Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres

Om Namah Sivaya! The Centre reopened with a reduced Christmas holiday schedule. The offered open classes were well visited, students were happy to return to their practice after Christmas. The Christmas Intensive for Beginners had a big group of newcomers, all very happy to learn the basics of Asanas and Pranayama within four evenings. At the end most of them were eager to continue their practice and bought books and Yoga mats. The atmosphere was positive and joyful. New Year’s Eve we celebrated with a good group of teachers and students: we had a lovely Puja, Om Namo Narayanaya chanting, new years resolutions and a peace meditation into the new year. The snack was well received and the evening concluded with a wonderful birthday cake and Arati to celebrate Swami Vishnudevanandas birthday. Happy New Year to all. Together with all staff and many Karma Yogis we prepared the Centre for the “60 years Sivananda Yoga in the West” festivities. Last maintenance works were done, the whole Centre was given a mirror finish and was nicely decorated for the big event, Yoga Acharyas Swami Durgananda and Swami Sivadasananda arrived together with the Indian musicians on Thursday and also the Indian priest came to Berlin on Friday. Many students from eastern Europe, especially Russia, Lithuania and Poland also came for this special occasion. Due to Masters’ grace one of the highlights of the program was the initiation of the new idols in the meditation hall on Sunday morning. The preparatory Puja on Saturday was already well attended. On the main initiation day on Sunday morning the hall was full of devoted staff, teachers and students to attend the powerful 5 hours ceremony. It was followed by a day filled with activities: Asana classes with Kailas from Orleans, teachers’ Workshop with Swami Sivadasananda, a very inspiring lecture by Swami Durgananda on Yoga Sadhana and an uplifting concert with the musicians in the evening. Many students, teachers and Karma Yogis joined the different events and it was a highly joyful and positive atmosphere in the Centre. The priest completed the installation ceremonies with the performance of three more powerful morning Pujas for the new deities at the beginning of the week. Every evening the three Indian musicians wonderfully accompanied the chanting of Mantras and Kirtans during the Satsangs. All program were well received and many students participated every day. The atmosphere was full of joy and collective spirit. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/berlin

Om Namah Sivaya. Happy New Year to Everybody. On the 31st, we celebrated Swami Vishnu’s birthday party, doing Archana. We were a few but, participants were very active. We continued with the study the Bhagavad Gita and also we sang “Lalita Sahasranama” For early January two “Beginners’ Courses” opened, and also a “Meditation Course”. We taught a workshop on “Karma and Reincarnation”. And we have three new Karma Yogis, Gangadhara, Argentina, comes from Tailandia, where he lived during from four years. Narayani, also Argentinian come from Madurai TTC. And Gandhakali. She is not a teacher yet.

During mid-January everything was quiet at the Centre during these summer days. Though we were on vacation time, all the classes were taught by the teachers. And the Karma Yogis helped us with the cleaning. We taught the “Yoga and the Back” workshop. Pranams to all the Sivananda Family.

http://www.sivananda.org/baires

Om Namah Sivaya. For early January we opened two new classes on weekdays and the weekend class continued their class 4 on Sundays. Teachers also received lots of inspiration during the Course. We held a Kriya workshop. The classes in the Centre went smoothly. Students are all improving and our staff are doing well.

During mid-January a highlight at the Centre was a One Day Intensive. All staff and students were very much inspired, especially by the message from Master Sivananda. The two weekday Beginners’ courses both concluded. Students gave very positive feedback and expressed their eagerness towards self practice and new courses. We welcomed Lakshmi as a Karma Yogi at the Centre. Due to the Spring Festival holiday, we closed the Centre from Jan 25th to Feb 4th, to reopen on Feb 5th with our February Open House. May you all have a fruitful Year of the Rooster. Om Namo Narayanaya to all the Sivananda family.

