Hatha Yoga SIRSHASANA-Headstand -VARIATIONS on the HEADSTAND Mastered the head stand? Try these leg variations with the head stand. After each variation, come back to legs vertical together in the Sirshasana. Try one or two variations per session until the movement of legs in this pose feels natural. “Sirshasana invigorates, energizes and vivifies. It is a true blessing and a nectar. You will find real pleasure and exhilaration of spirit in this asana.” - Swami Sivananda. Variation 1:  Legs to sides In headstand pose, while exhaling, let gravity work with the legs, exerting its downward pressure [...]

Vegetarian Cuisine CARROT TOFU MOUSSE- A wonderful baked dish with root vegetables. Serve with steamed vegetables and a crisp salad. Ingredients 2 tbsp sesame oil 2-3 carrots sliced 1 small rutabaga or parsnip, roughly chopped ½ cup water 1-2 tbsp tamari 9 ounces firm tofu Toasted sesame seeds or chopped fresh parsley to garnish Preparation Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Heat the sesame oil in a pan and saute the carrots and rutabaga (or parsnip) over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the water and tamari and simmer until the vegetables are [...]

Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Zentrum, Berlin, Germany Om Namah Sivaya! In June courses and classes ran well. A Pranayama course was offered in early June with a good and inspired group of people ready to dive deeper into the breathing exercises. We had an advanced asana workshop dedicated to the mastery of the pigeon, Kapotanasana. We had good support from Karma Yogis. The weather was summerly warm and many classes took place outside on the garden platform. The students loved it.  The vacation issue of our summer [...]

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. By early June the warm Summer temperatures arrived, along with mosquitoes and blossoming trees! The Yoga Camp Ashram was getting busier, as our guest count increased and the summer staff arrived daily. During the weekdays we had our regular program for guests, with Nirmala Chaitanya giving afternoon lectures and Gayatri Chaitanya doing the asana coaching. The weekend started in a festive spirit, celebrating Swami Vairagyananda's birthday and going for the Kaappuk [...]

Sivananda Yoga FAQ Q 1: What are the methods to develop unruffled serenity and mental composure under all conditions of life? Is absolute serenity possible? A:Develop Atma Vichar Sakti. Identify not with the mind, senses and intellect or with any of the other modifications of the mind. Always be engaging yourself in the thought of the Divine. Have no thought of yourself or the surrounding world. Be absolutely indifferent to yourself, as you ought to be towards the surroundings, the various daily happenings and the worldly repercussions. Knowledge of the Self, when once attained, absolves [...]