Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashrams

Om Namah Sivaya, Greetings from the Headquarters. Early November was full of energy here a the Camp. Many guests and staff were at the Ashram which brought so much energy and love in celebrating Swami Vishnu’s MahaSamadhi and JalaSamadhi. The Ashram was full of Pujas. Some of the Camp staff went to our Montreal Centre and joined them in their Pujas for Swamiji. The staff at the Camp made a pilgrimage around the Camp with Swami Vishnu’s wheelchair that ended in the Krishna Temple where the Puja for Swamiji’s Mahasamdhi took place. There was such a lovely energy around the Camp. During the Puja a few staff members that had been with Swamiji while he was still alive (Sita, Tejas, and Venu) told stories and lessons that he left them.  For Swamiji’s Jala Samadhi, Prahladji, who came from Toronto for the weekend celebrations, spoke about Swami Vishnu and his last days before leaving his body.  The stories and memories were very inspiring and touching to hear. The Pujas where beautifully led by Manjunath. In addition to all of these Pujas, we had another special Puja for a staff member who was turning 60 this year. Sita, came from the US to spend her birthday with her yoga family and on Friday Manjunath led a Puja in honour of this special birthday. Saturday afternoon was also the Subramanya Ayappa Temple closing. We all went up to the Temple and had the last Pujas for the deities before bringing them down to the Krishna Temple for the winter/spring months.  The Temple will now be closed until next April.  All of these Pujas that we had throughout the week brought movement and joy to the Camp. It is also so nice to see a full house of guests and staff during this time of year. As per usual, we continued with our daily duties and upkeep of the Camp.  The staff pulled together to get things done and keep up with their practices. We still have many staff members with us after the high season which is nice to see.

By mid-November we finished preparing everything for the TTC. We had 41 students sign up for our November course. During this month we will have a full house which will bring a lot of energy and inspiration to the Camp. During this TTC, we have many of our current staff who have signed up. So while everyone has been helping out with all the preparation, we have also been preparing for a big change in staff numbers. We had our usual workshops and lectures for the guests. We had the arrival of Swami Rajeshwarianandaji from the Rome Centre. As per usual she will be our main teacher for the TTC and we are all very happy to welcome her back to the Camp. Now that the Temple closed, our maintenance crew performed a proper cleaning there. They re-painted everything in preparation for next year. Some other outdoor projects were done even though the snow started to fall. There were a few things we would like to prepare before the winter begins so that we can finish them off in the spring. The TTC group was welcomed with a beautiful first snowfall here at the Camp. It all looked so beautiful.  Sunday evening Satsang included the TTC initiation. We were all very excited to share Master and Swamiji’s teachings with this new group and help them through their journey. May the Grace of Master and Swamiji bless all. Om Shanti.

http://www.sivananda.org/camp

Namah Sivaya to all. During November Second week of TTC past smoothly including the shat kriyas. Anatomy and Physiology classes started with Dr Ghanshyam.  Swami Paramananda captivated everyone with the hatha yoga classes and meditation talks. Ravi ji has been shedding light on the Bhagavad Gita and hatha yoga texts. We are blessed to have Kanti Devi, Chandra and Swami Premananda with us for ten days. Kanti gave a touching talk about her early contact with Swamiji and the peace flight to Cuba (see You Tube). The Ayurveda Wellness Course started on Sunday with eleven enthusiastic students. Cultural programme was an invigorating concert with Haridas ji on santoor and Ratnashri on tabla. Their music transported us to new heights. Another high light was Kalyani ji’s birthday which we celebrated with cake, sweet ladoos and many happy wishes. Pranams to all the Sivananda Family.

http://www.sivananda.org/neyyardam

Om Namo Narayanaya – Greetings from Uttar Kashi. The focus of early November was 9th November, Swamiji’s Samadhi anniversary. A Puja was conducted and bandara held.  125 sadhus plus came from the surrounding area to chant in the Satsang Hall and then enjoy the feast. They all received dakshina and a large bag of 30 food, cloth, bathroom and other useful items. It had taken five days for the staff and a few Karma yogis to prepare 150 bags. The local children and villagers who were not at work also came to feast; over 700 people were fed. It was a joyful event. The Ashram closed for the winter months with the non-local staff going home; Swami Parameswari went for a few months of Ayurveda and Vedanta study. Pranams to all until March next year. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/uttarkashi