http://www.sivanandayogachina.org

Om Namah Sivaya to all Blessed Selves from the Chennai Centre. On 31st December 2016 we celebrated Swamiji’s Birthday, performing a Guru Pooja. We prepared nice delicious Kerala feast. Around 50 members attended the feast. The same evening we celebrated New Year’s Eve with Italian dishes. On the First morning of 2017 we distributed Yoga life magazine with a 2017 calendar to all our members. Even we chanted the Om Namo Narayanaya mantra for World Peace. We started a morning Beginners’ with good number of students. Prahladji visited our Centre on 8th January and gave an amazing two hours special class with good number of students. Thomas went to Madurai to attend the Sadhana Intensive. Naveen returned to the Centre after his vacation. Ranjith from Cochin joined as a Karma Yogi. Construction work here was almost nearing to the finishing stage. With grace of God and Guru’s blessings everything is fine and healthy. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/madras

Om Namah Sivaya. The beginning of January proved to be very busy with registrations for the upcoming Yoga 1 and Meditation courses and a Meditation Workshop scheduled for the beginning of the year. Class sizes began to increase with enrollment in the courses being very positive. Arjuna, from Ottawa, arrived for a two week visit, to help out while Minakshi was away visiting family. After a long day of air travel through snow and ice storms, turning what would normally be a 4 hour trip, into a 15 hour trip, Arjuna arrived vary late at night, still maintaining his positive attitude. Arjuna started teaching a  2 week Meditation workshop and also offered a one day workshop entitled “Yoga for Men”. Both were well attended. We had our first Open House of 2017 at the teaching annex. Several participants signed up for classes and Yoga 1 courses. There as new student interest and registrations.

Mid-January was busy and exciting at the Chicago Centre. We said farewell to Arjuna who was here for 2 weeks helping out, teaching drop-in classes and courses and welcomed Swami Paramananda, from the Yoga Ranch, for a weekend program on Meditation. We had many karma yogis helping us as we prepared for Swami Paramananda’s visit.  Swamiji was very helpful spending the day advising Radha on planning and scheduling. Swamiji’s program started with a workshops “The Workings of the Mind” and “Introduction to Meditation”. After a invigorating walk to the lake, in what turned out to be spring like weather, Swamiji taught an afternoon workshop “How to Establish a Meditation Practice”. Following the workshop we had a teachers meeting, with all teachers attending the inspiring and informative session.  After the meeting we gathered together for a delicious meal over at the Centre, sharing good company, and fellowship. The final part of Swamiji’s weekend program was teaching the Sunday 4pm advance class with emphasis on Hip Openers and then leading the evening Satsang. Both the class and Satsang were full to capacity. The workshops were very well attended.  Staff greatly enjoyed having Swami Paramananda here to infuse his prana and energy into the Centre and inspire us with his lively chanting, spiritual discourses and his sense of humour. By the grace of Master and Swamiji, staff are regular in their sadhana and are doing well. Sending pranams to all! Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

http://www.sivananda.org/chicago

Om Namah Sivaya. By Guru’s grace, the Grand Opening of Ashram on the first day of the year 01.Jan.17. It was very successful with many students attending. Twenty people from DaLat Centre travelled to the DaLat Ashram to celebrate and experience a full day of yogic living. This was a memorable day for all students and staff. The rest of early January was beautiful in Da Lat Centre. All classes re-opened as normally after the Retreat. The Open House was successful with some students registering for the beginner course after that. All staffs focused on rearranging the Centre, from the office to the store while preparing for the 3rd Birthday anniversary of Centre which was held later in January. Om.

https://sivanandayogavietnam.org

Om Namah Sivaya. By Guru’s Grace and God’s will everything went very well at the Centre in January. We celebrated Swami Vishnudevananda ji’s birthday with Morning Havan, a special yoga class for Slum area kids. In the name of Swami ji, we donated 80 yoga mats to the children. After receiving the mats we could see the smiles on kids’ face. On same day we had Bhandara with more than 1000 people receiving food. That evening we had Satsang, followed by cake cutting and dinner, which was attended by many devoted students. A couple of days later we started the Beginners batch at 6:30am and 4pm with good numbers of students. We started with a weekend Beginner classes with bunch of peace loving busy office people. We had a teachers correction class with all the teachers who are teaching the Centre. We discussed on how to work to improve on our teaching skills, with Vijayji giving us valuable advice. The new teachers who finished their TTC showed enthusiasm and willingness to serve here in the Centre. We conducted an Advance class, followed by Satsang and dinner, which was attended by many devoted students. Apart from that, all classes and special classes continued doing very well.

