Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres

Om Namah Sivaya! In November we had good attendance in classes and courses. Several courses started, among them Yoga 1 with a good group of newcomers as well as a special course called “Yoga for the heart” for people with disabilities. Participants are happy to relax and recharge in the Centre in a reduced and adapted way. We renovated the staff bathroom, we installed new toilets, sinks and a new cupboard. Relatively small effort with big effect. It looks very sattvic again. The highlight was our Yoga Vitality Retreat on the weekend, a so called “Centre Retreat” taking place on the Centre premises. On Friday afternoon the Centre was transformed in a temporary Ashram with the classical Ashram schedule until Sunday. An inspired group of students gathered for the 2 ½ days event. 2 Satsangs, 2 classes, lecture, walk and the 2 meals, all was well appreciated. On Saturday we offered in addition a further training for teachers with the same schedule on the topic “Planes of movement of the spine”. Participants for both programs were Centre students as well as students from outside Berlin, who were happy to stay overnight in the Centre. Students especially enjoyed to spend more time in the Centre energy. Sunday afternoon everybody left happy and inspired. The Christmas theatre play rehearsals continued. We concluded the week with the regular Sunday program, afternoon class and Satsang. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/berlin

Om Namah Sivaya. During November we commemorated MahaSamadhi of our beloved Master Swami Vishnudevananda, accompanied by students and teachers. We also celebrated Jala Samadhi with students, teachers and many devotees. Swami Dayananda led the celebration with words that filled everyone with emotion and love for the Master. We also gave the Conquest of Fear workshop. We already started with the choir theatre and asanas rehearsals, all preparing for the End of the Years Party.

Later in November Swami Premananda traveled to South India with Kanti Devi and Chandra. We continued with the rehearsals for the End of Year Party. We gave a Karma and Reincarnation workshop. We also had the help of many Karma yogis this month. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/baires

Om Namah Sivaya. During November we performed two big Pujas, one for Swami Vishnudevanandaji’s Maha Samadhi, and one for Swami Sitaramananda’s Birthday, which really lifted the spirit of staff members. We started our November meditation course. Taking advantage of the 11.11 Shopping Day wave, we also promoted open classes and courses, some students renewed their class passes and some more students signed up for the Yoga-1 course. Open classes are well attended. Saraswati Devi, who was staff for one year 6 months ago, came back to join staff again. We are very happy to have her back.

Later in November we started a new Yoga1. A new Yoga 1 class started in the morning. Sivani came back from Vietnam and resumed teaching the meditation course. Shakti finished her one year service and we had a small party to thank her for her service and wished the best on her path. Chinmayi left for home to deal with some paper work. We also started to change our entrance with the fund raised in October. Lots of changes happened yet the Centre ran smoothly with regular attendance. May Guru’s Grace keep the seed strong in China. Om Namo Narayanaya to all the Sivananda family.

http://www.sivanandayogachina.org

Om Namah Sivaya to all Blessed Selves from the Chennai Centre. During November we celebrate our Guru Vishnu swamiji’s Maha Samadhi day with Special Pooja, the students and staffs where participated. We did Pooja on Morning Satsang time and before lunch. The same day we arrange Kerala feast for the students and staff, around 30 people participated in this special occasion. All are enjoyed the feast. Our cook Magi did a good job. In Chennai heavy rain showers continuing. Thanks to God and our Masters for everything that all is will continue to run smoothly. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/madras

Om Namah Sivaya. During November A new Yoga 1 started this week.  Morning class attendance continues to be strong.  The earlier sunsets and colder temperatures have had an impact on the evening classes, but there is still a core group of dedicated students that are making it to class.  On Sunday Radha Gloria McCartney lead the evening Satsang on the topic of Gratitude as we prepare for the upcoming holiday.  It was an excellent turn out, with many of Radha’s outside the Centre students showing up for support of her.  They liked the Centre, the chanting, the talk and the hot soup, and pledged their return for Satsang on Sunday night. Sending pranams to all! Sending inspired pranams to all. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

http://www.sivananda.org/chicago

Om Namah Sivaya. November was busy with two staff for all duties and classes. The students have come to open classes regularly. Sundaram started Yoga 1 course with 16 students after finished Yoga 2. Students enjoyed Satsang with sharing of Siva Shakti and Swami Pranavananda, 3 new students come to Satsang. We currently didn’t have a resident. The Karma Yogi is Mr Quoc. We have Durga Devi from the Da Lat Ashram. We pray for the Guru’s grace always with us.

