Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres

Om Namah Sivaya. In early September the Berlin Centre yoga courses and classes continued as usual with a Yoga 1 course starting with a small group of students but 3 more people joined soon after. We celebrated Masters Mahasamadhi with a small Puja which uplifted the energy in the Centre. Dedicated karma yogis supported the Centre in many ways, especially when Swami Annapurnananda was alone, Swami Gokulananda returned from Reith. The weekend was very uplifting, with a Saturday morning class, trial class and headstand workshop, all well visited and a Sunday evening Satsang with many students joining. Classes and courses were well visited.

Mid September saw classes and courses well visited. Several higher courses started. Students were happy to be able to continue their practice in the same group. Karma Yogis helped with many projects. Swami Gokulananda left the Centre to serve in Reith for the upcoming 2 weeks. Swami Mangalananda came back from Vienna. We had a workshop “How to Reduce Stress” with an interested group of students, which was well received. The altar was prepared for Navaratri, decorated with beautiful flowers. We had nice support from Karma Yogis and in spite of the Berlin-Marathon, the Sunday class and the Satsang about “Courage” were well visited with everybody leaving happy and inspired.

Staff are all well. OM.

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 to all Blessed Selves from the Chennai Centre. In early September we had mixed weather – hot, humid & rainy. On 7th Wednesday we had a special class on stress management at the Reserve Bank Of India, led by Mahalakshmi. On 8th September we organized a Birthday Pooja for Swami Sivananda & Sivasaranamathaji, followed by Onam Feast. Around 120 people attended. We organized a Teacher’s Meeting on the same day. Working on Final Promotional work for the upcoming programme. We ended each week with Satsang led by Gopan.

As September progressed the Chennai Centre continued our regular activities. By the grace of Gurus it was lively here. Regular classes went well. On 12th Sep we welcomed 3 SIVYAM aspirants who served our Centre for two weeks. Our Beginners’ Yoga batch concluded with 5 of the students enrolled in the open classes. On 18th Sunday, we organized a Ganapathi Homam followed by Ganesha Chants with full participation of staff and students.

On 19th Monday we organized a staff day out on behalf of Nirmala Chaitanya’s birthday, to a nearby ice-cream parlour. One of our old trustees, Mr & Mrs Anjaya invited all our staff including the 3 SIVYAM students, to their home for lunch. We organized a chanting session while there. We started two Beginners’ Yoga courses with few students. Open classes continued well, especially the 9:30 batch. We had to cancel the online open class due to the special programme. On 24th Saturday we successfully completed the 7 day special course on pranayama and meditation both online and in-person. Everything went smoothly by Master’s grace. Participants were really fond of the hybrid manner of the course. We’re looking forward to offering more such courses in the near future. On the last day of the course we chanted Trayambakam for world peace. We thanked our technical team for running everything seamlessly. Looking forward to offering more hybrid programmes in future. We welcomed a new staff member, Adhitya from STIC group.

With the Grace of God and our Masters everything at the Centre continued smooth & fine. All staff are well and practicing and working with inspiration on their projects and duties.
Praying to our Master and Swamiji to guide us always with their blessings. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/madras

Om Namah Sivaya from the beautiful DaLat Centre. Thanks to Guru’s blessing, our Centre kept the strong energy to serve the community. In early September the Beginners’ Yoga course plus regular open classes continued as usual. We celebrated Swami Sivananda’s birthday on 8th September with Puja and pray for the blessing. New Basic Meditation Online Course was taught by Sivashakti Chaitanya with 7 students and New Beginner Course with 5 students. The special mid-autumn Satsang ran successfully with 22 people, and gave a lot of inspiration for staff and attendees. Staff practiced Sadhana daily, helping to maintain the good energy and positive atmosphere in the Centre.

By mid September all classes went well. Beginners’ Yoga courses and Meditation Course continued smoothly. We took 2 days off for staff trip to Ninh Thuan beach, a lot of positive energy and inspiration for all staff. Nirmala finished the Ayurveda Massage Therapy Training Course and came back to Centre on Septemper 16th. A new staff member Radha (TTC July 2022) joined the Centre’s staff starting on Septemper 22th. We also offered The Headstand workshop. Nirmala finished Ayurveda massage training and arrived to Ashram to support Ayurveda detoxification course. The Headstand Workshop happened with 3 students. We started to celebrate Navaratri and did a Puja every day. We had a Open House. Staff Sankari finished her 6 months contract at the DaLat Centre.

