Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres

Om Namah Sivaya! In November many courses started, among them a Yoga 1 with a good group of newcomers. We celebrated Divali with a Pooja. The altar was beautifully decorated with lights. Swami Vishnudevananda’s Mahasamadhi was celebrated with a Pooja as well. The energy of Swami Vishnudevananda was very present those days. The weekend was full of activities, a relaxation day seminar and a well visited relaxation workshop was taking place. We had a Beginners’ Intensive course. Many Karma Yogis supported the Centre. Swami Satyananda came back from the All Saints Retreat in Reith. Swami Gokulanandacame back from Munich, also Saraswati from the Retreat House in Reith arrived. Some courses started, among them a Yoga 1 course with a good group of students. One weekend we had a successful cooking course where we prepared a menu with recipes from the new Sivananda book, Practical Ayurveda. All dishes were easy to prepare and the outcome was delicious. Also a small group of students joined for the Yoga 2 intensive course. The theater group had the rehearsal for the upcoming Christmas party theater play. At the beginning of the week Gayatri returned to Munich and Satya came to replace her in the Berlin staff team. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/berlin

Om Namah Sivaya. By Gods Grace and Masters’ blessings, all went well and smoothly in November. Many Karma yogis helped the Centre of which we were grateful. We hope that all of you are well. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/baires

Om Namah Sivaya from Chengdu. In November a highlight is the Yoga 1 course. We had two classes at the same time, one in the morning and one the evening. Students benefited a lot from the classes and teachers were inspired to teach the courses. Saraswati continued to train new staff who started to teach open classes. Laksmi led a workshop on Recharging through 5 elements as part of her SYHET course practice, which was also well received. Saraswati started to teach prenatal classes as well as one of our students became pregnant a couple months ago. We also took advantage of Double 11 promotion trend and successfully had many students book the Sunday Health workshop series as well as normal class passes. Sivani stayed on in Vietnam Ashram to do final editing of CIBY. Santi also joined her in Vietnam and support organizational work as well as translation. We also celebrated Swami Vishnudevenanda-ji’ Maha Samadhi at the Centre, as well as Swami Sitaramananda’s birthday. The Centre feels very dynamic, and we are very grateful to be part of the big family. Another highlight was the India Dance. Staff and students enjoyed the sattvic program. The two Yoga 1 courses continued well. Open classes were steady. The new staff were getting more involved in teaching and running the Centre. Ambika finished her Sadhana Intensive at the Yoga Farm, feeling recharged and inspired. By Guru’s Grace we are all doing well. Om Shanti.

http://www.sivanandayogachina.org

Om Namah Sivaya to all Blessed Selves from the Chennai Centre. The November highlight was the Asana class, taught by Prahlad ji. it was so inspiring. We also had a great teachers meeting with him, almost 16 teachers participated in the meeting. The meeting was active and raised many questions to teachers so the meeting was very lively. We continued the celebration of Swami VishndevanandaJi 25th Maha Samadhi with chanting. Gopan ji and Sandhya ji left to Delhi to attend Swami Vishnudevananda Ji’s Maha Samadhi and return back with Prahlad ji. We honored Prahlad ji with a special Sunday Satsang followed by dinner. We had a good amount of guests (37). Everybody enjoyed the Satsang with powerful kirtan and inspiring talks by Prahlada, bringing a nice and dynamic energy to the Centre. Energy remained high throughout the following week as the Kruti continued to give workshops on chanting. We also started a new morning Beginners’ course early November. The Centre’s regular classes, courses, Satsangs also continued well. We welcomed our staff, Durga, from Thailand. She has great energy and is an enthusiastic karma yogi. The gudur trip was very exciting for all the students who went. They were very happy with the retreat that was organized. We completed one Beginners’ Yoga course. We repeated different chants and mantras together every day in the evening and it is bringing the energy up of the Centre and staff. Staff worked together to prepare for December and its scheduled programs. We performed the regular Sunday Satsangs. Our new staff, Shivani, joined our Centre. With the Grace of God and our Masters everything went smoothly. Pranams! Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/madras

