Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashrams

Om Namah Sivaya, Greetings from the Headquarters. For New Year’s Eve Baratha and Sita prepared a Lebanese feast, and a team of Karma Yogis decorated the dining hall in festive colors.  After dinner we had a Satsang with Prahlad and a talent show, MC-ed by Ganga. The priest performed Pujas for the Masters and for Lord Krishna, and old disciples of Swami Vishnu shared with us touching stories about his life and joyful and generous nature. While sharing her stories about Swami Vishnu, Marilyn Rossner followed with some advice, and finished with some predictions for 2016 and 2017 pointing that 2016 is the year of revelations of the truths of what’s really been happening in the world. We welcomed the year chanting Om Namo Narayanaya, and were delighted by the fireworks Swami Shivabhaktananda rushed to light up. The last guests and families from the New Year’s events returned home, and the Ashram remained open for guests and students coming to yoga classes. On the first Wednesday morning of the year the Yoga Camp closed for Sadhana week, and the ringing of the bell took its yearly break. We started the Sadhana week with a Puja for Lord Ganesha and continued our daily program: doing our pranayama and asana practice in Mathaji hall all together, then go on with our duties after breakfast, until we meet again for Bhagavad Gita chanting at 4:00 and an hour of study until dinner time. The evening Satsangs, were held in Swami Vishnu’s house. During morning Satsangs, Swami Shivabhaktananda read and spoke about Patanjali Yoga Sutras which he encouraged we read from Meditation and Mantras as well. It was touching to see so many people avidly reading the Bhagavad Gita and Swami Vishnu’s books. A beautiful sense of family reigned in the Ashram, with each doing their duty and, in turn, cooking for each other. We watched a documentary which brought an interesting perspective to the practice and to spirituality, starting interesting conversations.

During mid-January all was calm with one guest looking for some peace and one Work-Study looking for a mental break. They enjoyed learning about the culture of the Ashram, yoga, meditation and some cross country skiing. We enjoyed an evening at Bharata’s home, having his famous homemade falafel. A group of over 20 people arrived for a weekend to attend a course introducing meditation, given by Chandrika. Morning and evening Satsangs, as well as workshops, covered the topic of meditation, its objectives, methods, challenges, experiences, etc. The guests experienced the different meditation methods: Japa, Likhita Japa, Tratak and the silent walk. We drove to Montreal Centre where we celebrated Thaipusan, with a Puja for Lord Subramanya. On the staff side, we continued to take advantage of the low season for the maintenance and cleaning of the Temples and buildings. May God’s Grace bless all. Om Pranams.

http://www.sivananda.org/camp

Namah Sivaya to all. For New Year’s it was a high energy transition in the Ashram from 2015 into 2016. The cultural program featured stirring devotional singing by Vinod Vittal and Parvati Baul. The old year was closed with with a morning Guru Puja for Swamiji’s birthday. In the evening, Dr Ananthapadmanabhan and his son Anand gave veena and vocal performance followed by fireworks, Om Namo Narayanaya chanting and special cake for prasad. The next morning staff and students respected Swami Rajeshwariananda on the occasion of her 25th Sannyas anniversary. This was celebrated with a modest Pada Puja performed in the Temple in front of Raja Rajeshwari Devi. Despite her poor health she kept up a good spirit and blessed everyone. We welcome new staff Luliya from Russia and Ganesh from Australia. Kailash has transferred to Trivandrum Centre. We thank Srinivas for conducting well appreciated Sanskrit and Patanjali Yoga Sutra talks during YACP.

In early January 2016 TTC began with two hundred students, including eight language groups, Farsi, Japanese, French, Spanish, Russian, Tamil, Hindi and Malayalam.  We welcomed many new staff to assist and translate for the TTC. Main lectures were conducted by Acharya Swami Sitaramananda, chanting by Swami Dharmananda, Bhagavad Gita by Nagaraj, anatomy and physiology by Nataraj, Hatha Yoga by Vijay and Sandeep. We have completed renovation work on Ganesh Kutir, Vrindavan and Krishna Kutir to provide seven more accommodation spaces. Yoga Vacation lectures continued with Swami Janardhanananda with over one hundred guests. It promised to be a stimulating and busy period.

