Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres

Om Namah Sivaya! During the beginning of April we had a well visited advanced asana workshop, focusing on backward bends. Students were inspired to try the more advanced postures. The highlight was the diamond pose. Another highlight was the celebration of Ram Navami during the evening Satsang. The energy was strong, the Murthis were shining with very soft and positive energy. We also met at the Indian Embassy for the preparations of International Yoga Day. The Berlin Centre will participate in the celebrations as last year. Swami Satyananda came back inspired after teaching at the ATTC in Uttarkashi. We focused on many Centre projects like website update, printing of flyers, preparation of the retreat and the like.

Easter Monday was a holiday so we took the chance to give the reception carpets a deep cleaning. Courses and classes had a good start after the mid month Easter vacation. A Yoga 1 course started and also a special 4 week course on vegetarian cooking. In this special cooking course theory and practice were nicely combined. Theoretical aspects of vegetarian cooking were discussed and small quick dishes were prepared. In the morning we had a successful cooking course with a good group of people. Topic was soups and sweet dishes and everything came out very tasty. In the afternoon the Centre teachers joined for a teachers’ meeting, where we mainly discussed the teaching practice at the Centre. At the end of the meeting we served some tea and cake, the atmosphere was lively and positive. Many teachers stayed for the following Asana class and for the evening Satsang. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/berlin

Om Namah Sivaya. Three evening Beginners’ courses began in early April, with many students attending. We gave a workshop on Conquest of Anger. We celebrated an Archana Ramanamavi. Even though it was a weekday there were many participants. We said goodbye to Jyoti, from Colombia, who was at the Centre for two weeks.

During mid April we celebrated with a birthday party for Swami Sivapriyananda and Amrita, a teacher of kids yoga. We had a short week of classes due to the Easter weekend. For the Easter weekend the staff that remained at the Centre practiced their Sadhana in a more retired and silent way. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/baires

Om Namah Sivaya. At the beginning of April the Chengdu Centre held an Open House. We had 2 sessions with two parallel classes, as well as a night Satsang on Prana. Many new faces from many different countries came. Staff were surprised and inspired at the same time. Students were happy to find us in the city. Many students joined our membership and signed up for Yoga 1 Courses or regular open class passes. The regular classes in the Centre were going on smoothly. Shakti returned from Taiwan after the special program with Swami Sitaramananda. Three of us will be stable here for a good month ahead. We looked forward to starting the 2 new Yoga1 courses, as well as our new schedule, with many more time slots for open classes. Jaya to an April of steady practice, teaching and serving.

Mid April saw the Outreach teaching activity, with 11 people joining the class including some experienced practitioners, who found the benefits from the very basics of abdominal breathing and relaxation. The Yoga1 courses continued. Regular open classes went on smoothly, too. We closed with a Sunday night Satsang on “Why meditate?”, which inspired a few students to consider the Meditation course starting the following Wednesday. Om Namo Narayanaya to all the Sivananda family.

http://www.sivanandayogachina.org

Om Namah Sivaya to all Blessed Selves from the Chennai Centre. With the beginning of April we started a morning Beginners’ and a weight loss class, with good number of students. We finished our Friday evening Beginners’ course. We have fixed a world map in front of Radhakrishna Hall, showing all our Ashrams and Centres. Our neighbour fixed a new common main gate. It’s a huge, nice looking gate. This gate now gives a very good elevated look for our Centre and the premises. On 9th April one of our staff Gopinath Ji left because of personal reasons. We wished him all success for his future. Thanks to God and our Masters that everything ran smoothly.