Later in November we opened a new meditation course with 10 people. The students were very excited and concentration. The students have come to open classes regularly. Sundaram still has taught Yoga 1 course. Students enjoyed Satsang with Joss Jaffte show. It was really interesting Kirtan show, the show was full of prana and vibration. We pray for the Guru’s grace to be always with us. May the grace of the Masters be with you. Om.

https://sivanandayogavietnam.org

Om Namah Sivaya. During November all was good at the Centre. A highlight was the Havan and Bhandara on the 9th of Nov to commemorate Swamiji’s Samadhi. It was a powerful morning, many of our members joined us for the Havan. And we had a Bhandara for around 70 kids of Angels Academy. We are grateful for their presence as they bring in lot of warmth and enthusiasm whenever they come. A short yoga session was conducted before we served food. Some of our regular students were kind enough to volunteer and give us a hand with the preparations. We welcomed Srinivasan ji the very next day since we planned to have a two day QCI workshop for our teachers and students. Many topics were covered, Vedas, Yoga Sutras, Asanas and a lot more. He is a brilliant speaker and has a knack of drawing the attention of students with a good pace and witty humour. The workshop began at 10 a.m. and concluded by 4 in the evening. All the participants were happy to have lunch here at the Centre, cooked by Saroj ji and Sanju religiously. Srinivasan ji left the next day for Hyderabad. We hope to have him at the Centre again soon for more workshops. Besides that, the regular classes went smoothly, with Beginners courses starting on Mondays. We have bought some indoor plants and placed it at the reception, we felt it increased the vibrations and uplifting our spirits. The weather was real cold but we try to keep ourselves warm with pranayama : ) We send our Pranams and good wishes to all.

Later in November all continued to run smoothly here in Delhi with the grace of God and blessings of Gurudev. A Beginners Courses started on Mondays, as usual. Regular students continued their practice consistently even though it was getting cold. It is intersting how laziness had a good chance of getting the better of us. One weekend we focused on two workshops – Headstand workshop and a Yoga for the Back workshop. The session began with some time devoted to understanding the spine and correcting posture, some stretching to relieve back pain and compression, and the latter part of the session included strengthening exercises. Vijay ji conducted a special dynamic pranayama workshop (theory and practice) for all the teachers and students who were preparing for the QCI examination. We saw staff and students diligently making notes and applying themselves before appearing for the exam, and in the process discovering new aspects of Yoga. The staff also took turns to lead the Satsang. It is encouraging us to take initiative to chant and improve our public speaking skills. We had regular Satsang as usual, Aarti and dinner after. We did a deep cleaning of the reception area with the attempt to make it shine. Arun left for Madurai for his treatment. We wished him well. Hope all is good at your end. We send our Pranams. We hope everyone is happy and peaceful. We pray to Almighty for everybody. Om Namo Narayanaya!! Pranams!!

http://www.sivananda.org/dwarka

Om Namo Narayanaya. During November we started the week with our regular morning Satsang, open classes, the continued Beginners’ classes and gentle yoga class. We conducted a few private yoga sessions for the guests visiting Delhi & for a student who couldn’t join the regular schedule due to personal reasons. We conducted a Headstand workshop with good number of students. We celebrated Swami Vishnudevanda’s 24th year MahaSamadhi on Nov 9th with Guru Puda Puja. We chanted Guru Bhajans and Swamiji’s 108 names while we are offering milk and flower at Gurus feet with the guidance of the Priest. As the Delhi pollution got worst during in November, the number students and income reduced.

