Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres

Om Namah Sivaya! Many students came to courses and classes, taking the opportunity of the winter holidays to continue their practice. The Indian priest did two morning pujas and then left for Vilnius. The altar was still shining and beautifully decorated with an abundance of flowers. Satsang participation was good. We had good support by dedicated Karma Yogis for cleaning and space clearing. Swami Satyananda went to Reith for a weekend to teach at the TTC. OM.

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Om Namah Sivaya. By Gods Grace and Masters’ blessings, all went well and smoothly in February. We received Lakshmi from Germany who helped us for a month. The Swamis also returned from the TTC Brazil. We continued studies of Bhagavad Gita with Swami Premananda and also Vedanta with Swami Dayananda. Beginners Course and also Meditation Course were offered. We hope that all of you are well. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/baires

Om Namah Sivaya from Chengdu. All is well by Guru’s grace. May Master and Swamiji continue to bless all with inspiration for staying on their spiritual path. Om Shanti.

http://www.sivanandayogachina.org

Om Namah Sivaya to all Blessed Selves from the Chennai Centre. During February the pace of the Centre went smoothly between the cleaning and advertisement duties. Every day, morning and evening, two of the staff went out with a big board to promote the Centre programs. Also, early in the morning on the beach, our staff and guests contemplated the sunrise during a yoga class. We opened with a small Beginners’ Yoga course, with very enthusiastic students. One of the students took the course and also practiced the next level at the same time. Regarding the staff, we welcomed Chandrika who returned after a very successful TTC in Neyyar Dam. Also Praveen came back from Himalayas after a vacation period. Others staff members are doing well, thanks to Master’s and Swamiji’s Grace. Pranams! Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/madras

Om Namah Sivaya from Chicago where yogis continued to navigate the effects of Vata inbalancing from cold temperatures in February. Many of the conversations centered around observing the mind; being steady in one’s Sadhana amid challenges and resistance; plus, being grateful for this spiritual community. In keeping with the Vata season, attendance remained inconsistent, however, students seemed inspired and engaged whenever they were present. Swami Satyapremananda departed to serve at the Ranch and NY Centre for a few weeks. Radhika continued classes in Meditation and Yoga 2 courses. As Maha Sivaratri draws near, we felt the quickening of purification and beginning to prepare for the beloved night with bhajans and stories of Lord Siva. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi. Om.

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Om Namah Sivaya from the beautiful DaLat Centre. The staffs kept their Sadhana practice regular, keeping good energy for the Centre. Regular classes and Satsangs continued to be busy. We give thanks for Guru’s grace. Om.

https://sivanandayogavietnam.org

Om Namah Sivaya. By the guidance of the Gurus, the Centre ran efficiently and effortlessly in February. Satsangs went very well. The words of the Masters resonate with us all. All the staff members are deep in their practice and doing their best to improve themselves and the Centre. We hope that everybody in the Sivananda family is healthy and happy. We send our Pranams to all. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/dwarka

Om Namo Narayanaya. February started with two Beginners’ Yoga courses, one at 10am and another at 6:30pm. We also started the Foundation to Meditation course on Wednesdays at 6:30pm. We conducted the Shat Kriya workshop. Kapoorji left for Madurai to attend the annual February IDM meeting. Abeba went to Neyyar Dam to attend the Ayurveda Wellness course. With the blessings of the Masters, February went well as per the schedule, conducting Satsang, open class, course, special yoga classes and workshop. Everybody is doing fine. With the blessings of the Masters, everything is going well at the Centre. We send our Pranams and hope everyone is happy and peaceful. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/delhi

Om Namah Sivaya. Girija came back from India, full inspiration and sun in her face. Swami Karunananda left for Reith. We offered a cooking course “Recipes for New Vegetarians” which went very well. There was a core group of students who come for the courses. The asana classes in the UN have picked up and we have, most of the time, between 10 and 16 students. It used to be more like 5-10. Also, new people constantly joined the asana
classes. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/geneva

Om Namah Sivaya. We are happy to continue spreading the wisdom of Yoga follow the teachings of the Master and Guru. Pranams to the Sivananda Family. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi. Om.

Om Namah Sivaya. During early February the study retreat about Mantras ended with in depth workshops about Saguna and Nirguna mantras creating a devotional and focused atmosphere at the Centre. A level 3 started with all participants from the previous course continuing, as well as a level 4. We welcomed Shanti who arrived from Lithuania to stay with us for the next months. She quickly started teaching her first class. We had a photo shoot in the hall and at the reception and we could already see a positive outcome. On the weekend Jaya Bharati arrived from Paris for the Further Training for Yoga Teachers “How to Teach Yoga to Seniors” with a nice group of dedicated students. The workshops were much appreciated and everyone left happy and motivated to come again soon. We had a very positive Open House Day with 21 new students coming to the Centre, plus some returning visitors to take advantage of the courses and workshops. Most of them stayed on throughout the whole afternoon until the TTC information session. A small group also stayed on for Satsang. It was an welcoming and light atmosphere. Students left inspired. We noticed new faces in the classes and the Satsangs after Open Day. Staff were nicely working together, adding to the good support from Karma Yogis. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/london