During mid-January the weather was still quite cold in the mornings. We started a 6:30 am and 4 pm Beginners’ classes. We conducted two workshops – Headstand workshop and Shat Kriya Workshop, for the students. We have also started a weekend Beginners’ course for the new students on Saturdays. We also had evening Satsangs, conducted by Janakiji. Quite a large number of participants attended and were very happy and joyous. A nice dinner was served after the Satsang to all. Apart from that all the open classes and special classes went well. We pray to the Almighty for peace and joy to everyone. Om Namah Sivaya. Om Namo Narayanaya. Pranams.

http://www.sivananda.org/dwarka

Om Namo Narayanaya. We celebrated Swami Vishnudevananda’s birthday and New Year’s Eve 2017 with cultural program. We showed Swamiji’s Video, Chanted Om Namo Narayanaya, read a message from Swami Vishnudevananda’s Upadesha and from Swami Sivananda’s daily message. A cultural dance and song presented by talented children and also instrument (Sarod, Tabla and Harmonium) was played by professionals. The program concluded with Arathi. As we entered January we started with a Beginners’ course at 6:30am and 4:00pm. The Mishra family of Indian classical artist performed Bhajans with tabla, violin and Harmonium one Sunday evening. We conducted few private classes. The program was enjoyed by the attendants. With the grace of the Masters everything is going well at the Centre.

During mid-January we started a Beginners class at 4:00pm. Nitya of New York joined the Centre for a month as a temporary staff. Although there was no any special program, with the blessings of the Masters all the regular schedules: open class, gentle yoga, prenatal, kids yoga and Satsang went well. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/delhi

Om Namah Sivaya, from Noida. Om.

Om Namah Sivaya. The Centre had a good start after a two week pause. Staff arrived inspired and recharged from the Retreat house in Reith. Courses and classes started with good attendance and the trial classes were well visited. The outside classes at the United Nations Organization started with good attendance as well as the pensioners course which is held in cooperation with the city of Geneva. We had a nice open day where half of the students signed up for upcoming Beginners’ courses and a TTC-preparation with seriously interested students. Many of our teachers and students had a wonderful time at the Ashram in Orleans and the Retreat House in Reith; two of them took the TTC. Everyone came back with shining faces and we had a well visited Satsangs full of prana and joy. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/geneva

Om Namah Sivaya. During early January we closed the Centre for two days Jan. 1st and 2nd for the new year retreat in Dalat. It was a very good retreat for the students and staff.  Afterwards we welcomed Swami Narayanananda ji (from Dalat on his way to Taiwan) to lead a wonderful Satsang, which many people attended, and all received new-year messages from Bliss Divine. The highlight of the week was the Open House on Sunday and the special talk of Deviyani on an “Introduction to Ayurveda.”  Outside teacher Harapriya came to stay at the Centre to help us as Ganga was still in Dalat.  We look forward to another blessed year of teaching here in the City, and now with a beautiful Ashram nearby! Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

Om Namah Sivaya. New Year’s Eve celebration was attended by many close students, teachers and also newer students, all sharing the joy of being part of the Sivananda family. The evening started with a beautiful Puja performed by a local priest and continued with a feast, inspiring words from Swami Vishnudevananda and Om Namo Narayanaya chanting for World Peace. The New Year was welcomed with a silent meditation. Swamiji’s birthday was celebrated at midnight accompanied by chanting and a delicious cake. All left with a joyful heart filled with prayers for peace. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/london

