Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres

Om Namah Sivaya. January started in full swing. Students seemed to be full of new year’s resolves there were many people calling, sending emails or coming to the Centre for information of courses. The first Yoga 1 this year started on Wednesdays with a good group of students. The weekend cooking course was also well visited. One Sunday many people came for the Open House, all activities were well received, people booked for courses and bought cards for the open classes. The new brochure arrived just in time for the Open House so everybody got the updated information for the new year. Swami Annapurnananda left for Neyyardam to serve in the TTC.

During mid-January classes and courses were well visited. The Centre was very active, many people registered for courses, requests for the retreat in March started to come in. We had a good group of students for the headstand workshop and a big group for the weekend intensive beginners course. The mailing of the new brochure was done with the help of Karma Yogis. We focused on the promotion of the upcoming Yoga and Music festival which is taking place in 3 weeks. We held well-attended Satsangs on Saturdays and Sundays which uplifted the energy nicely. All staff are well. Pranams. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/berlin

Om Namah Sivaya. In early January the temperatures were over 30ºc in Buenos Aires.
We were busy in preparation for the journey of Swami Premananda and Swami Dayananda to the TTC in Garopaba, Brazil. In the Centre remained Paola with Jagadamba. We started 2 “Beginners Course”. We had a “Trial Yoga Class” one Saturday with many participants, and a workshop named “The Conquer of Anger”.

During mid-January there were many days of rain, but the students came to class anyway. There are a lot of our Centre’s teachers attending the ATTC in Brazil. Their classes were all covered by other teachers. We have 2 new Karma Yogis in the Centre. We were distributing pamphlets in Buenos Aires about the TTC in Bariloche. We also delivered a “Trial Class” that was very well attended. May the Gurus’ blessings of be with us all. Prem & Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/baires

http://www.sivanandayogachina.org

Om Namah Sivaya to all Blessed Selves from the Chennai Centre. During mid-January we started the new ladies beginners’ class with good number of students. We did monthly Ganapathi Homam on 15th of Jan 2015. We had a good number of people for our Sunday Satsangs, as usual. We celebrated the Tamil Nadu festival Pongal grandly, with staffs and students. Because of Pongal holidays we received less students for a week. All the staff were happy and continuing their Sadhana, by the grace of Gurus and God. All the staff send Pranams to the Sivananda family.

http://www.sivananda.org/madras

Om Namah Sivaya from Chicago. In early January a new Yoga 1 course started. Temperatures dipped below zero for several days, and the cold snap seemed to have an effect on drop-in class attendance but didn’t keep regulars away from morning Satsang. Now, as temperatures move into the 20F’s and 30F’s, Chicagoans are remarking on the “springlike” weather. Lalita Chaitanya was one of the presenters at the Vivekananda International East West Yoga Conference, held at the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago, doing a session on Bhakti and Kirtan with the help of one of the Centre’s teachers, Eric Jensen, on tablas. A few of the Centre’s teachers and students attended the conference as well. We looked forward to a visit from Swami Dharmananda and to the Yoga 1 and Meditation courses which are fully subscribed.
Mid-January was lively at the Centre, with warmer weather, courses starting, and special programs with Swami Dharmananda. A new session of Positive Thinking began, and on Saturdays a new Yoga 1 and a new Meditation course started, all with full groups. Swami Dharmananda arrived from the Yoga Farm to visit the Centre for the first time, leading programs on Karma & Dharma. Sunday-evening Satsang was particularly well attended, and students, teachers, and staff all found his presence and programs very inspiring. We then appreciated a visit from Mahadev Chaitanya, who visited to lead programs called “Prana: the Secret to Vital Living.” Staff are well and sending wishes for peace. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi from the Centre in Chicago.

http://www.sivananda.org/chicago

Om Namah Sivaya. In early January three yoga classes started, as students are eager to take care of their health through Yoga for the new year. Staff distributed Vietnam TTC brochures to many places in town and also contacted many foreigner website for advertising online. Many resident cooked and introduced their cuisine to the Centre. Everyone was enjoying the Yogic spiritual company at the Centre.

