Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres

Om Namah Sivaya. Our month began well. There was good attendance in classes and courses. We had a workshop on the topic of “Yoga Mind and Brain” with a good group of participants and we also did a small photoshoot to get new photos of the Boutique area and the different asana halls. It was a joyful and at the same time focused atmosphere. Karma yogis were supporting with polishing altar brass, cleaning, and baking cookies.
The following week was also a good week. On the 1st of May holiday we offered a Yoga class followed by a satsang in the evening. From Tuesday onwards students came back for classes and courses happy to pick up their practice. On the Saturday we had an Open House, a good group of newcomers joined for the asana demonstration, trial class and introduction into meditation. Some registered for the upcoming Yoga 1 courses. They all were inspired and enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere at the Center. We concluded the week with a Class and Satsang on Saturday evening. Many students come very regularly every Sunday, this time a few people joined, everybody left happy and inspired.
Yoga 1 started with an inspired group of students, all keen on learning the basics of Asanas and Pranayama. From Friday to Sunday Swami Gokulananda went to Poland for the annual retreat organised by the affiliated Sivananda Yoga Center in Krakow. The retreat was in a beautiful location in the middle of Poland. It was a group of almost 50 students. Half of them joined for the first time, many of them students of Sivananda yoga teachers in different cities of Poland. Everybody enjoyed the common practice, the classical ashram rhythm with morning and evening Satsang, 2 asana classes, lecture and nature walks in the beautiful surrounding. Some students are interested to do TTC soon. On Sunday afternoon everybody left happy and inspired.
We had a good week. Attendance was good in classes and courses. On Monday a Yoga Beginners course started with an inspired group of students. The holiday on Thursday was perfect for a Karma yoga day and the spring cleaning of the whole Center. In the afternoon we offered a Yoga class and, in the evening, an extra Satsang both of which were well received. Also, at the end of the week many students came for classes and the Satsang on Sunday.

http://www.sivananda.org/berlin

Om Namah Sivaya. You can contact us for any questions about practicing yoga at home through e-mail: [email protected] Call: 11 4804 7813.
For any queries, contact us. If changes or news arise, we will inform you. We salute you with a fervent desire for peace and health for all. We hope you are all well. May Masters blessings always guide us. Pranams. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/baires

Om Namah Sivaya. We had an increase in the number of attendees in both our morning and evening Open classes; however, the Beginners’ course had only two registrations, so we are thinking about offering a summer discount. We decided to take a break from outside classes for the time being since the numbers have been low, although we did have the opportunity to teach a yoga session at the Reserve Bank of India, and around 35 people attended. We also began a weekly online variation workshop.
Our Beginner’s group completed their third week, and we are pleased to report that they are progressing well. Our beach class was cancelled for two days due to heavy rain. All other Centre activities went on as normal.
Chennai’s maximum temperature crossed 40 degrees Celsius last week, marking the first time this summer. We started the week off with a Beginners class at 6:00 am, where we had 3 participants joining us at the Center. It was a lovely start to the week, and we are thrilled to have new students beginning their yoga journey with us. Our online Beginner’s class at 10:00 am also had a moderate turnout with 6 participants. It is great to see more people interested in exploring yoga from the comfort of their homes. On Wednesday, we had a Yoga vacationer join us from Germany. And, as always, all other activities at the Center went on as per usual.
Our final week began with the cheerful energy of the Kids Camp, where young souls embraced yoga with enthusiasm. Their laughter and curiosity added a vibrant touch to our Center, reminding us of the pure innocence within each of us. We also welcomed a Yoga Vacationer from Poland, who joined us to explore and deepen their yoga practice. It is always a pleasure to welcome visitors from different parts of the world.
Throughout the week, all other activities at the Center continued smoothly, providing our students with a nurturing environment for their yoga journey.
Lastly, we concluded the week with a soulful Satsang led by Gopan, creating a serene and uplifting atmosphere for all attendees. Pranams Om Om

