Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres

Om Namah Sivaya. The Berlin Centre was well visited in November. A Yoga 3 and Yoga 4-courses started with nice groups of students, some of them not here for a long time. Also teachers who were abroad for a while were happy to come back to the Centre and were warmly welcomed. We had a beautiful Diwali-Puja with many lights on the altar, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere. Again, we had excellent support with household and maintenance and some projects were completed. We offered a good Satsang with energetic chanting and attentive new students who fitted in very nicely.

As November continued, classes and Satsangs were well visited. Courses and classes continued and a Y3-course started with inspired students. A new TTC-graduate came for Satsang and Karma Yoga, ready to continue the Sadhana at the Centre. A highlight was the teachers’ meetings with a good group of our teachers. The atmosphere was joyful and familiar and everyone was happy to meet again. After a class and a snack we spoke mainly about how to teach safely in times of Covid and how to adapt the situation in the class to the present situation to make everyone feel safe and relaxed. After tea and cookies, everyone left in good spirits. We had a well visited Satsang with energetic chanting and a text from Master about the Yoga of Synthesis. Swami Gokulananda returned, inspired from the Retreat House in Tyrol, where she had supported the TTC and other programmes.

We had good support from Karma yogis for cleaning, polishing altar brass and reception. Staff are all well. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/berlin

Om Namah Sivaya. We are grateful to be able to offer daily yoga classes through Zoom. Please join us! We will wait for you! Any sum you can contribute will be grateful from the heart. You can contact us for any questions about practicing yoga at home through e-mail: [email protected]
or by calling 11 4804 7813.

Continue your practice from your home. For any queries do not hesitate to contact us. If changes or news arise, we will inform you. We salute you with a fervent desire for peace and health for all. We hope you are all well. Pranams. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/baires

Om Namah Sivaya to all Blessed Selves from the Chennai Centre. We started an online Beginners’ Yoga in early November. We celebrated Diwali without crackers – Covid regulations. Online numbers were down due to the festive season. Regular classes continued well with moderate number of students. It continued to pour heavily as well and most of the areas around Chennai are flooded. We started to see fewer students because of the inconvenience caused by the rain throughout Chennai. The weekend Variation Class was postponed. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Chennai and the two neighbouring districts.

Later in November heavy rain continued to lash Chennai with several areas inundated again. Streets were still filled with water, which made it inconvenient for our students to park their vehicles. We organized a Ganapathy Homam which uplifted the energy at the Centre. Nirmalaji left the Centre, hoping to see her soon. Online classes went well with a moderate number of students. Apart from that all our staff are good and doing their Sadhanas.

Our India Centres and Ashrams are following MHA guidelines closely to ensure the safety and comfort of all. The continued practice of social distancing and limited class sizes are to meet these requirements. These guidelines will be posted in all our Centres and Ashrams. Please familiarize yourself with these safety precautions: MOH Guidelines for Yoga Institutions. We look forward to having you at the Centre and practicing together. We are also continuing online classes. Please visit www.sivananda.org.in/online-yoga for online classes.

All staffs did their Sadhana and enjoyed the Sunday evening Satsangs. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/madras

Om Namah Sivaya from the Chicago Centre. We are grateful to the Gurus for continuing to protect and inspire our Sadhana. Join us online for courses, studies, Satsangs and yoga classes. Take good care! We wish you awareness of Guru’s Grace. Om and Prem.

http://www.sivananda.org/chicago

Om Namah Sivaya from the beautiful DaLat Centre. Thanks to Guru’s blessing, our Centre can keep the strong energy to serve the community. Dalat Centre was allowed to reopen at 50% capacity. We have received a small number of students back to offline asana classes. We continued to run online classes at the same time. All classes went well.

In November, despite the Covid situation in Dalat getting more complicated at the end of October, the Centre was still able to stay open. All classes went well. Our two on-site Beginners’ Yoga Courses, online Proper Breathing Course and online Meditation Course continued smoothly. The Gentle Class closed temporarily as we recruited a new batch of students. We had online Satsang with Swami Sita. Sankari finished her 5-day practicum course on Yoga for Diabetes. We continued to promote the November courses. We will also begin/restart a few private classes.

As November progressed we started an on-site Basic Ayurveda course. We had Satsang with Swami Sita on Thursdays online, and on-site Satsang with Swami Narayan on Sundays. We finished one Beginners’ Yoga Course and continued the other BY. An online Positive Thinking course was offered. All Dalat Center staff and resident received the second Covid vaccination. Harini came back to the Center after many months at home due to lock-down. She was tested and did self-quarantine. We got the door installed for the kitchen in the basement. It worked well at preventing most of the kitchen noise and odour from affecting the classes upstairs.