Mid-January was inspiring to see many of it’s residents serious about their spiritual growth in the yoga life style. The residents come from many different parts of the world: Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and England. The garden project has gone from the planning stages to a successful vegetable garden. At the end of week, the Purifying Indian Cooking workshop was very successful, with many students participating. The Centre is well known throughout town as a healthy, spiritual place. Guru blessed us. Om.

https://sivanandayogavietnam.org

Om Namah Sivaya. Mid-January was as usual, beginning with a beginner course. We completed another weekday batch and also a weekend batch of beginners. Mohan Raj left the Centre to attend the ATTC in Madurai. It was indeed a pleasure to have him here and we wish him to have the courage to successfully deal with everything on his path. Though we see a drastic fall in number of students attending regular sessions, we are pleased and proud about those who make it to here in this freezing cold. With Gurus’ blessings all other classes and activities went well. As usual, the divine, uplifting Satsangs are well attended. Pranams to all!

http://www.sivananda.org/dwarka

Om Namo Narayanaya. In early January we started two beginners’ courses, one at 6:30am and the other at 4:00pm. We also started a Foundation to Meditation course on 7th of January. We conducted a shat Kirya workshop on Saturday, Jan 10th. The Sunday Satsangs were attended by good number of students, teachers and staff. It was, as usual, uplifting for all, helping the Centre keep the positive energy by Meditating, Chanting the Gods and Masters name and also by reading the teachings of Our Gurus.

During mid-January we started two beginners’ courses, one at 10:00am & another at 6:30pm with good number of students. Kapoorji went to Madurai for IDM and inauguration of the new yoga hall at Madurai Meenakshi Ashram. In spite of the severe cold, the number of students increased compared to the last few weeks. The Sunday Satsangs were attended by good number of students, teachers and staffs. The remaining activities continued in harmony with the Blessing of the Gurus. All staff are well and send their pranams. Om & Peace.

http://www.sivananda.org/delhi

Om Namah Sivaya. In early January we had a lively reopening of the Centre after a two weeks pause. Students and teachers were happy to come again. In the Satsangs staff had the opportunity to share impressions from their stay at the Retreat House in Reith. The outside classes at the United Nations also started with good attendance. Throughout the whole week we had excellent support from karma-yogis. Some of them are new and trained in different departments of the Centre. On the weekend Swami Mangalananda left to Vienna.

During mid-January a Y1 and the Pensioners’ class which is held in cooperation with the city of Geneva started with good groups of students. The trial class as well as the open day on Saturday which was actively promoted with the help of Karma yogis had excellent attendance and many students booked for upcoming courses. The brochure arrived from the printer and was sent out. Fresh plants in lively colors were planted on the terrace and the boutique was restocked. Swami Mangalananda returned from Vienna on Friday. We send our prayers to all. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/geneva

Om Namah Sivaya. In early January we were inspired to see many students committing to their resolves and showing up to asana classes and Satsangs. This week Mangala started a Yoga 1 Course and Chandika taught a two hour advanced asana class. The students showed great determination and acceptance as they tried new postures while at the same time honoring their bodies and not demanding too much of themselves. The staff prayed for Swami Pranavananda’s safe travels as he made his way to Neyyar Dam India to teach Hatha Yoga to TTC students. Though his presence is missed at the Centre we are all uplifted with the knowledge that the teachings continue to be shared and will do our best to maintain the spiritual energy in his absence. The staff’s discipline is strong and we are thankful for the Guru’s Grace that continues to guide us.

During mid-January we worked hard to promote the upcoming Teacher Training Course in DaLat, Viet Nam. Karma Yogi’s and staff stuffed envelopes, folded brochures and prepared mailers to be sent to various locations around Viet Nam. There was a strong sense of spiritual family as we brainstormed to think of new ways to promote and therefore share the teachings. Over the weekend we held a workshop for people who have already signed up for TTC and those who needed a little more encouragement to do so. During the workshop potential students asked questions, were taught a little history about Swami Sivananda and Swmai Vishnudevananda and saw photographs from past TTC’s. Students were given a brief overview as what to expect which was helpful to calm anxious minds. Afterwards we had a couple of people register for the course and make deposits! Ganga started a Meditation 1 course, Kumari started Yoga 1 and Mangala is staring a Yoga 2 course. It has been a very productive and inspiring week for all. The Centre is running very smoothly with Guru’s Grace! All the staff were happy feeling Guru’s blessings. We send Pranams to all the Sivananda family! Om Tat Sat.

