Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Zentrum, Berlin, Germany It was a busy August. We started a beginners course for Ukrainiens taught in Ukrainien language. It is a big group and the students are very grateful for this opportunity. Several other courses started, among them a yoga beginners course with an inspired group of newcomers eager to learn the basics of asanas and pranayama. Classes and satsangs were also well attended. We went on our annual summer retreat started in a wonderful location two hours north of Berlin [...]

Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashrams Sivananda Ashram Yoga Camp, Val Morin, Quebec, Canada End of July, marked the end of a very succesful Kids’ camp. To commemorate the two-weeks camp success, during the graduation ceremony, the children did a lively asana demonstration, chanted a kirtan and presented a small theatre play about Lord Hanuman. We were all delighted at their energy and self-discipline. The Teachers’ training course batch of July-August was completed on high notes. Some of the students stayed on for a few weeks as the karma yogis. There [...]

Sivananda Yoga FAQ Q: The senses are generally turned outside. It is said that if they are turned inside, one will be able to attain Mukti. What is meant by turning them inside? A: Now, think of Lord Rama and repeat Ram, Ram. When you mentally repeat Ram, keep a picture of Ram. The senses will be withdrawn. Now the eyes run towards objects and the ears run to various sounds. When you repeat Ram, Ram loudly, the ears hear only Ram, Ram; and they will not run. The inner eye will see only Ram’s picture. [...]

Vegetarian Cuisine Crispy granola This is lovely served with fresh yoghurt or simply as an alternative to home-made muesli. Serves 4. Ingredients: 3 tbsp maple syrup A few drops of vanilla extract 1 tbsp ground cinnamon 200g (7 oz) rolled oats 75g (2 ½ oz) oat bran 75g (2 ½ oz) sunflower seeds 60g (2 oz) pumpkin seeds 150g (5 ½ oz) raisins Preparation: 1. Preheat the oven to 160 degrees Celsius (325 degrees Fahrenheit/Gas 3) 2. Mix the maple syrup, vanilla extract, and cinnamon with 3 tbsp hot water. 3. Mix the oats, [...]

Hatha Yoga Tip Shoulderstand - Sarvāṅgāsana – Beginner and Intermediate The pressure of the chin against the chest and the inversion of the body in Shoulderstand creates the energy flow of Hatha yoga – the union in the solar plexus of the ascending ‘Ha’, or sun, energy with the descending ‘Tha’, or moon, energy. Always practise Matsyāsana (Fish) as the counterpose, then relax in Śavāsana (Corpse Pose) for at least eight breaths. BENEFITS Physical • Tones and revitalizes the thyroid and parathyroid glands. This improves and balances the metabolism of literally every cell in [...]