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Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Zentrum, Berlin, Germany

Om Namah Sivaya. December started with a good yoga 1 course and several higher courses and good participation in courses and classes. Highlight was the Christmas party, which was well prepared due to dedicated help of many karma Yogis: Presents for children were organized, calendars where nicely packed, the tree was decorated with the help of the kids from Kids Yoga, the preparation of the Christmas meal and the rehearsals for the Christmas play. The Christmas party itself was very successful, more than 100 students + many kids came to enjoy the evening. Chanting, music, food and of course the Christmas play. The topic of the theatre play was “everything happens for the best” and it was very well received by all. Everybody left happy and inspired. In addition we focused on several maintenance projects, some rooms and the kitchen was painted, deeply cleaned, kitchen chairs and one cupboard was exchanged. It looks nice and sattwic again. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/berlin

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Buenos Aires, Argentina, South America

Om Namah Sivaya. In early December Classes and activities are running as usual, we are very happy with de Sannyas Iniciation of Radha Chaitanya, now she is Swami Dayananda, she took sannyas in Bahamas on the 11 of December. We had the end of the year Satsang with 80 students, we had as usual a asana demonstration, a play and Christmas Choir. All students were very happy and grateful

During mid-December Classes and activities are running as usual. We have less students becouse of the proximity of Chrismas and the Summer Vacation.On Tuesday We recived Swami Dayananda who took recently Sannyas in Bahamas, and we said goodby to Devaki who returned to Colombia after one month as staff. May Master, Guru and Mother’s blessings bring peace and love along the world. Prem & Om to all.

http://www.sivananda.org/baires

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Chengdu, China

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Om Namah Sivaya to all Blessed Selves from the Chennai Centre. In early December it was a calm one here at the Centre. Highlights were the welcoming of a new batch of beginners’ students, a pleasant increase in weight-loss students and growing interest in “on-site” yoga classes at neighboring businesses. The staff here continues to focus on their sadhana, looking forward to the coming week.

During mid-December we started with the beginner’s batch in the evening on Monday. A Headstand variation workshop was conducted. The numbers of student dipped a bit owing to the Christmas holidays. The Centre also decorated the Christmas tree with lights; few of the students also joined the decoration work. Chennai Centre wish all the Sivananda family a very happy Christmas and the New Year. Pranams All the staff send Pranams to the Sivananda family. Blessings to all!

http://www.sivananda.org/madras

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Chicago, USA

Om Namah Sivaya from Chicago. In early December Courses are coming to a finish as the holidays approach, and we are beginning to get registrations for courses that begin in the New Year. We had our holiday Satsang and potluck, featuring a visit from Mrs. Claus. All continues well while Swami Narayanananda was away, and we are now preparing to close the Centre for a week so that we may celebrate the holidays with our Sivananda family at the Ranch and the Camp. Happy holidays and pranams to all.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi from the Centre in Chicago.

http://www.sivananda.org/chicago

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta DÀ LAT Centre, Dà Lat, Vietnam

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta DWARKA Centre, Delhi, India

Om Namah Sivaya. In early December 2 weekday beginners courses completed, and the 2 new beginners courses starting drew many students, forming larger classes. Kids and gentle yoga classes continue as usual. A new meditation course started, and meditation courses are being very well-received, with many inquiries for them. A weight loss workshop was conducted and well attended. We bid farewell to Sarah who left for Rishikesh and will be headed to Neyyar Dam after, and said hello to Shakti, who was with us for a day, coming from the Nataraja Centre, before heading off to the airport. Satsang was attended by the staff and some students and enjoyed by all.

During mid-December a weekend beginners course started and 2 weekday beginners courses ended. Kids and gentle yoga classes continue as usual. Vishnu left for Rishikesh on a short trip. Satsang was attended by staff and a few students and prasad enjoyed by all. The weather was crazy cold. Vijay is also back at the end of the week from the TTC in Madurai Ashram, to everyone’s delight. Pranams to all. Om Shanti.

http://www.sivananda.org/dwarka

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta NATARAJA Centre, Delhi, India

Om Namo Narayanaya. In early December Christmas was approaching, and Milan with all other staff decorated the Centre beautifully with many colourful lights in the reception area and Vishnu hall, creating a festive atmosphere for the upcoming holidays. A new yoga 1 beginner course started on Monday, and our former staff Shruti was enjoying one of her first yoga 1 teaching experiences. We welcomed Shakti from Madurai Ashram, who stopped at the Centre for one day on her way home to Colombia.