Mid April we started an evening Beginners’ course with good number of students.  On 21st Friday we finished the morning Beginners’ course successfully. On 22nd we started 10 days’ Kids Camp with good number of students. On 22nd Nataraj ji came to Centre for Reciprocity Foundation Program, held on World Earth day. Staff and teachers went with Nataraj ji to Kalakshetra for this program on 23rd April and good number of visitors were also participated for the one hour yoga class.  There was also slide show about Swamiji’s mission T W O, our Ashrams and Centres world wide during the program. We distributed Swamiji’s Planet Earth Passport, Yoga Day magazines and Centre Brochures. This Program was arranged by Mr. Ravikumar, Trustee member. We distributed fliers at Thiruvanmiyur beach and Kalakshetra, as part of Karma Yoga. We got a good response on this initiative. One of our staff Somakumar left the Centre to have Advanced Studies in Yoga. We wished him all the best and he may come back in the future. We welcomed one new staff, Geetha Kumari (Ajith’s wife) who joined at the Centre just after TTC (Mar-Apr at Neyyar Dam). Thanks to God and our Masters, everything has been running smoothly. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/madras

Om Namah Sivaya. With the arrival of April the Centre had a visit from Swami Shivabhaktananda for a weekend program entitled “Life as a Learning Process”. Swamiji started on a Friday night with a workshop on “Life Lessons from the Bhagavad Gita” and then continued into Saturday with a workshop “Life as a Learning Process”.  The workshops were well attended, as Swamiji gave captivating and inspiring talks, using story telling and humour to emphasis the thought provoking teachings. Swamiji also taught the 4 pm Meditative Class on the Sunday, before leading the evening Satsang to a full room of students. Afterwards we all enjoyed warm soup and shared in community.  Swami Shivabhakatananda’s authentic nature of karma yoga was demonstrated as he helped to repair the damaged walls in the upstairs bathrooms of the Centre during his visit.  Swamiji repaired and plastered the areas that needed replacing in order for the rooms to get a fresh coat of paint.  Swamiji’s visit was inspiring and fun. The Satsanga was much welcomed.  Swamiji left that Monday morning to return to Canada. We send much gratitude for his contribution to the Chicago Centre.

Mid April was quiet as we began to settle back into a regular routine after months of constant movement and programs at the Centre. Our Staff kept busy by working on the EBM report. With the help of a few karma yogis a deep clean of the Centre gave a fresh feel to the atmosphere. The longer days of sunlight and warmer temperatures brought more students to the evening open classes.  During the morning Satsangs we read from Swami Sivananda’s commentary of the Bhagavad Gita, which is great way to start our days with inspiration from Lord Krishna and Master. We offered a Headstand workshop, with students of varying levels of ability attending, learning more about the benefits and proper alignment of the asana.  It was a fun and successful workshop.  By the grace of Master and Swamiji staff continue to be inspired and regular in their Sadhana. Sending pranams to all! Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

http://www.sivananda.org/chicago

Om Namah Sivaya. The beginning of April was very beautiful in Da Lat. Open class in the evenings was always full of students. A Beginners’ course started with many student attending. Everyday we received applications for the residency program from all over the world, and more and more from Vietnam, as slowly people get to know about residency yoga programs in Vietnam. Guru’s grace is always be with us. Om.

https://sivanandayogavietnam.org

Om Namah Sivaya. By the grace of Gurus and God’s blessings, the Dwarka Centre’s activities continued on very well throughout April with the additional help and cooperation of staff and karma yogis. We started a weekday Beginners’ class at 10 am and 6.30 pm. On the occasion of Ram Navami, Havan Pooja was performed at the Centre. We conducted a Shat-Kriya Workshop for which we got a good response and the participants showed keen interest and did all the kriyas well. We had advance classes as usual on Saturdays & Sundays and Kids class/Trial classes on Sundays. Meditation/Satsang was conducted by Vijay ji followed by dinner. Many new students attended along with their family members. The 4-class Meditation workshop concluded. We are pleased to inform that our Centre will be completing 10 years of operation. For this occasion we are planning to conduct a Havan on Sunday the 16th April in the morning and a cultural/musical program in the evening. Apart from that, all the open classes and special classes are going on well.

In mid April we started a Monday Beginners’ course at 10 am. Good number of teachers/students/relatives attended a Saturday Satsang/Meditation session held, followed by dinner. We had advance classes/kids class/trial class as usual on Sat/Sundays. Apart from that all the open classes and special classes are going on well. We pray to the Almighty for peace and joy to everyone. Om Namo Narayanaya!! Pranams!!

http://www.sivananda.org/dwarka

Om Namo Narayanaya. With the beginning of April the Nataraj Centre started a Beginners’ course at 6:30pm along with our daily schedules. We conducted the Shat Kriya workshop with a good number of people. All the six kriyas were explained and most of them were practiced. Kapoorji left to Uttrakashi for TTC starting on April 8th. We conducted the Sunday Satsang at 6:00pm. It was as usual energizing and motivating.