Om Namo Narayanaya! We gathered Saturday evening to celebrate the birth of Swamiji and to welcome the new year. The celebration started with silent meditation and a beautiful Vishnu Puja with beautiful kirtan. We talked about Swamiji and read his hand-written holiday letter: wishing us to become a true Jyoti to humanity. After Puja we chanted three-malas of Peace Mantra into 2017. The chanting was loud and focused, we were untouched by the noise outside. Afterwards we enjoyed snacks and sparkling juice prepared by karma yogis. At Satsang on 1/1/17 we walked through Swami Sivananda’s instruction and made individual plans and resolutions for our Sadhana. We also read Swami Sitaramananda’s new year message which was full of nice reminders on how to live a yoga life. Everyone was inspired, charged with new possibility of a healthy and joyful year. Mirabai returned from her visit to Yoga Farm Ashram in time to join the Center’s celebration. Students were good at signing up for upcoming workshops and courses to begin 2017 in learning and in Satsanga.

We had a nice Open House with students visiting Los Angeles, making a special trip to learn about Sivananda Yoga. The first Yoga One Course this year started with sincere students seeking to start a year with healthy living and learning. We offered a wonderful kirtan night. All felt uplifted by the chanting. We did a Devi Puja for mother Durga during a morning Satsang. We were joined by students visiting from Europe. It’s very inspiring to see Swamiji bringing people together in Satsanga. We enjoyed meeting gurubais from all over the world, all living the spirit of yoga. Staff did a Siva Puja at the apartment, it was an intimate and heart-felt ceremony. Omkar went to Yoga Farm Ashram to take the Hatha Yoga Sadhana course.

During mid-January we offered the Yoga and Vedanta Intensive, taught by Gajananam. The program started 9am with a yoga class and lecture on Yoga and Vedanta, following by community lunch and karma yoga. That afternoon were lectures on Drig Drishya Viveka and mantra chanting sessions. It was well attended despite the heavy rain, students enjoyed the immersion schedule and the study of Vedanta philosophy. We learned to apply Vedantic thinking techniques to help sharpen our discrimination. At a Sunday Satsang we talked about the importance of understanding the symbols and significance of our Sadhana, to not fall into the mode of blind routine. It was high energy weekend of learning. A Yoga One course continued onto it’s third week. We learned to chant Adi Sankaracharya’s Nirvana Shatakam at Satsang. Pranams.

http://www.sivananda.org/la

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed Selves! The Madrid Centre had a reduced schedule over the Christmas period. Staff entered the New Year with a silent meditation for Peace. Students and teachers received with much joy the news of the Sanyas initiation of Swami Santoshananda at the Retreat House in Reith. With the new season everyone returned motivated and with positive resolutions for their Sadhana. The Centre brochure arrived just on time for the first Open day of the year: we had a full house with 125 students. We had to arrange three overflow classes in order to fit everyone. The atmosphere was cheerful and attentive and most of them stayed for the lecture and asana demonstration. Promotion of the International Easter Retreat in Almeria, South Spain, started and enrolments are already coming. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/madrid

Om Namah Sivaya. Swami ji’s birthday was celebrated with small Puja the same evening the New Year Eve was celebrated. We were invited for dinner by one of our student on New Year Eve. All staff stayed awake to welcome 2017. There were different program in Madurai city from different groups of people. We invited our students to join our Satsang of the New Year. Many people attended the Satsang. Early January started with evening Beginners’ course at 6.30 pm. All is well in Centre, by Gurus’ blessings. Once again all staff member of the Centre, wish our huge Sivananda family members to have a blessed 2017. May Gurus blessings be with us always. Pranams to one and all from Madurai Centre. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi!!

http://www.sivananda.org/madurai

Om Namah Sivaya! On December 31st we celebrated Swami Vishnudevananda’s birthday. It was directed by Kanti Devi. She showed a variety of pictures of Swamiji while she told her own personal stories about him. As January began we received Gopika, who came to support the karma yoga at the Centre. We were closedafter New Years for a couple of days.