Om Namo Narayanaya! During February open classes continued, filled with grateful students. The current Yoga 1 course continued and a new Yoga 2 course began. The Positive Thinking course saw students applying the techniques and feeling an over improvement day to day. Karma Yogis gathered for our monthly meeting to brainstorm and establish actions of spreading the teaching for the upcoming months. Our Teachers’ meeting inspired us all with some teachers returning to teaching in the Centre. Staff Radhika returned to the Ashram Yoga Farm. We were continuously reminded of our immense gratitude for the Gurus, the teachings and the dedication of the community. May God keep us all on His path and may the Blessings of Master and Swamiji continue to light the way. Pranams. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/la

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed Selves! Several courses started in February including a Yoga 4 and a Yoga 10 were offered. We also had an interesting workshop “Yoga & the Immune System” with 12 participants. Several house and maintenance projects were done. Gopala continued the yoga classes in “Conde Duque Cultural Center” in collaboration with the Indian Embassy and the City of Madrid. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/madrid

Om Namah Sivaya. Namaste. By Gurudev’s grace everything runs fine. We thank our Masters for all blessings and support bestowed. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

http://www.sivananda.org/madurai

Om Namah Sivaya! During February we continued with Summer schedule. Most of our students and teachers were still on vacation. New construction next to the Centre started in January, which created an increase in noise level so we reorganized our classes. Kanti Devi and Chandrashekar arrived from Garopaba Brazil where TTC and International activities took place. They returned full of energy, alongside the new teachers. Staff continued promoting TTC Bariloche and Colombia 2019. May all live under Master’s and Guru’s grace. With Prem and Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/montevideo

Om Namah Sivaya and Greetings from the Montreal Centre! We feel our Guru’s grace guiding us. Pranams to all! Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/montreal

Om Namah Sivaya. OM. We had an Open House with a good number of very interested participants. We taught two special workshops: an advanced asana workshop with the topic “Forward Bending Variations” and a kirtan workshop. We also organized a photo shoot to get new photos for a brochures, posters and the website. One of our students who is a very good professional photographer came to take the pictures. About ten other students volunteered as models for asana, meditation and reception photos. The pictures turned out to be very nice. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/munich

Om Namah Sivaya from Neuquen. All is well, with the grace of the Masters. Shanti and Prem to everyone! Om.

Om Namah Sivaya! February seemed to fly very fast. We had a new staff arrival, Hamsa who will stay with us for six months, Hallelujah! She just finished her ATTC in Bahamas and was full of inspiration and prana. Swami Satyapremananda arrived from Chicago and started a month long course on the Bhagavad Gita. We were also blessed to have Satsang every week with Swamiji, as well. It was lovely to have Swamiji here and hear her insights and knowledge. We looked forward to her next visit. We had a beautiful visit from the Deaf Yoga class with six new students joining in along with the regular students. There was very nice energy and positivity. Sushila led a Surya Namaskar workshop with a great turnout! She also led the Satsang on the topic of Fear. Classes and courses were steady with both familiar faces and new faces attending. Staff are doing well and sending our blessings from the New York City Centre. By Masters’ blessings and God’s Grace, all is running smoothly. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/ny

Om Namah Sivaya. During February the days became a little longer hinting that Spring is in the air, bringing light and joy. The staff re-started to ring the bell for the wake-up. As a result, we had a bigger family for the morning Satsangs. There was a four session Raja Yoga ourse. We put prana into the brochure. Saraswati enjoyed preparing and giving a “Yoga at Work” workshop. Sivani started to get familiar with the share point in order to assist with the filing of the Rudraprayag new students. The staff had an inspiring study hour, listening to a recording of Swami Durgananda’s lecture on the topic of freedom, given in London this year. Two workers visited the house to estimate the price of the renovations related to the flood of this past summer. The changing weather had some impact on every one. Some staffs, teachers and karma yogis got the flu or the gastroenteritis. In spite of everything, The Masters continued many students and karma yogis. They sent also a new staff, Ramdas who did his TTC in October. His intent was to stay for six months. He seemed to be a handy man. He repaired the toilets and fixed the bookshelves. He displayed a model of Swamijis plane in the Main Hall, which was laying aside for some months. Padmini, staff of Orleans, came for a couple of weeks, providing good support for the reception and for the office.OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/paris

Greetings from Porto Alegre. Blessings and Peace to all of the Sivananda Family. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/portoalegre

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed selves. We send pranams to all. May the Masters guide you and protect you to carry on the mission. Om Shanti. Om.