During mid April we offered two Beginners’ courses – one at 10am and the other at 6:30pm. Maintenance work was done by the electrician to separate the light and fan from AC and geezer to make it possible for the inverter to supply power during main power cut. We conducted a “Stress Management Through Yoga” workshop for Jaipur Institute employees who are going to retire in near future. With the blessing of the Masters all went well as per the schedule, including few private classes. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/delhi

Om Namah Sivaya. With the beginning of April the Centre was prepared for the Staff Refresher, with our teachers covering the classes and courses with a slightly reduced schedule. Staff left for the Ashram in Orleans. Everything went well, including the Open Day with a nice group of students.

Mid April saw staff return from the Ashram in Orleans plus the Easter retreat in Spain. Soon the Centre returned to the usual schedule. Girija arrived from Orleans to continue to serve in Geneva. Staff took time to introduce her to the different departments of the Centre. As a first project the office was reorganised and tidied up with united efforts. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/geneva

Om Namah Sivaya. Early April was dynamic as usual with 4-5 Open Classes per day and a new course for beginners started on Tuesdays. After Ganga’s training course for new TTC teachers, we have more Karma Yogis come everyday to do Karma Yoga and teaching assistance. It’s a bliss to see our family expanding day by day under the roof of Guru’s house. We had a blessed Kriyas workshop one weekend and an inspiring Satsang with Mr. Bren Jacobson in the evening. It was a great chance to know more about our respected Master, Swami Vishnu who always said “Never mind, never mind !”. The stories that Mr. Bren shared made us feel closer to the Master more than ever. We also enjoy the company of the 2 special guests, Mr. Bren and his wife with their warm, loving and cheerful energy, who stayed with us for 5 days, plus, two new residents, Sara and Narayani, who was our staff in 2013.

Mid April saw 22 people came for a special Satsang to celebrate the 6th anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh Centre. The Satsang included a Skype with Swami Sitaramananda which was very much appreciated as Swami Sita spoke in Vietnamese and Ganga translated into English for the international students.  The talk was general at first and then concluded with personal guidance for some of the staff and teachers.  After Satsang we had a very warm party, with everyone sharing their favourite stories about the Centre.  Swami Pranavananda returned from India, and Ganga prepared to leave for a big trip to the West to visit the Yoga Camp during the EBM meeting and also the Yoga Farm.  Ganga completed the training of many new TTC graduates in how to teach beginner courses.  We began a new beginner course, taught by Karma Yogi Nirmala.  We held an outdoor yoga class with many students, and everyone enjoyed it. We are thankful for the chance to serve and share the teaching of Yoga to others. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

Om Namah Sivaya. The beginning of April began with the regular Monday morning staff kriya session. Easter retreat bookings were coming in thick and fast, with the total number of students up to 52! We are very much looking forward to having the students with us over the bank holiday weekend. Over the Satsangs we delved into the topics of happiness from Bliss Divine, Karma Yoga and Service and the topic of japa. Students left feeling inspired and uplifted. The interest in our new Sunday morning class has been maintained with good student numbers. The students were very appreciative of the extra choice in the class schedule. The tulips were in full bloom in the Peace Garden, as the sun shone down on the students as they relaxed after class with a tea. Two staff members are away on the Refresher, taking the opportunity for Sadhana and some time in nature.