During mid-January we saw a good number of students, despite the hot weather and vacation season in the city. We had a Divine Mother Pooja with the participation of the Staff, teachers and a student. Our demo class on the Montevideo Rambla (pedestrian boulevard in front of the sea) provided a meeting point to Beginners to yoga and regular students. Also, people on the Rambla started to become familiar with the Sivananda classes. For example, the people received the Sivanand Centre’s brochures more positively than before. Om Shanti!!

http://www.sivananda.org/montevideo

Om Namah Sivaya from the Montreal Centre! Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/montreal

Om Namah Sivaya. We had a good start into the new year with our New Year´s Eve celebration where we entered 2017 with the chanting of the peace mantra and a silent meditation. In January we always offer many interesting activities: We had a one day retreat with the title “Yoga and Nutrition”: It started with a cooking class in the morning. After a delicious lunch there was a lecture “Elements of a Balanced Vegetarian Meal” followed by a yoga class and the evening Satsang. We also taught an advanced asana-workshop “Asanas with focus on the Neck, Shoulders and Upper Back”. Furthermore we started meditation courses part 1 and part 2 as well as a new open meditation course. This course which will take place once a week and aims at students who want to start meditation. In each session a specific aspect of meditation (e.g. breath, mantra repetition, thought control etc.) will be practiced and explained. For the first Open House of the year many interested people came to the Centre. We also got five more nice small and medium size teaching rooms one floor above our big yoga hall. We are looking forward to a special program with Swami Sivadasananda on the weekend 4 and 5 February: asana workshops, yoga teacher workshops and Satsangs. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/munich

Om Namah Sivaya! For the first day of the new year 2017, familiar and new faces came to the Centre on Monday January 2. Shakti left early morning to the Bahamas to do the ATTC course. There was a lot of movement and visits at the Centre. Priest Radhakrishnan and family came down from the Yoga Ranch and stayed at the Centre for a couple days. On the day that the priest left, Prahlad and Saraswati, from the Yoga Camp and Toronto Centre, stayed here for a few days too. Prahlad taught an open class and gave an interactive Satsang on Wednesday. By the end of the week Shraddha left to visit family in the states and Bhawani, a regular karma yogi, came to stay at the Centre and substitute for Shraddha. The weather was amazing. Although it was freezing all week, the real gift came on Saturday. It snowed!!!  The silent walk just before the snow fall was just peaceful.  And despite the inclement weather conditions, slippery sidewalks, students continued to come. Their dedication to their personal practice was admirable. However, cold weather brings the flu and Neeti and Swami Paramanda were in the trenches of fighting the flu and not fit to give Satsang on Sunday. Luckily Mukti Devi (one of our teachers) was able to give Satsang. She gave an inspiring talk about health and happiness.  You could tell by the chuckles and sighs in the room that many people could relate to and were in awe of the passages that she read from in Bliss Divine.

During mid-January the weather ranged from cold, rainy and sunny. A new yoga teacher gave her first class on Monday and the Positive Thinking course began. The Yoga 1 and Yoga 2 courses are going well and a few students are planning to take Yoga 2 next month. Ganesha, who runs the affiliated Centre in Eilat (Israel) came from the Yoga Retreat and stayed at the Centre for the weekend before returning home to Israel. He shared a few photos and stories when he was staff at the NY Centre over 14 years ago. The Centre was quite different then yet many things were still the same. Neeti, Samyukta, and Joanna are breathing life into the Centre Library on the 5th floor and in the book selection in the boutique. There are many untapped books in the basement and Library and it has been nice to see over abundance transform into order and mystery containers turn into discovery and purpose. A meeting was had with two Indian representatives from the UN who want to organize an event for International Day of Yoga with SYVC NYC. Stay tuned and come to New York for the big day celebration.