Om Namah Sivaya from Chicago! Warm greetings from the wintry Midwest. As snow began to fly, many students expressed their gratitude for the warmth of the Centre — on a physical, mental and spiritual level. We had a small, sweet Diwali celebration as part of the evening Satsang. We honored Swami Vishnu on the anniversary of his Mahasamadhi and Jalasamadhi. Staff worked on Autumn cleaning/organizing projects and on developing creative marketing strategies. Prashanta led a headstand workshop. During a Sunday evening Satsang we spoke about practicing ahimsa as a means of carrying on Swamiji’s peace mission. Mid November brought a freshly-fallen blanket of snow. Another Yoga 1 course came to a finish. The Centre was quiet, overall, due to the Thanksgiving holiday and folks being out of town. The Centre was closed on Thursday in observance of the holiday. Prashanta was well-received by students and is enjoying his visit in Chicago. We were grateful for our teachers and karma yogis, who continued to participate with genuine appreciation and care for the community and bring much prana to the Centre. Staff were well and send best wishes for an inspiring month of December. Sending pranams to all. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/chicago

Om Namah Sivaya from the beautiful DaLat Centre. In November we held an Advanced Asana class with 8 people attending. Regular classes and Satsangs were well attended, our Beginners’ Yoga courses with 9 students continued steadily. We were happy to welcome Ram Vaakalanka, who spoke about Yoga and Sound, performing on sitar, for our Satsang. Attendance at classes and Satsangs lowered because of seasonal stormy weather which brought a lot of rain. We give thanks for Guru’s grace. Om.

https://sivanandayogavietnam.org

Om Namah Sivaya. By the teaching of the Gurus, the Centre ran efficiently and effortlessly. After the festive season, we noticed a very positive increase in the students’ attendance, in all classes and workshops. We had a new Beginners’ Yoga at 6 am and 4 pm, and once again most of the students who came to our trial classes on Sunday enrolled in the Beginners’ course right away. Our weekend Beginners’ Yoga course was in full swing, and those students started to register far in advance for the next new batch. The Weight Loss course progressed well. We received more and more requests to join this program. We also conducted a Meditation workshop with many new students learning more about how the mind works, how to control the flow of thoughts and how to manage stress. We received very positive feedback and collected registrations for the next two week Meditation course. The construction work for the new Satsang Hall was finished. We were happy to have a Satsang in this renovated room. The room was spacious and with lots of light. All the participants to Satsang really appreciated it and enjoyed the beautiful chantings and the inspiring words of the Masters, as always. We also started painting of the entire building. All the staff members were doing their best to improve themselves and the Centre. We hope that everybody in the Sivananda family is healthy and happy. We send our Pranams to all. Om Namo Narayanaya! Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/dwarka

Om Namo Narayanaya. In early November, with the grace of the Masters, we started with the holiday spirit of Diwali by decorating the Centre with flashing lights from the main gate to the entrance gate. We had many auspicious guests, welcomingBeginners’ Kalyani ji, Swami Gayatriananda & Lalita ji on their way to Sivananda Kutir, Uttrakashi. We were glad to have Prahladaji, Gopan & Sandya with us on Diwali day. We celebrated the day by chanting Sreelalita Sahasranamam while offering flower at the feet of Goddess Lakshmi & Lord Ganesha. We also lit diyas to welcome Devi as part of the celebration. All arrived at Centre on the 7th November, on their way to the Sivananda Kutir on 8th Nov. Abeba and Bitanya went to Sivananda Kutir on 8th Nov to attend the 25th Mahasamadhi of Swami Vishnudevannada and last day of JSY celebration at the Ashram. Kalyani ji, Swami Gayatriananda, Lalita ji & Mangala returned to Centre for a night before going back to Neyyar Dam. Kapoorji left for the Madurai TTC to return by mid of December. Although the number of students & income reduceBeginners’d due to the festival week, with the grace of Masters everything went smoothly at the Centre. We started a Beginners’ Yoga course at 6:30am with a small number of students. The weight loss course continued. We conducted the monthly headstand workshop. Neelkanth ji arrived at the Centre on 21st Nov for a month of Karma Yoga. We welcomed Swami Kailashananda and the team from Rudraprayag. They spent a few hours with us before their departure for Europe. We conducted the daily Satsang every morning and the Sunday Satsang in the evening. The Satsangs kept us motivated & energized as usual. Although the number of students & income reduced due to winter season, with the grace of the Masters, everything (Open class, gentle yoga, kids yoga, prenatal yoga & special class) progressed well at the Centre. We send our Pranams and hope everyone is happy and peaceful. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/delhi