We did our best to keep our Sadhana strong and maintain energy. We pray for Guru’s grace and blessings. Om.

https://sivanandayogavietnam.org

Om Namah Sivaya. Namaste. By the god grace and gurus blessing the Dwarka Centre’s activities went well during September 2022. A highlight was Master Sivananda’s birthday celebration. We offered Havan, Satsang followed by bhandara. Many people participated in the well appreciated program. We have started Beginners’ Yoga with good numbers of students. Regular open classes continued well. We were happy to start more Beginners’ Yoga courses.

Mid month we conducted the headstand workshop, attended by a good number of students.
We could not start the Beginners’ Yoga course due to heavy rain, but with god’s grace and gurus’ blessing we were able to start a meditation course at 6.30 pm with good numbers of the students. We conducted a kriya workshop with sufficient numbers of the students. The week concluded with Satsang bhajan and prasad. The staff are doing good and taking care of the Centre nicely.

May Master and Swamiji bless all in continuing on the yogic path. Pranams to one and all. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/dwarka

Greetings and Namaste from Sivananda Nataraja Centre. With the Grace of Gurus everything was fine at the Centre for September 2022. We started a couple of Beginners’ Yoga courses at 10am & 6.30 pm with a very limited number of students.  Open classes, gentle classes and kids classes were doing well but we hoped that the number of students will increase in the coming weeks. Binoy and Sreevidhya left for home for two weeks.

We started a Beginners’ Yoga course at 10 am with 5 students. We also started two Foundations to Meditation courses at 6.30am and 6.30 pm with a good number of students. The Gentle Yoga and Kids Yoga classes continued with a good number of students.  The number of students in open classes has gone down because of heavy rains.

Staff were doing well, by the Grace of Gurus. May Master and Swamiji bless and protect all while continuing on their yogic path. Please stay connected – https://sivananda.org.in/delhi/ Pranams to all. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/delhi

Om Namah Sivaya. Best wishes for health and peace. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/geneva

Om Namah Sivaya. In September 2022, thanks to Guru’s blessing, Ho Chi Minh Centre received plenty of energy from our students, karma yogis and newcomers. Our many activities that received great support from karma yogis and students. Firstly, Ayurveda for Beginners taught by Viveka started with 11 students. We had a Kirtan workshop taught by Kumari . The class was interesting to the students. We did Puja for Swami Sivananda’s birthday in the early morning and had a Satsang about Swamiji’s stories. About Mid-autumn festival, so we spent a whole week on the event series and preparing for the festival. We had a lantern making workshop with almost 30 participants. It attracted so much attention from the community that a reporter came to film and interview us. In addition, Ganga Chaitanya came back from Japan so she was able to lead the Sunday Satsang, on which we celebrated the Mid-Autumn festival. Almost 80 people participated in the event, which some one said that it was their most loving and memorable mid-autumn ceremony. In the beginning, there was Satsang as normal, then we moved outside to the garden to enjoy the traditional celebration. There were various kinds of cake and tea, and performances such as playing violin and guitar, singing and dancing, quiz… contributed by staff, karma yogis and students. Out of them, the play about Chandra and 27 wives was especially entertaining. Then we had a wonderful experience carrying the lanterns around the area under the bright light of the full moon. The energy of the Centre and karma yogis made the festival truly special for all guests. Despite the busy schedule staff still find time to maintain their Sadhana.

Mid September the Hochiminh Centre had great opportunities to serve the community. The Centre had plenty of energy, thanks to numerous TTC students arriving to take Beginners’ Yoga course training from Ganga Chaitanya. In addition, a new Yoga for Beginners course taught by Kumari started with 8 students. Another Yoga for Beginners course taught by Viveka ended. A highlight was a Surya Namaskar workshop with the participation of 10 people. Weekly Satsangs were lively as always because the students joined regularly. We welcomed a new guest for Ayurveda treatment, and she enjoyed it so much that she wants to come biweekly. Moreover, we were grateful for many karma yogis who came to serve and contribute to the energy of Guru’s house. About the staff, Devika ended her time as HCM staff and went to Dalat Ashram to continue her service there.

Many courses happened at the same time so the Centre was more and more joyful and lively. Firstly, 2 more training courses for yoga teachers was taught by Ganga with almost 30 students in total. Additionally, the advanced asana course also attracted a lot of attention when our former students came back to enhance their asana practice. Ayurveda for Beginners course was taught by Viveka. In the last class, students were instructed how to do self-abhyanga and they happily participated. We were grateful to welcome Swami Narayanananda to visit us and teach some classes in the Centre such as: non-violent communication course, teacher meeting, Satsang. We welcomed a new staff member – Iswari to serve in the Centre for 6 months. We prepared for Navaratri and excited for the event.

We are grateful for every chance to serve. We pray for everyone’s health and inspiration to keep practicing and teaching! May the Sivananda family worldwide be safe. Om.

