Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashrams

Om Namah Sivaya. The Yoga Camp Ashram will remain closed until further notice. Visit our website and continue your practice from the comfort of your own home with our online classes/courses, keeping you connected, inspired, and energized. https://sivanandacanada.org/camp/Online-courses/
May the grace of God and the guidance of the teachers be with us in extending our service to the aspirants, students and all others who visit the Ashram website. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/camp

Namah Sivaya to all. Visit www.sivananda.org.in/neyyardam/Covid-19-guidelines We look forward to welcoming you back and practicing together one day in the future. We continue with online classes, courses & programs. Please visit www.sivananda.org.in/weekly-schedule

In early May, it was very quiet due to the total lockdown in India. Our Satsangs, coaching classes for new teachers, Yoga Vacation talks, and asana coaching for guests took place, albeit with much reduced numbers, but we were busy keeping the Ashram clean and running smoothly without the usual paid staff support. The Panchkarma program, with Dr Vishnu, also continued. We welcomed Swami Gayatriananda ji and Suresh ji back from Madurai Ashram after their joyful Kids’ Camp. They just squeezed through before the State borders closed. It was very nice to have them both back safely. Our online program continued with contributions on Karma & Reincarnation and Letting Go of Anger. Although numbers were reduced from the online hey-day of the initial lockdown last year, still we had a steady attendance. We felt we were making some contribution in distributing the teachings of Master and Guru. We offered daily prayers for the well-being of all souls in our daily 1pm chanting sessions and prayed fervently that the current intensity and the suffering from the oCvid-19 pandemic will subside shortly. Two Ashram staff left this month to help at home with family difficulties due to Covid-19. Our prayers are very much with them.

By mid-May the monsoon officially started, although it was raining quite heavily for days prior. It was perfect lockdown weather. We started a study group for the Bhagavad Gita, with both staff and some of the guests who were still here at the Ashram. We celebrated Ekadashi as always by chanting the Gita in full in the Rama Hall. It was a very sacred practice and we were blessed to be able to continue this. We celebrated the birthday of Hariom, one of our staff, with a homemade cake that far excelled the shop-bought ones we usually have!!!! Staff were very consistent and diligent with their Sadhana. Our daily “how to teach” classes continued apace. Online, we started a five week, four module course entitled Deepen Your Teaching Skills, with Sureshji, which was very well attended. The staff are in good spirits and send their pranams. May Master and Swamiji bless all with a pure will to continue steadily in Sadhana. We hope everyone is well. May all find health and peace of mind. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/neyyardam

Om Namo Narayanaya from Uttar Kashi. We are happy to announce that Sivananda Kutir reopened in 2021. Our Ashram will following the MHA guidelines closely to ensure the safety and comfort of all. The continued practice of social distancing and limited class sizes are to meet these requirements. These guidelines will be posted in all our India Centres and Ashrams. Please familiarize yourself with these safety precautions: MOH Guidelines for Yoga Institutions. We look forward to having you at the Ashram.

Meanwhile everything went well here in May. We were very happy to start our second on-site TTC of the season, with eighteen eager souls, who have overcome quite considerable obstacles to be here. We had a beautiful Ganapathi Homa to set the course on the right footing and with Lord Ganesha’s blessings we have faith that everything will run smoothly. Swami Parameswariananda taught the Main Lecture, Swami Janardananda the Bhagavad Gita and Yashpal, our director of the Trivandrum Centre taught both the chanting and Hatha Yoga classes with Viji as assistant. We send our prayers to all who are suffering during this very challenging time.

By mid May we were happily continuing the May TTC. The students were very happy to be here, especially with all the lockdowns. They started their teaching groups and after the initial nervousness started enjoying the sessions.  We also had the kriya practice, which went smoothly. A highlight the month was a beautiful Sudarshan Homa, invoking Lord Narayana to bless us with good vision and to clear mental blocks and ignorance. We felt very fortunate to have such blessings. All the staff send their pranams to our Sivananda family.

Please note we also continue to offer classes, courses & programs online. Details regarding this can be found at sivananda.org.in/Online-sessions. Please like our Facebook page to stay notified about live open classes, Satsangs & other programs. Our thoughts are with you all and we pray that you keep well and positive during these challenging times. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/uttarkashi

Om Namo Narayanaya. Namaste from Madurai. We are happy to announce that we are accepting guests to the Ashram. Pre-booking via [email protected] is necessary. Terms & conditions apply. Visit https://sivananda.org.in/madurai/Covid-19-guidelines/ We look forward to welcoming you back and practicing together. We are continuing classes, courses & programs online. Please visit www.sivananda.org.in/weekly-schedule

Sivananda India is offering an online TTC, open to Indian nationals, living in India or within two hours of Indian Standard Time IST.
Dates: 6 June – 3 July, 2021