During mid-January the Ashram was full and busy for both Yoga Vacation and TTC. Students enjoyed a silent walk to the top of Kalipara hill and outings to the back waters and jungle trip. We continued to move firewood from the lower parts of the Ashram property, with the help of all guests. It was a great experience in karma yoga and aerobic exercise. TTC completed the Shat Kriyas and enjoyed a well deserved break on their Fridays off. World renowned astrologer, Komilla Sutton gave an illuminating talk on Vedic astrology and what to expect in the next six months.

http://www.sivananda.org/neyyardam

Om Namo Narayanaya – Greetings from Uttar Kashi. Happy New Year to all! No special festivities here at Netala as we have no guests.  However the Ashram continued to be very busy with workers in every direction one looked.  Work on the Akhanda Kutir continued.  The Satsang Hall floor tiling was completed.  Various benches and chairs outside Bhagirathi dorm and other buildings were made from brick and cement.  Carpentry work for wardrobes was going on in the sun on the office roof, but the carpenter went for a week’s holiday. Plumbing of the new bathroom washbasins, etc. in the Kailash double rooms began. Outdoor painting also started.  The creation of a new slightly bigger kitchen has begun behind the kitchen storeroom.  We look forward to all this being replaced by the sound of the TTC bell and the yellow and white of SYVC uniforms!

Soon after, in early January the Kailash double room renovation work finished with bathrooms re-fitted, floors and walls tiled and painting re-done.  The Ashram still continued to be busy with work on the new Akhanda Kutir and external painting work around the Ashram.  The rooms on first floor of Akhanda Kutir now have roof slabs and the internal plastering began.  The other buildings of the Ashram were freshened up with yellow and red paint work on the external walls.  The carpenter returned, working on finishing shoe racks and cupboards and also new tables for Akhanda Kutir.  The staff were well, although the weather is cold.

During mid-January work on the Akhanda Kutir moved along well. The outside plastering of the ground floor was finished and the basic plumbing of the bathrooms also. We still haven’t moved into the kitchen as the plumbing had to be completed, as well as fitting of the hot water geyser. The carpenter made some cupboards and shelves for all the vessels.  We looked forward to being able to clean thoroughly as everywhere was dusty with all the work.  With Swamiji and Master’s blessings we trust it will all be finished within two weeks. Pranams to all.

http://www.sivananda.org/uttarkashi

Om Namo Narayanaya. In early January, with a new batch of Yoga vacationers, a New batch of TTC, a new floor in Yamuna Nivas, ready for inauguration and many newly signed up karma yogis, the New year 2016 opened with positivity. Swamiji’s Janmadina celebrations on December 31st began with Guru Pooja in the Temple. Staff took turns in chanting Swamiji’s name and glory, from morning till sunset. A good feast was served for guests. The day ended with New Year’s Eve celebrations which was made memorable through best talent performances by YV guests, candle lights and of course a rich black forest cake cutting. With the dawn of January 1^st, TTC students started to arrive. A day earlier to this, Swami Sitaramananda, Swami Narayananda, who will also be the Philosophy teacher for the course and Swami Dharmananda arrived and initiated the students along with Swami Satchidananda. Mahalaskhmi will be handling Hatha yoga and Anatomy-Physiology. Bhagavad Gita classes by Padmavati while chanting sessions will be taken by Yashpalji.

On the 21^st January, Swami Narayananda conducted a beautiful and peaceful mantra initiation for 10 TTC students and 4 Yoga Vacationers at the Temple. A group of 35  enjoyed their off day with a trip to Raameshwaram Temple and Dhanushkoti beach. The following Saturday after a wonderful Satsang, spiritual names were given by Swamiji. Om Shanti. We send Om Namo Narayanaya to every one. Pranams to all.

www.sivananda.org/madurai

Om Namah Sivaya! The Ashram was full of enthusiastic and inspired guests for the New Year’s 2016 program.  The week long program was focused on Sadhana and establishing a regular practice for the new year.  Mahadev Chaitanya  taught an early morning pranayama class before Satsang everyday.  We offered beginners and open classes and midday workshops on various topics, such as meditation, positive thinking and how to keep a spiritual diary.  Guests made friends with each other over the week, were helping throughout the Ashram with karma yoga, especially in the kitchen, and became part of the Sivananda family quickly.  As New Year’s Eve approached more guests arrived and by the 31st we had over 100 at the Ashram to celebrate the New Year.  Srinivasan lead the evening Satsang and read a New Year message from Swamiji.  A local Hindu priest joined us to perform a Guru Puja and Prem Sadasiva returned to the Ashram after a long absence to lead chanting into the New Year.  Galina Heifetz, a classically violinist, was also with us and gave a short performance before midnight.  At midnight we chanted Om Namo Narayanaya with a short silent meditation into 2016.  Afterwards, a double chocolate birthday cake prasad was offered, in honour of Swamiji before concluding with the Arati.  It was a beautiful evening, bringing in the New Year with vibrations of peace and love.

