Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres

Om Namah Sivaya. In early September students and teachers enjoyed the last summer days as still some classes could still be offered in the open air on the platform. One Y2 course and several higher courses started. The Centre celebrated Master’s birthday with a morning Puja, attended by a beautiful group of devoted students. A Meditation course was offered. Residents, Laura and Savitri, adapted nicely to the rhythm of the Centre and are of great support in the evening. Sunday evening Satsang was given by Kaivalya who supported the Centre during Swami Gokulanandas stay in Poland.

During mid-September a variety of courses started: Two Yoga Beginners Courses, a Meditation Beginners Course and the Yogic Cooking Course, in which every class begins with 30 min of theory about yogic diet combined with 60 min practice where the participants learn to prepare simple and healthy dishes. The TTC preparation began. The new brochure, with the programs for the next five month arrived. During the evening Satsangs on the weekends, students helped to get the brochure ready for sending, accompanied with joyful Kirtan singing. A spiritual highlight was the Ganesha Chaturthi, which we celebrated with a Puja. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/berlin

Om Namah Sivaya. Early September saw a new temporary staff joining the Centre staff team. Her name is Amrita, from Chile. Parvati, who came a week before Amrita, was already fully adapted to the pace of the Centre. We began a new beginner’s course, plus the workshop “Conquest of Anger”. Prem & Om to all.

http://www.sivananda.org/baires

Om Namah Sivaya to all Blessed Selves from the Chennai Centre. In early September we finished an evening Beginners’ course successfully, receiving a good feedback from our students. On 8^th of September we celebrated Swami Sivananda Jayanthi. We decorated the Centre and the main hall. We held a Guru Puja in the evening, which was attended by many students and Sivananda teachers. At the end of the Puja we arranged for a special Prasad and fruits. Also, we continued with classes in an American school and an IT company, Extreme Network, as well as we continued with a special ladies’ Beginners course. The rest of the activities in the Centre were carried out as usual. Staff members performed their karma yoga activities efficiently and productively.

Mid-September was very intensive and interesting at the Centre. We started a new Ladies Beginners’ course on 14^th September, with a good number of students. We started the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi, decorating the Centre and the main hall with flowers, offering a special Puja and preparing special Prasad. All the Ganesh Chaturthi events were widely attended by our students and staff members. On 18^th of September we held our monthly Ganapathi Homa. In the morning we had a Puja, held by our priest. Again we prepared a variety of Prasad and arranged beautiful decorations.

One of our long term staff members, Pradeep, finished his karma yoga duties and left the Centre. We were grateful for his great service and dedication. The rest of the activities in the Centre carried on as usual, with staff members performing their karma yoga activities efficiently and productively. With the blessings of God and Masters, everything was fine here. Sending Pranams to the Sivananda family.

http://www.sivananda.org/madras

Om Namah Sivaya. Early September we noticed it was fairly calm around the Labour Day holiday. The Centre remained open as usual, but the holiday weekend made for a quieter Centre. We had the first cold weather of the season, sometimes with rain. Later though, the temperatures warmed up again. The courses ran well. All activities continued normally, by the Grace of the Gurus.

During mid-September we saw slower attendance, and the temperature dropped, though there were many sunny days. The Yoga 2 and 3 courses finished. The Saturday-morning Yoga 2 continued well. Two new Yoga 1 courses also started. Many karma yogis of the Centre were either traveling or were sick. Upon return we were grateful for their extra help in the garden. Staff remain strong in their Sadhana. We felt great gratitude for the guidance and protections of the Gurus. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

http://www.sivananda.org/chicago

Om Namah Sivaya. Early September was beautiful at the Dalat Centre. We had deep cleaning project of the Centre and also an advertising project to bring local people to come more for courses and classes. The residency program remained very successful here. Many people came for Open House and signed up for Beginners courses and Meditation courses in September. We felt a lot of Guru blessings at the Centre.