Om Namo Narayanaya. November saw the completion of TTC. The Ashram was buzzing with activities on account of several programs in the offing. The PanchaKarma Detoxification program started after a long hiatus for which numerous new arrangements had to be made. The preparations for the upcoming TTC was also simultaneously done with emphasis put on the cleaning aspect. Our Ashram also geared up for the major event of EBM meeting during the first week of December. Several major purchases pertaining to the same were also done. Yoga Vacationers carried on with their daily routine amidst the hustle and bustle surrounding these preparations. The second TTC of this season commenced with 32 aspirants getting initiated by their course teachers. We wished them good luck and continued blessings from our Masters. Praying for the well being of all from all Ashramites. Om.

www.sivananda.org/madurai

Greetings from the Yoga Ranch where during November we saw the first flakes of snow. We had the weekday Yoga Immersion for Beginners course, led by Satyavati. Swami Satyapremananda traveled to NY Centre to teach a course and lead the evening Satsang. We started the day with a beautiful Puja led by Sankara Namboodiriji in celebration of Swami Vishnu’s MahaSamadhi. Many of the Satsangs focused on Swamiji and his mission, on Guru Bhakti and the power of devotion, and on the meaning of surrender and freedom. Sankaraji led us in another Guru Puja in honour of Swamiji’s Jala Samadhi. The staff focused on some last outdoor projects in preparation for the approach of winter, as well as preparation for the renovation of the women’s bathroom in the Ananda building. We offered a Yoga of Meditation course with Swami Satyapremananda that looked at what Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6 teaches in common with the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, with a focus on Abhyasa and Vairaya. The weekend guests were a lovely group composed of yogis who are serious about practice and advanced in study.

Mid-November brought the breezes carrying in the chill of winter. The staff focused on improving the greenhouse, preparing it for the winter season. Work started on the renovation of the women’s bathroom in the Ananda building, which will include new hot-water heaters to supply the additional showers. During the weekdays, we had the monthly Positive Thinking course, led by Swami Satyapremananda, who also traveled to NY Centre to teach a course and lead the evening Satsang. On the weekend days we offered an Introduction to Yoga weekend, which again attracted a lovely group of sincere, attentive guests. Most of the Ashram staff traveled to New York Centre to be part of the Thanksgiving Satsang, led by Srinivasanji, and the feast led by Neeti and Ambika. Staff had a wonderful time connecting with the community around the Centre. We said good-bye to Ruth, who will be serving at the Retreat for a few months before moving to Australia, wishing her our best and sending her off with Tryambakams, gratitude, and blessings. Staff at the Ranch are well, feeling grateful for the grace of the Gurus and sending pranams to all. Om.

Om Namah Sivaya. During November TTC concluded with a beautiful graduation ceremony with Guru Puja honouring Swami Vishnudevananda’s Jala-Samadhi. Swami Sitaramananda and the teachers shared words of encouragement for the 30 new Siromani’s continued success in Sadhana and spiritual growth and to serve, love, and give peace to the world. Many TTC shared their stories of self-transformation, their appreciation and thanks to the Gurus, the teachers, and their fellow students. We had the birthday of Swami Sitaramananda celebrated during the special South Indian feast lunch cooked by Swami Vasishtananda and many staff and special guests graciously present with their good wishes. During the week, we had a staff gratitude party and all staff received gifts and shared their highs and lows during the intense past month.  We thanked the many Karma yogis who came to support Swamiji’s mission and the TTC during the month and send off two staff Shakti and Jagadamba to go to support the TTC in Vietnam. We thank Tara Durga Devi for her selfless presence and excellent counselling of students during the TTC, and also teaching the Gentle Yoga course. We also had a West Coast directors meeting with Yoga Farm swamis and Swami Sivasankari (SF Centre) and Hamsa Chaitanya (LA Centre) to prepare for next year 2018 programs and visions. We were inspired with the prospect of many new courses for the 2018 program, specially the Yoga Health Education Camps and Intensives. The Ashram now feels strong with some TTC graduates becoming Karma Yogis and temp staff and 3 staff of the Ashram become teachers: Vishwaprem, Neelakantha and Uma.

