted a mala workshop which was attended by seven students who were extremely pleased with what they had learned from him. Sunday morning was lively as always, we had 16 kids for the kids class, which has now been divided into two age groups. Kamala Chaitanya taught the asana class with special emphasis on stretching the shoulders, and led the Satsang with a spirited talk on the ‘importance of giving’. The classes and courses continue to run smoothly and the students help in keeping up the energy of the Centre and the teachings of Master and Swamiji. Pranams to all!

http://www.sivananda.org/montevideo

Om Namah Sivaya. Greetings from Montreal. Early November was exciting and full of energy. We did Puja for Swamiji’s Mahasamadhi, with 4 students joining us. We also started one of the biggest groups we have had for Yoga 1, with 14 eager students who brought in new energy to the Centre. We prepared the Centre for Diwali by cleaning the whole Centre, decorating it with lamps and sarees, giving it a very festive Indian feeling. A lot of karma yogis helped in setting up the Centre. Sashi and Sivaram attended the Puja for Swamiji’s Jalasamadhi and stayed after to make their special banana kesari for the big Diwali feast. Diwali was a huge success with over 200 people at the Centre!! Swam Shivabhaktananda arrived with all the Ashram staff, the priests Harisha and Manjunath. It was bright and colourful as all the students are teachers were requested not to wear black or grey! Many brought along their family and friends, making it feel very much like little India. Albert with his wife, devotees from the Temple, cooked delicious Indian food for the feast. There were many new faces, and a large number of Indians. The wonderful karma yogis from the Centre and staff stayed after to help with the clean up. Many students and teachers expressed their gratitude for the celebration. Nirmala came to stay at the Centre for a weekend to manage the classes and workshops as Gita and Nikhila went to the Ashram for the Temple closing, along with 6 students from the Centre who signed up to do karma yoga at the Ashram. Sunday night we did a special Satsang, talking on ‘Raising the Level of Consciousness’ and Likita Japa. All students kept in mind the tragic events taking place around the world and those in need of positivity and love. The papers with ‘Om Namo Narayanaya’ were collected and will be sent in May 2016 to the Peace Bank in India. Classes and courses continued to run smoothly. There were only a few workshops left for the year. We worked on completing the program and brochure for 2016. Students, teachers and karma yogis continued to support the Centre and inspire the staff. We are ever grateful for Master and Swamiji, and hope they continue to guide us with their blessing. We are ever grateful for Master and Swamijis grace. Om Namo Narayanaya. Pranams from Montreal.

http://www.sivananda.org/montreal

Om Namah Sivaya. Some of the special events in the last weeks were a Yoga Day on the topic “Prana and Pranayama – the Art of Breathing” and a further teachers training day with the title “The Power of Asanas”. We also started the second part of the Raja Yoga course “Mind and Evolution” and an Meditation course 4 with the topic obstacles for meditation and how to overcome them. We also had the Ayurveda and Nutrition special program with Ayurveda Acharya Shanti Kumar Kamlesh with a lecture about Ayurvedic spices and a big Ayurvedic cooking class. We celebrated the spiritual festivals of Divali and  Swami Vishnudevananda´s mahasamadhi with Pujas. On Sunday 6 December we will have a yoga day with the title „Yoga and Deep Relaxation“. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/munich

Om Namah Sivaya! Early November the Centre filled with a variety of different classes. We had 2 FIT College groups join us for a 75 minute asana class followed by a vegetarian meal enjoyed by all! We also had one FIT group, so it was a nice change to the regular schedule and wonderful to have college students exposed to the Centre. We had a special Satsang for Diwali where we had a Lakshmi Puja. It was a really beautiful celebration since we lit up the Centre with tea lights and put up a few decorations, so it felt very festive. Everyone was really joyful and full of positive energy. We also had some staff from the Ranch join us for a special staff Indian Feast cooked by Neeti, which of course everyone loved! As for courses, we started Yoga 1 Beginners course and we also had the final Positive Thinking class. We had a deaf yoga class, which is always a really nice addition to our regular Saturday schedule. Some of the students stayed to eat afterwards. It was great to have them join us for lunch!