During mid-September we had a Yoga 2/Intermediate course, starting with a good number of students participating. The meditation course also attracted a lot of young people in Dalat interested in spiritual practice. Saraswati, the main staff of Dalat Centre, went to lead the Yantra Workshop in HCM Centre for 3 days. Staff and karma yogi from HCM also went to Dalat to help the maintenance project in Dalat Centre, bringing a very positive energy to Dalat. We felt a lot of blessings from Guru to the Centre. We were grateful for the Guru’s Grace which continues to guide us. Pranams to all Sivananda Staff. Om.

https://sivanandayogavietnam.org

Om Namah Sivaya. During early September, with the grace of the Lord and the blessings of Gurudev, all was sailing smoothly at the Centre. Beginners’ courses, morning and evening, began. A highlight was H.H. Swami Sivananda ji’s birthday celebration. We had a beautiful, energetic Satsang and talk on Swami Sivananda j’is life and his motto early in the morning. Three Swami jis Swami Govindananda ji, Swami Hariomananda ji, and Swami Janardhananda ji, attended with many of our students, teachers and staff. After Satsang we have offered a light breakfast, enjoyed by all the students. We conducted a Shat Kriya workshop, participated by many enthusiastic students. We had trial yoga class, a kids’ class and Satsangs. The weather turned to more pleasant temperatures.

During mid-September, with the grace of the Lord and the blessings of Gurudev, everything went smoothly at the Centre. Beginners’ courses began in the mornings and evenings. We conducted the headstand workshop attended by many enthusiastic students. The weather was pleasant. We were quite busy with weekend Pre-Natal classes, weekend beginners courses, Kids’ classes and Satsangs. All are well. We hope all the Sivananda family are happy and doing well. Sending all our love and wishes. Pranams. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/dwarka

Om Namo Narayanaya. Early September saw we started with two Beginners’ courses, one at 10:00am and the other at 6:30pm. We also started a “Foundation to Mediation” course on Wednesdays. We conducted a lower back pain workshop on the same day. Prahladaji, Kaliyani ji and Ravi ji arrived to the Centre. A special open class with Prahladaji was schedule before we all travelled to the inauguration Ceremony of the New Noida Centre. Many students and teachers attended the special class and experienced the effect of Sivananda open class in body and mind. Prahladaji left to Canada on the same night, from the Centre. Ravi ji left to Chennai on the same day while Kaliyani ji left to Neyyar Dam. Binoy and Shreevidya came back from home. Kapoorji went to Jammu to conduct a workshop. Amit went with him to teach the asana class. We conducted Sunday Satsangs as usual, well attended by good number of people. With the blessings of the Gurus, everything in the Centre went well.

During mid-September the Nataraj Centre started two Beginners’ courses – one at 6:30am and the other at 4:00pm. We conducted a Hip Opening workshop and a Shat Kriya workshop. There were the Sunday Satsangs to maintain the Centre’s positive energy, stay connected with the Masters and energize ourselves. With the Grace of the Gurus everything went well at the Centre in September. Sending Pranams to All.

A Special Report:

The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Nataraja Centre, Kailash Colony, was pleased to announce, with Gurus’ blessings, the opening a new Sivananda Centre in Noida, C- 46, Sector 50, New Delhi, on 8^th September 2015.

Inauguration for Delhi Noida: We started the week in preparation for the inauguration Ceremony of the Centre on 8th of Sept. On this occasion Prahladaji was present as a chief guest.  Three Swamis from the Himalayas, Shirleyji, Raviji from Chennai, Kaliyaniji, Vijayji and Nagarajji were all present on this occasion. Staffs, invited Teachers, students, friends and well-wishers were also present for the auspicious event. For the inauguration, Priests performed a Sri Ganapati Homa Puja while the guests and participants chanted. The Puja was followed by a lamp lighting program. Prahladaji gave a welcome speech and Kapoorji gave the upcoming activities of the Centre. The lamp was then lit by Prahladaji and other VIP’s present.  The next program was a demo class, performed by Babesh and Pooja with Yamuna ji leading them and explaining the postures. Prahlada ji read the message which we received from Swami Durgananda, Swami Sivadasananda and Swami Kailasananda. A lunch of South Indian dishes was served for all guests. The morning program completed successfully. After the inauguration, the Centre received more guests for an evening Satsang and Sri Lalita Sahasranama. The priest chanted to invoke the energy of divine Mother while offering flowers. Prahladaji lead the Satsang and invited the Swamijis to impart the knowledge and to give blessings for the new Centre. The Satsang was finished around 8:00pm with Arati. The next day morning at 6:30am the Centre was open for a trial class. A few students visited the Centre asking about practicing yoga. We looked forward to starting a Beginners’ course and all the other scheduled programs on Sept 14th.