Later in November we started two Beginners’ course one at 10:00am and the other at 6:30pm. We conducted an introduction to Meditation workshop on Wednesdays and started the Foundation to Meditation course on Saturdays. The courses will continue for the two weekends. Jaypal went to his home for a month holiday. Following the discussion with Mrs Suman the principal of Bluebells International & our student, we conducted an introductory to Yoga session for 50 Bluebells 11th standard students. We expected to continue the session for the group as Bluebells requested to integrate yoga along with other subjects in the school for coming weeks and also expected to introduce yoga for class 9 and 10th students as soon as the school time table is completed. With the grace of the Masters, the week passed smoothly and everything at the Centre is going well. With the Grace of the Masters, everything went well at the Centre. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/delhi

Om Namah Sivaya. Salutations to all! Here in Geneva we had the last class of the Kirtan course and also the last class of the Swadhyaya course. We started a Yoga 3 and a Meditation course. We worked on the new brochure. One Saturday we had an open day. Om Namah Sivaya. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/geneva

Om Namah Sivaya. During November we celebrated Swami Vishnu Devananda MahaSamadhi with a very nice Puja of staff and close students of the Centre. Teachers and Karma Yogis also came with home made Prasad and flowers to offer to Swamiji. Ganga Chaitanya went off to Dalat Ashram for 1 month helping the TTC there. We were very inspired by the well attended workshops and Satsang. First was the massage therapy workshop taught by Tarini with 15 attendants, after that, in the afternoon the Advanced Asana taught by Priya also got 9 people joined. Last, but not least, there was lovely Satsang on topic love in communication, led by Sivani, the Director of the Chengdu Centre.

Later in November we ran a discount class pass for 6 months promotion with a very positive response  from the students. This helped to improve the student flow during the holiday season which is coming up. By the grace of God, we honoured to have Joss Jeff – from USA – performed 2 Kirtan concerts at the Hochiminh Centre. Once during a Satsang and the other in an afternoon on Vietnamese teacher day for all the teachers and Karma yogis. Also to celebrate this day of honouring the teachers, Amba – a tea master – did a well attended Tea ceremony workshop. One weekend, the Positive thinking tree planting workshop, taught by Durga, also brought students who are very sincere with their spiritual practices. The Yoga open classes and courses for Beginners ran well with the new Karma yogis outside teachers. Ganga Chaitanya and Swami Pranavananda continued to serve the TTC in Dalat. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

Om Namah Sivaya. During November we welcomed two more staff. Vishnupriya Chaitanya arrived from Reith and we are happy to have her with us for a fortnight. Saraswati, staff from Paris arrived this week also. The hands on cooking workshop as well as a headstand workshop took place earlier in the week and they were all well attended and much appreciated by students. On Thursday, we celebrated the MahaSamadhi of Swami Vishnudevananda, attended by a humble number of close students and teachers. We launched the donation campaign “Adapt, adjust, renovate!” afterwards; a campaign to help us renovate the asana hall entrance. The works are going well and we expect the extension to be ready in ten days. We hosted a further teachers training this weekend on Pregnancy and Yoga with a lot of practical tips; the course was taught by Savitri, our close student/ teacher. The workshops were very highly spoken of.  After a busy Saturday, we finished the day viewing Swami Vishunudevananda’s Jala Samadhi. The students were quite moved by the video. The energy at the Centre was very nice with the guest teachers around; they left very inspired to be bright ambassadors of the Masters’ teachings.