In early January Srinvasan, Saraswati and Radha left for Nassau to spend the month of January at the Yoga Retreat. Srinivasan taught the Raja Yoga portion of the ATTC and led the morning Satsangs on the Yamas and Niyamas. We began the year with an immersion program for beginners. Jayanta and Mukti Devi, long time teachers from New York City, came up to teach the classes and conduct the workshops. We had only a few students, but they were an inspired group.  We took a Ranch field trip to Satyavati’s house, a karma yogi that lives about twenty minutes from us. We the workshops and classes there, and also the staff and guests had the opportunity to enjoy walks on the property, a sauna, a piano, and ping pong.  The week after New Year’s was quiet, allowing us to focus on our Sadhana and resolutions. We waited for winter and the snow, but all was quiet here.  Mahadev Chaitanya went to New York City for Satsang, and was delighted to see five of our new guests from the New Year’s Week there at the Centre for Satsang. We were truly blessed to have a wonderful group of people here for the Sadhana week, many of whom have committed to returning or joined us at the New York City Centre.  By the blessings of Master and Swamiji staff are strong in their Sadhana.

During mid-January we had two programs, The Joy of Kirtan and a Beginner’s Weekend. Shakti, the New York City Centre Director, and staff member, Pranava, joined us for a weekend to lead The Joy of Kirtan program. It was an intimate group of 7 guests total, which made for a very nice energy and a blending of the programs, where both new and seasoned guests participated in the Kirtan workshop and volunteered to lead chants in Satsang. The Beginner’s program included a one on one coaching class, led by Prasanta which was very well attended by both beginning guests, and staff aiming to perfect their handstands for the staff’s “Asana of the Month”. The weekdays were still quiet and peaceful, as we await the snow promised in February! Krishna, a New York City Centre karma yogi, arrived for a weekend to spend his 40^th birthday with us. The staff very much enjoyed preparing a special cake for him.  Mahadev Chaitanya went to New York City to conduct Satsang, and to continue teaching the Sixth Chapter of the Bhagavad Gita.  Mahadev Chaitanya then flew to Chicago to give a program on Prana at the Chicago Centre, leaving just in time to miss the first blizzard of 2016, which deposited 2 feet of snow on NYC.  Luckily, the Ashram did not see much snow, making it easy for guests to return home after the restful weekend.  Staff were maintaining good Sadhana practices, send pranams to all! May the Blessings of Master and Swamiji grace all of our lives. Pranamsl!

Om Namah Sivaya! For New Year’s 2016 we continued our Holiday Retreat celebrations, with the highlight being New Years Eve.  Musician, Angelika, warmed our hearts with her beautiful singing and chanting.  All the guests and staff were deeply moved.  This was followed by an astrological predictions talk for the upcoming year, by Sadasiva, from the Bay Area.  He gave us insightful patterns and tendencies to be aware of in the coming year ahead.  We then moved over to the Radha Krishna Hall for a Puja ceremony with Swami Vashistananda to bring in the New Year at midnight.  The Vedic mantras and chants set a pure intention for all of us for the year ahead.  We chanted “Om Namo Narayanaya” for inner peace and world peace, as the clock struck midnight.  This was followed by special Indian prasad and an array of snacks prepared by the dedicated staff.  The next morning all the staff and guests took their New Year messages from Swami Sivananda and the Sivananda Upanishads.  Everyone felt the hand of grace as the message they took seemed perfect for them.  We then had a skype call with Swami Sitaramananda, where she personally wished all the staff a happy New Year and gave advice on how to deepen Sadhana and strength on the spiritual path.  Meanwhile Swami Sankarananda taught a Positive Thinking course for the holiday guests with much inspiration and Ananta Chaitanya gave a “how to keep a spiritual diary” workshop as well.  We welcomed a nice group of students for the Juice Fasting retreat which started on New Years day, led by Swami Jnaneswariananda and Annapurna. Swami Sitaramananda, Swami Narayananda, and Swami Dharmananda send their pranams from India where they had a busy week touring Temples Kanchipurum, Arunachala Hill, Bangalore and Madurai Ashram. The three swamis had the grace to have Darshan at every turn. They stayed 2 nights with gracious hosts Niranjan Babu and Umarani in Bangalore and visited the Vyasa University, the teaching university and hospital doing Yoga and Health research. They visited a local hospital and senior residence, a local village school with young kids very sweet and well behaved. Also, Swami Sitaramananda and Swami Dharmananda, with help from Swami Satchidananda had Darshan of Mother Meenakshi, Swami Vishnudevananda-ji’s favorite Temple and most beautiful with stone carvings beyond imagination. A great blessing by Grace of the Mother herself they were permitted to enter, as westerners are not allowed.  We are all feeling the guidance and grace of Master and Swamiji.