Meanwhile in May the Meenakshi Ashram held the final week of Kids Camp in early May. Such was a peak in enthusiasm, merriment and participation of kids and staff alike for the 3 weeks, the program just flew by. We pre-poned the Kids Camp graduation to a Thursday so that the following weekend travel restrictions could be evaded. The kids had their final play of Treasure Hunt ending in tie as expected and the prize of ice cream being savoured alike by all, including guests. Some of the kids were even enquiring about the formalities to return and stay as staff. But this time due to the lockdown restrictions, one of the kids from Mysore remained at the Ashram, enjoying all the love and attention from all of us. He seemed quite happy with the Yoga Vacation schedule and also took great joy in serving food and cleaning the Satsang Hall. We said goodbye to all the other kids with their promise of coming again next year and creating a WhatsApp group to stay connected making us feel a little less heavy hearted. We also gave a send off to Gayathriananda Mathaji and Suresh ji as they returned to Kerala. We thanked all the Kids and everyone involved in gifting us a funtastic 3 weeks, the memories of which would be cherished for a long time to come.

As May continued, we returned to the usual schedule, focussing on promoting our upcoming TTC which was postponed for 2 weeks due to lockdown restrictions. Continuing with our online sessions, we also came up with ideas for next month’s classes, mostly beginner level, after getting valuable feedback from our students during Chai and Chat. We got an outside cook care from one of our long time students who runs a hotel chain in Madurai with almost his entire relations devoted to hotel business spread throughout South India. The entire kitchen area was basked in the tantalizing aroma of hotel style cooking and all of us relished the food to our hearts’ content. We welcomed Rupesh from Chennai Centre and he has plans of staying until the year end. Also Chetan our former staff, came back and is out and about after quarantine. We are grateful to Master and Swamiji for the opportunity to serve. Sending Prem and Om to all, from our Madurai Ashram family. Om.

www.sivananda.org/madurai

Om Namah Sivaya from the Ranch. After 15 months of Covid-19 lockdown, the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Ranch is opening cautiously for guest stays shorter than a month. We are maintaining the CDC restrictions, requiring all guests to show proof of completion of vaccination, and limiting guest stay to a maximum of 10, maintaining social distancing.

IN PERSON PROGRAMS:
Yoga Vacation is a shorter in-person stay for those who are fully vaccinated.
Residential: We have set up a residential program for those who are able to stay more longer term. The Ashram residential program requires a minimum 1 month stay (29 nights/30 days). https://sivanandayogaranch.org/residential-program/
The Karma Yoga (Selfless Service) Program requires a minimum 1 month stay (29 nights/30 days) https://sivanandayogaranch.org/karma-yoga/

We continue to offer online programs such as TTCs, courses and classes. We are grateful for all your support and connection in these times! It has and continues to be an innovative time where we can see how easily accessible it is to connect & share the teachings with people everywhere in the world! https://sivanandayogaranch.org/

Meanwhile in May we offered a special hip opening workshop given virtually, by Isani, from the NYC Centre. Corey focused on yard maintenance, continuing work on Ananda Kutir and preparing the Apartments for occupation. Lots of spinach for the kitchen was grown in the greenhouse along with lettuce, mustard and collard greens and early curly kale. The first tomato seedlings were transplanted and the nursery is currently occupied by basil, beets, calendula, hollyhock, nasturtium, cornflowers, sunflowers, and replacement tulsi and zucchini which were lost due to the winter weather and little four legged creatures. May Masters’ Blessings and Gurus Grace be with us all. Pranams from the New York mountains. Om.

www.sivanandayogaranch.org/‎

Om Namah Sivaya. Warm greetings to you from the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm. The Ashram is currently closed due to Covid-19. We are planning on having a soft opening on July 3rd 2021 and a full opening on July 21st 2021.

Please visit https://sivanandayogafarm.org/yoga-classes-online/ to easily join Online workshops, classes and courses. Your generous support to Swamiji’s mission will keep the Yoga Farm strong and vital during the pandemic. Please donate here: https://sivanandayogafarm.org/donation/

By the Grace of Master and Swamiji, we welcomed back Swami Sitaramananda to the Yoga Farm after nearly 18 months in Vietnam. We were grateful for Swamiji’s return, feeling Swamiji’s energy as we began our planning to reopen the Ashram soon. We also welcomed back Swami AdiParashaktiananda from Vietnam. Sw Sitaramananda and Sw AdiParashaktiananda were both in quarantine at Swamiji’s house for 14 days along with Sw Jnaneswariananda who picked them up from the airport. Students had a chance to experience the TTC with the online Taste of TTC weekend immersion, following the TTC schedule of asana class, Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Philosophy class, with Satsangs led by Swami Sitaramananda from Vietnam. Some of those attending joined our upcoming online TTC in June. Regular asana classes, weekly West Coast Teachers Meeting and online Satsangs continued.