All the Staff is well and send their pranams. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/ny

Om Namah Sivaya. There was a peaceful mood to end 2016 and to start the new year. Life gave us a cheerful time with the preparations and the celebration of Christmas and New year’s eves. The spirit of unity was there for both celebrations. On the 24th, the program started with the chant of Om Namo Narayanaya while the people were arriving for the Satsang. Then we had a short Satsang with some inspiring words of Swami Sivananda on the topic of Christmas. After the Satsang, we had a short magical play on the topic of peace. Beautiful piano music was present the whole evening: for the play, the carols, a little concert  and accompanying all the participants to set the room for the meal. There was a cheerful mood with everyone dancing while setting up. Everything was perfect. The spirit of karma yoga was awaked by the music and we were all one family. On the 31st we had Swamiji’s  birthday Puja, a delicious meal and a cake with candles. We had also the resolutions for 2017, The ‘Om Namo Narayanaya’ chanting and a silent meditation around midnight to welcome the year. Everyone seems happy and positive with the starting of the year. The Centre went back to its normal schedule on the 1st of January after two weeks of reduced classes. On the 4th, The Centre was uplifted by the presence of Swami Kailasananda who listened to everyone, guided everyone and gave an inspiring Satsang on the topic of positive thinking, giving many examples of Swami Vishnudevananda and Swami Sivananda’s life. Sivakami came from the Ashram to be staff in Paris. Her presence is a good support. This month we had a successful  workshop on the topic of yoga to overcome trauma and stress in the main hall with over than 60 people.  We had also a cooking class. We had a review of the teaching planning during the renovations, all the courses of the month had to be limited in number and one cooking was cancelled. We had the good news that a close karma yogi will be in the Centre to supervise the workers. The Centre was blessed with some visits of the priest during his European Tour. He performed a public Puja on the 12th and some morning Pujas with the staff. On The 21st The Masters sent many karma yogis to support the Centre and many students for the activities of the Open House and the regular classes. The new comers were eager to start their practice soon. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/paris

Om Namah Sivaya from Brasil. We are forever grateful for the guidance and protection of the Gurus. Pranams to all the Sivananda family. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/portoalegre

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed selves. During early January staff returned from Reith refreshed and very inspired, During the holidays period the Centre remained opened for some classes, teachers and Karma yogis took very good care of the Centre. This week we were also in the holiday schedule, concentrating in cleaning, organizing and preparing the publicity for the coming Open House as well as the new courses. On Sunday we had a Satsang and Ganesha-Lakshmi Puja for the beginning of the year, the message from the Masters was very inspiring and we concluded with a nice meal.

During mid-January we started few Beginners courses. We started also the gentle yoga class. On Saturday we had an advanced class and after that a teachers meeting, teachers appreciated much the questions answer, corrections and the practice. On Sunday we had a Japa Yoga Day with lecture on Mantras and kirtan, the students and teachers made their own Japa Mala with beautiful stones, after all attended the Yoga class, the Satsang and the meal at the end, everyone enjoyed and got recharged with all the Mantras and the practice. Pranams and prayers for Peace to all from Roma. Om Shanti.

http://www.sivananda.org/rome

Om Namo Narayanaya, Blessed Selves. We celebrated Swami Vishnudevananda’s birthday with a puja at 10pm, read stories of his early days in America and chanted Om Namo Narayanaya until after midnight. Five of us went for a beautiful hike along the cliffs of Pacifica overlooking the ocean on New Year’s Day. The glory of God was everywhere visible. Beginning January Swami Jnaneswariananda was with us from the Yoga Farm and led the Gita class, finishing Chapter 5. Swamiji spoke at a Kesari Satsang in Sunnyvale that night. They were grateful to receive the handout on Obstacle to Meditation. Swamiji led a workshop on Resolutions at the Centre the following afternoon. Happiness was the topic of Sunday evening Satsang. The Yoga Health Educator brochure went to the printer. A Meditation 1 course finished and two Yoga 1 courses started with a large class size this week. The Gurus’ reach continued to expand.