http://www.sivananda.org/delhi

Om Namah Sivaya. Early September a Y1 started with a good group of students as well as the Pensioners’ class, which we taught in cooperation with the City of Geneva. We had a beautiful Puja for Master’s birthday which gave everyone the opportunity to connect closer with the teachings of Swami Sivananda and uplifted the energy of the Centre. The Open Day one Saturday was lively with a homogenous group of 25 new students. About a third of the group booked for upcoming courses and many class passes were sold to our regular students. We also saw many students from other Yoga Centres coming to try our classes and continue their practice here. The preparations for the upcoming special program continued and a mailing was sent out.

During mid-September a Y1, a positive thinking course and a workshop about how to develop concentration were well visited. The Centre’s main focus was the preparations for the upcoming special programs with many helping hands, especially during our Karma Yoga weekend. New lamps for the asana hall were bought, the decorations were put up, the rooms and the hall prepared and the boutique was restocked. Girija arrived from the Ashram in Orleans to support the preparations. The Centre was shining as we looked forward to welcoming our guests. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/geneva

Om Namah Sivaya. During early September the class attendance at the HCM Centre was quite good. We had two workshops: Yoga Anatomy, Respiratory System, taught by Rama in Vietnamese, with translation to English by Ganga, then later, Ganga led a workshop on advanced inverted postures, including headstand with variations, scorpion, and hand stand. We started two Yoga 1 courses and one Yoga 2 course. The morning Gentle Yoga class was very popular, and now morning classes are almost to our maximum motorcycle parking capacity! We did a major clean up of the building materials left over from months of renovations, including the new staff rooms on the third floor. With Guru’s Grace, the Centre ran smoothly.

During mid-September we had a wonderful weekend with many students and much creativity and joy as Saraswati, the director of our Centre in Dalat, came for a few days. Our staff member, Ganapati, went to Dalat to stay for about 10 days. We held two much-appreciated and well-attended workshops. Ganga led a three-hour cooking workshop on how to make the delicious traditional Vietnamese moon cakes. In the afternoon Saraswati taught a four-hour Yantra painting workshop. We welcomed two new residents and said goodbye to one resident who was here for two weeks. We started a Yoga 1 course.  With Guru’s Grace all were well and happy. We were happy and blessed to be a instrument of the teachings of our Master and Guru. Pranams.

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

Om Namah Sivaya. During early September the Yoga Peace Festival brought many newcomers to the Centre. The program included one hour of OM Namo Narayanaya chanting; a talk on how to develop inner peace; Swamiji’s Peace video and many sun salutations for world peace. A beautiful Ganesha Puja concluded this very successful day. The renovations have been progressing steadily. It was an auspicious event as two adjacent buildings have now internally been connected, through doorways on all floor levels. The openness of the buildings feels already very good. The next step in the renovation process is the creation of doorways in the third building, which will internally will connect all three buildings.