During mid-December we were glad to welcome Mani Chaitanya back to New Delhi . The Centre was buzzing with renovations and preparations for our Christmas celebration. Temperatures are now dropping by the day and the Centre’s stone floors are storing the cold inspite of the heaters running continuously during class time. A new wooden flooring was installed in Shiva Hall, where our beginner courses are taught, in order to make students comfortable during asana practice. Kids’ class teacher Manjuji had a last round of rehearsals for the kids’ contribution to the Christmas programme. She was also teaching one yoga 1 beginner course, with Kishor teaching the second batch we started . Poonamji held another well-received vegetarian cooking workshop. All students enjoyed the preparation of soups and traditional halwa, which was ideal food given the current cold temperatures in New Delhi. Savitri arrived from Bangkok for a few days before assisting in TTC in Neyyar Dam. Om Namah Sivaya from Delhi! We send our prayers to all. May the Gurus’ blessings of be with us all. Om Namo Narayanaya!

http://www.sivananda.org/delhi

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Geneva, Switzerland

Om Namah Sivaya. Highlight of the month was the Christmas Party. The Christmas-message about inner rebirth, the chanting of Christmas-carols, a Children’s- and a back pipe-performance and the theater-play about King Bharata which was performed by a group of 10 teachers were very well received. There was lots of laughing and clapping and everyone felt connected in the spirit of Yoga. We also took the opportunity to thank the teachers and karma-yogis for their support. After a delicious meal and a present – a book with slokas from the Bangalore Sanskrit Academy – everybody left in high spirits. We also had an open day with an attentive and interested group of students. Two workshops about Yoga@home and Stress management had good attendance and allowed the participants to develop a deeper understanding of Yogic principles. The general brochure 2014 arrived from the printer and was sent out. Another focus were updates of the homepage and the preparation of the newsletter. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/geneva

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Om Namah Sivaya. In early December it was a good one for the Centre with many students attending the regular Open Classes and many students continuing with Yoga-2 Courses after finish Yoga-1. Saraswati temporarily left the Centre to travel to Dalat in the Central Highlands to prepare for the Opening of the new Centre there in January. she was working on advertising and getting the Centre ready to receive the students in January. Jayanta and Ganga taught a workshop on Prana and Pranayama. the students enjoyed learning more about Prana and practice Pranayama more intensely. All was well in Ho Chi Minh City.

During mid-December was another good one for the Centre. We welcomed Sha, a new resident from the US. Open Classes and Beginners Courses continued and a new Yoga-2 course in Vietnamese taught by Ganga started. The staff share all duties equally and enjoyed the cooler weather before Christmas. Preparations for the Opening of the new Centre in Dalat in January are going well. All the staff were happy, with the Guru’s blessings. Pranams to all the Sivananda family. Om Tat Sat.

https://sivanandayogavietnam.org/ho-chi-minh-center/

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, London, England

Om Namah Sivaya. In early December we had a positive thinking course starting with a very inspired group of students. The main event was the Christmas party. It was beautifully prepared by all the Karma Yogis and staff. Swami Kailasananda came on her return from the EBM meeting. She gave a beautiful Satsang with a Christmas message for all the attending yogis. This was followed by an asana demonstration and the Christmas play about Narada and Maya. It was very very funny and at the same time quite deep. There were good special effects when the river flooded and everything was washed away. After the play we had the Xmas carols, the presents and then the dinner which was delicious. All students left with a joyful heart.

During mid-December the upcoming Christmas holidays resulted in a calm week in the London Centre. There were several interviews with candidates for the London TTC, people took advantage of the reduced price for a booking before the end of the year and we are happy to see the number of TTC students for the June course gradually growing. Work on the new bathroom was advancing very well and after many weeks of preparing the ground work, the space was now taking shape as a bathroom with tiling being done and bathroom equipment being installed. Swami Anantananda and Nadapriya left to the Ashram in France for the Christmas programme. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/london

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Om Namo Narayanaya! Early December was with many activities – the usual first weekend of the month Open House and Chanting workshop on a Saturday, plus Deaf Yoga and two Ecospiritual events. We did Puja to Saraswati for our monthly community Puja at Satsang. We prepared for the annual Holiday party on Saturday – always a very popular event.

