Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashrams

Om Namah Sivaya, Greetings from the Headquarters. Early October started with Sureshji and Vitaya, from India, visiting the Camp, inspiring us with their humility and discipline. We continued Navaratri celebrations, reading the Devi Mahatmyam in the mornings, and going to the Subramanya Temple for a Puja for the Divine Mother. A highlight was an 8 year old girl who chanted “He Amba Bol” with an angelical voice that gave us goose bumps. The sponsors’ devotion and generosity inspired many. A small group of guests joined for a Karma Yoga week for closing the gardens. We had meals prepared with fresh butternut, turnip, tomato, basil and mint from the garden. One weekend, the Camp was full as families came to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving. Sita prepared a large feast, Saraswati (Montreal) designed the Dining Hall with a beautiful seasonal mandala, and Vaishnavi, Satyam & Samyukta spent time with the children. We went for a hike in Mont Tremblant National Park, and enjoyed the spectacular colors of the Canadian Fall. On the staff side, work continued, closing the dorms and outdoor facilities, painting, and other usual work.

Around mid-October we had a quiet but busy time as we prepared for the Fall Juice Fasting weekend. The Annapurna kitchen was reopened to accommodate the increasing number of participants that kept on signing up throughout the week. We welcomed Suzanne, Isabelle and Gita that came to run the program and support the guests, who enjoyed very much their presence and care and specially the fresh and nourishing juices. In addition to the fasters, we welcomed Ms. Esha Bandhoadhyaya, a devotional singer from Kolkata, who came perform for one of the Saturday evening Satsangs. It was an inspiring evening as she shared with us traditional bhajans from Mirabai, Tulsidas and many others. Later we continued with Devi Puja up at the Subramanya Temple, where the staff were joined by guests and devotees to chant the Lalita Sahasranama and Mahishasura Mardini Stotram, followed by drums and lots of enthusiasm. The outdoors cleaning started as we saw the signs of the winter settling in and a rush to get everything ready. We thank the Grace of the Gurus and pray it keeps flowing through all. Om Shanti.

http://www.sivananda.org/camp

Namah Sivaya to all. Early October started with Navarathri celebrations with chanting of Lalita Sahasranama several times a day in the Temple, preparation of special Prasads and reading of Devi Mahatmyam, with translation by Swami Sivananda, in the evening Satsangs. It was explained that the demons represent our lower nature and Devi our divine nature. With courage, persistent effort and divine grace one can overcome all negative qualities. Due to the enthusiastic participation of voluntary staff, paid staff and guests, all could benefit from the high Ashram energy. Two new staff joined this week; Srinivas, a regular guest for many years and Jatin from Delhi.

Around mid-October the Ashram was busy with last minute high season preparations. Tiling work was completed in Lakshmi dorm and Dhanwantari Hall. Painting continued unabated in several places. The last project was to complete the temporary dorm on the mens’ dorm, in time for TTC next month. This year we have incorporated metal pillars to the structure to give more strength and durability. Yoga Vacationers adapted to the works without a murmur. One Friday they enjoyed a trip to Kanyakumari with Shibin. New teaching staff have been engaged with asana correction workshops with Suresh. A new work study, Gita from Israel, has been very helpful by offering workshops on how to improve our telephone service for office and reception staff. Om. Pranams.

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Om Namo Narayanaya – Greetings from Uttar Kashi. Whilst attending conscientiously to the TTC program, the students nurtured their devotional nature with the Navaratri Lalitha Sahasranama Puja after dinner each day at the beginning of October. Amongst the lectures and classes, the floor tiling outside the buildings was completed and the construction of neat little walls around the flower beds began. The enthusiastic and disciplined group of students began their teaching groups and started chanting in Satsang. Pranams to all. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/uttarkashi

Om Namo Narayanaya. During early October we continued with our celebrations of Navarathri Puja at Mahakali Temple. We had Satsangs in the Temple on all days and chanted Lalitha Sahasra Naama and Mahishasura Mardini chants to invoke blessings of Goddess. The guests were all fascinated by the elaborate preparations for the Puja and the associated rituals. Our priest used to create beautiful patterns of yantras, symbolizing the Goddess into which he would invoke Devi’s presence by chanting of specific mantras. We had a priest coming from outside to help our main priest with the Homas and preparation of offerings. Everyday we got the taste of variety of Prasads like payasams and appams. Sandeep left for Thailand to assist the TTC. Our Ashram was also gearing up for the upcoming TTC. Preparations were full fledged with all karma yogis enthusiastically working for the accomplishment of their duties. Hired workers were also speeding up their work for timely completion of renovation. We completed the thatched roof work of the Dining Hall much to the relief of food serving Karma Yogis who otherwise had to walk longer carrying the serving utensils. We’re thanking God for gifting us a memorable October.