Mid-November was eventful beginning with Yoga 1 and Yoga 2 on Mondays, which both went really well. Neeti went to the Ranch and led a workshop on Indian cooking, which was enjoyed by all who participated. We definitely missed her cooking while she was away! Srinivasan and Saraswati came to the Centre from the Ranch for our annual Thanksgiving Celebration. We had a very nice and productive evening while preparing decorations for the event (including Rama the cat who discovered a ball of cord and a bag he enjoyed hiding in). One of our senior teachers arrived in the afternoon to prepare her food for the Thanksgiving feast, which was amazing! Her tempeh was a hit! We had a beautiful Thanksgiving celebration, where some staff from the Ranch joined us, including Neeti who came back from a hardworking weekend leading her cooking workshop. We were very grateful for all the help we had preparing for this wonderful day, especially from all the dedicated Karma Yogis and Teachers who worked so hard in the kitchen preparing the delicious Thanksgiving feast! We were blessed to have Srinivasan lead the Satsang and speak about gratitude for Thanksgiving, where we had almost 90 people attend! Everyone felt very joyful and grateful to be apart of the celebration. We also had many people help us clean up at the end of the evening and we sure couldn’t have done it without all of the hardworking teachers, karma yogis and staff! All the Staff are well and send their pranams. With Guru’s grace, we are blessed and inspired to carrying on his peace mission.

http://www.sivananda.org/ny

Om Namah Sivaya. May God bless Paris with peace. On Friday the 13th of November the city was shaken by a series of terrorist attacks as you all know, leaving over a hundred people dead and several hundred injured. One week after the event, we had a beautiful Celebration of Peace day. Many students came to take classes and to participate in the chanting and the Likhita japa of OM Namo Narayanaya. We received e-mails and calls of some people who couldn’t come but who wanted to express their solidarity saying that their hearts were with us. During the Evening Satsang we had the Video «In the Name of peace”. Everyone felt inspired and recharged. May Swamiji’s peace mission and the message of unity in diversity continue to spread all over the world. This month we had the inspiring celebrations of Navaratri, the Mahasamadhi and the Jalasamadhi of Swami Vishnudevananda which were celebrated with Pujas. The priest Kumara Swami was there for almost all the Pujas of the Divine Mother. high light of the week was the beautiful Celebration of the peace day on Saturday. Many students came to take classes and to participate to the chanting and the Likhita japa of OM Namo Narayanaya. We received e-mails and calls of some people who couldn’t come but who wanted to express their solidarity saying that their hearts were with us. During the Evening Satsang we had the Video «In the Name of peace”. Everyone felt inspired and recharged. May Swamiji’s peace mission and the message of unity in diversity continue to spread all over the world. We did one minute of Silence at 12pm as recommended by the French Governement with staff and students for the victims and the families of the attacks.
On Tuesday, the Centre was happy to welcome Swami Kailasananda and Sudha who came back from India. Swamiji gave an uplifting programme on Wednesday. 82 people came to the Satsang to listen to the message of the Masters of hope and peace.
Thursday was a day of departures. Swami Kailasananda left in the afternoon to Orleans. Narayani went also to the Ashram for a few days. Vishnu went to London for two weeks.
During the week, the swamis put some prana on the preparetion of the budget.
On Friday, there was a cheerful atmosphere with the departure of the yogibus to Orleans. The new TTC’s seem friendly and calm. On Sunday, the first rehearsal of the Christmas play took place. We enjoyed it and we found many ideas for the staging of the play. Swami Kailasananda and Sudha went to Rudraprayag for 5 weeks. Many karma yogis and teachers supported the Centre in their absence and thanks to them, it ran smoothly. Everyone appreciated the asana class and the Satsang given by Swami Kailasananda on November the 18th . In the evening of that day, 82 people came to listen to the message of the Masters of hope and peace. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/paris

Om Namah Sivaya from Brasil. In early November we had the Swamiji celebration with a Puja for the Mahasamadhi and Jalasamadhi. We finished a Yoga 2 Course. Diwali was celebrated during the Friday Satsang and on Sunday we had a delicious vegetarian cooking course.

During mid-November we finished a problem that occurred on the sewer system. We organized the garden. Caue a karma yogi, arrived and helped at reception, cleaning and shopping. Chandra arrived at the same day to help for Garopaba TTC and teaching. Pranams to the Sivananda Family.