During mid-December our holiday party went very well with a full house, joyful community carol singing, bountiful food and friendship. Everyone received a gift and it was reassuring to see the return of some old faces! At Sunday Satsang we did a beautiful meditation on Christmas, relating to the birth of Jesus as the birth of love within our own hearts. Sales for the winter sale have been brisk and we look forward to a good start to the New Year. May the Gurus’ blessings of be with us all. Pranams.

http://www.sivananda.org/la

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Madrid, Spain

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed Selves. In December, the busy pace of the Madrid Centre slowed down a bit to reflect the holiday spirit of the season. Most main projects revolved around the preparations for the much anticipated Christmas festival, which took place on 14th of December and gathered more than 100 close teachers, students, and visitors of the Centre. Under Gauri’s expert guidance, our enthusiastic team of close karma yogis prepared a wonderful evening meal. The busy Christmas program started with a short meditation followed by an inspiring Christmas message delivered by Swami Atmaramananda and cheerful Spanish Christmas carols for which all visitors joined in enthusiastically. Then there were presents to young and old from Santa Claus, an inspired theatre performance by our close teachers and students, and the evening of festivities concluded with a beautiful piano performance by Jyoti followed by a delicious Christmas evening meal for all. Many close teachers and students came to join staff for the festival night as well as first time visitors of the Centre. Everybody left the Centre in high spirits and with a lot of appreciation for the beautiful evening together. In the beginning of the month. Swami Atmaramananda went to support the Christmas festival at the Sivananda Centre in Vilnius, Lithuania, and after that he joined the Christmas activities at the Orleans Ashram in France. Jyoti and Krishnapriya both went home for the Christmas holidays, and Lakshmi and Karuna stayed to take care of the Centre until the end of the month. During the holiday season, the Centre, which was staying open all days except on Christmas and New Year’s days, has been very well attended by students and teachers taking classes and coming to Satsangs as well as by first time visitors and visiting students and teachers from outside of Madrid. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/madrid

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Madurai, India

Om Namah Sivaya. In early December the Morning beginner’s course began on Mondays. All other classes continued well at the Centre and outside as well. We went to the Ashram for Bhajan Sandhya. Some of our students joined us and enjoyed the programme. Madurai has become cooler with occasional heavy downpour. We welcomed our new staff, Akash from the Madurai Ashram, to help us out. He seems to be settling down with the Centre’s routine. All was well with the Grace of our Satgurus.

During mid-December we started a new project with Madurai Velammal Medical College with 15 medics. We are expecting the faculty members to join after covering these students. In our other project, we completed successfully the second batch of TVS school teachers with 34 students. The third batch was expected to commence after XMas and New Year Holidays in the first week of Jan. Our profound thanks to Delhi Nataraja Centre for donating to Madurai Centre time to time. Recently we received with thanks Rs. 30000 for purchasing a display TV for the reception for displaying the benefits of Asanas, Pranayam and programmes about our Ashrams and Centres worldwide. Our staff members were invited by MS. Saroja who had organized a special Puja at Azhagar Kovil and Pazhamudircholai – the sixth house of Lord Subramnya. She was a benefactor of the Temple. We received the close darshan of Lord Vishnu (Azhagar) and Muruga (P. Cholai). We went to our Madurai Meenakshi Ashram for the graduation ceremony with many of our students. We enjoyed the feast and the talent show. All the classes and courses continued well, by the Guru’s grace. Pranams to each and everybody in the Sivananda family. Om Shanti.

http://www.sivananda.org/madurai

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Montevideo, Uruguay

Om Namah Sivaya. In early December it was quiet at the Centre after the Christmas Satsang 7/12. The weather was hot and the mind of the students was on holidays and running the end of the year. Whoever came to classes appreciated the peacefulness of the Centre. During this quiets time we worked on the preparation of TTC, ATTC, Yoga Vacations in Garopaba – Brasil in Jan 2014.

During mid-December we had very hot and humid weather, with few students at the Centre. The students who came enjoy the relaxing of end of the year stress classes. We continued to busily prepare the Garopaba TTC/ATTC/Yoga Vacations programs. We are enjoying the long summer days with 13 hours of light daily. Om and Pranams to everyone in the Sivananda Family.