Mid April and we reached the last day of the Easter retreat. After the final workshop on how to continue your Sadhana at home, we got the house back into its original setup with the help of the students. When the altar and images of the Masters were removed, it was time to return home to the Centre. The Masters are now happily installed back in the office, along with Krishna and Ganesha. It was a very high energy weekend with lots of prana, we received much positive feedback from the students, with many commenting on how recharged and refreshed they felt. Staff felt blessed to be able to share the teachings of yoga with all who came. We held a chanting workshop entitled ‘The Joy of Kirtan’. We delved a little deeper into the science of sacred sound, with plenty of chanting in between theory. With open hearts and relaxed minds, the students left into the warm spring night. We welcomed an enthusiastic group for the Level 1 Weekend Intensive course. They spent two days learning about all aspects of yoga, with two classes a day, a lecture on the Five Points, silent walks and a cooking workshop. Students also stayed on for Satsangs both evenings, and were full of gratitude for the time spent at the Centre. The Sunday Satsang was full of prana, we had many students in the Centre and the Sunday prayers were full of shakti. The Peace Garden had a visit from the tree surgeon, the cherry tree and other surrounding shrubs had a trim. We also planted some new flowers in happy colours which really stood out! With the garden looking so lovely and the sun shining down, we took the opportunity to have a photoshoot for the new brochure. May the May the Masters bless us all. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/london

Om Namo Narayanaya! With the arrival of April we offered workshops on Thoughts and Positive Thinking. We learned about the nature of thoughts, what does being Positive means. Students shared examples from their own lives. We learned to use different tools and methods according to four paths of Yoga and 5 points of yoga life. Everyone planted a Seed of Positivity at the end of the workshop and committed to a particle plan of growing toward a more positive life. We celebrated Ramanavami with a Puja and story telling, inspired by Rama’s journey of returning from exile. Sunday Satsang was with Swami Vishnu on conquest of death. Everyone was moved by the Truth behind Swamiji’s words. Spring arrived to Los Angeles as we saw an increase of people coming to yoga classes.

Mid April we had a well-attended Prana and Pranayama workshop one weekend. First half of the workshop we learned about prana: What is prana and how to increase, balance, channel and purify our prana through living a healthy lifestyle. The second half was a one-hour pranayama session with simple warm-ups and relaxation at the end. Students were happy to know how to apply in daily life. During Sunday Satsangs we read Swami Vishnu’s words on Good and Pleasant. It was an inspiring and fun read. All felt Swamiji’s prana coming through and leading us. Yoga classes and morning Satsang have been doing well, with many new faces, bringing fresh energy. A few karma yogis started to come to the Centre regularly to help out. Pranams.

http://www.sivananda.org/la

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed Selves! In April the International Easter Retreat in Almería (South Spain) brought together over 100 students including more than 30 teachers and some guests coming from abroad. Fifteen children joined the kids program and enjoyed the friendly environment very much. Swami Gopalananda came from Paris and inspired many people with his classes and lectures. Eight students took mantra initiation.  The Retreat came to an end on Sunday after one full week of practicing and sharing the teachings of the Masters. The Centre continued activity with a reduced schedule. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/madrid

Om Namah Sivaya. Praying for everyone’s health and peace in our large Sivananda family. Pranams to one and all from Madurai Centre. May Gurus blessings be with us always. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi!!

http://www.sivananda.org/madurai

Om Namah Sivaya! Hari Om! With the arrival of April most of the Beginners’ courses at the Centre started with a good participation. Two new teachers, from Garopaba TTC, Shambavi and Mirjan, taught their first classes. They gave a enthusiastic and classic class. We celebrated the Ramanavami with an Archana. Kanti Devi had a meeting with other yoga organizations to planify the event for International Yoga Day. Other activities are going well. We are working advertising the Yoga Festival, preparing little flags to decorate the asana hall and gifts to offer to participants.

Mid April’s highlight was the 60 years celebration of Swamiji service on the west.
Students, teachers and staff decorated the Centre for the weekend event with the triangles flag of 60th year. We started the celebration with a night Satsang. Swami Premananda was the special guest. Kanti Devi and Chandrashekara brought beautiful histories with Swamiji. Also, Janaki who took the TTC in 1988, and took care of him when, talked about the influence of Swamiji in her life. Kanti Devi gave a yoga asana class to advanced students and Sivananda teachers. After, the Centre opened the doors for everyone to listen to Swami Premananda. He spoke about how to control the emotions.  In the evening, Chandrashekara taught the yoga asana class with a emphasis on breathing and relaxation. We closed the day with an inspired Satsang where Kanti Devi spoke about the mission of Swamiji in South America, showing us the virtues of the Masters. Kamala, Shankari and Ramachandra, and other old students, told many funny and charming experiences with Swamiji. Staff member, Lalita, led the morning yoga asana class. Swami Premananda gave a beautiful workshop about mantras. He shared the power of the sound and how to use it for wellness. We finished with a Om Namo Narayanaya japa, closing the activities. All teachers shared lunch as a family. The other activities in the Centre went well. The workshop on hip openers was a opportunity to review this topic through the Rishikesh sequence. Swami Sivapriya came from Argentina. She came to strengthen the spiritual energy in the Centre.  Om Shanti!!