Om Namah Sivaya. In early January students and teachers gradually returned to the Centre after their holidays and the first Open House of the year was well attended with an enthusiastic group of newcomers to the Centre. We were happy to welcome Shambu back as staff at the Centre who returned from France. Swami Jyotirmayananda travelled to The Netherlands where a program was given in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Both programs were enthusiastically received by TTC graduates as well as newcomers to the Sivananda Organization. With the Grace of the Gurus everything is going well at the Centre. Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/london

Om Namo Narayanaya! In early January the New Year got off to a good start. We started a new Yoga 1; Janaki taught a vegetarian cooking workshop and a local dance teacher offered a workshop on Yoga Dance with a Jewish flavor, using Hebrew chants as mantra. We also showed an eco-movie called ‘Who cares?’ Janaki offered another cooking workshop. We also held the monthly yoga sutras study group at the Yoga Centre. We have been blessed with rain, warm weather and sunshine.

Mid-January saw a very successful weekend mini-retreat with Gajananam. He taught the 9am asana class on a Saturday and Sunday morning and then took the students through specific teachings points to enable them to deepen their teaching and personal practice. In the afternoon he offered sessions on yoga psychology and philosophy in response to issues raised by the students, many of whom were teachers. It was an intensive weekend and very much appreciated. Swami Omkarananda left for New York, where she spent a few days at the Sivananda Centre. She is now in the UK visiting family. In her absence the Centre was supported by Janaki and Lakshmana. Attendance at asana classes has improved and energy at the Centre was good. We were grateful for a couple of good donations at the end of last year. May the Gurus’ blessings of be with us all.

http://www.sivananda.org/la

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed Selves. Early January began the regular schedule after the Christmas. Two Beginners courses started and Yoga for the Heart beginners course was completed. We had our first meeting of Kirtan group in the New Year. The students enjoyed the Satsangs with devotion and joyful spirit.

Mid-January started a new course of Meditation. We started the first edition of First Aid Course with 18 teachers of the Centre. A very entertaining and instructive course. One Sunday we had an Open Day, with 50 people. Several people registered for the beginners’ courses. May the Gurus’ blessings of be with us all. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/madrid

Om Namah Sivaya. Early January started with two beginners’ course one at 6:30am and the other at 4:00pm. We also started a Foundation to Meditation course on 7th of January. We conducted a shat Kirya workshop on Saturday, Jan 10th. The Sunday Satsangs were well attended by good number of participants (Students, teachers and staff). The Satsangs were uplifting, helping the Centre to keep the positive energy by Meditating, Chanting the Gods’ and Masters’ name and also by reading the teachings of Our Gurus. All was good, with our Guru’s Blessings. Pranams from the Temple city Madurai to each and everybody in the Sivananda family. Om Shanti.

http://www.sivananda.org/madurai

Om Namah Sivaya. In early January Lalita returned from El Pinar where she spent the entire month of December. We started the year with hard work, preparing the final details of TTC in Garopaba. On Tuesday 6th January we had one class at 18 pm, because it was a holiday. Kanti Devi, Chandra, Mirabai y Krishna traveled to Brazil where TTC will begin on Sunday 11th January. We again offered the free trial classes, attended by several people interested in future courses for beginners.

During mid-January the masons worked on repairing the roof and the painting the inside of the Centre. The Centre was very nice and neat. We offered the pregnancy class series at 19:30. Friday Meditations, guided by Lalita, saw a cute group of people attending, among teachers, students and people who are not members. One Saturday, a trial class was attended by a large number of people. They were very excited and some registered for the next beginners’ course. The rest of the activities developed normally. Humble thank yous to the Masters for we had a good number of students. Om and Pranams to everyone in the Sivananda Family from the staff at Montevideo.

http://www.sivananda.org/montevideo

Om Namah Sivaya. In early January all classes flowed well after the holiday period, despite many teachers, karma yogis and students having left Montreal for the winter season. Students were returning to Satsangs,and signing up for up-coming courses. We were pleased to hear students talk about their ‘new years yoga resolutions.’ Our focus was mainly on small maintenance jobs and Centre scheduling/preparing for the winter courses and workshops.