In early January we had the Yoga Beginners course at the Yoga Farm, taught by Karuna Devi and Saraswati.  The students were inspired to learn about the yoga teachings, philosophy and how to put this into practice.  We had a Beginners Intensive course, taught by karma yogi and long-time devotee Radha, from Mt. Shasta.  The weekend group was enthused to be in such a peaceful setting and to learn classical yoga in a serene atmosphere.  We welcomed back Sundaram who is leading the kitchen team and Chandrika who is helping in the reception and Swamiji house. We bid farewell to Swami Sankarananda whom we have been so blessed to have with us for the last few months at the Yoga Farm as he has been an invaluable asset at the Ashram manning long hours at the reception and in advertising and being such a wonderful example for us to follow.  He is now moving on to the next phase of his journey as he flies out to Miami, Florida today to start his walking pilgrimage north, towards Minnesota and then West carrying nothing but his smart phone and warming smile and faith in the Almighty.  Swami Sitaramananda and Swami Dharmananda send their pranams from India and are now in the Neyyar Dam Ashram where they have successfully started the TTC, with about 200 students.  Meanwhile Swami Narayanananda is in Madurai teaching the main lecture for the TTC.

During mid-January Ananta Chaitanya taught workshops on the Four Path of Yoga which was well received by the staff and seva-studies.  They learned insightful ways to deepen their understanding of the different yogic practices.  We had a sunny day between rain storms so the staff ventured out to the near by Yuba River for an hour hike, pranayama, and chanting by the side of the fast flowing river.  The fresh prana from the scenic Yuba river trip energized all the staff.  We welcomed 18 guests for the Stress Relief weekend.  Tara Durga Devi, a long-time Ashram supporter and Sivananda teacher, presented the weekend, weaving inspiring stories from her own life with the Sivananda teachings and applying to learn how to handle stress in a more holistic way.  We were all feeling the grace of Master and Swamiji. Om Namah Sivaya to all Blessed Selves from the Yoga Farm.

http://www.sivananda.org/farm

Om Namo Narayanaya, Blessed Selves. For New Year’s we continued the Christmas and New Year’s Symposium ‘Unity in Diversity’. Snatam Kaur and Lama Surya Das both continued with their last few afternoon workshops as part of the program. Sheikh Abdul Haqq started a series of talks on the Islamduring Satsang. Rabbi Mitchell Chefitz shared workshops and Satsangs with talks on the Jewish tradition. In another series of Satsangs and workshops, Jan Saeed talked to us about Strength in Diversity – A Baha’i Perspective. The TTC graduated on New Years Eve. We enjoyed the TTC graduation feast as a welcome addition to the New Year’s festivities. Our priest Krishna Namboodri performed a special Puja for Swami Vishnu-Devananda’s birthday as well as a homa to ring in the New Year. Gaura Vani held a kirtan concert for New Year’s Eve, accompanied by several musicians. He continued with one more concert in evening Satsang and two kirtan workshops during the afternoons. Surya started a Yoga Vacation Program about Growing Older and Wiser with Yoga. Vasudha Narayanan started a program on the Path of Bhakti. We welcomed a whole new group of TTC and ATTC, combined for the first time this year, moving them into the brand new tent huts that were finished only a week earlier. Finally we welcomed Srinavasan, Shankara Chaitanya and Saraswati, teachers of the ATTC and TTC.