http://www.sivananda.org/montevideo

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Om Namah Sivaya. In early December Montreal was becoming increasingly colder outside and with Christmas fast approaching there were smaller groups in the open classes, which has been a usual pattern over the last few years. Sushila joined the staff team in Montreal once again. Swami Sankaranada Ji went to the Camp, with our Centre’s staff, for the TTC graduation in the Krisna temple. The prana and spirits of the students were high. The Centre then prepared for the annual Christmas party, making decorations and preparing the Italian feast, with the support of many karma yogi’s. Over 120 attended. Swami Rajeshwaranada spent time talking about the true meaning of Christmas, which felt like a timely period to be reflective and thoughtful. Next, a message from Swami Sivananda was shared for all to hear about devotion to others. It enabled the attendees to be grounded before the celebrations began. Swami Shivabhatanada and the rest of the Ashram staff attended this special event, along with teachers and their families, recent TTC graduates and many students. The group brought adynamic joyful presence. The gathering allowed people to reconnect with each other and reconfirm the community that the Centre has created, and appreciate the mission of Swami Sivananda and Swami Vishnusdevananda. There was lot of chanting, carol singing and even an appearance from a humorous Santa, who instigated everyone to sing and lot’s of laughter. The evening ended with a large feast. The Centre was filled with warmth, which compensated the coldness outside. We felt thankful for Swamiji’s and Master’s grace. Pranams to all the Sivananda family at this time of year.

http://www.sivananda.org/montreal

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Munich, Germany

Om Namah Sivaya. The year coming slowly to an end we also had our last cooking class with the title “Power Source Proteins”; the participants learnt how to easily cook protein rich dishes suited for yogic vegetarians. The last big event of the year was our Christmas party. Many old and new students came. The party took place in our beautifully decorated yoga hall – we also had a very nice, large Christmas tree. The party started with a short Satsang, kirtans and – of course – Christmas carols. We were very happy that Santa Claus found time in his busy schedule to pay us also a visit. One of the highlights of the party was the theatre play – this time it was based on the story of Jadabharata from the Srimad Bhagavatam, who renounced his kingdom, went as an ascetic to the woods, got attached to a deer, was reborn after his death as a deer …. Apart from the spiritual message the play had also many funny moments – the audience laughed a lot! The party ended with a delicious, festive dinner after which everybody left very happy and in high moods. We are already looking forward to a lot of special activities in January – among them an Open House, a preparation day for the yoga teachers training courses and a programme on Indian temple ceremonies with a South Indian priest. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/munich

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, New York, USA

Om Namah Sivaya! In early December we were very happy to welcome Srinivasan who gave a beautiful workshop entitled Devotion, Vedanta and the Art of Peace which was very much appreciated by the students. We also held our last Headstand workshop of the year. We had a very busy week preparing for the Christmas Party. One hundred and twenty people came to celebrate with us, all in joyous mood. The building resounded with Christmas carols, Santa Claus paid a flying visit and gifts were received by all. Staff from the Ranch came and we thank all the karma yogis who spent many hours decorating the Centre and cooking for the sumptuous Feast. Our classes are beginning to wind down now as the cold and snow set in and Christmas approaches and we are using the time to do some early Spring Cleaning. Om Namah Sivaya from all the staff here at the NYC Centre. May the Gurus’ blessings of be with us all for 2014.

http://www.sivananda.org/ny

Centre de Yoga Sivananda Vedanta, Paris, France

Om Namah Sivaya. In early December Swami Bhagavatananda and Swami Shyamananda came to the Centre on Monday for a meeting with people of the ministry of cults. The meeting was positive and left a powerful energy with a Puja celebrated by the Swamis. On Tuesday Swami Kailasananda went to London, her stay at the Centre gave inspiration, support, prana and joy to everyone. Swami Gopalananda went to Orleans on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Kailas came from Orleans to give a program. He gave two inspiring asana classes and a beautiful Satsang. Swami Bhagavatananda arrived on Friday to coordinate a photo shoot for the next brochure. We had a headstand workshop with a motivated group of 16 students. Swamiji gave a lovely Satsang on the topic of Santosha. The preparations of the Christmas party continued… there were many short and joyful rehearsals of the Christmas play. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/paris

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Porto Alegre, Brasil, South America

Om Namah Sivaya from Brasil. In early December we had the Satsang for the end of the year. We had 25 students that came for meditation, chanting, the documentary about Swami Vishnu in the name if peace and delicious food made by Rukmini. Pranams, from all the staff at Porto Alegre Centre for the New Year.

http://www.sivananda.org/portoalegre

Centro Yoga Vedanta Sivananda, Rome, Italy

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed selves, from the Centre in Roma. There was a good attendance in classes and courses. May the blessings of Master and Swamiji be with all. Om & Prem.