We did our best to keep our Sadhana strong and maintain energy. We pray for Guru’s grace and blessings. Om.

https://sivanandayogavietnam.org

Om Namah Sivaya to all. Namaste to one and all. The Dwarka Centre’s activities went well in November. We started a new batch of Beginners’ Yoga courses, an online kids class and  basic open class with a good number of students. This month weather was progressively getting colder, plus, the pollution was at its high level which makes it students difficult to get out of their house. Even then we get a hall full of students in the early morning batch. Each day commenced with Aarthy and followed by lighting lamp in all our halls which makes a good ambiance for the students. We made plans to change the class timing and schedule, taking the weather change into account. We planned to start a meditation, onsight kids, and gentle classes in the upcoming days. Satsang on Sunday evenings was conducted by our staff with a few students and followed by Aarthy and Prasad. Hope for the best in the future.

We continued with our online classes, courses & programs. For details, please visit sivananda.org.in/online-yoga

May Master and Swamiji bless all in continuing on the yogic path. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/dwarka

Greetings and Namaste from Sivananda Nataraja Centre. With the Grace of Gurus everything was fine at the Centre in November. We started a Beginners’ Yoga course at 4pm with a few students. We also started a Beginners’ Yoga course online at 6.30am. The number of students in open classes decreased slightly. The air pollution in Delhi was severe and the schools closed for one week. Rest is all well at the Centre with the Grace of Gurus.

Mid month we started a Beginners’ Yoga, a meditation and a weight loss courses on site with few students & because of these courses online the number of students increased marginally. Not many people arrived for Yoga in Delhi because of severe air pollution.

The rest our activities went well at the Centre and all the staff are doing good with the Grace of Gurus. May Master and Swamiji bless and protect all while continuing on their yogic path. Please stay connected – https://sivananda.org.in/delhi/ Pranams to all. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/delhi

Om Namah Sivaya. Asana classes and beginners’ yoga courses continued in November. The Center was well visited. A Yoga 2 started on Mondays with 4 students. A few teachers participated in the afternoon class and stayed after to celebrate Divali in the evening Satsang.

With best wishes for health and peace. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/geneva

Om Namah Sivaya. The Hochiminh Centre remained closed in November and continued teaching online classes.

Hochiminh Center was closed for almost 2 weeks for Covid quarantine because one of the students who practiced on site open class tested positive with Covid. After all the cleansing and tests for the staff and residents, we were happy to reopen again. The staff kept up their Sadhana and carried on the online and on site teaching together. We started the Online restorative yoga course, taught by Daya Chaitanya with a good number of attendants. Ganga Chaitanya finished the advanced asana course.

We pray for everyone’s health and inspiration to keep practicing and teaching! May the Sivananda family worldwide be safe and continue the wonderful teachings, in all ways possible. Om.

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

Om Namah Sivaya. In November we focused on getting the Centre as tidy and ready as possible for the arrival of Swami Jyotirmayananda, who arrived to take care of the Centre. At that point, the Centre had again two staff for the first time in nearly a year. May the Masters’ Mission continue in London with great success.
You can reserve your online yoga class or course via MindBody. For more information, please call us on +44 (0) 208 780 0160 or if would like to receive our daily newsletter.
May the Masters’ blessings and protection be with all of you, always. With best wishes for health and inner peace. Om Tat Sat. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/london

Om Namo Narayanaya. Blessed Sivananda Yoga Community, the Sivananda Yoga Centre in Los Angeles is open. All continued forward, with Gurus’ Grace.

In early November the Center was sparkling for our Diwali Celebration. Pundit Samavedula gave an overview of the eight forms of Lakshmi and then led a beautiful Lakshmi Puja where we offered 108 lotus flowers at her feet. There were lights everywhere. A reception followed on the front porch with samosas, decaf chai and sparklers. All were in good spirits. We felt Mother Lakshmi providing for us. We started a 5-session Love in Action course, where most of the group attended in person. While wearing masks, it was a joy to be in each others physical company, and have use a physical white board! Most of our courses continued to be online, despite the in-person option. We offered a Mantras for Health workshop, where we introduced beginners to Om, Om Namo Narayanaya and the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra and did lots of Japa. Swami Sivasankari and Radha Chaitanya observed online teaching groups for the Yoga Farm TTC. Days were full. Hearts were full.