http://www.sivananda.org/madras

Om Namah Sivaya. A beautiful week passed in a glance. The Labor holiday brought many tourists and students to the Dalat Center. It is flowing with positive energy as usual. We had an internal training on Guided meditation as well as a beautiful Puja workshop for staff and karma yogis. All classes went well. The Beginner Course and Ayurveda Course continued as well. We also had a workshop on hand-embroidery for eye pillows. The guest students were being creative in their designs. The SYHET practicum retreat Yoga for Cancer Wellness started this week which included asana classes and workshops for cancer patients. The Center did a deep cleaning outside the gate clearing out all litter and weeds. The space energy changed immediately after that.
We ended the second weekend with an inspiring Satsang with Swami Narayanananda. He answered all the questions of students beautifully. We were grateful to have him with us here. We had some newcomers’ Drop-in yoga classes, mostly foreign travellers. Some former students came back for yoga classes after some gaps in practising. It is heart-warming to see that happening. Gentle Yoga classes have been very popular recently. Many senior citizens enjoy getting their bodies moving even at an old age. Roses are blooming in the garden and some new greens are sprouting. Life ís enjoyed amongst busy activities. The staff is keeping up with their Sadhana well.
The following week passed by in a rather easy-going rhythm, ending with a beautiful birthday Satsang celebration with Swami Narayanananda. Sivananda Hanoi Center also joined us online to wish him a happy birthday.
At the beginning of the week, staff went on a vacation at the beach near Nha Trang. We did some asanas photo-shooting on the white sand for the Center’s fanpage. With lots of prana from the ocean and beautiful weather enjoyed, Staff came back recharged.
We did some replanting around the gate. We took out the old yellow daisy bushes, replacing them with green ferns. The surroundings look much livelier now. Open classes went on well as usual. Ayurveda and yoga Beginner Courses continued.
The final week was quite intense while still relaxed. We finished the Ayurveda Beginner course and the Yoga Beginner course on Saturday. The Restorative Yoga Course taught by Sivashakti Chaitanya started on the weekend. It is undoubtedly a popular course among students.
On Sunday the Center gave an Ayurveda cooking workshop by Radhika Devi. Students learned about the basis of Ayurvedic cooking and the use of different Ayurvedic spices.
We enjoyed the Kitcheeri, ghee, and CCF tea (cumin, coriander and fennel) cooked by everyone during the workshop.
Many karma yogis and staff from the Ashram visited us and brought us much joy this week.
Two old couples checked into the center as residents this week. They are inspired by our yoga life here. We are inspired and grateful to serve Guru in every way we can. Om shanti

https://sivanandayogavietnam.org

Om Namah Sivaya. All is going well in the Centre, and regular classes are running smoothly. We started Monday Beginners courses at 10 am and 6:30 pm with good numbers of students. We also conducted a Shat kriya workshop.
The following Monday we started Beginners at 6 am and 4 pm. Open classes are going fine. During the week one of our staff finished one year’s commitment and left for his hometown. We pray for his bright future. Otherwise, staff are taking care of the Centre very nicely. We also conducted a Surya Namaskar workshop, followed by Satsang.
Our Monday Beginners courses started with good numbers of students in the final week. Open classes are also going well. The weekend concluded with a Family Retreat workshop with Kapoor ji. The staff are fine, and send their pranams to all.