Later in November we were busy preparing for Thanksgiving big retreat, and Swami Sitaramananda and Swami Jnaneswariananda departure to India for EBM meeting as well as finishing all programs planning for 2018. Following the TTC Swami Sitaramananda led the 7-day Vedanta and Silence course for the staff, with readings from Viveka Chudamani and daily Self-enquiry exercises. Swamis Dharmananda and Adi Parashaktiananda assisted with the daily readings. The group was deeply inspired by this sacred teaching of Adi Sankaracharya. Ambika led the 9-day Pancha Karma retreat with guests taking seclusion for self-healing with daily Ayurveda massage therapies, detoxing meals, and withdrawing from the daily sense impressions. The weather was cool with occasional rain, the grounds were green, and the leaves were falling, creating a beautiful scene for Thanksgiving. We welcomed a new member to the herd with the arrival of a new male llama, 6 years old, to be initiated this weekend with a new name. Om Namah Sivaya to all Blessed Selves, from the Yoga Farm.

http://www.sivananda.org/farm

Om Namo Narayanaya, Blessed Selves. During November we started the week with an inspiring program given by Swami Brahmananda, titled “The Life and Mission of Swami Vishnudevananda”. Our priest, Krishnan Namoodiri, performed a beautiful Ganapati Vidya Homa invoking the energy of the divine mother Saraswati and Ganesha. We welcomed Jenny Bird, a singer and songwriter from a very young age. Her program “Singing from the Heart” took place during Satsangs and noon workshops. The priest performed a powerful Puja for Swami Vishnu’s MahaSamadhi and Swami Brahmananda read inspiring excerpts from the last chapter of the Swami Vishnudevananda Upadesha. Linda Graham arrived to the Ashram. In her program “Bouncing Back: Rewiring your Brain for Resilience and Well-Being, she integrated modern neuroscience, mindfulness practices and relational psychology. We celebrated Swami Vishnu’s JalaSamadhi with another beautiful Puja and inspiring teachings. We welcomed Rodger Kamenetz, award-winning poet, author and teacher, as part of the interfaith symposium “Spiritual Narratives: My Story, Your Story, Their Story”, which continued the following week. Parvati Chaitanya taught a 5-day Essentials of Yoga I Course. Saraswati (Sylvie Boisclair) taught the course “Fine Tune Your Asana Practice”, in which she helped the participants to find tune and expand their practice.

Later in November The Interfaith Symposium “Spiritual Narratives: My Story, Your Story, Their Story” continued. We welcomed Nathan Katz, who is a Professor of Jain studies and director of Jewish studies; Jan Willis, who has studied with Tibetan Buddhists for more than 50 years; and Ralph White, co-founder, of the New York Open Centre and an international speaker on spirituality and consciousness. The four writers revealed their own stories from their own spiritual memoirs, and guided the exploration of the spiritual lives of others. Swami Brahmananda participated in the symposium by giving Satsangs on Swami Sivananda’s article “How God came into my Life”. We welcomed Latif Bolat, who is an expert in Sufi music and ancient Turkish mystical-devotional music. He gave beautiful performances during his program “Healing Sounds of Ancient Turkey”. We welcomed Douglas Canterbury-Counts, who practices sacred psychology with specialties in neuropsychology and behavioural medicine; and Jaya Canterbury-Counts, earned her master’s degree in counselling psychology before moving to the Kashi Ashram. During their program “The Power of Service”, they shared inspiring stories of their journeys through 35 years of local and international Karma Yoga. Manu Dawson, a certified Yoga Nutrition Therapist, Integral Yoga Teacher and practicing clinical nutritionist, taught the 5-day “Fall Cleanse, Detox and Juice Fast”. Kam Thye Chow, who mentors and trains students in Thai Yoga Massage worldwide, taught a 6-day course on “Thay Yoga Massage: Level 1”. Pranava taught a 5-day Essentials of Yoga II Course and Narayani Chaitanya a 3-day Essentials of Meditation Weekend Course. Om.