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed selves. In early November two courses of Yoga 1 and one Yoga 2 started. One Saturday we had special workshop on Sun Salutation, with Swami Sankarananda, a few people from outside participated in the program We welcomed Markandeya, a teacher from Milan, who helped at the Centre a few weeks while Swami Rajeshwarananda helps during TTC in HQ. Om Shanti to the Sivananda Family from the Rome Centre.

http://www.sivananda.org/rome

Om Namo Narayanaya, Blessed Selves. In early November our Puja for Swami Vishnudevananda’s Mahasamadhi ended auspiciously with a clap of thunder and some much needed rain! We offered a well-received workshop on alignment in asanas, basically anatomy in movement. On Tuesday, to celebrate South Indian Diwali, a student made a beautiful five-petaled rangoli of flowers and tea lights and we read the story of Krishna defeating Naraka. The Centre staff plus 7 students drove to the Yoga Farm for a 24-hour visit for their Diwali celebration on Wednesday. We started a Yoga 1 with 5 students on Thursday. We offered a Community Class on Saturday afternoon and hosted Hasu Patel and Samrat Kakerri for a wonderful concert attended by 30 guests.

During mid-November our Satsang was powerful with six of us in attendance, all fond of chanting. The energy was so elevated, we continued chanting after arati. The highlight of the week was the weekend program on the Bhagavad Gita with Swami Jnaneswariananda. After an overview, she focussed on Chapter 2, concluding that we cannot avoid the battle with the inner foe, the mind. We think we’ve surrendered, but deep down, we still think we know best. Pranams to all from the new San Francisco Centre.

Om Namah sivaya. In early November we celebrated Swami Vidhnu Devananda’s Mahasamadhi and Jala Samadhi. Many devotees joined us for the Satsang and Puja during which Swami Swaroopananda shared with us many inspiring stories about Swami Vishnudevananda and the time he was personally guided by him. The Centre was also abundant with many new courses that started with very nice numbers. The Meditation course started with 15 participants. The Positive Visualization course opened with 13 students, and to the Karma Yoga workshop 11 students. 21 students joined our Cultivating Will Power workshop and 16 joined the Positive thinking course.

During mid-November we completed the work on the January-June 2016 brochure, providing both an exciting and inspiring series of programs. The graphic design came out really impressive. A new Yoga For Children, a training program for teachers, started with 8 participants. Advanced Indian-Yogic cooking workshop started with eight students. We traveled to our new Ashram in Mata to celebrate their 1st anniversary. The place really evolved beautifully during the past year. We all wished them many more years of success on the spiritual and material levels. Blessings of Peace to all the Sivananda Family.

http://www.sivananda.org/telaviv

Om Namah Sivaya. In early November we performed special Puja for the memorial of Swami Vishnudevananda’s Jalasamadhi, and also cerebrated Diwali. The altar on the ground floor as well as the entrance to the Centre were displayed with a lot of candles and gave a surprise to the students. Yoga 1 course started on Fridays with 8 students. We had a briefing session of the upcoming TTC and other courses, both in India and in Vietnam. 14 students attended the session and posed various questions on TTC, ATTC and Sadhana Intensive. We were surprised to hear some of them came all the way from Osaka.

During mid-November the temperatures dropped and rainy days continued. A 2-day workshop on Ayurveda started with 34 students. Most of the students never studied Ayurveda before and they were listening the lecture by Annapurna Tamiko with enthusiasm. Om and Prem to all the Sivananda family. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

http://www.sivananda.jp

Om Namah Sivaya. In early November regular classes and courses continued, along with the workshop on Managing Anxiety with Yoga. Most of our time was focused on the fundraiser, organized for Doctors Without Borders, specifically for their work with Syrian refugees in the refugee camps, sea rescue missions and within Syria. We had a dinner and music accompaniment, attended by around fifty students. The Centre organized a full day event “Trek the Yogic Path” that started at 6 am with meditation and continued throughout the day with classes and workshops for all levels as well as snacks and tea for those who attended. The day concluded with a Satsang, a concert featuring 3 local music bands and a dinner attended by over hundred people. Our fundraising goal was already doubled after accepting contributions until Nov 23rd. All karma yogis came together in a spirit of service and the energy at the Centre was very uplifting.