http://www.sivananda.org/montevideo

Om Namah Sivaya from the Montreal Centre! In April our classes ran well at the Centre. We ran 4 Yoga 1 and 1 Yoga 2 courses; the Positive Thinking course, plus our last class of Meditation 1. We started our Sanskrit course, with Mirabai. We had a beautiful Puja for Sri Ramanavam. We were blessed to have the priest Manju for the Puja. We closed a good week with our Sunday Satsang, led by Narayani who gave us a nice talk about prayer.

Spring fever continued to be in the air mid April with rain and sun. The Centre was very busy. Two new Yoga 1 courses began along with a Yoga 2 course. We started a Yoga 1 on Friday evenings for the first time and were surprised to have 7 students registered. We prepared for a Juice Fasting day and a TTC Open House. The kitchen was given a deep cleaning for the juicing program, halls and mats were washed and mopped. Suzanne ran the juicing program with 14 students and 3 assistants. Throughout the day the students also enjoyed a gentle yoga class, tratak, meditation, Om chanting and relaxation workshops. On Open House day we had a small group of 10 curious city folk join us about the TTC. The day began at 11.15, ending after Satsang in the evening. Swami Shivabhaktananda gave a long talk about our teachers, their mission, the TTC, curriculum, schedule etc. and was also asked many questions by thé guests. They were very happy with the program with one already signed up for weekly karma yoga at the Centre! Kailas from the Ashram in Orleans gave the open class and Satsang. Students and teachers were delighted with the class and a lively Satsang. It was a great end to a long week. We continued to prepare for the Summer 2017 brochure, did some photoshoots and maintenance work. We are ever grateful for our Gurus’ grace. May they remain in us. Pranams.

http://www.sivananda.org/montreal

Om Namah Sivaya. In early April the spiritual highlight was the celebration of Ram Navami. It was an evening full of devotion with Rama kirtans, stories and Puja. After the Puja the Rama statue from our altar looked very beautiful with its new dress and decorated with a nice flower garland. We had another of our regular correction workshops for the active Centre teachers. We looked into asanas for the flexibility of the upper back. A small team of karma yogis helped us to wash all the blankets from our asana rooms. Amba and Gayatri went to the Staff Refresher in the Sivananda Yoga Ashram in Orleans, France.

The public Easter holiday was in mid Apri. We had yoga classes in the morning and in the afternoon and a Satsang in the evening. Staff and many students returned recharged and inspired from the Easter retreat in the Sivananda Yoga Retreat House in Reith/Tyrol/Austria. One Saturday we had a cooking class with the title “Vegetarian Dishes for the Spring Season”. Later that afternoon we also taught one of our monthly kirtan workshops – this time mainly with Devi Kirtans. A good number of new students came for a weekend Intensive Beginners’ course. We held a TTC preparation day. The participants were already quite sure to take one of the next TTCs. Swami Sivadasananda gave an inspiring Sunday evening Satsang, talking and reading from Bliss Divine about “Maya”. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/munich