By mid September the Autumn season was well underway, with close students and teachers returning after long summer absences. We featured a positive thinking course and a smoothly-run cooking workshop. Ganesha Chaturthi was a joyful celebration with a Puja, accompanied by Kirtan and the repetition of the 108 names of Lord Ganesha. Dr Nandakumar, from the Indian cultural Centre Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, gave an inspiring talk on “Krishna, The Incarnation of Divine Love” during the Sunday evening Satsang. Renovations continued which has created a wonderfully spacious and light room. OM & Prem to All.

http://www.sivananda.org/london

Om Namo Narayanaya! The Staff send their Pranams. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/la

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed Selves! During early September we concluded the Teachers Training Course in Aliened, with 31 new graduates. Chandra, from Uruguay, led a beautiful and inspiring Satsang about Christianity, with 64 people attending. Swami Dayananda and Chandra returned to South America. We started a new Intensive course for beginners, with 12 students. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/madrid

Om Namah Sivaya and Om Namo Narayanaya to the Sivananda family.

http://www.sivananda.org/milano

Om Namah Sivaya. Early September started with new yoga Beginners’ course on Mondays at 4pm. We completed a second batch with Dr. in Aravind Eye Hospital staff. Eleven doctors participated in the program. The Krishna Jayanti was celebrated in the morning at the Centre. At night we were invited to the celebrations at the Rama Temple near the Centre. All staff went and participate in Bhajan till night which was energetic. On Sunday Satsangs were well attended by good number of people. All Open classes, Private classes, Kids’ class and Beginners’ courses continued well, with Gods grace. The Staff convey their Pranams to all. Om Shanti!!

http://www.sivananda.org/madurai

Om Namah Sivaya! Early September began with excellent weather. The days were very nice, already feeling like Spring. A Beginner’s course started a new schedule. It has formed a nice group with a lot of enthusiasm to learn. The rest of the Beginner’s courses continued their classes normally. There was a lot of energy put toward the next Yoga retreat, which we will have in October. The students and teachers collaborated with the broadcasting while the rest of the activities continued normally.

During mid-September, the Beginners’ Courses started, with lots of energy and good predisposition of the students to learn. We saw many staff changes: Jagatamba Chaitanya came from Buenos Aires Centre for a month to help with classes and reception. She helped with much enthusiasm in the preparation of the Ganesha Chaturthi celebration. Chandra came back from Aluenda, Spain TTC. Lalita went to Chile for one month and a half. We had an Ordinary General Assembly, where we present our economic state and a report for fiscal commission. Chandra led the presentation and some teachers and students participated. The rest of the activities at the Centre continued normally. Om Shanti to all!!

http://www.sivananda.org/montevideo

Om Namah Sivaya. Greetings from Montreal. Early September started with a shorter week at the Centre, as it was closed Monday for Labour day weekend. The ‘Montreal weekend’ continued at the Yoga Camp on the holiday Monday. We took advantage of closed Centre by re-painting the steps, which now looks cleaner and fresher. Also, we completed the small renovation in the main hall, where more storage space was created. We began a chanting course with Sivaram, that will commence for 4 weeks. The group of people that enrolled began to gain confidence with their chanting and learned about more about the devotional aspect of Bhakti yoga. The Centre was blessed to have a Puja for Swami Sivananda’s birthday. Priest Manjunath came from the Camp, along with a bus load of staff from the Ashram. It was a beautifully uplifting evening there were about 50 people in total that attended. It created a good vibration in the Centre. The Kids’ class started again, after a long summer way, with 8 children attending. They looked happy to come back. Uma, a teacher at the Centre, ran the Kids’ class. She is also training two new teachers. A program has been structured for this term, which included themed classes and many activities, such as chanting, cooking, and lots of asanas!! We also had two workshops, both fully subscribed, a headstand workshop with variations and a gentle yoga class. The Sunday Satsangs continued to be well attended. We were thankful for the efforts of teachers and karma yogis, especially taking more responsibility with teaching kids classes and workshops, as it brings lots of energy to the Centre activities.

