Hatha Yoga Tip CHILD’S POSE - BALASANA - Relaxing in a forward bend This pose stretches the back and muscles around the hips. The pose can be performed after back bends such as the cobra and locust where the muscles have been tightly contracted or after the headstand or half spinal twist. Begin from sitting on the heels and leaning forward until the forehead comes to rest on the floor. Extend arms in front palms down on the mat stretching the back forward away from the hips. Drop the hips down and ease them [...]

Sivananda Yoga FAQ Q 1: Do you think that a mediator is necessary in order to enable us to attain Self-realization? A: Yes, yes. That is the Tutelary Deity or Ishta Devata. The mind cannot all at once rise beyond itself. The ego will seldom cut its own throat. Your consciousness will find it a hard task to realize the Cosmic Consciousness. Therefore the Name and the Form of a Deity are chosen to meditate upon. In due time, this Deity will manifest Itself before you and do the work of annihilating the ego [...]

Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Zentrum, Berlin, Germany Om Namah Sivaya! In November several intermediate courses and a Meditation course 2 started. We celebrated Swami Vishundevanandas Mahasamadhi with a devoted group of students and teachers. Many flowers decorated the altar beautifully and the energy was strong and full of love. The same day we had a Yoga 2 Intensive course and a successful preparation seminar for TTC. We also did a small photoshoot for our new brochure. We had a rehearsal for the theatre play for the Christmas [...]

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. It’s early November and the snow arrived to the Camp on cue. The temperatures dropped with snow falling every day. The Ashram was covered in white. For the guest program, various lectures and workshops were offered to the guests. Swami Vairagyananda coordinated the guest program, adjusting the workshops to the guests needs and interest. The Ashram was filled with blessings with the closing of the Subramanya Ayyappa Temple, along [...]

Vegetarian Cuisine BASIC VEGETABLE SOUP with variations  The variations on this basic theme are endless. In winter, root vegetables, such as parsnips, turnips and swedes, make a grounding, warming soup base. In the summer, lighter greens may be substituted, along with fresh herbs. This is an easy soup to make for any number of people. For a stronger flavour, add one bay leaf per four people with the vegetables. The ingredients below are for one person; simply multiply them by the number of people you want to feed. Ingredients per person: 50 g mixed [...]