Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashrams

Om Namah Sivaya from the Yoga Camp! During mid-January we welcomed guests back to the Ashram after the staff Sadhana week. Things were back in full swing quickly. Guests enjoyed activities such as snow shoeing, asana and meditation coaching, bread making, a visit to Samadhi Estate, a documentary called “Water has Memory” and talks on practical and philosophical aspects of yoga in a casual and relaxed setting. Over the weekend Chandrika and Parimala ran the program “Learn Yoga in a Weekend”, where guests learnt the five principals of yoga, the twelve asanas, basic meditation techniques and participated in the daily life of the Ashram. By the end of the program participants were joining the open (softer) class, including many who were completely new to yoga. The weekend program attracted a French clientele so we were able to give the workshops and classes completely in French . As well on the weekends bilingual teachers are made available for the open classes, also given in French. Our extended family was ever present Uma, Gita, teaching an open class as well. Rama, a Swami Vishnu devotee, and close neighbour expressed his support with his cooking and particularly his bread, scone and desert making. Shambu inspired the staff every Thursday by telling stories about Swami Vishnu. All the trees were heavy with snow. Simple pristine beauty surrounds the Ashram. All is well in the Ashram. Pranams to all the Sivananda Family as the New Year begins.

http://www.sivananda.org/camp

Om Namo Narayanaya. In early January, apart from the Yoga Vacation program, Ashram activities were geared towards preparing for TTC, this term with many translations. We welcomed Swami Sitaramamanda, Swami Pranavananda, Swami Shyamamanda, Swami Annapurnananda, Swami Satcidananda and Ananta Chaitanya to the Ashram, along with many TTC assistants and translators. The Reception office was a hive of activity, as nearly 200 TTC students arrived. Yoga Vacation guests graciously vacated dormitories to make space for the new students. We have set up 3 temporary dorms to accommodate the extra guests at this time of the year. Dance was the main theme of the Talent Show with a variety of dance forms exhibited including hip hop, Bollywood, an interesting blend of Bharatanatyam and Irish folk dance and a gracefully presented set of Kalaripyattu moves. The January TTC got off to a good start with 8 initiators on stage including Swami Gayatriananda and Swami Rajeshwariananda. Apart from English there are 8 language groups; Japanese, Singhalese, Farsi, Malayalam, Tamil, German, Hindi and Spanish. We look forward to an interesting month ahead.

During mid-January, after the hectic activity of TTC registration, things settled down nicely. The stage was decorated with many fresh flowers for initiation. Students introduced themselves individually during Satsang and the staff did the same the next evening. With 197 students, and more than half non-English, speaking the experience has been one of Unity in Diversity. Highlights included eighty students for a Kanyakumari outing and a Kalipara silent. Nataraj, Kalyani and Suresh spent a few days in Madurai Meenakshi Ashram for the India directors meeting and opening of the new Satsang hall. We welcomed Narayanan and Nagaraj to join the teaching faculty. Pranams to all Sivananda Staff.

http://www.sivananda.org/neyyardam

Om Namo Narayanaya. May the Gurus’ blessings of be with us all for 2015. Pranams. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/uttarkashi

Om Namo Narayanaya. Early January commenced with a Ganapathy Homam as an auspicious start for the Sadhana Intensive. The students are guided to gently pick up the module which is kept lighter to begin with. Planning for the upcoming IDM on the 15th of Jan and the Inaugural ceremony that would follow on 18th were the prime focus for which the staff are in their best shape supporting in all areas of work. Prahladaji is multitasking, giving perfect attention to everyone, official to personal, in addition to handling Sadhana Intensive. The Maha Sudharshana Homam, a powerful and grand Homam consisting of the recitation of many Veda mantrams preceded by Beejaksharams and Prayogams, was organized especially for Sadhana Intensive students. The yoga vacationers were invited to participate in the course, the Satsangs, the food and the overall spiritual gravity of this place. We bid farewell to Ishwaraji who was heading to Neyyar Dam who was accompanied also by Swami Satchidananda. The Saturday talent show was given up in order not to interfere with the Sadhana which was getting gradually intense.