By mid November Swami Sivasankariananda and Radha Chaitanya were busy with Yoga Health Education students, offering bite-sized practices. Of note, a woman with a traumatic brain injury embraced Bhakti Yoga and committed to a 15-minute adapted chair yoga routine. We offered a workshop called Sattvic Space to introduce basic Vastu principles while looking at the gunas, and ideas of color, placement, clutter, etc. Prompted by another garden planning meeting, we had a Karma Yoga Party in the garden to do some weeding and rock excavating. All worked hard and were eager to return. Radha Chaitanya led a Katha & Kirtan program on the Hanuman Chalisa Sunday afternoon.

We were grateful to serve and very blessed and in awe of Gurus’ Grace. May the Gurus guide us as our reach grows wider and wider. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/la

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed Selves! Welcome to the oasis of peace amid the pressures of everyday life in the city. The Sivananda Yoga Centre in Madrid is the place where you can recharge and reconnect with yourself. https://www.sivananda.es/protocolo-sanitario/

November started with a long weekend. Despite the long weekend, classes were well visited. We had the last Open Day of the year with humble but very positive participation. Students were introduced to the 5 points of yoga. We were blessed to have much support from close teachers for the event. The spiritual highlight was the celebration of Diwali, joining the online Puja by priest Yagneshwara live from Bangalore. The TTC online ended successfully with an inspiring graduation ceremony.

During mid November classes continued with steady attendance. A Yoga 1 started with 8 students. The cold temperatures arrived in Madrid and new protocols of mask wearing were set for the practice of yoga indoors. The Chair Yoga online course with Gopala came to an end with grateful students motivated to continue the practice at home. Sunday evening onsite Satsangs saw 15 students attending. Everyone appreciated the live chanting and inspiring readings about Ahimsa from Masters Bliss Divine.

We are grateful to Master and Swamiji. Staff are well and sending our best wishes for health and peace. Pranams to all. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/madrid

Om Namah Sivaya to all. Due to the unpredictability of the on-going Covid-19 pandemic situation we recommend you contact your local Centres and Ashrams directly for their latest update. Free online Yoga classes, courses and programs are always available during the Covid-19 pandemic. We look forward to having you at the Centre and practicing together. Please familiarize yourself with these safety precautions at https://www.mohfw.gov.in We thank our Masters for all blessings and support bestowed. May all be blessed with equanimity and steadiness in practice. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/madurai

Om Namah Sivaya from the Montevideo Centre. In November the Centre had very beautiful energy. Teachers and students were grateful for the possibility of being able to do classes. Chandrashekar continued to teach the Beginners’ Yoga course with energy and joy. We had a special Archana of Om Namo Bhagavate Vishnudevanandaya and special Om Namo Narayanaya repetition on the 9 of November. Chandra shared his experiences with Swami Vishnu. Dr. Padma continued with the adapted yoga workshop. The students were very grateful. Chandrashekar directed the Satsang on line to South American students on Fridays and Saturdays, and on Sundays led by Swami Dayananda. Friday and Sunday Satsangs had Portuguese translation.

We are happy to serve, love to all. We pray intensely for peace and harmony in this world. May the Grace of Gurudev and Swamiji be upon us all. Om Shanti. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/montevideo

Om Namah Sivaya and Greetings from the Montreal Centre! We have an extensive lineup of online classes. May God’s grace and the teachers’ blessings always remain with us and guide us into being of impeccable service to the people around the world. Pranams to all. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/montreal

Om Namah Sivaya. November started with a public holiday on the 1st of November on which we offered a drop-in class in the morning and one in the afternoon. We began another Yoga 1 Beginners’ Yoga course with a group of very motivated participants. The spiritual highlight was the celebration of Diwali. We celebrated in an evening Satsang then joined the special online Diwali Pujas, performed by priest Yagneswara Dixit, from India.

By mid November we started a Beginners’ Yoga course with all participants continuing their practice. Also two of our advanced courses started with a fresh four-week course cycle. Swami Vidyananda came back from the yoga vacation program in Mittersill/Salzburg /Austria and Swami Narayanananda went back to the Sivananda Retreat House in Reith/Tyrol/Austria.