Om Namah Sivaya from Manhattan. Fantastic and warmer weather has arrived to New York and the Centre! We started a Yoga 1 as well as a Meditation course, both with a good number of students. We were blessed to have Swami Shivabaktananda here with us for a few days. During his stay here, he painted the Durga Yoga room (with the help of a couple of karma yogis)! Its refreshed with a lovely, fresh, new coat of orange! Swami’s Satsang topic ‘How to Cultivate Dispassion’ was great and made us laugh 😉 The next morning, he departed for the Chicago Centre. We were very grateful for his help, energy and inspiration! Swami Satyapremananda departed to the Ranch for the TTC graduation ceremony. We will see her again soon as she will lead Bhagavad Gita Course/Satsangs the next three Wednesdays of April. Srinivasan, Swami Paramananda and Neeti arrived from the Ranch. We were very happy to welcome Neeti back! In the afternoon, we held a productive Teachers’ meeting with a potluck beforehand. It was a very positive atmosphere and there was a good exchange of feedback from both the teachers and staff to improve the Centre in all possible ways. We all concluded that the Centre had to focus on increasing the attendance for the courses and find better ways to introduce our drop in trial classes to new students. A good amount of people showed up for Swami Paramananda’s advanced class as well as the Satsang, led by Srinivasan. We also welcomed 2 new wonderful Karma Yogis – Narayana and Mokshapriya. Narayana was working at the Ranch for a good amount of time, teaching and cooking. Mokshapriya just completed her TTC at the Ranch and will start to teach soon.

During mid April we welcomed Nikhila, the director of the Montreal Centre, who happened to be in the city. She stopped by to come and help us with the new Mind-Body booking system. The transition from the old system was completed and reception is running smoothly! Her advice was greatly appreciated! We opened our doors early one Tuesday for a class with FIT. Narayana taught the full class and afterwards we served the students Neeti’s delicious, famous roasted veggies and dahl! Swami Satyapremananda’s arrived and proceeded with her weekly Bhagavad Gita class. Afterwards, we were all treated with an enthusiastic, uplifting Satsang. As always, we have huge gratitude for her inspiring visits! We held another FIT class, this time a more gentle class, taught by Narayana once again. It was just as excellent of a turn out as the one two days before! Neeti made her famous dish for lunch for all. We also held 3 different trial classes for new teachers. All were successful and we were all lucky to enjoy yoga classes in the morning! Next trial class all 3 teachers will be starting. They are a very good addition to the Sivananda NYC team! Rama (our cat) continued on with his loving self, friendly to all who give him attention. And now that the weather has been becoming nice, he is back at his outdoors adventures. All staff are splendid and send their pranams. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/ny

Om Namah Sivaya. With the beginning of April there was an air of holidays during the beautiful sunny days. Staffs and teachers passed by the Centre on their way to the Staff Refresher at the Orleans Ashram. The Masters sent good support to enable our Centre’s staff and some of the close teachers to also go to the Ashram. Shambhu offered a Wednesday evening Satsang on the topic of Ram Navami while Kaivalya led weekend Satsangs on the topics of Ganga and Bhakti. Swami Kailasananda and Kumari arrived for meetings with the owner of the building and the architect who is doing the renovations during July and August.

It’s the time of changing seasons with the sun shining most of the time during mid April.
The Centre saw a calm bank holiday. A positive thinking course started, with a group of motivated students. The Centre was happy to see Swami Gopalananda who came to prepare the monthly meeting with the accountant. There was a terrorist attack against the police at the Champs Elysees. The students talked about it. The public transportation was affected. We chanted Om Namo Narayanaya for peace. God gave us an uplifting weekend with a good Open House and two inspiring Satsangs on the topics of Vedanta and Karma Yoga, given by Swami Kailasananda. 112 people chanted Om Tryambakam for Swamiji on her birthday. She received a big card with Master’s picture and more than 100 messages coming from the hearts of staff and students, plus, nice presents and a healthy cake. We had another calm day at the Centre with the presidential elections in France. Swami Kailasananda gave a second dose of inspiration, positivity and cheerfulness to everyone. After Satsang, there was a Mantra Initiation for one student with the Ganesha Mantra. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/paris

Om Namah Sivaya from Brasil. Pranams to all the Sivananda family. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/portoalegre

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed selves. With the beginning of April Lord Rama brought very nice energy to the Centre. We were inspired to see the students progressing in the more advanced courses like Yoga 3, 4 and 5 with a steady group attending the advanced asana classes. A headstand workshop was very well attended. Pranams and prayers for Peace to all from Roma. Om Shanti.

http://www.sivananda.org/rome

Om Namo Narayanaya, Blessed Selves. With the arrival of April so did Swami Jnaneswariananda. She taught the Bhagavada Gita class on a Friday evening, and a two-part workshop over a weekend on the power of sound. She covered Sanskrit pronunciation and proper mantra pronunciation. Students were engaged and grateful. We offered an information session on TTC during a Wednesday evening Satsang.  We also had a fruitful teachers meeting with several new teachers. We welcomed this influx of prana to the teaching team. New staff Jayanta arrived from Virginia.