During mid-January regular students continued to come to the Centre for their practice. Satsangs were gaining a boost of prana with many new people attending. Fifty people were present for one Sunday Satsang. The vibrations were raised with the sound of Sunday prayers. We welcomed 3 new karma yogis to participate in the Centre and started to train them in various areas. Through their presence and devotion, the Centre received some renewed energy. A Yoga 1 course began on Monday evenings, with twelve enthusiastic students eager to learn about the practice. It was inspiring to see people starting their yoga journey with open minds. We held a Sunday gentle yoga class, which attracted students that do not attend classes regularly. Sushila taught a cooking workshop of ‘Simple North Indian Cusine’. It seemed to be popular as the 10 students were more than we expected. The students were all involved making various items, such as chapati, paratha, yogurt, and chickpea curry. In the end the group ate and shared together with their family members, including children. We’re looking to see if there will be an opportunity to teach another such course during the winter months. The children’s class has become larger and averaging double the expected numbers, so we have decided to have two teachers per class. In this way, the needs of the children can be met. We started to train an assistant, Katya, from the July TTC. We were pleased with her approach. The new website was launched in French and English. A mobile friendly version was also created to make it accessible for current media. Students were immediately using it and commented on how clear and simple it is to use. They have also given a few useful suggestions, which we will be pleased to implement when the website creator comes to Montreal. Together, we will make final changes and train staff and a few karma yogis to learn how to update it ourselves so that we can keep it as current as possible. We appreciated everyone that contributed to the development of the website and we hope that it will serve the community more efficiently. We thank Master and Swami-ji for their continued grace. Pranams to all the Sivananda family. May the blessings of Master and Swamiji be with all.

http://www.sivananda.org/montreal

Om Namah Sivaya. In early January many students returned to the Centre after the school holidays. The trial class had very good attendance. One Saturday we had a one day mantra retreat at the Centre with a yoga class, a Satsang and lots of mantra practice. Gopika Chaitanya returned recharged from the Sivananda Yoga Retreat House in Reith / Tyrol / Austria.

During mid-January the first Open House of the year, held on a Sunday, attracted many interested newcomers. We started a new course with the title “Understanding Stress”. Each teaching unit of the course comprises 60 minutes of theory about stress and stress prevention and 30 minutes of practice. We had two weekend intensive courses: a yoga beginners course and a “Thought Power / Positive Thinking” course. Priest Yagneshwara Dixit was here for the whole week. He performed daily Pujas in our meditation room and three public Pujas: a Ganesha Puja, a Saraswati Yantra Puja and a Puja for all the murtis on our altar. The energy of the Pujas can still be strongly felt in the Centre. We were happy to welcome Swami Durgananda and Swami Sivadasananda back from India. Swami Sivadasananda gave the Sunday evening Satsang in which he taught us to sing the song of “Ananada lahari” written by Master Sivananda. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/munich

Om Namah Sivaya! In early January activity picked up at the Centre as the holidays fully came to a close. New courses started, including Introduction to Meditation and Positive Thinking which were fully subscribed. Our daily schedule has been expanded with a new early-morning class on Friday mornings. We were pleased to welcome back Ommurti, who plans to stay at the Centre for several months, having taken a break at home in the Netherlands. We welcomed our Deaf Yoga group who joined for a class with teacher Geeta, and then stayed for lunch. Mahadev Chaitanya drove down from the Yoga Ranch accompanied by a group of staff. He taught a special advanced class that was filled to capacity, then joined us for a joyful Satsang. Temperatures were very low in the city. Despite this, attendance was good for classes and Satsang. We feel Masters and Swamiji’s grace with us.

During mid-January was lively at the Centre, with current courses getting into full swing and new courses starting, providing plenty of practice and challenge for our new staff. Attendance picked up in general with the holiday period well and truly over. We were happy to welcome Swami Omkarananada for a short visit, staff were delighted to have her company and inspiration for a couple of days. Swami Narayanananda left to spend the weekend at the Yoga Ranch. He returned along with Mahadev Chaitanya who taught a busy Advanced class. We also welcomed Nischala, from Germany, who has been staff at the Yoga Ranch for some weeks. She will spend a few days in New York to get experience of karma yoga at the Centre before heading back home for a while. All are well and full of gratitude for Masters’ and Swamiji’s grace. Om Namah Sivaya from all the staff here at the NYC Centre. May the blessings of Master and Swamiji be with all. Om Shanti.

http://www.sivananda.org/ny

Om Namah Sivaya. Early January was quiet. We continued the preparation of the new brochure and the planning of the Centre for the next two months during Sudha’s absence. Arjuna adapted very well to the rhythm of the Centre and started to assist classes. Sudha left to Colombia for a few weeks. For three days we had terrorist attacks in Paris, which created some agitation in Paris and the whole country. The police took the life of the three terrorists for the security of the country. One of the biggest manifestation was organized by the French government with the participation of about 1.5 million people and some official vip from many countries in the honor of the victims of the attacks, mainly journalists but also some people from the police and civilians. The main topics during the evening Satsangs was on Ahimsa and Peace.