By mid May we were happy to report that Swami Sitaramanandaji, Sw Jnaneswariananda and Sw Adiparashaktiananda successfully concluded their 14-day quarantine,
and joined all of us in the Ashram. We enjoyed several Satsangs with Swamiji at Swamiji’s house on the deck in the evening under the stars, very beautiful, with Swamiji sharing sweet and inspiring stories. Swamiji continued with the Thursday morning Satsang online, including students from Asia, with over 120 students attending. The topic “9 Practices for Success in Meditation” with Swamiji helped our understanding to improve our meditation practice. Swami Dharmananda taught the 5-day Bhagavad Gita study course on Chapter 7 with many returning students. The group was very inspired and appreciated this time to learn together. Staff and Seva students were well and taking care of the Ashram grounds, garden, kitchen and new garden revamp out front of Swamiji’s house. We are grateful for this opportunity to serve. May all feel Master and Swamiji’s blessings. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/farm

Om Namo Narayanaya, Blessed Selves. Due to the worldwide outbreak of Covid-19, the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas has remained closed to guests since March 2020.
Our tentative reopening date is July 1st, 2021. There is still a small group of us on property who are maintaining the Ashram way of life through daily Satsangs, yoga and teachings.
Please visit our Online Program page for the latest schedule. https://sivanandabahamas.org/visiting-the-Ashram/Online-program/ We look forward to continuing to add Online programs, courses and guest speakers to our calendar. https://www.sivanandabahamas.org/travel-update/

May 2021 in the Bahamas: The days continued to pass one after another as the Ashram dwellers continue to teach, engage in Sadhana and perform many hours of karma yoga. We worked for many hours each day to clean up the Ashram for a hotel inspection. We then worked for many hours to open the upcoming Online TTC. Rukmini Chaitanya began a successful Japa Meditation course with over 40 students registering!

Towards mid month our second Online TTC was proceeding very well. As the students engaged in their second week of classes, they formed more connections with the teachers and with each other. They started teaching in pairs and seemed to enjoy both the chance to practice teaching and the chance to meet their classmates. We began a couple of new programs: the fourth round of the Asana Challenge course with Swami Paramananda and a weeklong Zoom Satsang program with Swamini Svatmavidyanandaji. Swaminiji explained the meaning of the proclamation “Tat Tvam Asi” from the Chhandogya Upanishad. Around the Ashram, we continued to study daily the Mandukya Upanishad with Swamini Atmaprakashanandaji. The sapodilla trees shared many of their fruits with us, while the poinsettia trees provide a cheerful crimson umbrella over the grounds. May all be well and may this be an opportunity to turn inward to that which is eternal and ever-free. Om Shanti. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/nassau

Om Namah Sivaya. The Seminar House is still closed. We continue to teach classes, webinars and Satsangs online. We offer live Online Yoga Classes, Workshops, Talks, Teacher Trainings and group Meditations. The first yoga vacation for 2021 will be Thursday June 3rd – Sunday June 6th (Corpus Christi Weekend) Receive all the latest information via our newsletter. https://www.sivananda.at/en/newsletter
Register now for TTC:
VENUE: Sivananda Yoga Retreat House
LOCATION: Reith near Kitzbühel, Tyrol, Austria
DATES:
2 – 30 June 2021*
2 – 30 July 2021*
1 – 29 August 2021*
5 Sept. – 3 Oct. 2021*
9 Oct. – 7 Nov. 2021*
7 Nov. – 5 Dec. 2021*
15 Dec. – 13 Jan. 2022*
LANGUAGE: English and German
COURSE FEES: From €2,051
*You are welcome to enroll in the 2021 courses but please do not book flights or make other travel arrangements until the final confirmation of the course depending on the government policies for the coronavirus. Only around 3 weeks prior to the starting date of the course your registration can be confirmed.

Life online. The Seminar House remained closed in May. The TTC Online started early May. Students and Staff from Europa, South America and Canada met online for a wonderful inauguration. Shanti Kumar Kamlesh started his new course “Ayurveda Nutrition Essentials”. In this course he taught the fundamental principles of Ayurvedic nutrition to the students. We were also busy with painting and cleaning up the office, brightening and freshening the space. We did a video shoot for a small video about the upcoming Yoga Vacation programs including walks and meditations in the nature.

The participants of the TTC Online started teaching each other mid month. They were doing so with a lot of dedication. The second part of the course, Ayurveda Nutrition Essentials, with Shanti Kumar Kamlesh started. He described in very detailed and lively way how to use different kinds of food in Ayurvedic cooking. We spent the week mainly with preparing the Retreat House for the re-opening plus setting up the big yoga hall for the live transmission of the on site Satsangs. Swami Vasudevananda went to Munich to prepare for the re-opening of the Centre. Swami Vidyananda and Narayani went to Mittersill/Salzburg for 10 days. They taught the first Yoga Vacation program after the lockdown there. We pray that all remain healthy and safe. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/tyrol

Om Namah Sivaya. Please accept this invitation to join us for the Unite for a Healthy Planet worldwide meditation – Every 1st Sunday of the month at 2PM Continental European Time, for 30 minutes. https://sivanandaorleans.org/unite-for-a-healthy-planet OM. We continue to participate in the online European activities. OM.