During mid-January Ananta Chaitanya visited from the Yoga Farm. He taught a Kriya workshop to enthusiastic students. We also offered a Yantra Painting Workshop where we tackled the Sri Yantra. Fifteen people came for a Yoga Nidra session one Sunday afternoon. Anandamayi returned. The many courses running progressed well, with many “aha” moments. We are very inspired to carry Swamiji’s 60-year mission forward. May the blessings of Master and Swamiji be with us all always. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/sanfrancisco

Om Namah Sivaya from Sao Paulo. During mid-January, even with the intense rain, we started a Beginners course that gave a new energy to the Centre. Teachers and students remain harmonious and very happy with the activities of the Centre. Om and Prem to all the Sivananda family for 2017.

Om Namah Sivaya. Filled with teachers, students, close disciples and two special guests: Swami Kashi Muktananda and his Gurubhai Ananda Tirtha from India, the Ashram in Matta hosted a Puja for Swami Vishnu’s birthday. Swami Swaroopananda started the event by sharing with us many uplifting anecdotes from the time he was with Swami Vishnudevananda. As the New Year approached, we welcomed it with the chanting of Om Namo Narayanaya and the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra. After the clock stroke midnight Swami Swaroopananda opened a message from the Sivananda Upanishad, which instructed us to see Unity in Diversity. Prasad and presents were distributed to everyone. The atmosphere was most joyous and elevated. As January commenced Swami Shambhudevananda left the Centre and traveled to the Bahamas for 5 weeks where he taught in both the TTC and the ATTC. Meanwhile, at the Tel Aviv Centre three new courses opened: Yoga 1 with 10 students, Yoga 3 with 11 students and Positive Thinking with 11 students. The extremely cold weather took its small toll as some of the staff showed cold symptoms. After a quiet weekend in the Centre, which allowed everyone to get fully rested and rejuvenated, they all feel great.

During mid-January we bid farewell to Swami Swaroopananda, Swami Prema Swaroopananda, Jnaneshwari Chaitanya, Rukmini Chaitanya and Kumari, as they travelled back to the Yoga Retreat in the Bahamas. During the past 6 months they inspired us much. We looked forward to seeing them again soon! The Centre was otherwise busy preparing for the Urban Retreat with Swami Kashi Muktananda. The event was a great success, with 35 students who fully enrolled and many Karma Yogis who helped us in making sure that everything will run smoothly. The teaching focused on Adi Shankaracharya’s Vivekachudamani, and was delivered with a lot of depth and insight and in a friendly manner. Two Meditation 2 courses opened, one with the eight students and the other with ten. A successful Introduction to Meditation lecture was held with enrolment to the upcoming course advancing rapidly. Pranams to the Sivananda family.

http://www.sivananda.org/telaviv

Om Namah Sivaya. The Tokyo Center took a new year holiday and was closed on Dec. 31st and Jan 1st. Staff, residents, and karma yogis gathered to clean up the Center in the afternoon on 31st. After cleaning up, we performed Puja, celebrating the birthday of Swami Vishnu and enjoyed potluck dinner and DVD viewing. Meenakshi, a resident for 3 months, moved out, yet, she will continue to help the Center as an outside teacher and karma yogi as her new apartment is about a 15 minute walk from here. Jan. 2nd, we started a special workshop “108 times of Surya Namaskar” guided by Tara. The workshop was fully booked with 25 people. All of them managed to survive through the session without dropping out. We are going to donate a part of the income of this workshop to a NPO which has been operating charge-free medical clinics in Philippines. Next day, we had a Satsang and open class in the morning, attended by 10 and 12 people respectively. In the afternoon on the same day, we had a Jyotish workshop taught by Keiko Ito with 25 people attending, followed by a sitar concert by Teiju Kato with 18 audience. The Centre was back on a regular schedule since Jan. 4th.