http://www.sivananda.org/dwarka

Greetings to all! We are continuing to enjoy karma yoga projects together. We painted the gate a bright yellow and deep cleaned the asana hall floors. We started a Yoga 1 course with 5 students and are using the course as an opportunity to train some of the new staff on how to teach. We also conducted our first Reset programme to try to bring new students into the Centre through word of mouth. It was exciting to see 8 people arrive for a free class, following our specific instructions. Several registered for Yoga 1 or Yoga 2 courses afterwards. We hope to increase the numbers on future Sundays. For Sunday satsang we had several TTC graduates from a recent group at Neyyar Dam and together chanted some lively bhajans. We look forward to finding new ways to bring students to the Centre.
We continued our ongoing karma yoga projects the following week, with several projects slowed due to heavy rain in Delhi. Garden work and planting flowers started which should make the path from the gate more welcoming. On Saturday we had been contacted to give a talk at a large event through the youth organisation IIMUN. We arrived ready for that, but the organisers had mistakenly given us the wrong date. On Sunday we conducted our second Reset programme. The numbers were low, despite having quite a few inquiries ahead of the date. We are learning patience and trust, that things are moving in the right direction, and we will see the student numbers increase soon.
We continued to work at increasing the numbers for the Yoga 1 and Yoga 2 courses. We had a Headstand Workshop with 3 students. Gardening and outdoor work continued. Weeds were removed and flowers planted. We are looking to finish the indoor renovation projects and then move to outdoor painting and installing new signage.
It is nice to have the Netala Ashram within driving distance and to see many visiting there for Yoga Vacation.
The final week’s highlights included a Shat Kriya workshop with 6 participants and a free class at Lodhi Gardens on Saturday. With such an inspiring place to practice in nature nearby, we hope to plan more classes at Lodhi Gardens in future weeks to enjoy the good weather and to raise awareness of the Centre and its courses. Our courses are continuing with a slight increase in numbers and we’re looking at ways to increase that in the coming weeks. All staff are well. Pranams to all

http://www.sivananda.org/delhi

Om Namah Sivaya. The main event of the week was the visit of the Geneva Center teacher Krishnadas who is now living in Holland. He gave an asana workshop, and many students and teachers were present and enjoyed the atmosphere of the Center. Our cooking workshop was also well-attended with the participation of a few children and their parents who were actively taking part in the preparation of cakes and deserts.
The following week went well with some spring-cleaning. On Saturday, we had a joyful kirtan evening with a nice group of students. The Devi’s kirtan of the Divine Mother brought a radiant prana to the center.
Some new students subscribed for the Beginner’s course. We had an open day and students enjoyed the cooking workshop and the Introduction to yoga. The plantations behind the building brought a new life around the Center.

http://www.sivananda.org/geneva

Om Namah Sivaya. All classes went well. We had 4 courses organized both online and onsite: 1- Meditation: Theory and Practice; 2- Self Healing taught by Swami Sitaramananda; 3- Ayurveda with specific diseases taught by Dr. Ghanshyam B. Sharma; 4- Intensive Hatha Yoga taught by Swami Adi Parashaktiananda. On Wednesday, we had Satsang with Dr. Pritti Sharma on the topic Silencing the chaos of the mind. We closed the Center for three days for Liberation Day of South Vietnam and International Labor Day.
We had a beautiful short week after a long national holiday. On Sunday early morning, we organized the first outdoor open class of the year at the village temple yard with 16 students after the long winter break. Everybody enjoyed it very much. We also prepared for the SYHET Practicum courses at the Center. It gave a lot of energy, inspiration and concentration to staff.
Sivakami Chaitanya started training new staff on teaching yoga Beginner courses and we worked to promote our upcoming Meditation and Ayurveda courses.
Summer is starting and the weather is gentle and not so hot yet. We organized a SYHET Practicum 3-day weekend course on Stress relief with 5 students. The course was very successful. We had very positive feedback from students. We thank Swami Sita for her inspiring international online satsang on “Why do we love?” on Thursday. As our karma yogi teachers have been increasing in number, we organized a Karma Yoga teacher’s meeting with 16 people including 4 staff to connect and share our experiences, difficulties, and inspirations in teaching. It was very fruitful, warm, and fun.
We had a beautiful week final. Harini successfully finished her SYHET practicum 3-day-course on “Stress management” at the center. We received very positive feedback from the students: the teachings were helpful, tailored to individuals, and practical for them to apply right away in their daily life. All other classes went well. Staff Moksha (SYHET graduate) started to receive more SYHET consultations (cancer cases, head neck shoulder chronic pain cases). We had an inspiring international satsang online with Swami Sitaramananda on “Why do we think”. Staff sadhana is steady. Om shanti.