Later in November we saw a week full of renewal in the London Centre. On a physical level new yellow paint was applied on the staircase walls of the main house, creating a very warm atmosphere. New staff and new resident Yeshiva settlied in well; all have experienced Ashram or Centre life elsewhere, and have tuned into London Centre life relatively quickly. An Open House one Saturday generated a nice family feeling, we were happy to introduce a group of 25 newcomers to the Centre and to Masters teachings. Promotion of a sponsorship campaign for building renovations linked to 108 sun salutations was underway. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/london

Om Namo Narayanaya! During November the weather cooled down in Los Angeles. Mornings were foggy and the afternoon sun brought an embracing warmth. Regular students enjoyed open classes, with accounts of regular practice bringing health and healing. Yoga 1 completed weeks 5 with all eagerly continuing to Yoga 2. Guru Puja brought great uplifting energy to the Centre. Hamsa Chaitanya returned from Yoga Farm where she is participating as the first batch of the Sivananda Yoga Health Educator training. We gained beautiful insights and heard inspiring stories of Guru’s Grace during a Sunday’s Satsang. Mirabai drove with Karma Yogi Robert to Yoga Farm for the Vedanta and Silence Course. May the Blessings of Gurudev be upon all. May we vigilantly continue our effort to receive Guru’s Grace. Pranams.

http://www.sivananda.org/la

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed Selves! Classes and courses continue with good attendance. The continuation of the study group on the topic “Meditation and breathing” was well received. We also celebrated a mantra day with two yoga classes, a lecture and a Kirtan Satsang. Students were happy with the opportunity to deepen their practice with new workshops: “Prana and nerve impulse” and “How to overcome stress and fatigue with the asanas”. The cooking course “The balanced alkaline diet” was enriching. We celebrated Swamiji´s MahaSamadhi with a Puja and many stories. Annapurna finished her staff period after one year of sincere service to the Centre. A major office renovation project went on with new computers, server, printer and improved WIFI connection. We were blessed with beautiful Autumn festival, Yoga: Breathe Health, with Swami Sivadasananda and senior teachers of the Centre: the asana classes and lectures were filled to the maximum and we had inspiring Satsangs with about 100 students each day. The highlight was the Kirtan choir attended by 60 students who learned and chanted whole heartedly “Krishna Krishna”(special percussion included). The friendly weather (21º sunny each day) allowed to serve the bandhara in the patio. Around 25 teachers from all Spain stayed in the Centre overnight becoming a mini- Ashram for the occasion. It was a joy to see the Centre shining with so many yogis. Grateful to Master and Swamiji for inspiring so many souls on their path. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/madrid

Om Namah Sivaya. Namaste. Thanking our Masters for all blessings and support bestowed. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi!!

http://www.sivananda.org/madurai

Om Namah Sivaya! Hari Om! Early November had a very special remembering the day when Swamiji left his body. On November 9th during the ceremony Kanti Devi talked about the first steps of Swamiji with Gurudev and two days later about all the scenes of JalaSamadhi in the Ganga. His presence was very strong and we could feel the devotion of the teachers and students who came. We had a nice meeting with teachers having a nice meal cooked by Kanti Devi. The sunday morning classes with a topic plus meditation attracted a growing number of students.

Mid November arrived with very good energy. We also started the Intensive Beginner´s course. Kanti and Chandra left Montevideo to go to India. They remained helping us from distance. We started an inspiring project – covering small note books with the photo of the masters as Cmas gifts as Likhita Japa booklets. All the classes went well. All other activities ran normally. May all live under the Masters’s grace. Om Shanti!!

http://www.sivananda.org/montevideo

Om Namah Sivaya from the Montreal Centre! November was busy at the Centre. The classes continued to be very well attended, as well as the courses and workshops. The course Introduction to Sanskrit with Mirabai and the Ayurveda for Beginner’s course with Bhagirathi were successfully concluded. The students from both courses were very grateful for the experience. We also had two Meditation 1 courses. We started a positive thinking course with a full group of enthusiastic students. We ran an Ayurveda cooking workshop with Bhagirathi, which was a success; the students were very enthusiastic and participative. At the end of the workshop they all enjoyed the delicious and healthy food that they prepared. We had a Puja for Swami Vishnudevananda’s MahaSamadhi and JalaSamadhi. We were very grateful to have Swami Shivabhaktananda as well as the Priest Manju for both Pujas. Both ceremonies were very special, full of energy and devotion with many participants. We are ever grateful for our Guru’s Grace. We were very thankful to have such a strong team of teachers and staff helping us and keeping us inspired. With Master and Swamiji’s grace we continue to serve and keep up the spirit! Pranams to all! Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/montreal