Mid April saw Sankari Chaitanya make another trip to Rosa Parks Senior Centre to offer chair yoga to an enthusiastic group. Yantra Painting was offered one Saturday afternoon.  Gajananam summarized Chapter 11 of the Gita, posing the possibility of the whole creation being the Cosmic Form of Krishna. Anandamayi arrived back from a break in the Bahamas. Jayanta was away for a few days for a family obligation. Two Yoga 3 classes finished, with most students wanting to continue to Yoga 4. These groups started yoga in January and have become devoted to their practice. The Gurus continued to pave the way. We are very inspired to carry Swamiji’s 60-year mission forward. May the blessings of Master and Swamiji be with us all always. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/sanfrancisco

Om Namah Sivaya from Sao Paulo. With the beginning of April, staff member Lalita returned to Montevideo. Tandava returned to the Centre. We had the Rama Navami with 6 people and started a Beginners’ course. New workshops and new courses will be announced, as well as the 60th anniversary celebrations of Swami Vishnu in the West.

Mid April saw regular classes at the Centre. The cold days began to approach. We started the new Beginners’ courses. Teachers and students remained harmonious and very happy with the activities of the Centre. Om and Prem to all the Sivananda family.

Om Namah Sivaya. With the beginning of April we finalized all the details for the upcoming TTC in Israel and scheduled an auspicious date to start the promotion and registration. Many students were waiting for the next TTC course for a long time and we expected it will fill up rapidly. We held several well-attended introduction classes for Meditation as well as for Yoga 1. Registration for upcoming courses progressed well.

The staff traveled to Neve Shalom where the Passover retreat took place. We all enjoyed the beautiful nature, good rest and extra time for study and practice.

During mid April we came back to the Centre after our four-day Passover retreat. The retreat was a great success with a record number of 125 participants. The following few days we received many phone calls from students who were so grateful for the great experience they had. We unpacked all the equipment that travelled with us and took the time to tidy up the Centre. We started a new Meditation course with 14 students and also held an introduction class for an upcoming Positive Thinking course. The next weekend was spent peacefully at the Centre, allowing the staff to recover from the intensity of the last two weeks. Pranams to the Sivananda family.

http://www.sivananda.org/telaviv

Om Namah Sivaya. With the beginning of April the blooming of cherry blossoms finally arrived. The colorful show was delayed because it took so long to get warm this year, but, we finally got to see full-bloomed cherry blossoms. The number of students in the first half of the week was relatively small due to the continuous rainy days, but it soon recovered. Sisiteen students participated in weekend classes, including the Sunday Satsangs. Most of them are regulars who join the Satsang every Sunday, yet, 2 or 3 attended for the first time. It is our great pleasure that the number of students interested not only in asana class but also in Satsang is increasing. The number of students for Sanskrit class, taught by Kiran, also increased gradually.

Mid April saw Mirabai, a staff at LA Centre, arriving at Tokyo Centre, to stay as resident staff for 3 months. Meanwhile, Machiko, the director of Tokyo Centre, will be away for supporting the ATTC as an interpreter in June at the Yoga Farm. A trial class, guided by Kumari, was held with 18 people attending. After the class, 5 of the participants signed up for our membership and some registered for Yoga 1 course. 13 people joined the Satsang one Sunday evening. We enjoyed singing Kirtans, led by Mirabai for the first time in 1 year. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

http://www.sivananda.jp

Om Namah Sivaya. At the beginning of April we started a new Yoga 1 course. Anjaneya arrived from Ottawa to teach Chair Yoga Course one weekend. Saraswati and Bhavani started new cycle of courses in schools, starting with one downtown catholic school and one inner city public school. We held a fundraising Satsang and concert for a gurukulam/school in India, run by Swami Tattwaroopananda, to help furnish and support this new gurukulam for underprivileged girls in Thrissur. Many students and teachers contributed, performers volunteered their time and many brought deliciously cooked meals for dinner. It was very inspiring to see how everyone was willing to participate in any capacity they could. We managed, with Swamiji’s grace, to accomplish and surpass our fundraising goals. It was very uplifting effort and evening for all of us.