Om Namah Sivaya. We celebrated the Jalasamadhi of Swamiji with a Puja. It was the first Puja since the renovations, since the long summer break. The altar was returned to its place, all the Murthis cleaned and also a new carpet arrived for the Meditation room. So everything looked very new, fresh and shiny. Both Saturday and Sunday Satsangs were dedicated to Swami Vishnudevananda’s life and mission and gave the new students a possibility and connect with Swamiji’s energy. A Yoga 1 started with 7 students; we had a Divali Satsang; a preparation for the TTC day and a new teacher, Ramapriya, who did the TTC in Reith, gave her first class. We had the visit of Swami Sivadasanandaji, arriving to look at the Centre, the renovations and all the possibilities on how we proceed in the future. One big issue is that we could not put up the old curtains as the windows have changed (and all the walls are windows only toward the street…). Swamiji also gave an inspiring Satsang and a class. Students were very happy to see him again after more than one year. We had our weekend retreat on the Salève (the nearby mountain) in the Buddhist monastery. It was a sunny day and 15 Yogis came (maximum for the room) for our usual program: 2 Yoga classes, a walk and a Satsang. The energy there is very peaceful and the view is tremendous. We are grateful to the Masters for this wonderful opportunity to serve. Pranams to the Gurus. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/geneva

Om Namah Sivaya. In November we celebrated Swami Vishnu’s Maha Samadhi Day with a big Puja and Mantra Chanting. We offered a workshop of 108 rounds Sun Salutation, taught by Durga, with 25 students attending. Everybody felt energetic with smiling faces after the workshop. Tarini started a sport massage course for preventing injuries, with 12 students, held on 3 consecutive weekends. A beginner course started by Devika. Swami Pranavananda and Ganga Chaitanya came back to the Centre after teaching TTC for one month in the Dalat Ashram. Lilamayi returned for two days after serving TTC, then leaving again to be staff at the DaLat Ashram. For the rest of the month we had many special workshops and courses. Durga taught a Headstand workshop with nine students, and a Restorative Yoga course with 10 students. We finished the massage therapy course taught by outside teacher Tarini, and the students were very happy to learn this valuable skill. Despite a huge storm here with heavy rainfall for two days, with the streets flooded in many places in the Centre of Ho Chi Minh City, many students still came for all events of the Centre. We were very happy and blessed to continue spreading the wisdom of Yoga and follow the teachings of the Master and Guru. Pranams to the Sivananda Family. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi. Om.

Om Namah Sivaya. In November Beginners’ Yoga level 1 started and for a headstand workshop we had a nice group of students. Theatre rehearsals continued with our director Benedetta and we went more into detail which was very productive. Staff left for a one day- retreat in a traditional Yurt in Sussex, 1h15mins away from the Centre. The weather was a sunny, mild and perfect for the occasion. Students were happy with the classes and the Satsang, the lovely meal and the walk where we spotted a herd of deers. The day ended on an adventurous note when rain was pouring down on the Yurt during the afternoon class, just as it was getting dark, but everyone made back home safely. We had positive feedback from the students. We celebrated the Diwali with a beautiful Puja with the priest. The altar was full of light and flowers afterwards. For Swamijis’ Mahasamadhi the altar, Prasad and a garland were beautifully prepared and students brought flowers and fruits. The atmosphere was pure and devotional. Sunday evening after Satsang Swami Jyotirmayananda arrived safely from India and we are glad to have her back at the Centre. A Y1 started and other courses ended with students inspired to continue their practice. Our main focus was the preparation of the upcoming EBM meeting. Rukmini arrived from Paris to support us. With the help of dedicated Karma yogis, rooms were arranged and maintenance and household projects were completed. We had two rehearsals for the theatre play with some of the participants traveling far to come to the Centre. A new teacher started to assist with teaching the first time and came well prepared. We had a workshop “How to Combat Fear and Find Inner Serenity” with a nice group of students, some of them staying for the whole day. The workshop was complemented by asana classes with specific topics and a Satsang about The Art of Relaxation. The program was well received and students left inspired. Throughout the month, we thankfully had help from karma yogis in the kitchen and with various projects at the Centre. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/london

