Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashrams

Om Namah Sivaya, Greetings from the Headquarters. With the beginning of April the weather kept warming up bringing with it more action and bigger waves of guests to the Ashram. We celebrated Lord Rama’s birthday over a Puja, chanting for a long time “Sri Rama Jaya Ram, Jaya Jaya Ram Om” leaving us in a peaceful and meditative state. We continued the Silent Walks, Satsangs in Samadhi Estate and the guest programs. Kumari offered a program on Back Care which attracted many people. They fully enjoyed the workshop and left with large smiles. We had the re-opening of the Subramanya Ayappa Temple which expanded the activity of the Camp to a fuller level and brought back the Indian feel with Kamala, Jeeva Chandra and Jeeva’s arrival. Karma Yogis were busy preparing for the opening, with the annual Spring Cleanup of the Ashram, renovation work, amongst other usual tasks.

Mid April saw the warm weather melt the snow, the return of the ducks and geese and even green life growing from the soil. We celebrated Sri Hanuman’s birthday over a Puja and chanted the Hanuman Chalisa which we had been chanting more frequently. Guests enjoyed the usual program, from daily workshops to occasional walks. We celebrated Easter with a full house, children’s smiles and Gospel songs with Ken Whiteley, who added a fresh flow of joyful energy to the Satsang with Easter songs and readings. Mayavan, from Toronto, ran a program on Ayurvedic perspective to Asanas which attracted a good number of participants who enjoyed both theory and practice, staying after the class asking questions about their constitution and individualized practice. Karma Yoga continued with maintenance work, renovation, preparing for the warmer season. Other Yoga Camp activities and maintenance went as usual. May the blessings of the Divine be upon all.  We are blessed to be carrying Swami Vishnu’s mission! Om Shanti.

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Namah Sivaya to all. The arrival of April saw the third week of TTC well underway. Some of the highlights were the teaching groups and the mantra initiation. The intense heat  finally gave way to spectacular thunder storms. As so often happens, we were unprepared for the sudden lightening strikes. This year the reception backup battery and water purification machine were damaged, but relatively minor damage compared to previous years. The monthly Ayurveda Camp was attended by eight hundred patients with thirteen doctors. Long term staff Sivadas ji was admitted to hospital for five days for hernia and prostrate operations and soon on the road to a smooth recovery. We welcomed new staff Dharma, from Australia.

Mid April saw the Yoga Vacation numbers boosted by a group of fifty four Sri Lankans, accompanied by affiliated teacher, Anoja ji. Some had visited the Ashram before or had done TTC, while others were coming for the first time. They all immersed themselves in the Ashram routine immediately making the most of their one week stay. Two important programs also started. The Fasting Detox Program got off to a good start with twenty two participants, including ten staff. We were grateful to Narayan and Krishnapriya for being so generous with their time and energy. The Kids Camp started, with sixty children including six ‘international’ kids from Sweden, Egypt, Algeria, Portugal, Japan and Korea. They all settled in well and enjoyed the new routine. Nataraj attended a two day event in Chennai, the Reciprocity Fest for Sustainable Living, to mark international Earth Day. Together with Chennai Centre staff we offered a yoga class. Presentations were interesting, giving many ideas how to be more self sustaining, including solar power and water recycling which we plan to implement in the Ashram. Sewage and food waste disposal with a biogas unit has already been running for a number of years in the Ashram. Omkari returned to Denmark. We hope to have her back in a few months. As always, we pray for Swamiji’s protection and guidance. May the Grace of God and the Masters keep us blessing all. Pranams to all the Sivananda Family.