In early January Vasudha Narayanan continued her program on The Path of Bhakti during several afternoon workshops. Srinivasan, teaching in the ATTC also started a program on the Foundations of Raja Yoga, which will take place over the course of the month, exploring the practice of Raja Yoga, with an emphasis on the Yamas and Niyamas. The Yoga of Restful Being, taught by James Reeves, explored asana, pranayama, mudra, bandha, meditation and yoga nidra to help students leave distractions behind them and support the realization of their innate connectedness to all of life. Joan Borysenko shared a Yoga Vacation program on “Writing Down the Light: A Conscious Retelling of Your Life’s Story”. Through a series of workshops and lectures with writing exercises she invited guests to reconsider their life story and use the written word to transform darkness into light. The New Year’s Cleanse, Detox and Juice Fast with Manu Dawson started, slowly guiding the group from raw food into a liquid fast. Tao Porchon-Lynch, a 97-year-old yoga teacher, shared a program “Aging Gracefully Through Yoga”. She spoke in two evening Satsangs, sharing her life’s story, She also taught two afternoon yoga classes, an inspiration to many. The January TTC and ATTC started with an initiation Puja during an evening Satsang, plus a student introduction the next morning. Both courses progressed steadily with the students already enjoying their first study day off.

During mid-January Dr. Joe Dispenza concluded his talks on “Making the Mind Matter”. We then began the Mindfulness in the World Symposium with Mirabai Bush, Gopi Kallaylil and Judith Simmer Brown. Each speaker presented one evening Satsang and two afternoon workshops. The Symposium concluded with a panel discussion between the three presenters. We began a two night event with Jai-Jagdeesh called “Sacred Sounds”. Ambika (Katie) also presented two afternoon workshops on “Yoga, Stress and Food”. Surya did four afternoon workshops; one was on creating a yogic lifestyle, one on Yoga Nidra and two workshops on energizing the light body. Srinivasan continued to present on the Yamas and Niyamas in morning Satsangs. TTC and ATTC continued into their third week. It seemed the teachings were sinking in, although it was tough week for all. Construction started again on the new bathrooms and we hoped to have them finished soon, but the cold weather is freezing the progress of the project, as well as all the guests. Om Shanti from all the staff in Nassau.

http://www.sivananda.org/nassau

Om Namah Sivaya. The New Year’s programmes continued until 6^th of January. There were still many guest who stayed the whole week. We immersed ourselves into the wisdom teaching of the Srimad Bhagavatam accompanied by truly divine Bansuri flute music. Swami Sivadasananda challenged the yoga vacation guests with longer asana workshops, detailed sun salutations and the practice and theory of pranayama. We bid farewell to many swamis and staff day by day. Being together in Satsang and sharing Sadhana was a great enrichment for all. Swami Durgananda and Swami Sivadasananda left after this inspiring time and continued their tour in Berlin. In the second week of January winter has arrived with power. Much snow came down within a short time and enchanted the whole landscape beautifully. Everyone enjoyed the uplifting silence which gave a welcome support to our meditations and yogic activities. An interested group of guests came for the topic “Yoga-lifestyle”. In the asana classes we focused especially on physical tensions and their conscious release and on a gradual development of the breathing exercises. Many tips for a yogic and sattvic start into the day and on yogic diet were received with a lot of interest. The weekend on thought power and positive thinking was about purposeful and flexible thinking and exercises to build up mental strength and clarity. The end of the month is topped by two powerful programs: Yoga for the back and a further training for active relaxation and stress reduction. Both seminars will focus on increased awareness, flexibility and careful use of body and mind. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/tyrol

Om Namah Sivaya. We celebrated the New Year eve with a theatre play written and directed by Swami Bhagavatananda ‘Heaven and Hell’. Alina came also and shared a joyful song that she composed on the teachings of Swami Sivananda which all enthusiastically sang in a round. We had a torch procession in the park of the Ashram chanting OM Namo Narayanaya, which was a beautiful sight in the night, under a clear star lit sky… We concluded the procession with Arati at the Temple and meditated a few minutes to enter the New Year in Peace. After the ‘Yoga and Ayurveda’ week we offered a week at a reduced rate for a quite international group. The ‘Teachers’ Training Preparation Weekend’ was appreciated by many interested students. Other topics we offered were, the ‘Magic of Yogic Breathing’, the ‘Yoga of Love’, ‘Raja Yoga, the path of Self-mastery’ and the ‘Power of Asanas’. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/orleans