Om Namah Sivaya. Special events of the last weeks were a „Yoga and Meditation Day“, asana workshops in which we practiced the advanced variations scorpion and pigeon and a workshop „How to Overcome Anger“. We had a yoga philosophy course on Vedanta and a meditation Beginners course. Many new people came to our monthly Open House to get to know the different activities of the Centre. We also taught two cooking classes – one with the topic “Healthy the whole day over – Yogic Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner“ and one with „Yogic Baking Recipes“. Best wishes from the Sivananda Yoga Centre Munich! OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/munich

Om Namah Sivaya from Manhattan. During November after having an elongated summer, the weather here in NYC was becoming fall! Coats and hats on! We started a Positive Thinking course. Taught by Neeti, the course has a good amount of people and is going consistently well. This month we’ve been lucky, since every Wednesday we get blessed with a visit from the lovely Swami Satyapremananda. She continued on with her Karma & Dharma course and afterwards led Satsang which everyone always loves. The next morning was Swami Vishnudevananda’s MahaSamadhi. We had a small Puja with just the staff, given by our special guest, Swami Satyapremananda. It was lovely. Afterwards, we bid a farewell to Swami Satya but just for a week! We also had another farewell – to Ishwari. We were grateful for all her wonderful support during the past 2 months. She returned to Colombia to continue with her service in our Colombian affiliated Centre Atman Yoga. Neeti led a Surya Namaskar workshop. it was great class. There were a handful of people and many people are interested in signing up for the next one! We had a public celebration of Swami Vishnudevananda’s MahaSamadhi. The priest from the Ranch, Shankara Namboodiri, came down to perform a special Puja. It was very beautifully done and everyone that came made their offerings. We have a lot of gratitude for his amazing devotion. He has been coming down each month and this has greatly helped uplift the Centre’s energy. Everyone here is well.

Later in November the Centre was looking very festive with the Thanksgiving holidays coming up. The main focus was THANKSGIVING! Shakti left to Colombia for 3 weeks as she went to visit family. We wished her the best and every one at the Centre, especially our cat, Rama, awaits her return. By God’s grace and Master’s blessings, classes, courses and workshops filled our schedule. One Saturday we had a fantastic, Thai vegetarian cooking workshop. It was very popular and being originally from Thailand herself, Gita (Bhupachat Claudel), was the perfect teacher! We had our much anticipated Thanksgiving Celebration. All staff and many outside Karma yogis prepared for a whole week to lead up to this day. Srinivasan led the Satsang and afterwards we had a very delicious vegetarian feast. We were very grateful for everyone’s hard work. Overall, it was a really lovely evening with about 100 guests and wrapped up a great week here in the Centre. All of our staff are doing great. We send our pranams! Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/ny

Om Namah Sivaya.  At the beginning of the month we had two calm weeks during the school holidays. The Masters sent precious help to support the family. Vyasa, Shambhu, Hamsa (from London), Omkari and Ramdas came to stay at the Centre for few days. A couple of intense courses were well attended during the holidays. The last Sanskrit lesson of a fourth lessons course given by Sivakami was well appreciated by all. We might plan one more course in the spring. This month we had three workshops  “How to control Anger”, “Yoga at home”, “Bhakti”. We had also a cooking class, a Kirtan course and a meditation course. God blessed the Centre with many inspiring Satsangs given by Swami Gopalananda and his tablas. Swamiji went for few days  to Orleans to support the Ashram. Shambhu and Kaivalya assured the Satsangs during this period. The roof of the main asana hall was finally repaired by a professional company, we pray that the water infiltration is solved once for all after many years of negotiation with our owner. Sivani went home after  two months of service in Paris. We will miss her and we hope she will recover her health and motivation and eventually come back to the organization when she ready. The high lights of the month were the celebration of Swamiji’s MahaSamadhi and JalaSamadhi with Pujas and lectures on Swamiji’s personality and mission.  We had an inspiring Indian concert with the presence of 102 participants. The musicians on the violin and tablas were excellent and uplifted all. Swami Goplalananda went back to the Ashram after a month of being in Paris and Swami Nityananda came back from India. Narayana from Orleans came to stay at the Centre for four weeks. By the end of the month we had a successful Open House with over than 360 students visiting the Centre for the regular classes and the activities of the day. Christmas is in the air, the staff enjoyed the preparations for the party and the play. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/paris