Om Namo Narayanaya! In November a full week of glorification began with Diwali Celebration, which brought Light and inspiration to all! The worship commenced with a Puja followed by each attendee lighting their own light and offering it with intention and everence unto the Altar. After the celebration we proceeded outside lighting sparklers. We honoured Swami Vishnudevanandaji’s Maha Samadhi day with a morning Puja and His Jala Samadhi day at the evening Satsang. We chanted Swamiji’s favorite chants, read about the Guru and took a message from Swamiji. A Yoga 1 began and open classes continued. Students were also happy to have assistance and learn more in our headstand workshop. Staff member, Anandi, returned to the Ashram Yoga Farm and Karuna Devi arrived. Students were also happy to be able to have their yoga classes before the rush of family for the holiday. Karma Yogis came together to be sure Mayura (the LA Centre’s car) was ready for the 300+ mile journey to the Yoga Farm. The Centre closed Thursday – Sunday while staff (Gopika), student and karma yogi (Arati) carpooled up to the Ashram Yoga Farm for the big American Thanksgiving Celebration. All were joyful in service and grateful to tune in and plug into the Prana. Ambika (staff in Chengdu) returned with us from the Ashram to see Los Angeles during her first visit in America. We returned charged and ready to continue Swamiji’s mission in Los Angeles. Students were happy to hear of the good times we had, planning their visit to the Ashram soon. Karuna Devi visited family for the holiday. May God keep us all on His path! May the Blessings of Master and Swamiji continue to light the way. Pranams. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/la

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed Selves! We were blessed with beautiful a autumn yoga festival: Health is Wealth, with Swami Sivadasananda, Gopala and senior teachers of the Centre. The asana classes and lectures were very enriching and everyone appreciated the uplifting morning and evening Satsangs. The highlight was the Saturday lecture with guest speaker Jorge Carvajal, a medical doctor with a solid yogic background. Each day a delicious bandhara was served. About 15 teachers from all over 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 students and teachers. We are grateful to Master and Swamiji for inspiring so many souls on their path. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/madrid

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

http://www.sivananda.org/madurai

Om Namah Sivaya! In November, with the blessings of the excellent weather, the days have been very pleasant as we offered the Beginners’ Yoga spring session. The courses for Beginners’ Yoga started with a lot of energy. Meanwhile some students practiced advanced asanas while others started their practice in preparation for a beautiful presentation in the Christmas Satsang in December. we had a beautiful Diwali ceremony. The Centre was recharged with energy. We lit every corner of the house. The teachers and students loved it. We did the special Celebration of the 25th – Mahasamadhi of Swami Vishnu Devananda – with a Puja and reading of Upadhesa. We all enjoyed and were inspired by it. We also offered a Puja celebration of the Jalasamadhi of Swami Vishnudevananda and reading Upadesha. We shared the experience on our Facebook page and on the Sudamerica Sivananda Facebook. The beautiful Puja to Swamiji in Netala and end the 25th anniversary Yatra. Later in the month we were pleased to receive the teacher, Durga Devi, from Buenos Aires Sivananda Yoga Centre, who explained to us about the content of the course of Sanskrit level ll and Workshop of Hatha Yoga. We had a busy presence of students and teachers on these activities. We had the Open House day with some of the guests registering for the next Beginner classes. The children continued practicing for the Christmas Satsang, scheduled for the 8th of December. The regular classes and the popular Beginners’ Yoga courses also developed normally. Love to all. May all live under the Masters’ grace. With Prem and Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/montevideo

Om Namah Sivaya and Greetings from the Montreal Centre! We are very grateful for all the love and devotion of our yogi community at the Centre. Thanks to their support we had a beautiful Diwali celebration with 210 participants. During that day a good number of karma yogis, teachers and students helped out all day long. Satyabhama gave the Satsang and we had the blessing to have the priest Harisha and Manju for the Puja. Kamala, Jivachandra and Swami Shivabhaktananda cooked a delicious Indian fest. The celebration was especially uplifting, with a powerful chanting. The people left feeling recharged, happy and grateful. Swami Shivabhaktananda gave his last class of the Raja Yoga course, which was a big eye- opener for the students. They were very happy with the experience. Swami Shivabhaktananda led with an uplifting Satsang. We were so blessed to have large and committed community of karma yogis who are always willing to serve, keeping the Centre always clean and inviting. We are ever grateful for our Guru’s grace. Pranams to all! Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/montreal