Om Namah Sivaya. Greetings from Ho Chi Minh City. We had a peaceful start to the month in the Center. All of the classes were running well, and Wednesday Satsang had many students attending. Especially, our cooking course has successfully finished full of joy and inspiration for the students. On Vietnam Liberation Day, we took a trip to Dalat Ashram and had a great time joining with the staff there.
After the long holiday, the number of students slightly decreased, but they are returning to normal from the end of the week. The Meditation for beginners, Yoga for beginners, and training for TTC graduates courses are still running well. On the weekend, we had a successful Open house. New students came to join the free classes and signed up for the courses later. Besides, there was a Yantra workshop taught by Saraswati with the attendance of 9 students including the staff members. Most of them were new to Yantra, so they had a very wonderful time drawing Ganesha Yantra, plus Surya Yantra and Chandra Yantra. Everyone enjoyed meditating on the drawing and looking forward to the next courses.
The new Yoga for Beginners course started with 14 students, as well as Introduction to Ayurveda and Restorative yoga. All the teachers and students enjoyed the classes. The new cooking course started with 8 students, bringing fresh and inspiring energy to the Center. We also opened a new Yoga Kids course for 11 children. The Center became so joyful and dynamic on the weekend! In addition, we had an embroidery workshop on Sunday.
Despite the heavy schedule with a lot of programs, our energy remained high because we found inspiration and joy in the service. It kept us focused on the practice and become more dynamic yogis.
We had a great number of students in the final week. People are coming to the Open classes regularly. The week began with a 3-day course “Yoga for Stress management”, which belonged to the SYHET practicum program, and it went very well. We also opened the new Yoga for Deep Relaxation course on Saturday with 15 people joining the class. The new Yoga for Beginner’s course had 7 students. On the weekend, we were grateful to welcome Swami Narayanananda to come and teach the Compassionate Communication workshop. The feedback on this workshop was amazing. People said that they would take the course if it opened again in the future. Other than that, Swamiji also did an insightful satsang on Sunday about Listening skills.
Staff are keeping their sadhana steady, living in harmony and serving with our best. Om shanti.

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

Om Namah Sivaya. The small series of Monday evening Pranayama workshops, attended by teachers, close students and staff, concluded this week. Participants enjoyed the prolonged practice of pranayama as well as the practice of some of the minor pranayamas. The early morning online classes held on weekdays have grown in attendance recently – an inspiration for the teachers who have been sharing their time in the early mornings from their homes since the pandemic. The calmer class schedule on Thursdays allowed staff to spend a relaxing day in magnificent gardens run by the Royal Horticultural Society in Surrey, south of London. All came back enriched by the presence of so much natural beauty.
Swami Kailasananda and Swami Jyotirmayananda gave daily workshops and satsangs for the Positive Thinking residential course. The staff gave morning and evening asana classes which developed topics from the workshops. The regular students, teachers, karma yogis and staff were happy to participate in the activities of the course. We enjoyed two peaceful silent walks and an inspiring Ganesha Puja. The students were grateful for the teachings and for the opportunity to follow the yoga lifestyle for a few days. There was a cheerful and lively atmosphere in the Centre.
During the weekend, the City of London celebrated the King’s coronation with decorations, music, and gatherings everywhere.
We visited a garden in bloom, which gave us a dose of prana, peace, and relaxation, walking in the middle of colourful flowers and amazing trees. There were many deer, ducks, and exotic birds. Monday was bank holiday in the UK because of the King’s coronation Celebrations. On Tuesday, Swami Jyotirmayananda went to Reith for a week.
The house is blooming with the flowers everywhere from last week’s Puja and Satsangs as well as bright tulips in the Peace Garden. The altar looks fresh and beautiful in orange.
We continued with the inspiring readings from Ethics of the Bhagavad Gita in the morning satsang and from Vishnudevananda Upadesa in the evening Arati. A couple of courses started with little groups of motivated students. A Meditation course concluded and on Friday some students joined the staff for Arati.
There was a cheerful weekend with a well-attended cooking class on Saturday and the regular activities of the Centre.
On Saturday, we had an uplifting kirtan satsang with inspiring words of Master Sivananda on the topic of Music from Bliss Divine and from a letter. On Sunday, Swami Dayananda gave an inspiring evening Satsang. We had the Sunday prayers and Swamiji read and commented on Swami Sivananda’s text of How God came into My Life. Everyone was grateful for the Satsang.
We put a lot of prana into the promotion and the preparation for the Open House. Flyers were handed nearby, and some students invited their friends. On Saturday there was a a joyful and peaceful mood in the Centre with the activities of the Open house parallel with the regular classes and the satsang. The newcomers were very grateful for the teachings, the delicious food, and the opportunity to do their practice in a peaceful and uplifting environment.
We had a positive thinking course in our final week, as well as the sixteenth chapter of the Gita for Friday’s study group, a silent walk, and a Puja for Ganesha.
During the weekend, Swami Jyotirmayananda gave two inspiring satsangs on the topics of Unity and Commitment from Master Sivananda’s texts. Swami Dayananda prepared delicious prasad. Om shanti.