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Om Namo Narayanaya – Greetings from Uttar Kashi. At the beginning of April it was farewell time to the European staff team and the last few ATTC students. We hoped they will visit again next year.  Then it was all hands on deck for cleaning and tidying the Ashram in preparation for the next program – a TTC. A brief visit was made to the Ashram by Swami Gayatriananda ji, accompanied by Suresh and Bina from Neyyar Dam, plus their two sons.  Their Ashram visit was a part of a one week North India tour.  They just arrived in time, before Swami Parameswariananda departed for a break, after the excessively cold weather and some Ayurveda treatment in the South. PCKapoor, from Delhi, arrived to manage the TTC. Finally, 35 eager students from around the world were initiated into the TTC by Kapoorji, Swami Janardhanananda ji, Dr Sunitha and Kathyayani (both from Chennai). We looked forward to seeing these students blossom over the coming four weeks with the Grace of Swamiji and Master.

During the second week of the TTC all went smoothly, starting with a Maha Mrtunjaya Homa for Lord Siva at the Temple. The students received their last classes on how to teach a Beginners’ class with good attention, before enthusiastically starting their teaching practice groups.  Anatomy and Physiology classes also began. The weather gradually becoming warmer. Pranams to all. Om.

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Om Namo Narayanaya. Staff are thanking God and our Masters for their blessings. With prayers and regards from all Ashramites worldwide. Om.

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Om Namah Sivaya! At the beginning of April the Ashram saw the final week of studying and practice for the TTC students. We welcomed Mukti Devi to lead a weekend program entitled “Be Good, Do Good: The Joy of Right Living”. Swami Satyapremananda returned from her month of service at the New York Centre. The TTC exam took place. We celebrated the successful graduation of all 10 students that evening, with an Indian feast prepared by Neeti and team. The Satsang ceremony was led by Srinivasan. This was followed by a talent show, which included a diverse range of dance performances, and Tibetan and multi-lingual chanting. Srinivasan and Swami Paramananda traveled to the New York Centre to conduct a teachers’ meeting, and Srinivasan led the evening Satsang. After 4 weeks of teaching the Bhagavad Gita, Neeti returned to the New York Centre. Narayana also departed for the NY Centre to serve as staff. All staff are well, enjoying the onset of Spring and staying strong in their Sadhana.

In mid-April we started our monthly 5-day Power of Meditation Retreat. Srinivasan and Saraswati returned from their visit to Chicago. We continued to put more energy in preparing the grounds and the gardens with all the staff joining in the effort. Swami Satyapremananda traveled to the New York Centre to lead the second of a three-session course on the Bhagavad Gita and to give the evening Satsang. The weekend programs included a Sweat Lodge, led by Heather Principe and a Japa Yoga program, led by Swami Satyapremananda. Swami Paramananda traveled to the New York Centre to lead the advanced class and the evening Satsang. We welcomed some new Karma Yogis: Jorge, Narayana (Devin) and Bharati. The staff are well. Pranams to all from the beautiful Catskills Mountains! Om.

Om Namah Sivaya. At the beginning of April Swami Sitaramananda and Ananta Chaitanya travelled to Nassau, Bahamas Retreat for 2 weeks. The Yoga Farm was nearly full house at that time with two programs: the Yoga and Ayurveda: Emotional Intelligence course, with Arun Deva and the Stress Relief Relaxation workshops with Radha. Arun-ji led excellent workshops on Yoga and Ayurveda practices on how to regulate emotions and overcome negative emotions that lead to energetic blockages and ailments. The course was supported by enlightening Satsang talks, with Swami Sitaramananda, on the topic of The Mind and Our True Nature as Sat Chid Ananda. Radha led workshops on the 5 points of Yoga for positive health and how to create balance in daily life. Many first-time guests visited the Ashram and greatly appreciated the beautiful atmosphere of peace.