Around mid-October the TTC started off with an enthusiastic group of students attending the Ganapathi Homa on Monday morning seeking blessings from Lord Ganesha to ward off all difficulties and obstacles. They all gathered at the Temple resplendent in their new uniforms ready to imbibe all new learning and knowledge. After that all of them applied themselves  with renewed vigour for their first asana class. They were given an orientation about the general guidelines and the topics that shall be covered during their course by Swami Narayananandaji.They were also given roll call numbers and were assigned the karma yoga duties expected of them as part of their course schedule. Everyone fell into the flow easily though apprehensive in the beginning. They went on with their routine schedule giving themselves some quality time to delve deep into themselves. The yoga vacationers also had a grand time going with their routine in addition to watching the TTC’s  grooving into their well formatted and structured schedule. On Friday the TTC students were taken on a day trip to Thirupparakundram Subamanya Temple where they tirelessly ascended all the 600 steps leading to the inner sanctum. After that they were also taken to Meenakshi Temple where they were given  choice of either going for the darshan or to go shopping. The Talent Show was a versatile one with the students displaying their singing skills in addition to their adeptness in playing musical instruments like flute and drums. The weather was very pleasant with occasional evening showers creating a very positive atmosphere . With the blessings of our Masters all our students successfully completed their first week and are energetically moving onto their second week. With prayers and regards from all Ashramites. Om Shanti and Pranams to all.

www.sivananda.org/madurai

Om Namah Sivaya! Early October started with the Navaratri celebrations, with daily chanting of the Lalita Sahastranama and the Sri Mahisasura Mardini Strotram, reading from the Devi Mahatmya and, of course, the nightly Pujas with signing of the Ya Devi. It was a beautiful and powerful celebration, inspiring us all. The TTC’s were blessed to be here for part of the nine nights, and had their graduation on night four, the first night of Mother Lakshmi. By the end of the auspicious week all of the TTC students had departed, with the exception of one TTC staying on as a karma yogi. That weekend found us with another full house, for the last sweat lodge of the year. The guests came out to enjoy the beautiful fall foliage and connect with nature. Swami Paramananda left for Israel for one week.

Around mid-October we had quite a few guests. There was also a lot of movement with karma yogis leaving. The staff adapted, covering additional duties. One highlight this time of October was the installation of the Durga Murti in the newly built Durga Temple. Staff were busy with last minute finishes; installing the marble pedestal where the Durga Murti rests, hanging photos of Master and Swamiji, cleaning the surrounding forest area and planting autumn mums to add color, all in preparation for the event. Swami Vasisthananda arrived from Grass Valley to perform the Homa and Puja to inaugurate the Temple. The weather has unseasonably high temperatures. On the day of the installation and blessing, we received the typical fall rain shower for this time of year, adding blessings to the event. The inside and outside of the Temple were adorned with fresh flowers. Because of the rain, we had the first Puja in the Krishna Temple so all attendees could be present and remain warm and dry. After the Puja, Mother Durga was carried down to the new Temple.  It had stopped raining but the winds were strong and it was cold. Regardless, all of the devotees were outside, barefoot on the wet platform that leads to the Temple, while Swami Vasistha and those helping to install and a few staff were inside. Swami ji performed a second Puja on Durga in her new home. It was a heartfelt and moving ceremony, a memorable day that brought blessings to the Ashram. By the grace of Master and Swamiji, staff continued to maintain strong in their Sadhana. Sending pranams to all. Om.

Om Namah Sivaya. In early October the Ashram received Grace and blessings from the Divine Mother as staff and guests joined together for high energy Navaratri Pujas and Vijaya Dasami Puja and celebration. Swami Vasishtananda-ji led the Pujas accompanied by readings from Devi Mahatmyam and staff leading beautiful chants. At the same time the West Coast Teachers Meeting welcomed TTC graduates for a weekend of re-connection to the teachings and Sadhana. Sankari Chaitanya and Sivani, the SF Centre staff, attended along with Tara Durga Devi, a senior teacher and student of Swamiji. Teachings on Guru lineage, Swamiji’s mission, Dharma of the Yoga teacher, and advice to keep up with Sadhana. The 10-day Meditation and Self-Study course concluded on the auspicious Vijaya Dasami with some students taking mantra initiation. Final TTC preparations are taking place with painting of the yoga deck, landscaping reception and Krishna Temple, planting greenhouse for the autumn season, etc.