http://www.sivananda.org/london

Om Namah Sivaya. The weekend was themed Mysteries of the Mind with a Mind and Emotions talk and a Hip Opening Workshop. We had a nice group. We received a laptop, a brand-new Facebook Portal and a huge bouquet of collard greens from neighbours on the “Buy Nothing” group. The Forgiveness course ended, but they want more. There is the idea of a regular Yoga Life Support group.
The Center was blessed to offer three Nada Yoga sessions with Ram Vakkalanka. The participants were intrigued by the power of sound and its very specific vibrations and uses. We finished two Yoga 1 courses. Our rose garden is full of buds. The roses that have opened are the size of a hand.
Our Mother’s Day weekend program included a thoughtful discussion on Balancing Self-Nurture and Self-Discipline, a Yoga Nidra session, and a talk on Divine Mother Durga, including concepts and reading from the Devi Mahatmyam. Vaidya Ajita Patel ran a five-day private Pancha Karma for one person at the Center during the week. We enjoyed having her here and got many great cooking tips. Yoga 3 and Meditation 2 courses finished, and a Yoga 2 started. We are grateful that Swami Sita found a car for the Center.
SYHET trainee Leai Ho visited LA Center for a week to prepare for and present a weekend Holistic Health Retreat on Chronic Pain Relief. Lots of helpful information was shared and all students left with new ideas about pain and how they can work with their own. Leai herself, learned a lot and has now begun her practicum hours in earnest. Swami Sitaramananda supported the San Francisco community on Sunday, speaking there on Yoga for Health and Stress Relief. We are reassessing how best to serve and grow the sangha in SF. Members of the Black Everywhere group joined the LA open asana class on Sunday. We offered snacks and they lingered over animated conversation. We started Yoga 1 and Yoga 2 courses this week. We are grateful for this opportunity to serve. Om shanti.

http://www.sivananda.org/la

Om Namah Sivaya. The focus of the week was Spring cleaning and promotion of the Summer Camp activities which will take place on the month of August in Aluenda, Northeast Spain. The Wednesday satsang came back to the regular schedule and was well received by students. We received some new inquiries for the upcoming retreats and the Center went into a slower rhythm as the long weekend approached.
Monday and Tuesday were holidays in Madrid and morning classes were well attended. On the weekend we celebrated a Meditation course and continued with maintenance projects. Sunday satsang was uplifting with new students coming for the first time. The topic “Satsang” from Bliss Divine was read and the Universal Prayer from Swami Sivananda was explained with meaning.
Classes and courses continued with good attendance. The highlight of the week was the celebration of our Spring retreat in the Madrid mountains. 25 students came to spend the weekend and experience the five points of yoga. On Saturday evening a North Indian music concert was offered by two musicians from the area. The weather was beautiful. Everyone left shinning and inspired.
The following Monday was a local holiday in Madrid and the noon class at the Center was full. During the week several maintenance projects were done, and Spring cleaning finished. The energy of the Center was uplifted thanks to the support of students and close teachers. The highlight of the week was the teachers’ meeting on Saturday with over 20 teachers attending. The meeting included asana correction workshops, sharing the latest about our summer programs in Aluenda, and an inspiring evening satsang about Sat-Shampat.