Om Namah Sivaya. In November we had an afternoon meditation retreat. We started with a meditations workshop at 2 pm, followed by a yoga class at 4 pm and the Satsang at 6 pm. We also taught a Thought Power and Positive Thinking course to a very motivated group of participants. Spiritual highlights included the Pujas we performed on the occasion of Diwali and for Swami Vishnudevananda’s Mahasamadhi. Many close students and teachers came to the Pujas. We taught a two weekend Beginners’ Yoga Intensive course with a very motivated group of participants. Rehearsals for the theater play for the Christmas party continued, promising to be very nice performance. In the maintenance department, a second shower for staff and guests was installed on the ground floor. Gayatri returned from Berlin Centre to join the Munich staff team. Classes and courses are well attended. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/munich

Om Namah Sivaya from Neuquen. All is well, with the grace of the Masters. Shanti and Prem to everyone! Om.

Om Namah Sivaya! Om Hrim MahaLakshmyai Namaha! Om Namo Bhagavate Vishnudevanadaya! Sending pranams from New York City where the Centre is quite busy! Diwali celebration saw a big turnout with a Puja by Priest Shankara Namboodiri and chanting by Swami Satyapremananda! Followed by the famous Indian feast. We also remembered and honoured the life of Master Swami Vishnudevananda as we celebrated his MahaSamadhi and JalaSamadhi. We held a Puja just for the staff. That Sunday Satsang, Neeti conducted a Puja for the public. May the blessings of Swami ji be always with us! Other news – Subramanya is back to stay with us for a month! He is a dedicated karma yogi from Canada who just finished Sadhana Intensive in Uruguay. During the American Thanksgiving long weekend Mokshapriya went away to her family for a week. Amani left us for some time but will be back soon. Meanwhile Neeti and the guys were left to hold down the fort. We started the last Positive Thinking Course for the year with a good amount of students, taught by Neeti. One of our Satsangs was led by long time Karma yogi/teacher, Mukti Devi with the topic of Gratitude, in spirit for the Thanksgiving holiday. We closed for the Thanksgiving holiday itself on the 22nd November, with students coming back to classes on the 23rd but attendance was low (as usually happens at this time) as most people travel away from the city for the long weekend. Maheshwari taught a Pranayama Workshop that long weekend that went successfully. Neeti gave the Satsang with the classic Sunday Prayers and a talk about Karma. Once the Thanksgiving weekend was over we began gearing up for Christmas and the Holiday season. In general, all was well, the staff was well, Rama the cat was doing very well, too. The Centre ran smoothly thanks to the Grace of God and Master’s Blessings. Until next time, all the staff send their Pranams from New York City. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/ny

Om Namah Sivaya. God gave us an uplifting start to November with the Celebration of Diwali and the Jala Samadhi of Swamiji. Both Pujas were performed by the indian priest, Manoj, who came from Orleans for the occasions. Swami Gopalananda and part of the Ashram staff were also present. The students were grateful for the beautiful Pujas. Prema went home for a week. Amba from Orleans was here to support the Centre. There was a cooking class , offered by Ganga. As November progressed, the feeling of Christmas was in the air. The Paris Centre family grew again with the yogis back from Rudraprayag. The staff and some close teachers and karma yogis started the rehearsals of the Christmas play and the preparations for the party in December. There was a cheerful mood with the departure of the yogi bus to Orleans. The Main altar looked fresh with a new cloth ceiling, done by a close karma yogi. The Masters’ supported a successful Open House at the Centre. God sent good support that day to welcome everyone. The new comers appreciated the energy of the Centre and the teachings of the Masters. They were willing to start with a yoga practice. Sarasvati enjoyed preparing and giving the Introduction to Meditation class. Omkari returned home. She was of great support for the Centre during the last five weeks while the staff was in Rudraprayag. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/paris