During mid-September we saw a good number of students coming for the courses and classes. A Yoga 1 course started on Mondays, with a full group. We are having a very nice Kirtan course, on Wednesdays, with Sivaram. The Kids’ Yoga classes on Sundays brought a shiny energy to the Centre. We had a full free trial class and a nice Sun Salutation workshop with Sushila. We were very happy to welcome Swami Shivabhaktananda who stayed with us to teach a morning yoga workshop for a week. We are ever thankful for Master and Swami ji’s grace. Om Namo Narayanaya. Pranams from Montreal.

http://www.sivananda.org/montreal

Om Namah Sivaya. During early September we had a workshop with the title “Flexible Body – Flexible Mind”. We held the first Open House after the summer. The Open House, which offered a full yoga program during the whole afternoon, is always a good opportunity to meet with people interested in yoga. The spiritual highlight was Master Sivananda’s birthday, which we celebrated with a Puja. Swami Annapurnananda went to the Yoga Festival at the Sivananda Yoga Retreat House in Reith/Tyrol/Austria. Saraswati came from there to support the staff team in Munich for the next months. We were happy to welcome Swami Kailasananda to the Centre who came for a short visit from Reith one weekend.

During mid-September a spiritual highlight was Ganesha Chaturthi, celebrated with a Puja. A number of close students and teachers came and showed their devotion by bringing beautiful flowers and fruits for Prasad. Schools opened again in South Germany, so we restarted the Kids’ class, with a good group of young yogis. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/munich

Om Namah Sivaya! In early September, due to the Labour Day holiday, the Centre was totally closed on the Monday. Srinivasan and Saraswati stayed at the Centre throughout the long weekend. We celebrated Master’s birthday with a special Puja, led by Srinivasan. Later on we re-open the Centre for our regular 10:30am class. At midday our Ashram couple went back to the Catskills to be on time for the TTC inauguration ceremony taking place that evening. We also started a new Positive thinking course, with a good attendance. Our public Satsang was presented by Ambika (Katie Papo) who skillfully developed the topic of Yoga, stress and food, as an introduction to the workshops she will be soon offering at our location. Neeti headed off to the Ranch for a bit of a break. That Saturday was an incredibly busy day at the Centre. Twelve people joined the Deaf Yoga class, while the drop-in class kept overflowing, having us open an extra room to fit the remaining students who didn’t fit in our biggest asana room. Neeti and Swami Sivabhaktananda arrived from the Yoga Ranch. Swamiji’s advanced class filled up the Sivananda room once again, as well as the evening Satsang where he inspired around 70 visitors with his unique Brazilian humour and stories. We felt blessed to have him around all week!

During mid-September Swami Sivabhaktananda continued his visit from Canada and helped us with karma yoga around the Centre. He helped clean out the filters of the air conditioners, ran some errands for the Centre and also helped us with restocking the books in the boutique. It was very nice to have him here. We started another Yoga 1 course. Srinavasan, Mahadev Chaitanya, Kamala Chaitanya, Gopi and Amos all came down from the Ranch to celebrate Shakti’s birthday and to be part of the evening Satsang. Srinivasan led the Satsang. We finished with a very special Maha Prasad from Neeti in the form of an Indian tiramisu! Jnaneshwari left the Centre after Satsang to assist Mahadev Chaitanya with the September TTC at the Ranch. We held a workshop with Ambika on the topic of Yoga, Stress and Food and we welcomed the arrival of Gauri Chaitanya from the Ashram in Grass Valley, CA. Saraswati (Canada) arrived one Sunday and led the evening Satsang. Her talk was very inspiring. We had a lot of fun speaking with her afterward. All the Staff are well. With Guru’s grace we are blessed and inspired to carrying on his peace mission. Pranams to all.