http://www.sivananda.org/madrid

Om Namah Sivaya to all. We thank our Masters for all blessings and support bestowed. May all be blessed with equanimity and steadiness in practice. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/madurai

Om Namah Sivaya from the Montevideo Centre. We are happy to serve, love to all. We pray intensely for peace and harmony in this world. May the Grace of Gurudev and Swamiji be upon us all. Om Shanti. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/montevideo

With the good weather we see a slight change in attendance at the Center as people like to spend time out after the long winter. We got new students for the Yoga for the Back weekly class, and new students for the Prenatal Yoga Class. The Center was closed on Sunday due to the long weekend, and many teachers went to the Ashram for the long weekend.

http://www.sivananda.org/montreal

Om Namah Sivaya. On Saturday we taught a well-attended Asana coaching workshop. This was done in the format of an asana class interspersed with little workshops, where special coaching and correction was given to individual students.
Swami Narayanananda and Vishnupriya Chaitanya returned to the Sivananda Yoga Retreat House in Reith/Tyrol/Austria after having helped us with some maintenance projects in the Center. The trial class had a good number of students – all keen on a regular practice of yoga.
Monday was a public holiday. We offered two drop-in classes at 11 am and 4 pm.
On Saturday new people came to participate in an information event. The program consisted of a Lecture on yoga, an Asana demonstration, a Yoga class, a Meditation workshop, and information on the Yoga Vacation and TTC.
The Ayurveda Seminar on Sunday was well attended. Our teacher Chandrika who is also an Ayurveda therapist, gave a well-appreciated lecture presenting many practical hints on a healthy and balanced nutrition. The lecture was followed by a Yoga class with the topic “Asanas and pranayama to strengthen the digestive system”. The topic of the lecture in the evening meditation was “Spiritual aspects of nutrition”.
On Tuesday we were happy to have a short visit from Swami Durgananda and Swami Sivadasananda giving us inspiration and guidance. On Friday Swami Vidyananda went to Mittersill/Austria to teach there in the yoga vacation program.
Our final week was a good week at the Center. Thursday was a public holiday and we offered a drop-in class at 11 a.m. which was very well attended. Some of our students took advantage of the longer weekend and went for a short yoga vacation to the Sivananda Yoga Retreat House in Reith/Tyrol/Austria. Swami Vidyananda returned on Sunday evening from the Retreat House in Reith where she had taught a further teachers training program “Yoga for Children”.

http://www.sivananda.org/munich

Om Namah Sivaya from the New York Centre. May the Grace of Gurudev and Swamiji be upon us all. Om Shanti. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/ny

Om Namah Sivaya. Narayana Chaitanya came from Orléans to help support the Centre. Swami Bhagavatananda gave a workshop on “Positive thinking” and guided the evening satsang with a lot of joy. We also noticed the effect of holidays in France because the flow of students was different, but everything is well.
We had a week full of special events. Swami Kailasananda Ji came to give Wednesday’s Satsang on a passage from The Inner Path by Swami Durgananda Ji before leaving for London the following morning. Swamiji’s presence continues to guide and uplift us and we express our gratitude to her. Narayana Chaitanya also came to the Center from Thursday: he was able to make great strides in putting the Center in order: sorting all the library books in the main hall, the sound system, and a large part of office reserve. On Saturday, Ganga from Lebanon came to give a cooking class around Indian spring vegetarian recipes. It was a great success and a great joy! Gopala also visited the Center on Saturday where he was able to give Satsang and take advantage of his car journey to bring back to the Ashram all the belongings awaiting transit.
Anjaneya continues the restoration work of the Center: restoration of electrical outlets, painting of the changing rooms bathroom, and development of the basement. We had the joy of receiving Rukmini who had come from the Ashram to participate in the Tyagaraja Carnatic music festival. Narayana also came to support the Center by teaching a beautiful thematic practice on Yoga and the endocrine system. The highlight of the week was a successful Open House where we received some 30 inspired new students. Pranams to all.