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

Om Namah Sivaya. In early September the London Centre saw the start of two Beginners’ Yoga courses and a meditation course with small but eager groups of students. September brought several newcomers to the Centre. Their enthusiasm brought a very positive energy to the Centre and people were happy to have discovered the Centre and its teachings. Swami Nityananda and Narayana arrived from France to strengthen the London staff team.
Later in September the Centre had a positive and cheerful week with new open classes, new teachers, new brochure and a successful Open House. Little by little students, teachers and karma yogis returned to the Centre. Life gave us sunny days allowing everyone to enjoy the peace garden and the roses of Swamiji which were blooming. There was a bank holiday in the UK because of the Queen’s funeral. The Centre remained open. The staff and a close karma yogi watched the church service at the abbey. Marian (Senior and close karma yogi) and the staff visited the place for the Eastern retreat 2023 in order to confirm that the kitchen was properly equipped. They also enjoyed the visiting of the property. Life gave us a beautiful silent walk to start the day. The sun was there during the meditation in the nature. The students were happy to have more open classes back in the schedule. They were also happy to have Pushkar, the yogi dog, welcoming them in the reception area. For the morning Satsangs, we continued the reading of Dhyana yoga from Master’s book. In the evenings we chanted a couple of times the Gita after the Arati. The public Satsangs were very uplifting with beautiful kirtans and inspiring words of Swami Sivananda on the topic of optimism and an inspiring poem of him talking about the rhythm of the nature. We were uplifted by the words of the Master. Everybody appreciated gathering again like in the old times after the Satsang while having a warm soup.
May the Masters’ blessings and protection be with all of you, always. With best wishes for health and inner peace. Om Tat Sat. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/london

Om Namo Narayanaya. In September at the LA Centre it was a joy to prepare for and celebrate Swami Sivananda’s Birthday Puja. Swami Sita spoke about Swami Sivananda at the morning International Satsang, then students attended Puja—in person and online—in the evening. We chanted “Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya” in the hours before the Puja as we sewed garlands and tuned to the depth of his Love. We cancelled in-person classes due to the excessive heat in Los Angeles. Thankfully, rain finally came and broke the heat. Students enjoyed a Hip Opening Workshop one weekend. Staff visited a yoga event at the nearby University of Southern California. Ramachandra arrived to support staff for a couple of weeks. A retreat guest arrived to the Centre. Deepika taught staff a second practice class. She also began teaching an online class for LA Centre in the coming weeks.

Mid-September Lila Lolling shared about EMFs and the lure of technology. Definitely thought-provoking. A new student attended the Kirtan Workshop and had many questions—mostly about why she is so drawn to it! We had a retreat guest, Alena, from San Francisco, who has been to the Yoga Farm and Ranch. The strength and clarity she has gained from her life experience was admirable. We started a Traditional Sanskrit Prayers course and a Pranayama 1 course. Radha Chaitanya was with us and cooked a Thai lunch to celebrate karma yogi Shree’s 81st birthday. It is a joy to serve.

The energy of Navaratri brought more students than usual to yoga classes, including a group from “Black Everything”. Afternoon workshops included a Positive Thinking Circle and a Puja Workshop. A retreat guest was especially moved by the simple Puja. She had many sincere questions including where to get a set of Puja items. We started a Yoga 1 course with 8 students. Swami Pranava returned from the Yoga Farm. Radha arrived to celebrate Navaratri with us. Ramachandra left, after having cleared out the garage and built us a cabinet. We were busy promoting our 50th Anniversary program and Navaratri. We felt the support of the Divine Mother.

We are grateful for our dharma to serve. May the Gurus guide us as our reach grows wider and wider. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/la

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed Selves! In September 2022 the Centre had an open class with 25 students plus we started a Yoga 1 course. Two yoga retreats were organized: one in October, for which there are already 27 people registered, and the other in November. Swami Santoshananda was still in Reith in September but kept in touch with the Centre.
We had a meeting of teachers with a workshop class. During the meeting the incorporation of new yoga class schedules was announced and several teachers signed up to cover them. The new Spanish translation of the book “Light, Power and Wisdom” by Swami Sivananda was ready to be printed.

We are grateful to Master and Swamiji. Staff are well and sending our best wishes for health and peace. Pranams to all. OM.

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

Om Namah Sivaya and Greetings from the Montreal Centre. In September, after a successful Open House, we started a Meditation 1 course, a Beginners’ Yoga course in English and one in French. We had a workshop on “Yoga and the Healthy Back”. It was very much appreciated by the students. Atmaram came from the Yoga Camp to lead Satsang. The teachers and students returned from vacations after the summer period and the attendance increased day by day. Swami Rajeshwarananda and Abhimanyu took turns to be at the Centre while Bhagirathi was away. Classes and courses continued smoothly at the Centre.