We wish everyone health and inner strength. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/munich

Om Namah Sivaya from Manhattan. In mid November the weather warmed up for a bit so we were very busy at the Centre. The students from FIT were back to do Yoga classes with us. The Center offered 7 such classes in addition to the ongoing ones. After the class the students would stay for a simple meal of Dal rice and roasted veggies. There was a clear change in their food choice as more were up for this vegetarian fare. The professors who brought their students in mentioned they were sorely missing Rama, the cat. Acharya Srinivasanji stopped by on his way to visit his mother. Maureen (staff at the Ranch) travelled with him. While here she and Brian, a long time supporter of the Center, received Mantra initiation.

We send our blessings for all to stay healthy, positive and strong in Sadhana! Join us online for courses, studies, Satsangs and yoga classes. May Gurudev’s blessings continue to light our path. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/ny

Om Namah Sivaya. November started with an extra evening Satsang led by Gopala on the topic “My years with my Master” from Swamiji. Life gave us a beautiful celebration of Diwali in the evening with many lights, flowers, kirtans, delicious ladus and Lakshmi, Vishnu, Krishna and Rama Puja. Swami Nityananda and Vasishta were back from Orleans to prepare the Puja. We Celebrated Diwali with the European Sivananda Family online. There was the Sudarshana Yantra Puja for Diwali led by the priest from Bangalore. Swami Kailasananda gave an uplifting Satsang on the topic of love from Bliss Divine. That day, Parvati from Orleans explained to the staff and karma yogis how to program the sending of the links for the online classes. We were happy to see our Gurubais from Orleans. There was a cheerful and sweet mood during the Satsang with bells from the church nearby, Krishna kirtans and the commentary of Swamiji on Master’s words. We were grateful with God for giving to us Swami Kailasananda’s presence and guidance. God gave us an uplifting start to the day with the Satsang led by Swami Kailasananda with beautiful kirtans, the shanti mantras and two inspiring poems of Master. Swamiji and the Gurubais went back to the Ashram after the Satsang. As with every first Sunday of the month, we chanted Om Namo Narayanaya for a healthy planet. After the online meditation we chanted for half an hour more and did Likitha Japa. For the evening Satsang we had the Sunday prayers and inspiring questions and answers from the book essence of Yoga of Swami Sivananda. Bhakti was in the air with the Pujas and Satsangs. A close Karma yogi Balarama planted some new flowers in the entrance.

Mid November was uplifting with the visit of Swami Kailasananda. Swamiji gave an inspiring evening Satsang on the topic of karma yoga. The day after, Swamiji read some slokas of the Gita in the morning Satsang. We enjoyed the visit of our Gurubais Parvati, Madalasa and Saraswati. We were also happy to see Kailas on his way to the Ashram. The students were gradually coming back. The Masters kept sending precious help. We kept chanting for peace daily and doing a weekly Puja from Bangalore on Fridays, chanting the Mahisasura Mardini and the Lalita Sahasranama once a week. The staff appreciated the Fire of yoga and the Hatha yoga inspiration. There was a workshop on the topic of fear. During Satsangs we had beautiful kirtans, the Sunday prayers and inspiring words of Swamiji on the topic of detachment and karma from Vishnudevananda Upadesha.

We continued to chant daily online the Om Namo Narayanaya for peace chant. We also chanted the mantra onsite with a group of students and karma yogis.

May Swami Sivananda and Swami Vishnudevananda continue to guide and to inspire all of us. With all our wishes for health and peace. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/paris

Om Namah Sivaya. November started with Swami Shambhu offering an evening Satsang on the subject of the different philosophical schools of thought in India. Many people joined in the Center and also via zoom. We celebrated Swami Prema’s birthday with a beautiful Puja. Teachers and karma yogis came to the Center and we had a wonderful feast in the Center’s garden. All the dishes were prepared by Iswari Hemda. Ananda Noam decorated the birthday cake with beautiful Saraswati. We went to Jerusalem and had a history tour with new discoveries by the archeologists. Bhargavi Chaitanya finished teaching Patanjali course and already started signing up students for the coming course.

Mid November Swami Hridyananda gave an evening Satsang on the subject of Bhakti yoga. Bhargavi Chaitanya opened a new meditation course. Students came to the Center and also joined via zoom. We added many open yoga classes to our schedule, morning classes as well as evening. It was very exciting to see new students coming to the Center. During the weekend we stayed in the Mata Ashram and celebrated Swami Hridyananda’s birthday and the seventh birthday of the Ashram. Teachers and karma yogis joined for a beautiful Puja.

