Sivananda Yoga FAQ Q 1:  We should direct all our energies in gaining economic betterment for the masses. If we do not waste time and energy in propagating spiritual ideas, Gita studies and Sankirtan, but devote that energy to the above end, then we shall get economic betterment earlier, after which those who wish can pursue philosophy and religion. A: We should develop our material and physical powers and get to the same peak of progress, power and comfort as the Western nations before we can dabble in philosophy and the like. Two types [...]

Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashrams Sivananda Ashram Yoga Camp, Sivananda Headquarters, Val Morin, Quebec, Canada Om Namah Sivaya, Greetings from the Headquarters. At the beginning of March freezing rain and wind hit Val Morin again, however, the very low temperatures did not prevent staff and guests to be in good spirits and happy to be back in Krishna Temple for Satsangs and workshops. Indeed, the painting project was finished Tuesday, just on time for a radiant Puja that Manjunath performed for the Divine Mother. We had a full weekend program on Meditation, with 60 guests attending. The [...]

Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Zentrum, Berlin, Germany Om Namah Sivaya! We had several special activities within the last weeks: a successful Open House with a good group of newcomers. Many of the participants stayed for the full program (trial class, asana demonstration and lecture, cooking-workshop and Satsang) until the evening. The monthly cooking class on another Saturday was on the topic of “Vegetarian Cooking in Spring”. The series of the advanced asana workshops continued with two workshops this month, one was on lotus variations, the other [...]

Vegetarian Cuisine THE YOGIC DIET A diet that is conducive to the practice of Yoga and spiritual progress can be rightly termed ‘Yogic Diet’. Diet has intimate connection with the mind. The mind is formed out of the subtlest portion of food. Sage Uddalaka instructs his son Svetaketu as follows: “Food when consumed becomes threefold, the gross particles become excreta, the middling ones flesh and the fine ones the mind.” In the Chandogya Upanishad: “By the purity of food one becomes purified in his nature; by the purification of his nature he verily gets [...]

Hatha Yoga MATSYASANA - FISH POSE - All Levels Matsyanasana is the counter pose to the end of the shoulderstand cycle. After practicing fish, there is a deeper relaxation possible in corpse pose. Spend half the time in fish pose that you spent in the shoulderstand or sarvangasana. The pose is called Matsyasana as it helps one float easily on the water - Master Swami Sivananda. The neck is in hyperextension during the asana.  If this pose causes discomfort or dizziness come out of pose and do not practice until shoulders and neck become [...]

Gurugram April 2017 | Preface Blessed Self, Om Namah Sivaya April is a busy and exciting time of year for the Sivananda Centres and Ashrams around the World with the Southern countries gearing down from a successful busy high season and the Northern climates cleaning and grooming their facilities for their upcoming busy season. Exciting new programs are being coordinated for the Summer months. Staff members are on the move across the World, arriving to various Ashrams in support of the upcoming roster of TTCs, ATTCs, Sadhana Intensives and wellness programs. Meditation, Ayurveda, Juice [...]