The Ashram began to plant the Dhanvantari Healing Lavender Fields mid April with the help of Ryan, our karma yogi lavender farmer. Swamis Jnaneswariananda, Dharmananda, Sankarananda led the Aarati blessing of the 2,000 lavender plants at the Dhanvantari Temple with all staff and guests in attendance to set the intention for a successful and thriving lavender field. Staff and guests have spent 2 days prepping the soil and planting the seedlings, getting their hands and hearts into the earth and bringing great inspiration to everyone. We thank Ambika for her teaching the Yoga of Grief course, with yogic teachings on the grieving process and the nature of our attachments and how to cultivate detachment with love. The Prana and Pranayama workshops, with Swami Dharmananda, were well-received and included a Yuba River trip with guided pranayama on the river bank and short hike among the many blooming wildflowers. Staff and karma yogis are preparing the Ashram for the upcoming TTC, landscaping, deep cleaning cabins, mowing lawns, and beautification. We all felt the grace of Master and Swamiji this month. Om Namah Sivaya to all Blessed Selves, from the Yoga Farm.

http://www.sivananda.org/farm

Om Namo Narayanaya, Blessed Selves. With the beginning of April we welcomed Peter Russell for a 3-day program on “Returning to Ease: Enjoying Meditation”, in which we explored the nature of consciousness and how we create our perception of reality daily. We also celebrated the Inauguration of the April TTC and ATTC. Together with the teachers and assistants, who arrived from multiple countries to teach in these courses, we also welcomed many students from various countries. Stephen Sinatra, a cardiologist and assistant clinical professor, joined us to share his program “Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science: The Perfect Marriage to Heal the Body”. He presented interesting and practical talks on earthing, grounding and other healing modalities using harmonious frequencies. Davod Azad and his percussionist, Reza Filsoufi, started their program called “Mystical Joy: Sufi Music and Whirling”. They gave two beautiful concerts and a well attended workshop. Other Satsang topics included “Raja Yoga”, with Swami Brahmananda and “Karma Yoga: Love in Action” with Jnaneshwari Chaitanya. Pranava gave a 3-day workshop on the yogic diet, explaining how it promotes health and balance, reduces stress and increases vitality and joy in life. Both guests and Karma Yogis attended these very practical workshops.

Mid April saw a beautiful Easter Sunrise Service with Swami Swaroopananda, Marilyn Rossner, Bishop Williamson, Swami Sitaramananda and a choir from Nassau. The choir sang heartfelt songs of Jesus’ resurrection and the speakers gave inspiring talks on the spiritual meaning of Easter. Afterward we had a big Easter feast for brunch. We welcomed Swami Shantananda, a disciple of Swami Chinmayananda, who presented the program “The Yoga of Wisdom and Realization: Talks on Chapter 7 of the Bhagavad Gita”. Each day of the 5-day program we chanted several verses of the 7th chapter. Swami Shantananda gave detailed explanations with humor and enthusiasm. We started our annual “Yoga and Spirituality for Recovery” Symposium, which explored teachings to move beyond addiction. We welcomed Swami Sitaramananda; Durga Leela (Catherine O’Neill), founder of Yoga of Recovery; Tommy Rosen, a yoga teacher and addiction recovery expert; Sarahjoy Marsh, a yoga therapist and teacher training facilitator for this symposium. We offered an inspiring Questions & Answer session with Swami Swaroopananda. He answered technical questions about Kundalini Shakti and the purity of the mind. He insightfully talked about the nine modes of Bhakti Yoga, the meaning of the spiritual name, finding one’s own Dharma and also answered some personal questions. Sri Devi taught a 3-day Essentials of Meditation Weekend Course. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/nassau

Om Namah Sivaya. With the beginning of April yoga vacationers enjoyed the tranquility before the upcoming big Easter Retreat. As the weather stayed mostly dry we could go for silent walks and teach some classes on the big platform.  The guests who were new to the Retreat House were fascinated about the plumbline test and analysis of their individual physiology. All enjoyed the detailed yoga classes as well as lectures on positive thinking and mind control. It was a happy group – full of gratitude and friendliness.