Mid April saw a new Meditation course and a Pranayama workshop, led by Mayavan, explaining in more details subtle workings of prana and how we can use that knowledge to increase our well being. Bhagavad Gita course continued on Sundays with some old and new students joining in. We had lots of students for Sunday Satsangs as well as a steady group coming for our morning Satsangs. Pranams to all.

http://www.sivananda.org/toronto

Om Namah Sivaya. With the beginning of April, and the blessings of the Gurus, 2 new batches started on Mondays. A mixed Beginners’ batch started in the evenings, and a 1 month additional yoga class started with 10 students for the parents whose children are participating in the Kids yoga class. All other classes went smoothly. A few more kids joined the Kid’s Camp. Now there are 52 kids and they are really enjoying their practice as well as their play time. There was a general strike in Kerala, we could conduct only the evening classes. Our Karma Yogi, Abhilash, took a break from the Centre. He needed to help his father in the construction of their house. He will rejoin after 2 months. Satsang was led by Smt. Kalyani ji.

By mid April the heat was intense in Trivandrum, accompanied by a severe shortage of water in many parts of the City. Since we have bored a well at the Centre the problem did not affect us much. Another Beginners’ batch started on Monday mornings with 28 students. Two staff members joined the Centre: Priyada from Bangkok, Thailand and Unnikrishnan A, from Trivandrum. Unnikrishnan was a voluntary staff member earlier. Due to some personal reasons he took a break for a few months. A workshop on Surya Namaskar was conducted. We did elaborate cleaning of the Centre. Lalithasahasranama Pooja was held on Fridays. Satsang was led by Sri. Yashpal. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

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Om Namah Sivaya. With April arriving the staff at the Centre took the mailing for our upcoming special program to the post. We are looking forward to receive the Acharyas at the beginning of next month. Swami Shyamananda and Jaya went to Orleans for the Staff Refresher for a week. Classes and courses went on as usual. Sivani started with her Yoga 9 course. We also celebrated Puja for the birthday of valorous Rama, an exemplary leader for every human being. Our students were very happy to watch the new Sivananda video, commemorating the 60 years since Swamiji left Rishikesh to spread the message of Yoga. We welcomed a few students for the trial class, with most of them registering for upcoming Beginners’ courses.

Mid April saw a morning Yoga 1 course started, also a Yoga 2 and a Yoga 6. On Tuesday Swami Gitananda and Sivani came back fully recharged from their long Easter weekend in Reith. Swami Ramapriyananda visited for a weekend to teach further training to our teachers and a general yoga class. She also gave inspiring Satsangs on both days.
Svadyaya class began on Fridays with reading and memorizing the Sanskrit verses. We started the 15th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. OM.

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Om Namah Sivaya. At the beginning of April we had a beautiful Ramnavami Puja with 25 participants, lots of chantings and uplifted energy. Our teacher Datatreya gave a practical and theoretical workshop on “Yoga and Stress Management” for the first time. Durgadevi and Bharata went with the Yoga program to visit the other side of Lithuania. 34 students and teachers actively took part in the Satsang, asana workshop and lecture. While the staff were absent from the Centre, our teachers and karma yogis took care of the schedule. All the classes and Satsangs took place as usual and the teachers had a very good opportunity to grow.

Around mid April the Centre was closed because of the Easter holidays. We then started Y2 and Y4 courses. One weekend we held a few activities, one being ‘The Art of the Breathing’ workshop, in which we talked about Prana, how pranayama affects the mind, proper breathing & about practices at home. Besides Kapalabhati and Anuloma Viloma we also practiced Sitali, Sitkari and Brahmari. Students left in a good spirits with the intention to increase practices at home. We offered a small Open Day and were happy to see a responsive group subscribing for the Y1 course, as well as, the meditation course. Swami Vairagyananda came back from her stay in Orleans Ashram refreshed and inspired to continue the service. OM.

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