www.sivananda.org/rome

Om Namo Narayanaya, Blessed Selves. During February we launched our 2019 concert series with Ben Kunin on sarod and Rachel Unterseher on viola. All attending were uplifted by their skill and devotion. Swami Sivasankariananda taught a Pranayama Workshop, attracting new students to the Centre. Given the enthusiastic response, we prepared a followup workshop as well as a 5-session course. Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian, from the Kriya Yoga tradition, spoke at a Satsang on Artha, urging us that there is enough for all in God’s economy. Swami Sivasankariananda enjoyed a week in seclusion at the Yoga Farm. She joined the second half of Neil Pearson’s online Pain Care course. A Yoga 1 and Yoga 2 course finished. Lalitha led Satsangs and Friday morning Pujas. We felt the Gurus’ blessings. May the Truth be spread far and wide. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/sanfrancisco

Om Namah Sivaya. The Sao Paulo Centre was in recess during January and returned to the regular schedule on February 4th. Efforts were made towards advertising that would attract more students. We also advertised the March 2019 TTC in Argentina. New teachers who just graduated from Brazil TTC joined the Sao Paulo team. We had a teachers’ lunch meeting (veterans and new ones) to share their experiences during TTC and ATTC. On Feb 12th we started a Beginners’ Yoga Course. We planned the activities for the next quarter (March – April – May) and also the Shivaratri on March 4th. May the Masters continue to maintain prana and harmony in the Sivananda Centre of Sao Paulo. Om Shanti Shanti to all the Sivananda family. Om.

Om Namah Sivaya. During February a Meditation course, as well as a Yoga 1 and Yoga 2 course finished, with the students being invited to join the following levels. The staff were feeling much more comfortable working with the new registration system and were looking forward to exploring more of its features. A highlight of February was our teachers gathering where more than 50 Sivananda yoga teachers from all over Israel came to the Centre. The day began with a morning Satsang on the topic of Swami Vishnu’s mission in the West and the deep meaning of Karma Yoga. A yoga class, led by Gopi, was held afterwards, spreading over two practice rooms due to the huge amount of participants! The special event ended with a pot luck feast and a workshop on asana corrections. The atmosphere was happy and everyone was inspired and uplifted being part of this Satsanga. The grace and blessings of the Masters were felt strongly! The Sunday evening Satsang was led by Bhargavi Chaitanya on the topic of ‘Love’. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/telaviv

Om Namah Sivaya. During February we offered a Kirtan workshop with plenty of students attending in which we introduced stories on Lord Krishna, 4 classical Paths of Yoga, Bhakti yoga, etc. We gave a 2-day Yoga1 & Yoga2 intensive course, joined by 18 students. They stayed at the Tokyo Centre overnight and learned about the introduction and essence of Sivananda Yoga in the all inclusive manner which includes Satsang, vegetarian cooking, and so on. This course was a very popular and long-waited with people coming from all over the nation. The regular Yoga1 course, joined by 10 students, completed with most of them proceeding to Yoga2. Karuna, a 2019 Neyyar Dam TTC graduate, joined us as a Karma yogi and soon will be a full-time resident staff. Good number of Karma yogis come to help the Centre and to join in Satsang and Puja. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi. Om.

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Om Namah Sivaya. During February Toronto was enveloped in many layers of snow, topped with freezing rain. Winter seemed to settled in. A new Yoga 1 and Yoga 2 course started. Saraswati returned from India and started a Samadhi Padha course as part of Raja Yoga series of courses for 2109. A very dedicated group of students signed up. We had a very productive advertizing meeting with staff and several expert karma yogis, which clarified
everyone’s duties and plan of action. Nalini, Bhavani and Satyabhama visited from Montreal for few days, painting a wall and doors in the kitchen refreshing the look of the room. Teen classes and little kids classes continued with lots of enthusiasm. We planned several events for the following months, the first of which is an upcoming concert with a classical Indian music artist. We send Om Namo Narayanaya to everyone. Pranams. Om.

Om Namah Sivaya. Early February we started an evening batch of yoga on Mondays. All other classes continued smoothly. We also did some gardening. Yashpal ji went to Madurai to attend the IDM. Lalithasahasranama Pooja was held on Fridays. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/trivandrum

Om Namah Sivaya. Greetings to all from Vienna. A nice Beginners’ Yoga batch started on Mondays. An interested group came for the Centre’s trial class with most of them registering for courses afterwards. The headstand workshop was very helpful in assisting the students in the steps, find the balance and relax in the posture. We offered our weekend intensive meditation course. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vienna

Om Namah Sivaya. The Priest Yagneshwara stayed for 5 days, performing pujas every day and purifying the Centre. The lovely communication with the staff and the helpers created a very nice calm and uplifting surrounding. The Ganesha Murti Puja and Vishnu Sahasranama and Yantra were very strong and beautiful with many happy students and teachers attending. The Divine Mother Durga Murti Puja finished the Priest’s program and created the feeling of protection and security. Two lectures, given by the Priest, showed that the students were very interested in the traditions of Indian Temple meditations, how to do a small Puja at home and other questions. Many courses continued with abundant attendance, so much so, we could not all fit in the teaching halls so the Bhagavad Gita course was taught in the reception area. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vilnius

Behold the unity of all faiths, cults, creeds and religions. Respect the views, opinions and sentiments of all. – Sri Swami Sivananda