http://www.sivananda.org/ny

Om Namah Sivaya. During early September the students seem to bloom these days. Fortunately, the Masters sent many hands to support the Centre. Six courses started a big Yoga 1, a Yoga 2, an advanced asana course, a meditation course with 25 motivated students, an Anatomy course and an inspiring course on spiritual stories. We had also, a first monthly meeting for the study of Swami Sivananda’s books with Marc and a Sanskrit class for the staff. We had a beautiful day with the Celebration of Master’s birthday. Guru Kirtans for the morning Satsang and Puja in the evening with a little group of close students. Swami Gopalananda read some inspiring poems of Swami Sivananda. Life gave us a beautiful weather and calm days for the Centre after the storm of students and karma yogis sent by the Masters at the beginning of the week. We started one Friday with an earlier Satsang in order to have time for the Lalita Sahasranama recitation. Vishnu left after two weeks of sincere service. He will come again for one week in October. The following weekend was intense again, with a storm of students for all the regular activities and a cooking class with 38 grateful students who appreciated the teachings and the food. There was a festive atmosphere after the Satsang one Saturday with a little taste of the dessert from the cooking class. We had an original Satsang with Swami Gopalananda who read an article about the thousands of immigrants coming from Afghanistan and Syria. He also read two inspiring letters from Swami Sivananda with a message of unity by the realization that we are one. Swamiji gave an inspiring Sunday Satsang on the topic of Sannyas from Bliss Divine.

During mid-September we experienced many days of changing weather mixing sun and rain. There were moments of calmness, beautiful light and fresh air after some storms.

We put prana into the correction of the brochure and on the programming of the different activities in mind/body. We offered the beautiful and uplifting celebration of Ganesha Chaturthi. In a joyful atmosphere, the house prepared for the program with the Acharyas. A car from Orleans brought the sound system, the translation system and many other items. The many hands sent by the Masters helped to put a dose of sattva with a deep cleaning everywhere. A positive thinking course started with a motivated group of students. There was also a headstand workshop and an inspiring course with many Ganesha stories. A big Yoga 1 started as well. Swami Gopalananda went to Orleans to support the Ashram one weekend. The Centre was happy to see Kailas and Girija who passed by on their ways to Hamburg and Geneva. One Saturday there was a successful Open House. The Masters sent an auspicious number of students for the regular classes and many new comers for the activities of the day. 113 students were there for the trial class. The visitors appreciated the teachings from the Masters and the harmonious atmosphere of the Centre. We had some obstacles with the credit card machine which was not working for one hour, but Lord Ganesha helped us. For Satsang we had some inspiring words of Swami Sivananda on the topic of charity from the Bliss Divine. Shambhu gave an inspiring Sunday Satsang on the topic of the Katha Upanishad from a commentary of Swami Sivananda. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/paris

Om Namah Sivaya from Brasil. In early September we saw a lot of students at the regular class. Rukmini stayed at the Centre for a weekend. We painted the windows and doors of the main asana room. We also started a rebuilding at the Ganesha Temple.

During mid-September a highlight was a Saturday Open House. We had 40 people for a yoga class, a Satsang and a vegetarian meal, cooked by Rukmini. We also painted the doors and windows of the Centre. We had a problem with the plumbing system concluding we will need rebuild it. Pranams to the Sivananda Family.

http://www.sivananda.org/portoalegre

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed selves. In early September we had a nice celebration for Master’s Birthday with a Satsang, chanting and Puja. People were still on holidays so was rather quiet at the Centre. We focused on reorganizing the Centre after the TTC. The entrance and the small asana room got a fresh coat of paint.

During mid-September we celebrated Ganesha Chaturthi, with Puja, chanting and meditation. We had a successful Open House with many students attending all the programs. It was nice to see new people and many young ones. Karma yogis and teachers helped throughout the day and many people registered for the up coming courses. Om Shanti to the Sivananda Family from the Rome Centre.

http://www.sivananda.org/rome

Om Namo Narayanaya, Blessed Selves. Early September there was high energy for the 4pm asana class and Satsang on Sundays. We chanted the beautiful Sunday Prayers. A 5-week Yoga 1 course began on Saturday mornings. On 9/1, we added an 8:00am class twice a week, welcoming new students. A student of Swami Vishnu’s from 1977 stopped by for a visit and was so happy to connect to the same energy again. Another former student of Swami Vishnu happened to meet Swami Sankarananda and because of the chance meeting, made plans to return to help with SF Centre renovations!