May the Master’s grace be with all. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/telaviv

Om Namah Sivaya. November started with a Puja for celebrating Diwali, joined by Keiko Ito, a jyotisha who offered a workshop on the same day, and a Karma yogi, Himavan. The sessions on Stress Management, as a part of the SYHET course, were given online by Shanti. The daily online asana classes and the weekend Yoga 1 course were going well in their progress. We broadcasted the international Satsang, led by Swami Sita on SNS, which was our regular program.

By mid November the weekend programs, the Forgiveness course by Swami Narayanandaji and Positive Thinking course continued. Daily asana classes and the Satsang led by Swami Sitaramanandaji were received well. We offered a Kirtan workshop. We saw an onset of a full-fledged winter in areas around the Shojiko Lake, with a temperature nearly below zero celsius and Mt. Fuji covered with white snow. The Shojiko Retreat thoroughly prepared for the cold winter season.

Online asana classes went well in November with good number of students attending. May Master and Swamiji’s grace be with all. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi. Om.

http://www.sivananda.jp

Om Namah Sivaya. In November we started new meditation courses, Level 1 and Level 2 Yoga and a new Yoga 2. We continued with online courses as well. Our Pranayama challenge finished with a group of inspired students and teachers. We did a Puja for Swamiji’s Mahasamadhi. Kanti Deviji and karma yogi Amin visited us from the Yoga Camp. It was wonderful having them at the Center for a few days and we enjoyed their loving presence. We also celebrated our student Mayda’s birthday.

May Master and Swamiji’s blessings bring all good health and peace. May we continue to be useful for many. We send Om Namo Narayanaya to everyone. Pranams. Love to all. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/toronto

Om Namah Sivaya. In November all the classes went well, with gurus and gods grace. We started a new morning Beginners’ Yoga with good number of students. Diwali was celebrated in calm manner since crackers were banned due to the Covid Pandemic. One of our staff member, Lucky, went to help Chennai Centre. Sunday Satsang was attended by some guest along with staff.

By mid November all classes continued well, by gods grace. Slowly we saw people coming out and returning to normal life. Since the schools re-opened after the pandemic we hoped our ladies class attendance will improve as they will have free time after sending the kids to school. Sunday Satsang was conducted with some guest from outside the Centre. All is well otherwise, by gods grace.

Our thoughts are with you all and we pray that you keep well and positive during these challenging times. Keep up your Sadhana and prayer for one and around in the planet. Please stay connected. Pranams to all from Trivandrum Centre Kerala South of India. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/trivandrum

Om Namah Sivaya. Participation in our on-site yoga classes and evening meditations is possible if you have been tested, vaccinated or recovered, please bring proof with you. We continue to offer an extensive online and live schedule. https://wien.sivananda.yoga/kalender-yoga-online/
November started with the autumn vacation. In spite of the time away, our classes were well visited. The highlight were the morning Online Poojas of the Divali Festival, which were conducted by Yagneshwara from Bangalore. Many students and teachers joined the celebrations, which were spreading a strong energy in the Centre. The public holiday gave the students an additional presential Satsang. A new Beginners’ Yoga course started with a group of enthusiastic pensioners. The complete online Satsang came from Vienna, expanding the Centre’s online service to the students.

By mid November a new Beginners’ Yoga course started with a good number of motivated young students, also a Yoga 2 course started. Students were grateful to have the opportunity to practice in the Centre. The Staff prepared to close the Centre as a federal lockdown was announced. The staff online activities continued full of inspiration.

Staff are well. We wish everyone health and inner strength. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vienna

Om Namah Sivaya. We were very glad that the Vilnius Centre can function, that new students can arrive and previous students and teachers can return to Yoga in November. The Vilnius Centre was closed because of the public holidays. But even that short week saw a good amount of students. We were very happy to be able to renew asana classes on Sundays – it brought a very good group of students and teachers for the Sunday morning Satsang, so Sunday prayers were chanted with a very good inspiration and bhava.

By mid November classes and beginners courses continued. The tendency to visit a yoga Center on certain days and hours has changed dramatically. Previously, the most popular days for the course were Tuesday / Thursday. Nowadays, we don’t get any course registrations these days. We are very happy that more and more students are attending morning classes and open class on Fridays. Saturdays were full of students, prana and good mood. Nine people attended the cooking workshop. As always, teacher Janaki was able to conduct the lesson very calmly, interestingly and the dishes were very tasty and satwic. The students were absolutely happy, especially at the end after they tried the orange pie without sugar. Satsangs, open classes and courses (Yoga 1,2 and 3) continued as usual.

We are very grateful to the teachers, who support the Centre so well. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vilnius