http://www.sivananda.org/rome

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, San Francisco, California, USA

Om Namo Narayanaya, Blessed Selves. In early December Radha Krishna Das arrived to serve as staff and help us prepare for our holiday party. We had a recent TTC graduate come also for a 2 week stay as a resident. On Wednesday night we had quite a thorough review of the Bhagavad Gita, covering all chapters in an exhilarating review, using Swami Sivanananda’s words as a guide. We said farewall to our beloved staff member Maha Shakti on Friday, who departed to return to Canada. We worked assiduously for our annual holiday party, making by hand bracelets with beads from one blessed mala to give to those attending our party. Everything culminated in a wonderful time, with the blessing of a visit from Swami Dharmananda and over 15 students visiting us from the Yoga Farm. They put on a very nice play based on a story from the Upanishads. The week ended on a powerful note as the final chant was sung, with over 60 community members united and celebrating together, with the grace of our Gurus. Pranams to all from San Francisco Centre.

http://www.sivananda.org/sanfrancisco

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, San Paulo, Brasil

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Tel Aviv, Israel

Om Namah Sivaya from the Tel Aviv Centre. Blessings and Peace to all of the Sivananda Family from the Tel Aviv Centre.

http://www.sivananda.org/telaviv

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Tokyo, Japan

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed Selves. In early December two Yoga1 courses started with good number of students. We had a very busy time, beginning with Surya namaskar 108times charity event for a magazine for the homeless Big Issue Japan, organised by a karmayogi Saraswati, then on a Pair yoga workshop was attended by many, including a few sets of families with small kids, at the same time Jyotish workshop was going on, which was the last in series by Ms Keiko Ito. Satsanga was attended by twenty TTC graduates mainly from Okayama and Thailand, and we had a good chanting session…. it was actually the beginning of the year-end reunion retreat organised by Okayama graduates Gopala and Tai. The participants cooked nice indian curry for forty guests, and all enjoyed a small talent show and celebrated Tiffany’s marriage etc.. Ten of them stayed at the Centre and we had a lively Satsanga and asana class led by Shambu on Monday morning. The afternoon was spent doing karmayoga, cleaning the asana hall and waxed the wooden floor almost perfectly. Then more people came and had dinner in the evening, all enjoying seeing one another six months after the course. So hard to leave, taking classes and helping the Centre routine, five people stayed until Tuesday afternoon. We wished well for Takuji who had to leave for his work commitment. His service was great help for us although for a short time. May the blessings of Master and Swamiji be with all during 2014. Pranams.

http://www.sivananda.jp

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Om Namah Sivaya. In early December we wrapped up a few more Yoga 1 and a Yoga 2 courses. We are happy to report that most of the students intend to come for more courses and open classes to further their practice. During week Prahlada visited Bahamas for the EBM meeting and has returned. Much effort was spent on preparing the Centre for the annual Christmas/Hanukkah party. Top-to-bottom cleaning and decorating by our dedicated karma yogis and staff helped to put the Centre and its students in a festive spirit. Our party last night was a great success! Ken Whiteley regaled us with some of his classic songs and then led everyone in singing Christmas carols together, which was always a delight! Then we moved onto the “famous” Sivananda Talent Show, which proved to be funny, inspiring and moving in turns. After that, we had Arati and Santa came to deliver gifts to the children, karma yogis and staff. Then the food! Everyone brought their culinary talents to the party and delicious food and desserts were enjoyed by all. Everyone was in a great mood and the staff are still cleaning up the Centre on the next day. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Holidays

During mid-December we had a very busy week, with Prahlada starting an Asana Jaya course for the consecutive 5 days with room full of students. Students learned the true teachings of Hatha Yoga practice to deepened their practice. Open classes were full, while courses were all winding up for the year. Dr. Sonal gave an Ayurvedic Cooking workshop. Sankra, Saraswati2 and Bhakti have painted the kitchen and reception, which looks beautiful now. We have now closed the Centre for Holidays and staff are headed to the Yoga Camp in Val Morin. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/toronto

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Trivandrum, Kerala, India

Om Namah Sivaya. In early December we saw the beginning of two basic courses, one in the morning and another in the evening at 9.30 a.m. and 6.15 p.m. All other batches went on with their usual schedule. We had Kriya Workshop in which the students were introduced to our ancient cleansing techniques. Kannan from Thrissur, who graduated from the previously concluded TTC at Neyyar Dam joined the Centre as staff on Friday. While Jishnu, who had been at the Centre for the past 3 wks left for his home. Another discussion about YOGA WALK was held at the Centre in which the volunteer groups and their co-ordinators were finalised.This was followed by Meditation & Satsang led by Surendran.