Greetings from Porto Alegre. In November we started two Beginners’ Yoga courses with a small quantity of very disciplined students. We experienced high temperatures that influenced the students practice although the more determined students continued to participate. We had a Puja for Swamiji’s Mahasamadhi and Jalasamdhi. It was very nice to have the presence of Shankari, a teacher from São Paulo, giving asana classes and a Hindu Mythology Workshop. Meanwhile the Centre’s staff was busy while the secretary was on vacation. Friends of the Centre joined the teachers, all very enthusiastic about organizing the activities for the Year’s End Satsang. Otherwise, regular classes went normally, supported by the grace of Master and Swamji. Blessings and Peace to all of the Sivananda Family. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/portoalegre

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed selves. Swami Rajeshwarananda travelled to Yoga Camp in Canada to teach at their November TTC. Otherwise, our staff are well, steady in their Sadhana and sending pranams to all. Om Shanti. Om.

www.sivananda.org/rome

Om Namo Narayanaya, Blessed Selves. In November we offered an Open House, a Men’s Yoga Circle and a gentle class for men with health  concerns. Angelika sang for us during a Sunday Satsang, touching many hearts. Gajananam concluded a very popular 8-week series on both Vedanta and Sanskrit. Unfortunately, the air quality is not good in San Francisco, due to unprecedented fires in California. New TTC graduate Ambika Devi taught her first open class. Swami Sivasankariananda and staff members, Parvati and Uma, left for the Yoga Farm for the Thanksgiving program. We were held in the Ashram’s warm embrace and attended as many of the programs as possible with Swami Sitaramananda, Karnamrita Dasi, Swamini Svatmavidyananda, and Acharya Ellen Grace O’Brien. We drove back in time for evening Satsang in San Francisco and shared about the four goals of life and devotion. We felt the Gurus’ blessings. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/sanfrancisco

Om Namah Sivaya. In November we received the visit of Kanti Devi. We were blessed with the shared teachings as she led Hatha and Vedanta Yoga Classes. Chandra then arrived to Sao Paulo to share in the Satsangs his experience working with Swami Vishnudevananda. It was a busy week at the Centre. We organized the Open House with a workshop about the 3 Ayurveda Doshas, a Hatha Yoga Class and a Vegetarian Snack. Some of the regular students came and also some new people interested in the Beginners’ Yoga Course that will start at Dec 4th. We planned a big cleaning and preparation of the San Paulo Centre for Christmas. May the Masters continue to maintain prana and harmony in the Sivananda Centre of Sao Paulo. Om Shanti Shanti to all the Sivananda family. Om.

Om Namah Sivaya. In November the staff of the Tel Aviv Centre were blessed with the celebration of Swami Vishnudevananda’s Mahasamadhi! Staff, students and devotees traveled to the Ashram in Matta to participate in the Mahasamadhi and Jalasamadhi Pujas. Swami Swaroopananda told the eager listeners stories about the life and work of his guru, inspiring all on these special days. Meanwhile, back at the Centre, a Meditation 2 course started and a Meditation, as well as a Positive Thinking course, had introductions. Over 100 students and devotees attended a very special evening of Questions and Answers with Swami Swaroopananda. This was Swamiji’s final session before he travelled back to the Ashram in the Bahamas. Swamiji gave beautiful answers to questions submitted by attendees and inspired all in his presence to continue their Sadhana. The Centre successfully opened the newest Meditation course, held introductions to the new Positive Thinking course and also held an Ayurveda course, taught by the esteemed Eran Magon. Pranams and Peace to the Sivananda family from the Tel Aviv Centre. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/telaviv

Om Namah Sivaya. In November a Yoga 2 and Yoga 3 with 30 students in total were successfully completed. Jala Samadhi of Swami Vishnu and Diwali were celebrated with the Puja. Many students celebrated the Indian traditional event with Prasad. Hamsa, staff at Neyyar dam, India, returned to Japan and visited us to offer her service to the Centre. Some of Thai TTC graduates visited the Centre and joined in the class. Mirabai took a trip to Shoji Lake Retreat Centre to discuss a New Year program to be held there as well as to recharge and refresh herself. The best time for the view of autumn leaves at the mountain area around the Shoji Lake Centre arrived. We held a Kirtan workshop mainly practicing mainly the Sunday prayers as well as Rama Bhajan. We offered a Puja workshop to a full house. When it came to Yoga, people often focused on asana and pranayama practices alone in Japan, however, they are gradually provided with a better understanding of Bhakti Yoga. Teachings by Gurus have been being spread little by little, by which the energy in the Centre has been purified. Yoga 1 and 2 courses have been going well too. Keiko, a Japanese Jyotishi, gave an interesting well-attended workshop. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi. Om.