In the month of May the TTC students had their mantra initiation followed by an evening lamp Puja. They were given their spiritual name and the next day. We had a successful graduation. We had a very happy batch of students. Ashram guests came for a pranayama program with extra daily practice.  Some staff took some time out. Garden projects continued at a sustained rhythm, with help from guests and staff. The staff cleaned the Ashram to be ready for upcoming programs.

Mid month, we concluded the 5-day certificate course “Positive Thinking, Living life with Joy” with Swami Kailasananda, and guests departed along with the guests who visited us for the Ascension retreat. We welcomed a group of teachers for the course “How to Teach Meditation and Mantras” with Swami Jyotirmayananda. We welcomed guests for the Pentecote 5-day retreat. Joining them over the weekend, we also welcomed a big group of teachers for the course “Yoga and Pregnancy” with Girija. We had many guests going through the Ashram, all departing in high spirits. The staff were full of gratitude for this opportunity to serve dynamically. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/orleans

Om Namah Sivaya from Da Lat Ashram. The Da Lat Ashram is open.

In early May we enjoyed a the Sadhana Intensive group, successfully completing their second week of intensive practice. All followed the practices diligently, all in the Ashram could feel the increase in energy brought about by their focused practice. The group completed their final two sessions of Sadhana. We said farewell to them after a graduation ceremony. With the fast moving development of the spread of the latest outbreak of Covid-19, infections in Vietnam, Swami Sitaramananda made the decision to leave the Ashram earlier than planned, so as to be sure of a secure trip back to California. Swamiji left the Ashram, along with Swami Adiparashaktiananada, after giving a final lesson of instruction to the Sadhana Intensive students. Following government guidelines the Ashram was still open to guests, though restrictions were in place to avoid any gathering of large groups. Classes and Satsangs have been restructured accordingly.

By mid month the Ashram was noticeably quieter. The group following the Ayurveda course studyied hard, separated from other guests for all activities. They progressed well, following online classes in the evenings taught by Nitya in the US and Dr Ramdas in Coimbatore, India. We welcomed a reduced number of Yoga Vacation guests. Our Satsangs remained separated to reduce the number of people gathering at once, and we temporarily suspended singing of Kirtan. We had weekly online Satsang with Swami Sitaramananda. Internal training programs for staff were increased, to include Sanskrit, Yantra painting and NVC. All took advantage of the quieter time to turn focus inwards and practice more Sadhana. We prayed that the ongoing outbreak of Covid-19 in Vietnam and Asia may be controlled soon.
We were grateful for Guru’s grace in being able to offer courses at this challenging time. Staff remain well, inspired and thankful for Guru’s grace. Om.

www.sivanandayogavietnam.org/

Om Namah Sivaya. Namaste. We are delighted to welcome you to Sivananda Tapaswini Ashram. Our Ashram will follow the MHA guidelines closely to ensure the safety and comfort of all. Every guest/student must arrive with a negative Covid-19 (RT PCR) test. The continued practice of social distancing and limited class sizes are to meet these requirements. These guidelines will be posted in all our India Centres and Ashrams. Please familiarize yourself with these safety precautions. https://sivananda.org.in/gudur/Covid-19-guidelines/

In early May we were a few staff and guests, due to the Covid-19 lockdown in the state. Queries about courses and programs were low. We continued taking safety precautions. The Online course – TTC Advanced Asanas Recap – was successfully completed with 14 students participating from India, Iran, Germany and Dubai. We welcomed a new staff member, Kannan from Kerala. We kept ourselves busy with Group Karma Yoga and Sadhana.

By mid May we were very busy with online classes and Ashram schedule. A family of 3 joined us for Yoga Vacation. We conducted a Pranayama workshop for employees of a bank in Bangalore, and are in talks of doing a course with them in future. Also a month long series of classes with two batches started with a company from Chennai. Guests and staffs enjoyed the mango season here. Our priest spent long hours in the Ashram Temple doing the daily rituals as well as making beautiful garlands for the idols. All staffs kept up their Sadhana.

We will also continued to offer classes, courses & programs online. Details regarding this can be found at https://sivananda.org.in/online/Ashram/. Please like our Facebook page to stay notified about live open classes, Satsangs & other programs. Our thoughts are with you all and we pray that you keep well and positive during these challenging times. May Master and Swamiji bless us with true devotion and blessings be with us all! Pranams. Om.

www.sivananda.org.in/gudur