During mid-September we celebrated a festive Ganesha Chaturthi with several guests participating. Swami Dharmananda came from the Yoga Farm to offer weekend “Yoga and Stress Relief” programs to the city yogis. He also led Satsang on Sunday night, focussing on Karma and Dharma, with several poignant stories about knowing our purpose, including the Bhagavad Gita. We have successfully begun collecting items for a Silent Auction to support the Centre’s renovations. Pranams to all from the new San Francisco Centre.

http://www.sivananda.org/sanfrancisco

Om Namah sivaya. Early September was very festive. While we were still enjoying the amazing energy of the Krishna Jayanti, we felt so blessed to celebrate Swami Sivananda’s birthday on the 8^th of September. The birthday was celebrated with a beautiful morning Puja during which Swami Swaroopananda gave an inspiring talk on the grand spiritual work of the Master and the importance of his birth to humanity.

On the 7^th we celebrated Bhargvi’s birthday. She got many presents and was showered with love and birthday greetings from our many students, teachers and karma yogis.

Sri Devi came to Israel to join us in the Centre for the next 3 months. As soon as she came, she entered the kitchen and started assisting with the preparations for the weekend feasts. A new Yoga 1, with 22 students, and an introduction class for Advanced Meditation, with 9 participants, were offered.

Mid-September was full of exciting events. First, we celebrated Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year’s day) with Swami Swaroopananda and Swami Prema and over 40 guests. The Holiday feast was very joyous and inspiring with many blessings and elevated spiritual teachings. We started a new Yoga for Kids training course for teachers, with 12 participants. A Narda Bhakti Sutras course, with Rukmini, started with 18 participants and a new advanced meditation course started, with 11 students. We all went to our new Ashram in Mata where Swami Swaroopananda gave a morning of Q&A. Fifty people participated in the event which was most successful. That weekend we stayed in the Ashram and enjoyed Nature and the clear and fragrant air of the Jerusalem Mountains. We were all happy to welcome Swami Brahmananda who came to Israel for a short visit of two weeks. Blessings of Peace to all the Sivananda Family.

http://www.sivananda.org/telaviv

Om Namah Sivaya. September started with Swami Sivananda’s birthday. We performed a birthday Puja with 13 people participating in the ceremony. Although some participants were completely new to a Puja, they enjoyed the exotic ceremony with a lot of flowers and petals. A Yoga 1 started with 6 students and Yoga 2 with 10 students.

During mid-September Swami Sitaramananda and Ananta Chaitanya arrived in Japan on the 16^th. They stayed at the facility of the Buddhist Temple near Kyoto and taught classes for 2 days. Machiko and Padmavati joined them to translate classes. The program started with Ananta’s asana class. The big hall was packed with 40 students. About one-third of the participants were TTC graduates. The others were new to Sivananda Yoga. On the same day, we cerebrated Ganesha Chaturthi by performing a Puja. Students enjoyed attending the beautiful ceremony. After finishing a 2 day retreat program in Kyoto, Swami Sitaramananda and Ananta Chaitanya moved to Tokyo Centre to teach an another 2 day program there. During the Tokyo program, we were supported by karma yogis who offered their time for translation, cooking and house cleaning etc. The program went well and all participants were happy, receiving a lot of inspiration through the program. Swami Sitaramananda and Ananta Chaitanya left for China on 22^nd of September. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi. Om and Prem to all the Sivananda family.

http://www.sivananda.jp

Om Namah Sivaya. Early September started with a new Yoga 1 and 2 courses.  We also started a Prenatal course, with Padma. The Meditation course continued into the 2nd week, with Saraswati teaching. The asana symbol series, with Janaki teaching, came to and end after five weeks. Gauri Chaitanya arrived here for Yoga Camp for a short visit before she goes to New York. Many students came to meet her and visit. The early morning and evening Satsangs continued to attract new and regular students, staying back always to have the meal on Sundays and talk to the teachers. Prahlada returned from the Noida Centre inauguration in India.