Mid-January was peaceful after the agitation of last week. Gauri arrived to help during Sudha’s absence. More students came to the Centre for classes and courses to start with good resolutions in the beginning of the year. The main project was the ordering of IKEA furniture for our dormitory and then building of the furniture. Another highlight was the Open House, with about 60 participants. Many registered for classes and courses with the 10% discount offer. We started an advanced asanas course, taught by Nadapriya. Swami Kailasanandaji arrived safely on Sunday from India. OM and prem to all. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/paris

Om Namah Sivaya from Brasil. Pranams, from all the staff at Porto Alegre Centre. May the blessings of Master and Swamiji be with all for the upcoming year.

http://www.sivananda.org/portoalegre

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed selves, from the Centre in Roma. In January, after a very successful Open House, we started many new courses. Three Yoga 1 classes, one yoga 2 and one yoga 3. Swami Sankarananada gave a delicious Cooking class on Friday. Students were happy to get back to the practice after the holidays. The staff at the Centre are all fine. We pray that Master and Swamiji continue to guide and protect us. Om Shanti.

http://www.sivananda.org/rome

Om Namo Narayanaya, Blessed Selves. May Staff, Teachers, and Students throughout the world see a wonderful beginning to 2015 and that Master and Swamiji guide us in our Sadhana. Om Shanti.

http://www.sivananda.org/sanfrancisco

Om Namah Sivaya from the Tel Aviv Centre. In early January we experienced some rough weather in Israel. The temperature dropped considerably and strong winds kept many people in their home. Regardless, our students were brave enough to come to the Centre and most classes were full. A Yoga 1 opened with 10 students, Yoga 3 opened with 13, and a new meditation course stated with 16 participants. Introduction lectures well attended were held for a new Jyotish course, a new Yoga for Kids class and an upcoming meditation course. A weekend program was very successful with many attending, despite the rough weather.

Mid-January was really eventful in the Tel-Aviv Centre. Many introduction classes were offered including an introduction for Tabla Playing, an Introduction to Classical Indian Dance, an Introduction for Yoga for Kids and a Jyotish class. All the classes were well attended and registrations were good. The staff traveled to the newly opened Ashram in Mata to rest and rejuvenate. Once back at the Centre we held a kirtan concert with Rama, Swami Hridyananda’s son. The event was really sattvic, uplifting and well attended. Blessings and Peace to all of the Sivananda Family from the Tel Aviv Centre.

http://www.sivananda.org/telaviv

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed Selves. In early January the weather was nice but getting even colder than last weeks. Students for early morning classes decreased even more than last month but the afternoon and the weekend classes kept a good number of participants. Once a month, a Bhagavad Gita 2 day weekend workshop was taught by Swami Cetanananda, with 13 students participating. In addition, there was a Saturday advanced asana workshop, offered by Rumika from Hyogo prefecture, which attracted 12 participants. A briefing session of the next TTC in Vietnam and ATTC in Yoga Farm was held with 8 students participating. Besides the briefing and Q & A session, we showed slide shows of past TTC programs and video of Yoga Farm to help students have an idea of these courses.

During mid-January, despite the cold weather, the number of enrolled students for Yoga 1, Yoga 2, and the weekend classes haven’t decreased so much. As for the boutique sales, we started to sell the “Sivananda Cookies”. They became so popular among students, they were sold out within a short time whenever we put them out. Several karma yogis joyfully joined for the cookie baking team and worked by turns. A new full time staff member, Sivaroopa, arrived and started to live in Tokyo Centre. He graduated from October TTC in Yoga Farm and remained as the staff there for another 2 months before came back to Japan. May Master and Swamiji bless us to be able to provide this. Pranams.

http://www.sivananda.jp

Om Namah Sivaya. In early January we started several Yoga 1 and Yoga 2 courses as the beginning of the year brought some enthusiastic students ready to start with the practice. We had a workshop on Sivananda prayers that brought some new students who wanted to learn our prayers as well as some older students who wanted to make sure they were pronouncing them correctly. We continued to receive teens from a mental health Centre for their weekly classes, accompanied by their caretakers. Our evening Satsangs are well attended and students seem very happy that they could join them again, after the Centre’s holiday break. We said goodbye to Bhakti, our temporary staff, who returned to Japan. She prepared a lovely sushi meal for Satsang that everyone enjoyed, along with a cake brought by a close student. We read a message for her by Swami Sivananda on importance of staying connected with the teachings through Swadhyaya. Everyone prayed for her safe travels.