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Om Namah Sivaya. Retreat House is closed. In Mittersill: The second month of our stay in the “Hohe Tauern” has started with an “active relaxation and stressreduction course”. Mainly women came to recover from the demands of everyday life, to reflect on their habits and to experience the benefits of yoga through a regular practice. Everyone felt the calming and recharging effects of the Satsangs and were ready to focus on subjects like health, sound sleep, contentment and happiness from inside.  As the group gradually opened up they shared their stress-related problems amongst each other and were grateful for getting new perspectives from the yogic side. For the weekend younger people brought a fresh and lively energy. The yoga classes were brought up to a more advanced level and quite a few were thinking to do a TTC in the near future. Lectures on the development of thought power and positive thinking were received with interest. Heavy snowfall has changed the environment into an idyllic winter landscape. A strong snowfall over the weekend had changed the surrounding landscape into an impressive white winter- scenery. The guests were happy to stay more indoor and enjoy the wellness and yoga offers. The focus for this week was ” Inner balance through meditation”. Lectures focused on the physical, mental and spiritual effects of meditation. In the yoga classes we worked mainly on hip- and leg-flexibility as a prerequisite for a comfortable meditation seat. The application of the five yogic principles as a tool to release any kind of tension was the subject for the weekend. The newcomers were eager to follow the daily schedule and to experience the profound benefits of a holistic yogic practice. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/tyrol

Om Namah Sivaya. The Ashram closure continued until Thursday and it was a quiet and at the same time very active time. The days started with early morning pranayama. Satsangs and silent walks alternated and before evening Satsang the Lalita Sahasranama was chanted. We also did a fasting day and permanent staff continued group Japa at mid-day. Two of our Karma yogis are now changing over to TTC after many weeks and months of good service and progress in their Sadhana. Parvati and Jnanadev arrived to support us during the next weeks. The renovations continued and the office and two rooms were painted. A new drop ceiling was installed in the ATTC room and after the works the Krisnha altar was reinstalled with a Puja. Karma Yogis worked from the front gate into the Ashram, fixing, cleaning and tidying as they go to make sure the Ashram presents well from first impression through the entire stay. The boutique was reorganized and the dining tent prepared for the winter season. The TTC arrival preparations made good progress and everyone warming up to receive the group. Friday was the first full day back with guests who had arrived for the programme about Asanas as a key to relaxation and a welcome change in the energy of the Ashram. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/orleans

During November the Ashram was full of activity with preparations for the upcoming TTC course. New temporary staff arrived from the US. Swami Narayanananda arrived back from a short trip to Japan. Ganga Chaitanya from the Ho Chi Minh Centre joined us to help with teaching. The group  of TTC students was made up of 30 Vietnamese nationals, joined by a group of international students from Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Hong Kong and the USA. We were surprised to see that male participants make up 40% of the Vietnamese group. The course, which is the third one held in the Ashram this year, was taught in both Vietnamese and English. Arrivals day went well with the course initiated with a Guru Puja. We feel and were grateful for Guru’s blessings.

Later in November the Ashram was full of activity and energy with the start of our third TTC of the year. The course was made up of mainly Vietnamese students. Swami Narayanananda taught the main lecture and chanting classes, Swami Pranavananda taught Bhagavad Gita and Hatha Yoga classes, supported by Ganga Chaitanya and a group of 7 teaching assistants. Students jumped into the full schedule and have proved to be a well disciplined and enthusiastic group. For the first time, since the Vietnamese students were a majority, many of the Hatha Yoga classes were taught in Vietnamese with English translation. We welcomed musician Joss Jaffe, who has performed previously in the Nassau Yoga Retreat and the Yoga Farm. Joss’s melodious and heartfelt approach to the singing of mantras was much appreciated by our TTC students who could gain a deeper understanding of the benefits of chanting. Joss gave one evening concert, and led a voice workshop the following day. TTC students had the chance to express themselves in a talent show, with support again from Joss. We looked forward to the continuation of the course and give thanks daily for Master’s and Swamiji’s grace. Om.