During mid-November we started with a new Y1 and Y2. Then Saraswati started a new meditation course, with 25 students. Open classes continued to have strong attendance. We focused on organizing a Yoga Retreat with Prahlada, located outside of Toronto. We had 45 students (fully packed) attending, many were new to or those who live far from the Centre. The students enjoyed morning and evening Satsangs as well as beginner and advanced classes. Several workshops and nature walks were offered through the day. Our team of karma yogis cooked all the meals that even those new to vegetarian diet appreciated the food greatly. All left recharged and inspired by Master’s and Swamiji’s teachings. Pranams to all.

http://www.sivananda.org/toronto

Om Namah Sivaya. In early November a special Pooja was conducted on Swami Vishnudevananda’s Mahasamadhi day. Around 60 people attended the Pooja. We had provided breakfast to the guests. With the blessings of God and revered Gurus we had started a Beginners’ batch for ladies in the mornings and a mixed Beginners’ batch in the evenings, with good number of students. Open, Gentle and Kids classes went well. A new cleaning staff member, Bindu, joined the Centre. We celebrated Deepavali, the festival of lights. We had burst crackers in the evening after the yoga class. On Fridays, as usual we had conducted Lalitha Sahasra Nama Pooja. One Saturday students were introduced to the practices of Jala Neti and Sutra Neti in a Kriya Workshop. The Director Rajesh came back from the Neyyar Dam Ashram. Satsang was led by Rajesh.

During mid-November our current morning Beginners’ batch successfully completed the course. All other classes went well. We had conducted Ganapathy Homa as the first day of the new Malayalam month. Our karma yogi, Sreejith, returned after successfully completing his TTC. Lalitha Sahasra Nama Pooja was conducted on Fridays. Karma yogi Shyam went home for a few days. Sw. Govindananda ji led the Sunday Satsang. Pranams to all. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

http://www.sivananda.org/trivandrum

Om Namah Sivaya. November began with an inspiring special program with Shanti Kumar Kamlesh on Ayurveda. Many students came for his two lectures and especially also for the cooking course on Saturday. Everybody got inspired to take better care in regard to a healthier diet. Many visitors came to our Open House this month. All participants followed the program with high interest. Another highlight were the Poojas for Swami Vishnudevanandas Mahasamadhi and for Diwali. For Swami Vishnudevanandas Mahasamadhi a group of inspired teachers and students came to share the energy of the early morning Pooja with the staff. On Diwali Pooja the Temple room was beautifully decorated with an abundance of candle lights. Many students and teachers attended the celebration with its strong and clear energy. Many courses started again, among them a Yoga 40 and a Yoga 79. We had a successful TTC prep seminar and began with our first rehearsal for this year’s Christmas theater play. Mira from Reith came to support the Centre, as Gopika Chaitanya had left the Centre for teaching at a temporary resort in Mittersill in the Tyrolean Alps, together with Swami Vidyananda. The seminar on Yoga for the back attracted students, most of which participated the whole day to receive knowledge and inspiration for their own practice. We started planning the new Centre brochure and again many Karma Yogis supported the Centre – also with poster runs. OM.

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Om Namah Sivaya. Early November was inspiring and active. The attendance for all courses and classes was much better than usual. A Beginners’ course started with a good number of students, as well as the Meditation Experience course. One Saturday we had a cooking course: “Tasty and Quick Dishes for the Autumn”. The course took place in the main asana hall where everyone could fit. Students were attentively listening and asking questions afterwards. All went very well and some completely new students were inspired to continue with Yoga 1 course or to come to the next Open Day. Divali celebration was beautiful and joyful. Many new students attended it.

During mid-November several courses started. One Saturday we had “Yoga at Home“ workshop with many questions and many corrections for the practice of asanas. Students left happy eager to continue with different practices at home. A Yoga One Intensive took place one weekend with a good number of students. Some of them were inspired to continue with Yoga Two Intensive. We started the Christmas theater play rehearsals with first inscriptions arriving. We did an asana photoshoot for the TTC Lithuania booklet and poster. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vilnius