Greetings from Porto Alegre. November started with 2 Beginner courses on Mondays and Wednesdays. The idea in this month was to attract more students to the Centre. Regular activities were usually developed with the support of teachers. Adhyatman left the Centre due to new work opportunities he is actually receiving.

Later in November we started the fourth Beginners course trying to attract more students for the Centre. We did a meditation workshop with some new students very interested in knowing how to control and calm the mind. After that we had the regular Satsang and the devotional songs with a good number of students. We had the Karma Yoga Day focused on the garden and Ganesha Temple cleaning. All the participants enjoyed the experience. The regular activities are running normally. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/portoalegre

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed selves. During November we had a beautiful celebration for Swamiji’s MahaSamadhi, with a Puja and Satsang. Students participated with Prasad and beautiful garlands. We also had an Open House one Saturday with good attendance to all activities. Pranams and prayers for Peace to all from Roma. Om Shanti.

http://www.sivananda.org/rome

Om Namo Narayanaya, Blessed Selves. During November we had an uplifting classical Indian music concert with Ben Kunin on sarode and Rachel Unterseher on viola. Their improvisations are seamless and compelling. Former SF teacher Rudrani was visitng from Malaysia and hosted a relaxing Yoga Nidra for the students. Kumari returned from the first Module of the Yoga Health Educator Training program with new inspiration for teaching gentle and senior Yoga at the Centre. Two Yoga 2 courses continued with avid students. Swami Sivasankariananda returned from a month at the Yoga Farm and brought positive energy from the TTC and SYHET courses.

Later in November the Bhagavad Gita class resumed Friday evenings, where we considered celestial temptations. We offered a “Yoga for the Back” class, and worked gently with the students’ challenges. Also offered a free Structural Alignment for Health information session with Flora Ojanen. The evening was spent in joy, chanting Kirtan with Christopher Love and Mirabai. Our local rabbi brought three delightful 13-year-old boys and their parents to Sunday Satsang. Their questions were astute. A Yoga 1 course started. Swami Sivasankari began seeing two case study clients for her Pain Care online course. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/sanfrancisco

Om Namah Sivaya from Sao Paulo. During November regular classes continued wih good student attendance. The Centre maintains a harmonious and prosperous energy. Karma Yogui Tuany Correa and Otavio Oliveira. Much prana and love. Om Shanti Shanti to all the Sivananda family.

Om Namah Sivaya. During November the Tel Aviv Centre continued to support the recent TTC graduates by offering them opportunities to teach the staff in the mornings, with everyday a new teacher coming in. It was a real joy watching them develop throughout the weeks and now seeing the fruits of their labor in action. The TTCs have also continued to assist courses and fill up the meditation room during morning Satsangs and especially the Sunday evening Satsangs, with many once again joining us and leading Kirtans. Bhargavi Chaitanya led the Sunday Satsang by reading from ‘Teachings on Yoga Life’ by Swami Vishnudevananda in honour of his MahaSamadhi. The staff of the Centre travelled to the Ashram in Matta to celebrate Swamiji’s MahaSamadhi and JalaSamadhi. A beautiful Puja was held for each event, where Swami Swaroopananda shared many stories of his time with Swamiji, as well as his mission. Swami Prema Swaroopananda, senior staff, teachers of the Sadhana Retreat and its students as well as many devotees, were present at the Pujas. Back in Tel Aviv, the Centre was busy with many courses opening. Sivakami opened a Yoga 2 course with 14 students, as well as a Meditation Course with 12 students. Bhargavi Chaitanya also opened a huge Meditation Course one Friday morning with a grand 21 students. Lastly, visiting teacher, Guy Dekel, opened a ‘Teaching Yoga for Children’ course, with 18 students.