During mid-December we began with Ganapathi Homam to mark the beginning of Malayalam month, ‘Dhanu’.We had one basic course starting on Monday at 6.15 a.m. Workshop on Head stand was conducted on Wednesday at 6.30 a.m. with a view to remove fear and inhibitions of students towards the posture. We had a meeting on YOGA WALK, in which the committee co-ordinators alone were asked to attend. This was followed by Christmas special Satsang led by Nataraj ji. We had a decorated crib, an X-mas tree and stars to adorn the Satsang hall for the celebrations. The program was attended by a vast crowd including a group from Neyyar Dam Ashram. We had Santa Claus distributing sweets and gifts to the assembled crowd. A huge cake was also cut on this occasion. All of us had a memorable and joyful eve of celebrations at the Centre. In the evening Satsangs we sent our prayers for and good wishes to each member of the Sivananda family. Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi.

http://www.sivananda.org/trivandrum

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Vienna, Austria

Om Namah Sivaya. Highlight of the month was the Christmas Celebration. Over 100 students joined the festivities. Especially the heart-opening Christmas message, a professionally presented violin concert and the traditional theatre play appealed to all the visitors alike. Very readily many Karma yogis helped preparing the successful event. Also a big renovation project started in our Asana Hall. The yellow carpet was taken out and the wooden parquet floor below was being repaired and renewed. It then will have the same warm and shining look as the adjacent meditation room. We put a lot of effort into the making of the new brochure and sent it to the printer. The new brochures will be available in time when the courses are starting again in 2014. So it will be a good welcome for the students returning to the Centre in the New Year. Swami Vidyananda who had been supporting the Centre for several weeks returned to Reith. The remaining Vienna Staff left for Reith on Christmas Day morning. With exception of 24th to 26th of December the Centre was open, thanks to Karma Yogis and close teachers who kept up the Centres’ basic activities. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vienna

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Vilnuis, Lithuania

Om Namah Sivaya. In early December we offered a Yoga 3 course with a small group of students started. Yoga 1 and Yoga 2 courses began on Tuesday. The open classes were well-attended. We had a cooking course with 14 students, who were happy to learn how to cook various vegetarian dishes using the spices and food ingredients in creative way. We had a very strong snow for the first time in this winter. Slowly it was getting colder. A festive mood was created by the Christmas tree outside the Centre, which was decorated very sattvically with white small lamps by Ishwara Chaitanya. We are preparing everything for the Christmas party and special program with Swami Atmaramananda that will take place at the end of December. Students are enthusiastically registering for it.

During mid-December in spite of the Christmas time the yoga Centre was well attended. The courses and open classes were running as usual. On Tuesday we had a Headstand Workshop with a small group of students very interested in learning or improving this important posture. On Monday Jnaneshwara (Berlin) came for one week and helped a lot with computers, teaching and preparation for the special events. The main event of the week was the special program with Swami Atmaramananda. On Friday we had a teachers meeting. We saw a very successful Christmas party was organized. 81 adult and 24 children attended the feast. The students and teachers came from other cities of Lithuania also. The program continued with a seminar on the topic : “The Law of Karma and free Will”. We had a nice big Satsang, asana class and very inspiring lecture, which encouraged many to reflect on their lives and do the firm resolves for the next year. Yoga Centre felt strong support of the karma yogis. The teachers and students donated generously for the improvement of the Centre. We bid farewell also to the resident Surya. She supported the Centre with karma yoga nicely two last months. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vilnius

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Spiritual Calendar

JANUARY 2014

01 – New Moon
11 – Ekadasi
14 – Makara Sankranti
16 – Full Moon
27 – Ekadasi
30 – New Moon

FEBRUARY 2014

10 Ekadasi
14 Full Moon
25 Ekadasi
27 Sivarathri

Glossary

OM: This sacred syllable, sometimes written AUM, is the original mantra. The Sanskrit letter represents the journey of the human spirit towards eternal peace.

ATMAN: The individual spirit or Self.

CHITTA: The subtle energy that is the substance of the mind.

VRITTI: Thought-wave; mental modification; mental whirlpool; a ripple in the chitta.

Regular meditation makes the mind less powerful. – Swami Sivananda

2022-01-02T18:43:31+00:00