During mid-January, Sharada, a 2016 Thai TTC graduate, taught her first class. Also, Maha Lakshmi, a graduate from the TTC in France in Dec. 2016 gave a class to the staff for the first time. As both classes received good response from students and staffs, we believe it won’t take much time for them to be assigned as teachers for regular classes. For the weekend programs, Shanti Devi gave a “Sivananda Cookies Workshop” on Saturday with 4 people attending. They made the standard Sivananda cookies that are available at the Centre and a special version of those mixed with chocolate chips for the Valentine’s day coming soon. After the workshop, they enjoyed a tea party with cookies they baked. Following the first part of lecture given earlier, Mr. Kiyoshi Naruse offered the latter half of lecture on Hatha Yoga Pradipika, with 5 students attending. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

http://www.sivananda.jp

Om Namah Sivaya. In early January the Toronto Centre reopened after the New Year and staff returned to Toronto by the end of that week. We had a Sun Salutation workshop, taught by Kartikeya, that was well attended. All Centre mats were cleaned and we did a big reception clean up as well. Our karma yogi, Amy, helped with the Centre. Prahlad left for India to teach Sadhana Intensive and ATTC in Madurai Ashram.

During mid-January we finished another meditation course. Kanti taught a Sivananda prayers workshop one weekend. A class for middle age children started on Wednesdays. Saraswati continued workshops for a school faculty on “Yoga in the Classroom” as well as the ongoing classes at the youth shelter. Saraswati started a Yoga and Relaxation group at East Toronto General Hospital, an adapted practice for a group of outpatient adolescents at their mental health clinic. Atmaswaroop arrived from the Ashram to help at the Centre for the next month. Pranams to all.

http://www.sivananda.org/toronto

Om Namah Sivaya. A special Pooja was offered to celebrate Swami Vishnudevananda’s birthday. As well as giving Prasad, we served breakfast to approximately 25 students and teachers who attended the Pooja. As we entered January a new batch started on Monday mornings. All other classes went well. Lalitha Sahasra Nama Pooja was conducted on Friday. Satsangs were led by Sw.Gayatriananda, Nataraj ji and Sri. Shibin.

During mid-January, with the blessings of the Gurus, a new ladies batch started on Mondays. Open, Advance, Kids & Gentle Yoga classes went well. Our Karma Yogi, Abraham, went to Madurai Ashram to attend the ATTC. We wished him good luck. Satsang was led by Swami Gayatriananda ji. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

http://www.sivananda.org/trivandrum

Om Namah Sivaya. Staff came back recharged from Reith, were they had an inspiring start into the New Year. Also, Sivani Chaitanya, had the blessing to be initiated into brahmacharya in the presence of Swami Durgananda, Swami Sivadasananda, other Swamis and the priest. Karma Yogis had a good eye on the Vienna Centre and made it possible for the staff to recharge and meet their Gurubhais in Reith. Our first Open Day of the year was very successful; it started with a cooking course, followed by an introductory talk about the benefits of the asanas with demonstration by two of our teachers. The new brochure was sent out to the mailing list. Several courses were beginning this month; also, Jnaneshwari, who is a school teacher brought 10 of her secondary high school students to a trial class. The young students were very inspired and liked the experience in the Yoga Centre. The priest Yagneshwara came towards the end of the month and performed a Ganesha Puja, a Lakshmi Yantra Puja and a Krishna Puja. Everybody could feel the strong vibrations of the mantras and mudras, contributing to the upliftment of one and all. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vienna

Om Namah Sivaya. This month we have started with many different courses. We had an Open Day where all day went well with different introductions (into yoga, TTC, nutrition, yoga vacations, meditation) and trial class. Some students subscribed for the yoga 1 and meditation course. On the 31st morning we had a special Satsang with chanting of 108 Om Namo Narayanaya, messages from the Masters, resolves for the New Year. Lots of flowers were brought by the students for Swamiji’s birthday. Many different projects were accomplished. The contract with the TTC Lithuania place landlords was signed and already five students registered for the teacher training course. The new kitchen equipment was installed in the kitchen, fully donated by our senior teacher. The transformable altar was installed in the main asana hall, so we can use it for our Satsangs. Centre was well supported by karma yogis and teachers. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vilnius