Later in November, as the Teacher Training Course and Sadhana Retreat finished in the Israeli Ashram in Matta, the Centre staff were able to put more focus on the activities back in Tel Aviv. Pranava Chaitanya successfully opened a Yoga 3 course with nine students and Bhargavi Chaitanya had an introduction to the Positive Thinking Course, with seven people in attendance. Lakshmi, a Sivananda teacher, opened a Yoga Nidra course at the Centre. Her first class, which was also an introduction class, had a grand 17 people attend, with seven already being signed up to the course. Lakshmi transformed the biggest asana room into an environment perfect for Yoga Nidra practice, by bringing in soft mattresses, fluffy pillows and even blankets. All students enjoyed the first class tremendously! Bhargavi Chaitanya held several private yoga classes for students and Pranava Chaitanya travelled to Matta to represent the Tel Aviv Centre in the graduation of the Sadhana Retreat, which was taught by Krishna from Uruguay. Pranava Chaitanya also led the Sunday Satsangs on the topic of ‘Time’, reading from Bliss Divine. The Centre and Ashram staff bid farewell to Krishna and Mahashakti after their close to two-month stay in Israel. The staff then remained in the Matta Ashram for a quiet and chilly weekend. Pranams to the Sivananda family.

http://www.sivananda.org/telaviv

Om Namah Sivaya. During November we offered a two-day 4 hour workshop by Dr. Mark Halpern. The topic of workshop was “Introduce Classical Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy”. 38 people joined on Day 1 and 32 people on Day 2 despite the weekday. It was Dr. Halpern’s first visit to Japan. The organizer of his very first program in Japan was Yoshiko Manson, a Japanese graduate from his school located in California. The participants were excited to have had the opportunity to hear a lecture directly from Dr. Halpern himself, a leading expert on Ayurveda studies in US. The open class in English was taught by Prema Seojin who visited Japan from Seoul, Korea. She took the TTC in London and the ATTC in Bahamas. She runs her own yoga studio in Seoul. We deeply appreciated that two international guest teachers had brought uplifting vibrant energy to the Centre. Chandrika came back from Thailand after supporting TTC there for a month. She will be staying at the Centre until the end of December. Then she will move to India to help Ayurveda course at the Neyyar Dam Ashram.

Later in November the number of students attending the early morning asana class abruptly dropped because it has been unusually cold for this time of the season in Tokyo. However, the regular classes after 10 a.m., in which the atmosphere gets warmer, were attended by the good or even greater number of students than usual. Kumari Noriko gave a trial class one Sunday morning, attended by 16 people. In the afternoon on the same day, Yoga 2 course started with 6 students enrolling. As for Karma yogis, 2 graduates who took the TTC in Thailand in October visited the Centre and registered as Karma Yogis. They will commit themselves to service to the Centre once a week, enjoying a reunion with Chandrika and Anjali who had supported the TTC there. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

http://www.sivananda.jp

Om Namah Sivaya. During November we started yoga 3M course. We commemorated the anniversary of Swamiji’s JalaSamadhi with a Puja and Divya Sharma performed beautifully explained and performed Odissi dance. Saraswati taught a Kids and Teen yoga teacher training course intensive. It was very nice to see many students interested in teaching youth with some coming all the way from Saskatchewan to take the course. Prahlad and Durairaj travelled to the Yoga Camp Ashram for Temple closing ceremonies. Saraswati and Bhavani started a new course at Central Toronto Academy for grade 12 basketball team boys.