http://www.sivananda.org/paris

Om Nama Sivaya. We started a new Meditation course and finished a Yoga 3 course. On Sunday we had a beautiful evening satsang with Kumari on Swami Sivananda’s life from Swami Venkatesananda on Swami Sivananda’s autobiography. The following week we had a beautiful evening satsang with Krishna Chaitanya on the subject of “Ethics”.
Both Advanced Yoga 3 course and “Teaching yoga for kids” course came to an end and were very successful. We had a beautiful celebration of Pranava Chaitanya’s birthday. Swami Swaroopananda gave a wonderful teaching after he opened a message for Pranava Chaitanya from the Sivananda Upanishads. The message was about the real unity of all religions through the knowledge of Vedanta. Swamji explained it beautifully and then opened a message from Vishnudevananda Upadesa. All of us were very inspired.
On Sunday we had a special kirtan concert with Narayan Jyoti. All the income from the concert will be dedicated to the editing and publishing of the “Bliss Divine” in Hebrew. We had nice numbers of people participating and they donated generously for this blessed project. The Yoga for Beginners course opened this week and also an Advanced Meditation course with a study on Patanjali Yoga Sutras.
On the weekend we had a beautiful retreat on Ayurveda with Lital Simon who is a senior ayurveda therapist and owner of a school that trains new ayurvedic therapists. The retreat was very successful. Among the people who participated, were many who came to the Center for the first time. May the blessings of the Masters be upon us all! Om Shanti

http://www.sivananda.org/telaviv

Om Namah Sivaya. Several ongoing Beginner and Meditation courses continued, and we also began a new Yoga 1 course. We had a well-attended Intensive yoga class on Sunday and spent time updating the website and planning the workshops and courses. The weather in Toronto has been quite cold after several weeks of spring weather.
We had a few new courses starting as well as a weekend retreat. Students were happy to spend some time in nature and attend Satsangs, classes and workshops. Many new students were inspired to continue practicing at the Center. We updated the website with new courses and are working to advertise them. Sending pranams to all.

http://www.sivananda.org/toronto

Om Namah Sivaya. Greetings and Pranams to all from God’s own country Kerala, Trivandrum South of India. We had very good rainfall which we had not had for some time which had been affecting the Ladies and Evening classes. The temperature has gone down, but it feels somewhat short of freshness. In the Centre all is going as per schedule. On Monday a new Beginner’s group started for the ladies with 7 students and an evening Meditation course started with 8 participants. Other regular classes are going fine. The Kids Summer Yoga Camp is in its 3rd week. They were given an art and drawing task this week and it is good to see that the small kids have done a wonderful job. Parents are also enjoying their course at the same time. The week ended with a public spiritual gathering where we all sang the Sunday Prayers and had prasad. Praying for every one’s health and a good week ahead for all.
The climate is pleasant now which is bringing many people to the Centre. The monsoon has not started yet, but it seems like a monsoon because it is raining almost every day. The week was also moderate and went peacefully with scheduled programs for the week. On Monday we started a new Yoga beginner course with 12 new spiritual seekers who are likely to change their current lifestyle to yogic lifestyle. All other regular classes are going fine with Master’s and Swamiji’s blessings. The week ended with an energetic satsang attended by staff and a few outsiders.
The month-long summer Kids Camp which began on 10th April concluded. All 24 students received the participation certificate on completion. The kids had a small Yoga demonstration in front of their parents along with some bhajans chanting and some dance performances. Following a request from their parents, we continued the classes for them until school reopens. We also started a new evening Beginner’s course with a good number of students. Regular Open classes are going in full swing. The week ended with a spiritual gathering for Sunday Prayers which all the staff along with a few guests from outside joined.
All going fine with God’s and Guru’s blessings. On Monday a ladies beginner course started with enough students. Other all classes are going fine. The climate is still hot as we have not had any rain again for quite a long time which has brought the number of students down this week. Staff are dedicated to their duty and personal sadhana. On Sunday we concluded the week with our Sunday prayers. All is well here. Praying for everyone’s health, and Kripa of Gurus. Om Shanti