After the Easter program mid April we had some time to focus on more personal guidance of our guests and preparing for the one month closing time of the Seminar House. Swami Vidyananda and Narayani and left for Mittersill near Salzburg to continue our yoga vacation programs there. A few close students and teachers stayed on for a couple of days and enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere. The priest also remained and performed the Pujas, thereby steadily elevating the energy of our main altar. Swami Narayanananda’s help with outstanding maintenance projects was much appreciated. Vishnupriya Chaitanya left to support the Munich Centre for a week. At the weekend Swami Ramapriyananda went to Vienna for a Further Training for teachers and a special program. The cold spell of weather took its course with lots of snow and frosty nights, which unfortunately took its toll on the blooming flowers. OM.

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Om Namah Sivaya. During the beginning of April the Ashram had a Staff Refresher with many the European staff coming here to do Sadhana together. We also invited some of our Centre teachers and close students to join the common Sadhana. We had the two Satsangs, a class at 8 AM, Karma Yoga at 10.45 and then one full hour of Japa from 12.30 to 13.30. Afterwards the Swamis took time for questions and answers and guidance for the advanced pranayama practice. From 15.30 to 17.30 we had self-practice: 40 Min of Asanas and then advanced Pranayama, like in Sadhana Intensive. During the Satsangs we also heard a lecture from Swami Vishnudevananda on the importance of devotion versus motivation in which he gives many examples from the scriptures  of great devotees and example of dharmic behavior. Then everybody was invited to study a story and present it in Satsang. This was great Sadhana: Studying a story from Ramayana, Bhagavatam or other sources and telling this story in Satsang. It was uplifting and inspiring to hear so many stories told with  enthusiasm and bhava. The Ashram was at its best with thousands of flowers and nature in full bloom. All staff recharged with Prana, good vibrations and good memories, and expressed their appreciation before departed back to the various Centres. Swami Mangalananda and Swami Vairagyananda are staying here for a few more days and will be here for the Easter reatreat. We are grateful to Swami Durgananda, Swami Sivadasananada and Swami Kailasananda for organizing this beautiful Staff Refresher !!!

Mid April the Ashram offered a Yoga and stress management program with Omkari from Paris. Omkari gave daily lectures on fight-flight mechanism, Yoga, relaxation, 4 paths of Yoga, detachment, etc… We also had another group of guests who came for yoga vacation. Swami Kailasananda went to Canada and Girija went to Geneva, to be staff there. Kailas is already in Canada, HQ since one week. Narayana is working hard on the new registration system and the completion of the new web site. The TTC booking will be transferred from Ananta to Swami Mangalananda, who will come here next week. So lots of changes and the TTC in May has more than 50 bookings now. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/orleans

Om Namah Sivaya from the Da Lat Ashram. During the beginning of April we ran a juice fasting program for a small group. Fasters successfully completed the week long program of cleansing and detoxifying diet. The quiet and pure Ashram environment proved ideal for the program. Staff worked on projects for upcoming retreats, preparing a handbook for guests in Vietnamese and English, a Vietnamese version of our brochure, and a new Kirtan sheet. Staff, new and more experienced, participated in daily training workshops, led by Saraswati, to build teaching skills for Beginner courses. We continued to receive both Vietnamese and international Yoga vacation guests, who also attend daily workshops. We were very happy to welcome two new staff members, Amrita, from the Yoga Farm, and Omkari, a Vietnamese TTC graduate. We were thankful for Guru’s grace every day.

In mid April we were happy to welcome Bren Jacobson, Swamiji’s co-pilot on his peace missions, and friend Barbara, as special guests to the Ashram. Bren had stayed at the Ho Chi Minh Centre and traveled up to Dalat to offer Satsang at the Ashram and at the Dalat Centre. Students and staff were delighted to meet him and hear directly from him stories of his time with Swamiji. We experienced regular rain in the afternoons which every day brought a real vibrancy to the forest. Morning weather was clear. We enjoyed some spectacular sunrises on our morning silent walks. We continued to receive a steady stream of international guests for our Yoga Vacation program. Guests arrived from the Netherlands, from Switzerland, from the US, UK and Australia. Construction of our new boutique area began and progressed very quickly. We felt grateful every day for Masters and Swamiji’s grace. Om.