Later in November am early morning Beginners’ course started. Most of one week was spent working on new programs for the next year and preparing the new brochure. We had meeting with around thirty teachers that started with Puja then followed by class taught by Prahlad after which we discussed some topics relating to teaching, shared our experience and suggestions. We ended the day with nice meal. It was very inspiring to see everyone working together in continuing Swamiji’s mission. Pranams to all.

http://www.sivananda.org/toronto

Om Namah Sivaya. During November we started the Beginners’ batch for ladies on Mondays. A special Pooja was conducted on Swami Vishnudevananda ji’s Samadhi day. Many students & teachers attended the Pooja. We had provided breakfast to the guests. Praveen, a Karma yogi from Neyyar Dam Ashram joined the Centre. Lalitha Sahasra Nama Pooja was conducted. Satsang was led by Yashpal ji.

Later in November we started Yoga Vacation in the Centre. Our first guest is from Bali, Indonesia. She will be staying here for a few days. A morning Beginners’ batch started on Mondays. A new staff member Ragesh joined the Centre. Ganapathy Homa was conducted on the first day of the new Malayalam month. Satsang was led by Yashpal ji. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

http://www.sivananda.org/trivandrum

Om Namah Sivaya. This month saw a headstand workshop to introduce the 8 steps into the asana. The Kirtan workshop gave us an opportunity to teach the chanting in proper rhythm in devotional bhava, explaining the Sanskrit texts. The trial classes was very much appreciated by the newcomers. Spiritual highlight of the month was Swamiji’s Mahasamadi Puja on 9 November. This month we also had an Indian cooking class and a successful Open Day with many new people showing interest in the yogic practices and wanted to try out the benefits of the asanas and also the meditation. In November we also had a Raja Yoga course with Swami Gitananda and an introductory day into TTC. Greetings from the Centre Vienna. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vienna

Om Namah Sivaya. The first week was shorter one day because of the All Saint’s holiday. On the request of the teachers and students we still had a program on this day: nice morning Satsang, remembering saints and sages and asana class. The second  week the energy in the Centre was elevated, more concentration and focus on the meaning and Goal of Life. We had three events dedicated to the Master Swami Vishnudevananda. On Wednesday we had very well attended  nice Satsang dedicated to Swamiji with 108 Om Namo Narayanaya, final instructions and favourite Swamiji Kirtans. On Thursday we had evening MahaSamadhi Puja, the closest students and teachers were present and very focused. The highlight was morning JalaSamadhi Puja on Saturday – very light and inspiring energy was felt and it coloured the whole day: many students came for the asana classes and workshop‚ ‘‘The power of Positive thinking‘‘ went very well, students didn’t want to leave, they still could feel harmony and peace in the atmosphere. The whole month different level yoga courses continued successfully on various timing – morning and late evening as well. Satsangs were very well attended, novices coming quite often as well, mainly on Wednesday evenings.  On last Saturday Satsang saw 30 participants, 8 novices from them. We had successful 4 classes course ‘‘Vegetarianism and yoga‘‘.  Nirmala and Surya, who shared this course not only taught  the theory with very interesting facts on nutrition, but dishes every time came out very tasty and sattvic. Experience with this  course showed that next year we could continue with the second level. Students are interested and teachers are ready. New course “Meditation experiences and obstacles” started. It is more advanced course that allows to see the link between the practice of Raja yoga limbs and overcoming obstacles in meditation and experiences as well. Every Saturday we had different new useful workshops: on Anatomy and yoga practice, relating to skeleton, muscles, joints; how to enter, hold and come out of the asanas correctly and with more awareness of their physical body limits and needs; “Bhakti yoga in daily life”, given by one of our teachers Narada. Students and teachers who attended it were very inspired by the sincerity of the speaker and good background he had from the Masters books and scriptures. The workshop was colored with Kirtans, mantras and few prayers practiced all together; ‘‘Yoga and stress‘‘ – taught two days in a row was attended mainly by novices – on Saturday by Datatreya at the Centre and on Sunday, taught by Bharata outside the Centre in  „Yoga and Health“  festival. It was good to remind, to explain and to show in practice how yoga works in dealing with the stress. One Sunday we had the last Open House in this year. This time we tried shortened schedule and we saw that in some way it was better for the students – to spend more than three hours in the Centre and have the practical trial class and lecture on 5 points is quite balanced. OM.

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