During mid-January we saw the most happening week in the history of Meenakshi Ashram in the recent past! Visit by Executive Board Members, Indian Directors’ Meeting, Graduation ceremony for Sadhana Intensive, Inauguration of the New Satsang Hall and lastly the Initiation of Advanced Teachers’ Training Course, all came close in the same time and needless to say it also was the busiest week. The EBM Swami Durgananda, Swami, Kailasananda and Swami Sivadasananda made their first ever visit to the Ashram on 14th and appeared completely impressed with its rustic and simplistic ambience. For the IDM which followed from the 15th to 17th we were very happy to receive and host all the Directors from across the Country. Also we were glad to welcome Swami Kesavananda who will be staying with us for a couple of months and help with the courses. A grand Pooja was organized on 17th in the New Satsang Hall which from then onwards was appropriately renamed by Swami Durgananda as “Swami Vishnudevananda Satsang Hall”. In the same evening Swami Sivadasananda performed a musical concert comprising some of our popular chants along with the Ashram staff and guests. His skill in composing was so evident on seeing the beautiful outcome of the chants brought out in such a short time. The Inaugural ceremony on the 18th was a grand event attended by VIPs in and around Madurai with Ashram guests and public as spectators. The function was followed by a grand feast cooked and served by an outside catering team. The same night was the ATTC Initiation ceremony; a good strength of 79 students was initiated into the course by Swamijis Rajeshwariananda, Sivabakthananda and Kesavananda. Om Shanthi. May Master and Guru be with us all. Peace and Pranams to the Sivananda family.

www.sivananda.org/madurai

Greetings from the Yoga Ranch! Early January started relatively quiet. Staff that had been away for the holiday began to return back to the Ashram. Long time staff, Paul, took ill and was brought to the hospital where he spent several days being treated for an infection. He was later transferred to a physical therapy rehabilitation Centre for a few weeks to help gain back strength and improve his walking. Staff took turns visiting him and helping through this challenging time. We are happy to report he is strong has a positive attitude, determined to be back at the Ashram quickly. One weekend program was a beginners immersion and was well attended with 20 guests. Mahadev Chaitanya taught a workshop on the five points and during Satsangs expounded on the teachings of yoga. We offered coaching classes and daily nature walks for the guest to enjoy the beauty of winter.

During mid-January the National holiday celebrating the life of the great peace and civil rights activist, Martin Luther King, Jr., attracted a large group of guests. This is always a busy weekend at the Ashram, as we had a full house partaking in the Positive Thinking weekend program. An upbeat and inspired energy pervaded the Ashram. Many of the guests were first time visitors and left with positive feedback and the promise to return soon. Swami Narayanananada came up from the New York Centre to give Satsangs. The freezing rain made it a challenge for the guests to get around. Not only were walkways frozen and slippery, but the roads also froze, creating some difficulty for guests to drive home. Staff all pitched in sanding the driveways, parking lot and walkways in the freezing rain to help ensure a safer situation for the guests on their departures. There was a true spirit of Karma Yoga felt, as everyone did what was needed, selflessly. Staff are remaining strong in their Sadhana. Paul is still in rehab for his walking stability and is making great progress. His prognosis is good and he should be returning to the Ashram next week. Staff sends Pranams to all! May the Gurus’ blessings of be with us at this time of year.

Om Namo Narayanaya. In early January the Ashram offered the Beginners Level 1 course, taught by Padmini, as well as the Vedanta for Beginners with Swami Sankarananda, studying the Tattva Bodha of Adi Shankaracharya. We also had a Beginners Intensive Weekend with 12 students taking advantage of the mild winter weather to jump start their yoga practice in the New Year. Some of the staff and guests took a trip to historic Placerville (the 3rd largest city in California during the 1850’s Gold Rush) to see the Tibetan Monks from Gaden Shartse Monastery making a sand mandala. The monks were very accessible and we were able to watch the exacting techniques used over the 11 days to create the mandala before its dissolution ceremony. Mahadeva left to join Swami Sitaramananda for the TTC in Neyyar Dam and Priya took leave to visit Mexico.