Around mid-October the TTC completed their first week very inspired, diving into the practice and teaching. The students adjusted well to the Ashram and the rigorous schedule. Students learned about the lives of Master and Swamiji and the lineage, very much enjoying the inspiring morning Satsang talks with Swami Sitaramananda-ji; a morning meditation labyrinth walk; special guest presentations from Durga Leela introducing Ayurveda to the TTC; and a beautiful Bharata Natyam dance performance by Shree Lata Suresh and her students. We welcomed Sw Vasishtananda-ji back from his weekend trip to the Yoga Ranch. The Ashram received its first rains of the season after 5 months of dry, dry weather. 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. At the end of September, we were delighted to welcome back Swami Brahmananda and our priest Krishnan Namboodiri, just in time for the Navaratri celebration. The first night Swami Brahmananda read the first chapter of the Devi Mahatmiya and the priest performed a beautiful Puja in the evening Satsang. Sunday, October 2 was a very festive day in the Ashram. In the evening, we celebrated the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana, with a big feast. Swami Brahmananda explained the meaning and importance of this holiday. Afterwards we celebrated the second night of Navaratri. The next week began with the news that Hurricane Matthew would be passing through the Bahamas. We had to shut down for a few days, with the staff moving to safe quarters nearby. Even though we changed locations, the Ashram schedule was kept as much as possible with beautiful Navaratri Pujas every night conducted by our priest. By the Guru’s grace, the hurricane did not cause significant damage, and we were able to return and re-open soon after, including continuing the Navaratri Pujas and celebrations. That said, there was a lot of debris and fallen branches and trees, especially covering all of the pathways. Everyone pitched in and we soon found ourselves fully operational, with everyone well and healthy. The first few flowers beginning to blossom again. We then prepared the Ashram for the high season and the many people who will be staying here in the coming months, particularly looking forward to welcoming more than 30 TTC students in November.

The second half of the month, we welcomed back Brett Bevell, who have an introductory talk on Reiki and Awakening Yoga. Then came Sivananda TTC graduate and author Virginia Frances Schwartz, who combined yoga and writing. Many people found great inspiration and tips in her Satsang talk and workshops. Swami Brahmananda then began a 4-part lecture about meditation, basing his teachings on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, inspiring everyone with his clear, funny and vivid talks. Next, dream teacher and author Tzivia Gover returned and gave several talks on the Yoga of Dreams, sharing many perspectives on the topic, including the teachings of Swami Sivananda. Her workshops were well attended. Everyone began to notice and discuss their dreams. Swami Brahmananda also taught The Path of Karma Yoga, enlightening everyone about this foundational yoga. Our annual brochure of programs for November 2016-June 2017 programs was sent out in October. Many new people signed up to receive the brochure. We hope to see many of them visiting in the coming year.

http://www.sivananda.org/nassau

Om Namah Sivaya. We were celebrating Navaratri with short Pujas with Satsang afterwards, which made the worship of the Divine Mother more accessible to our new students. The Divine Mother Durga’s energy was present when the TTC ended successfully. It was beautiful to witness how the students got more and more confident in their practice, knowledge and teaching. We had a lovely mantra initiation, everyone passed the exam and the graduation was a pleasant mixture of fun and the emotions of something special coming to an end, although this is of course only the beginning. At the beginning of the month we enjoyed warm weather so we still could have guest classes outside. We had a great course on “Yoga Psychology”. We studied and discussed the Raja Yoga Sutras by Pantanjali, pausing at the most important Sutras. Our main guideline was the commentary by Swami Vishnudevananda. It gave us plenty of food for thought. In the “Yoga Vitality week” we discussed aspects of physical and mental health. Then we offered a week entitled „Yoga Life-style“ for a nice group of yoga vacationers, who were eager to explore the different possibilities of bringing more relaxation, awareness and concentration into daily life. Specific yoga programs for certain periods of the day and certain needs were discussed and tips on healthy nutrition were given. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/tyrol

Om Namah Sivaya. Beginning October we had a week of “Yoga and hiking”, which was followed by a weekend for teachers with the title, “the art of correcting Asanas”. After that, Swami Bhagavatananda gave two 5 days certificate courses. The first one was, “Ayurveda, the essential guide to healthy living”, and the second one an Ayurveda cooking course. We were happy to welcome Swami Kailasananda, who was here for a few days and inspired us with Satsangs on the Raja Yoga Sutras and other topics before she headed for the TTC in Rudraprayag. TTC in November is fully booked now, and we created a new TTC in January. Omkari from Paris came to teach a stress management course. Towards the end of the month Padmavati from Austria, long standing disciple of Swamiji, came for her two programs “Yogic breathing and deep relaxation” and “Yoga – the gentle approach”. At the same time we had a preparation weekend for people interested in taking the TTC. Om Shanti. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/orleans