During mid-September a new Y1 started with lots of new registrations for more new Y1 and Y2 courses. The Meditation course continued into the 3rd week, with the students very much focused. The Teens’ Yoga course started, with Upasana teaching, with 5 students. The warm summer was coming to an end and we could feel the cold weather setting in. Class attendance was slowly improving. The free trial classes had good attendance with a few of them joining the beginners course. Satsangs continued to attract many old and new participants, most staying back to talk to the teachers. Saraswati was away, giving programs at the Yoga Ranch and New York Centre one weekend. Everyone here felt uplifted this month, inspired to continue the path given to us by Master and Swamiji. Pranams.

http://www.sivananda.org/toronto

Om Namah Sivaya. Early September saw a new Beginners’ batch, starting for ladies on Monday mornings and a mixed Beginners’ batch in the evening. A new meditation batch also started on the same day evening. Special Pooja was conducted to celebrate Swami Sivananda’s birthday. We gave Prasad and also served breakfast to approximately 70 students and teachers who attended the Pooja. Open, Gentle and Kids’ classes went well. Lalitha Sahasra Nama Pooja was conducted by our regular priest on Fridays. One Saturday, students were introduced to the practices of Jala Neti and Sutra Neti in a Kriya Workshop. Sunday Satsang was led by Sri. Rajesh ji.

During mid-September we conducted a Headstand workshop for the students, which helped to improve their posture. The current early morning Beginners’ batch completed their last week. Open, Gentle & Kids’ classes went well. Our karma yogi, Shyam, returned from home. Lalitha Sahasra Nama Pooja was conducted by our regular priest on Fridays. Our staff member, Shinu, went home for a few days. Satsang was led by Sri. Rajesh ji. Pranams to all. Om – Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

http://www.sivananda.org/trivandrum

Om Namah Sivaya. Early September’s highlight was Swami Sivananda’s birthday Pooja.  Many students and teachers came to participate in the early morning celebration. The energy was strong and elevating. Everybody left the Centre inspired for his Sadhana and energized. Also many new courses began – most of them were higher courses which started again after the summer holidays. Stephen Quong arrived for his special program on Vedic astrology. The students were very interested. The program’s three lectures were well attended, plus his private consultations. The new brochure was printed.

A mid-September highlight was a Ganesha Chaturthi Pooja. Many students and teachers participated in the early morning celebration. The energy was calm and strong. Everybody left the Centre inspired and serene. We had a full weekend with a TTC prep on Saturday and Open House on Sunday. The TTC prep was well attended. Most of the participants showed interest for the Rudraprayag India TTC. All left the Centre highly inspired to start the course soon. For the Open House many newcomers visited the Centre to participate in the Centre’s activities. Some new courses began, among them a meditation course and a Yoga 19. With the help of many Karma Yogis and by Masters’ grace, we finished the bulk mailing preparations of the new brochure during Sunday’s Satsang. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vienna

Om Namah Sivaya. The early September highlight was the celebration of Swami Sivananda`s birthday. Many students came, bringing flowers and Prasads. We joined together in the Puja, repeating mantras and chanting many Kirtans for the Master. We had a small message from the Master, as well as the letter from the Upanishads. Students enjoyed the Puja a lot. Afterwards we had a good help for tidying up. One Saturday a cooking class named “Vegetarian Dishes for Beginners” took place where basic principles of proper cooking and diet were explained. The dishes turned out delicious. Surya gave her first class.

During mid-September we started a Yoga 1 course, where sixteen students joined the course. Ganesha Chaturthi was celebrated. During the Ganesha Puja we told some nice stories about Lord Ganesha as well as sang different Kirtans and recited 108 names. Sudhama, our close teacher and karma yogi from the town of Panevezys, joined us for several days helping with the small maintenance projects. Several poster runs were done. We were happy to receive phone calls the same day from people who got leaflet on the street. Pranams and Love to everyone. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vilnius