www.sivananda.jp

Om Namah Sivaya. In November we had yoga retreat, located outside of Toronto which was attended by around fifty students. Prahlad led classes and Satsangs supported by some of the Toronto Centre teachers. Everyone enjoyed the yogic schedule amidst beautiful nature. They all returned to the city refreshed and recharged. Saraswati left for India for two weeks while Bhavani went to visit family for a month. Mookambika left for Japan in order to try and get visa for Canada. Nikhila came for one week to be in Toronto with Nalini. We updated all courses and classes for 2019. We were trying to regularly update our social media posts and are still working on website improvements. We announced our December special and students started showing interest. With great sadness we bring you the news of Durairaj passing away. Durairaj was from Chennai. He had been helping the Sivananda Organization for the past 15 years, a very helpful, kind and generous yogi, always taking care of everyone. For the past 4 years he was a staff member between Toronto and at the Temple in Val Morin for more than 8 months a year. He was about to travel to India on 15th of November until April 2019 then return back to Canada for the summer season. He was staying at Thagur’s house (the Temple builder) in Scarborough of Toronto just before going to India as he wanted to do shopping and see some family friends. Thagur’s wife came back from work and as she did not hear anything from him went to his room to check, he was lying down and not responding, so she called ambulance and police who came and announced him as dead. We send Om Tryambakams to his soul on its journey. We also send Om Namo Narayanaya to everyone. Pranams. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/toronto

Om Namah Sivaya. In November we started an early morning batch on Mondays. All other classes continued smoothly. We conducted Swami Vishnudevananda ji’s Mahasamadhi Pooja and distributed Prasad to everyone. A karma yogi, Lakshmi from Neyyar Dam Ashram, arrived to help us for some time. We conducted a workshop for headstand. All staff members also went to Neyyar Dam Ashram to attend the TTC inaugural function. With the blessings of God and revered Gurus we had started 2 new batches mid month. A Ladies Beginners’ Yoga batch started. Along with that we had also started a 6 day long Meditation course, which will definitely help those students to attain tranquility of the mind. All other classes also went smoothly. Satsang was led by Saraswati ji. Sw. Gayatriananda ji and Kalyani ji also attended the Satsang along with other guests. After that we all had dinner together. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/trivandrum

Om Namah Sivaya. A regular four week Yoga 1, a weekend Beginners’ Yoga course, a Yoga 2 as well as a few higher courses were beginning. We welcomed Pushpa back from Reith. We had a full festive Temple room full of lights in the evening for our Deewali Puja. We celebrated Swamiji’s Mahasdamadhi with a Puja. We held a headstand workshop. We also welcomed a few newcomers for our Open House Day with many inscriptions for various courses. A Yoga for  beginners’ started on Wednesdays with a good group and also a Yoga 3 started on Saturdays. We held both a Meditation intensive course and a Yoga level 2 course. Our outside class at the adult education centre resumed. With Karma Yogis helping we could already start with the preparations for the Xmas party, scheduled in December. Staff are healthy and regular in their Sadhana. Om Shanti. Greetings to all from Vienna. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vienna

Om Namah Sivaya. A good amount of students took part in the events of the Vilnuis Centre. We had Swamiji Mahasamadhi Puja. This very special energy uplifted staff and teachers very much. We had the last Open House Day of 2018 with a very good amount of teachers, students and novices attending the events of that day. Mother Parvati kept the senior classes very stable and new seniors happily joined in. We were very happy that weekend advanced classes were alive again, maybe because of some prana created plus, the teacher now tells in advance which kind of variations will be taught in the class. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vilnius

Introspect. Watch the mind. It will gradually grow calmer and calmer. You will be able to find your defects. – Sri Swami Sivananda