During mid-January the Ashram offer the 5-day Beginners Meditation course taught by Swami Jnaneswariananda with guests and staff learning more about the mechanics of the mind and the practice of meditation. The Ayurvedic Massage and Rejuvenation Retreat over the weekend was a great success with Ambika giving talks on the science of Ayurveda and its practice in daily life. Guests enjoyed the sauna, Ayurvedic massage and treatments, and free time to rest and rejuvenate. We said goodbye to Shambu who ran the kitchen during the December TTC and the hectic Holiday Season as well as taking care of the Llamas, Alpacas, and goats and fixing the roads on the Ashram. We look forward to seeing him back soon. Swami Dharmananda left Friday for programs in Chicago. Om Namo Narayanaya blessings to all the Sivananda family.

http://www.sivananda.org/farm

Om Namo Narayanaya, Blessed Selves. In early January, a new year began with new resolutions for spiritual practice and well-being. We were happy to have Srinivasan back with us at the Ashram, teaching the ATTC and also the Foundations of Raja Yoga Retreat from January 6-30. The Yoga, Stress and Food workshops with Ambika were held from January 7-11. These were well-attended and enjoyed by guests. The Power of Positive Thinking Weekend was held from January 9-11 with 16 participants. Life After Life talks with Raymond Moody began on January 9 and continue. Dr. Moody presents case studies and information gathered from his many decades of research on the subject of Life after Life and Near death experiences. We are building a new covered deck beside Swami Vishnu’s house which will serve for smaller yoga classes and courses. The deck went up quickly within a span of a week start to finish.

During mid-January On the Wings of Ecstasy Interfaith Devotional Singing Festival concluded on January 17. This year’s performers included Davod Azad from the Sufi tradition and Ken Whiteley, Canada’s respected roots musician with a rich background in blues, gospel and folk. Also, welcoming for the first time Luna Ray, chant artist and teacher co-founder of the True Nature Education Centre in Costa Rica; Satkiring Kaur Khalsa performer and teacher of the Sikh kirtan founder of the Naad Academy of Gurbani Kirtan; Rabbi Andrew Hahn, the ‘Kirtan Rabbi’, an ordained rabbi with a doctorate in Jewish philosophy. The 5 day course with Robyn Ross: Refilling Your Well: The Art of Sacred Self-Care graduated 12 students on January 17. We were happy to welcome back Madhavi with Robin Carnes to teach the January 14-18 Teaching Yoga and Meditation for Anxiety and Trauma Part 1: A Certification Training for Yoga Teachers. Surya taught the Yoga Vacation Program workshops from January 15-17, Creating a Yogic Lifestyle to assist in developing a yogic lifestyle through simple breathing exercises and develop a positive thinking mind all day long. Our beloved priest Krishnan Namboodiri conducted the Ayyappa Puja on January 15 to protect our spiritual wealth and power by maintaining the thought of godliness and destroying impure thoughts and bestowing clarity. It continued to be busy at the Ashram with smooth moving lines at mealtimes. Om Shanti Staff are well and send lots of Prem. Pranams and prayers for Peace to all!

http://www.sivananda.org/nassau

Om Namah Sivaya. Mid-January was peaceful at the Retreat House. The guests enjoyed the asana workshops and lectures on Raja Yoga. We started a thorough clean up of the guest houses and were catching up with office work. The new installed Krishna, Saraswati, Ganesha and Siva Lingam Murthis radiate a calming energy to all. Swami Keshavananda left to Madurai, South India where the ATTC was about to start. OM.

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Om Namah Sivaya. In early January around 15 guests took advantage of our reduced price week. Lectures were mainly around the 5 points of Yoga. Satsangs were shared by Swami Bhagavatananda, Ananta & Girija. Some new teachers, who live locally, assisted in the classes and will start teaching soon. Swami Shyamananda went to Neyyar Dam to help with translating the TTC into German. Kailas developed a knee inflammation and had to go to the hospital (he is back now).

During mid-January we offered the topic “The healing power of sacred sounds”. A small, but inspired group came to participate. We had chanting workshops and lectures on the various aspects of using mantras. One weekend we had an additional topic on the opening of the heart and a few more guests arrived. We had more lectures and Satsangs on Bhakti, positive thinking and related topics. The work on the garden (creating new flower beds and paths) continued nicely. Salutations to all. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/orleans