During mid-January we started again with our twice a week evening meals that we offer to students. These meals are are great community builders. We always had a lot of students sign up. Saraswati started new Meditation course with a full class. We noticed that meditation classes, in general, bring in a lot of new students who are not signed up for yoga asana courses. Our long time student, Vijay, offered an Indian vegetarian cooking workshop. We had a full kitchen as his recipes are delicious. He is known to be a very organized cook. Saraswati taught a class in a local all-girl catholic high school that she has been connected with through past internships. She was assisted by Saraswati (Saori) in teaching the girls all the basics of asanas and relaxation. Both students and teachers were appreciative and it was nice to see a lot of initially skeptical teen girls enjoying deep rest during the final relaxation. Pranams to all. We send Om Namo Narayanaya to every one.

http://www.sivananda.org/toronto

Om Namah Sivaya. In early January a new mixed batch for beginners started on Monday mornings. Open, Kids and Advanced classes went well. Lalitha Sahasra Nama Pooja was conducted by our regular priest. A new weekend beginners’ batch started on Saturdays. We also conducted a Kriya Workshop on the same day to cleanse the respiratory system through the practices of Jala Neti and Sutra Neti. Satsang was led by Annapoorna ji from Neyyar Dam. Staff, residents and karma yogis were busy with their classes, karma yoga & personal practice.

During mid-January the evening beginners’ batches successfully completed their course. We look forward to them joining the open classes. Open, Kids and Advance classes went well. We did some plumbing work. We conducted Ganapathy Homa as it was the first day of the new Malayalam month. Lalitha Sahasra Nama Pooja was conducted on Fridays by our regular priest. Satsang was led by Nagaraj ji from Delhi. Pranams to the Sivananda family worldwide.

http://www.sivananda.org/trivandrum

Om Namah Sivaya. In early January, after two weeks of Christmas holidays in Vienna the regular Centre schedule started again on Wednesdays with drop in classes and courses. A highlight was the weekend workshop on the asana Scorpion, plus an introduction into meditation. Both courses were well attended. In the Scorpion workshop the students were guided in detail how to practice and hold this advanced posture. In the introduction into meditation a group of students were eager to learn and deepen their practice of this fundamental yogic practice. Many students came for the drop in classes especially on the weekends. Swami Vidyananda returned from Reith so that staff were able to continue working on the brochure and to prepare courses and the teaching plan.

During mid-January eleven courses started among them a Yoga 70, a meditation course 2 and a Mantra course 2. Students have now mostly arrived from their winter vacation. A highlight was the weekend cooking course on winter dishes and an Open House. The cooking course was attended by a nice an open minded group, many of them were visiting the Centre for the first time. Most of the newcomers felt inspired to come again for Open House or a trial class. For the Open House many visitors came and participated. Especially the trial class was well attended. The overall feedback was good, in particular the hearty atmosphere in the Centre was mentioned. Work in the Centre brochure were reaching their final stage, getting ready for printing next week. Preparations for the special program in the 1st week of February are gaining momentum with many Karma Yogis supporting the Centre. Other courses, drop-in classes and Satsangs were well attended. Staff are well. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vienna

Om Namah Sivaya. Early January was active starting with many higher courses: Yoga 2, 3, 4, 5, 7. We are receiving many students for the trial classes and inscriptions for the upcoming beginners courses afterwards. Open Day saw 20 well-inspired students. All of them stayed for the whole day activities, Introductions into Yoga and Meditation and trial class. Subscriptions for the many courses followed. Newsletter for the special program was sent. We were very happy to receive 2 more application forms for the TTC in Lithuania, now we have 4 inscriptions.

During mid-January courses and classes are attended very well. Big Yoga 1 has started as well as two Yoga 2 and Yoga 3 courses. We started a Meditation course with students who already practiced yoga for some time. A dynamic cooking class named “Vegetarian dishes for the winter” with more then forty students took place. We were happy to have so many sincere students asking lots of questions on nutrition and yoga. Some were completely new so they were introduced also into different activities of the Centre, like trial class, open day etc. All students left happy and uplifted. A new Kirtan book arrived from the printer and we started using it in the Satsangs. We received one more inscription for July’s TTC in Lithuania. Prem to all! OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vilnius