http://www.sivananda.org/trivandrum

Om Namah Sivaya. The highlight of the week was the special programme with Swami Ramapriyananda and Swami Narayanananda on Sunday afternoon. Many teachers and students came to participate in the special Asana workshop and evening Satsang with the two Swamis from the Sivananda Yoga Retreat House Reith, Tyrol, Austria. This week also a few intermediate courses started as well as a 4-week Pranayama course. On Tuesday a Yoga 1 beginners course began with a good number of enthusiastic students. On the weekend an Asana workshop and a Kirtan workshop attracted many inspired participants.
The special programme with Swami Ramapriyananda and Swami Narayanananda continued on Wednesday and Saturday in the evening Satsangs in the following week. Many teachers and students attended. On Saturday an Open house attracted a good number of new students. They were participating in all the activities and were especially inspired by the Introduction to Meditation. Drop-in classes and courses were well attended. Also, this week with the leading support of Swami Ramapriyananda and Swami Narayanananda many areas of the centre were reorganised, starting from the basement to the kitchen and the reception area. Students and teachers appreciated the changes very much, the whole Centre looking more spacious and structured.
The highlight of the following week was a special programme with Ayurveda Acharya Shanti Kumar Kamlesh. The two lectures and the cooking course were greatly appreciated. The cooking course on Saturday especially attracted many students. The different dishes turned out very well and all the participants were inspired to take better care of their nutrition. Also, a Yoga 1 and two Intermediate courses started. Drop-in classes and courses were well attended. The Centre had good support by Karma Yogis.
For the long Ascension Day weekend from Thursday to Sunday the Centre staff, a good number of teachers and students went for the annual spring Yoga Retreat to the Sivananda Yoga Retreat House in Reith near Kitzbühel, Tyrol, Austria. All were enjoying the retreat schedule with meditation, yoga classes, lectures and walks in nature. One of the highlights were the yoga classes on the outdoor platform in the warm afternoon sun. The Centre teachers received inspiration in a further training on Kids Yoga. During the time of the retreat some teachers were taking care of the Centre, offering Drop-In classes. Throughout the week there was good support from Karma Yogis for housekeeping and some office work. Om shanti.

http://www.sivananda.org/vienna

Om Namah Sivaya. Beginner‘s classes, courses, trial classes and Satsangs were well atended. We had enough teachers even if we needed five a day. It is great to see two people taking part in the Friday morning Puja each week. It is wonderful to practise collective bhakti sadhana. On Saturday the Centre was full of prana. In addition to the satsang, the morning class and the trial, everyone enjoyed a delicious, hearty lunch. The second half of the day included a lecture on yoga and an additional yoga class given by teacher Bharata at the request of the Ayurveda Academy Lithuania. Participants were amazed at how nice the Centre is, how good the energy and care is, and how much incredible knowledge they were given in half a day. TTC is approaching. More and more current work is coming up, but as always, this energy is giving enough prana to get everything done properly and on time and with joy. The magnolias in the garden are ready to bring joy to everyone – buds the size of your hand are about to burst with prana. What selflessness and love…
The following week was shorter because of the International Worker‘s Day. Another beautiful celebration, Mother’s Day, and the warm weather invited students to visit their mothers and spend the weekend with them. However, the courses and the yoga classes and satsangs went well. A lot of attention had to be paid to the preparation of TTC Lithuania. We have a nice group from Poland. We are lucky enough to speak Polish, so we can correspond in their mother tongue using translation software. It is a sign of warmth and caring for them.
We are happy that the number of students in asanas and courses did not decrease, even though the weather was summer-warm, the trees and bushes were in bloom and bursting with prana. We are trying to divide our attention between two important things – the students of the Yoga Centre and the TTC preparations. In such cases, the saying “one man is not a warrior in the field” becomes particularly clear. We get help from all sides – Swamis, yoga teachers and karma yogis-students. Little by little things are coming together and we believe that it will be a beautiful jigsaw puzzle – sadhana for all together at TTC Lithuania for a month. More than half of the participants are from Poland and a few from Ukraine. Om shanti.

http://www.sivananda.org/vilnius