May God’s grace and the teachers’ blessings always remain with us and guide us into being of impeccable service to the people around the world. Pranams to all. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/montreal

Om Namah Sivaya. In September 2022 a Yoga 1 Beginners course with a very motivated group of participants started. Further courses going into new rounds were a Yoga 7 and two of our Advanced Yoga courses. It was also the last week of the school summer holidays. We hoped that classes and courses will get bigger again at the Centre.

By mid September the school began in South Germany and we restarted our kids class. The children were happy to be back again – also some new little yogis joined. One of the karma yoga projects was to wash all the blankets from our asana rooms. We offered an uplifting Sunday evening Satsang with the powerful chanting of the Sunday prayers.

Staff are well and inspired. We wish everyone health and inner strength. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/munich

Om Namah Sivaya. In September, by the grace of God, all was well here. Nothing much to report.

By mid September the weather was perfect. A new Yoga 1 started with 5 people. It was taught by Veena. An Online Yoga 1 started as well, taught by Mark. Maurilio a Karma Yogi has been coming in every week now to help with maintenance projects which was a big relief.

We send our blessings for all to stay healthy, positive and strong in Sadhana. Join us online for courses, studies, Satsangs and yoga classes. May Gurudev’s blessings continue to light our path. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/ny

Om Namah Sivaya. Life gave us an uplifting month of September. There was an inspiring and cheerful Puja for the celebration of Master’s anniversary with a group of close teachers, karma yogis and students. The Centre was happy to welcome the priest Yagneswara Dixit who came to stay in the Centre and perform Pujas. The priest led a public Krishna Puja one Sunday evening. Parallel to the regular classes and courses there was a Bhagavad Gita course, a cooking class on Indian recipes, a concentration workshop and a couple of Beginners’ Yoga courses starting. For the public Satsangs we had inspiring words of Master on the topic of  “Simplicity” and from the preface of the CIBY. Swami Nityananda went to London for one month. Gopala and Vasishta were in charge of the Centre guided by Swami Kailasananda and assisted by the staff, the teachers and an army of karma yogis. Chiara from Orleans came to support the Centre. Sarada Devi and Shanti Deva who were also at the Ashram as temporary staffs came to support the Centre for a week. There were many festive activities at the Centre, many students back and many teachers and karma yogis as well.

Mid September: Life gave us an uplifting mid month with the Pujas performed by the priest Yagneswara Dixit who stayed at the Centre. He did morning Pujas for Ganesha, Hanuman and for all other deities. Parallel to the regular classes and Beginners’ Yoga courses there was an anatomy course, a meditation and a Kirtan course. There was also an Stress management workshop. We continued to chant for peace daily onsite and online. With the help of the karma yogis a couple of maintenance projects were done, the boutique and the Altar of the Main Hall look refreshed. For the public Satsangs we had many kirtans and inspiring words of Master Sivananda on the topics of  “Music” on “Meditation and Gratitude”. There was a joyful Open House with over than forty participants for the Introduction to yoga and the trial class. Some of participants stayed for an Introduction to Meditation. The Masters sent precious help to support the Centre. The newcomers appreciated the teachings the luminous energy of the Centre. They were eager to start their practice. There was a cheerful mood in the house with a big family living at the Centre.

The Centre had an inspiring online morning Lakshmi Puja performed by the priest Yagneswara Dixit from Paris. The priest continued his journey to Reith the same day after the Puja. We held a kirtan course, a meditation course, an Introduction to meditation workshop and a couple of Beginners’ Yoga courses starting parallel to the regular open classes and courses. We had uplifting Satsangs on the topics of Introspection, Maya and Navaratri. The Masters kept sending precious help. We appreciated having a big family in the house. Navaratri was already in the air with the preparations ongoing.

May Swami Sivananda and Swami Vishnudevananda continue to guide and to inspire all of us. With all our wishes for health and peace. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/paris

Om Namah Sivaya. September 2022 started with the Tel Aviv Centre celebrating Swami Sivananda’s birthday with a beautiful Puja and much prasad. Teachers and students came to participate. Bhargavi Chaitanya opened a new Yoga 3 course and finished a meditation course. Swami Shambhu gave an evening Satsang from Sivananda daily readings on the subject of hatha yoga. We celebrated Bhargavi Chaitanya’s birthday with a beautiful Puja and beautiful presents.

May the blessings of the Masters be upon us all! Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/telaviv

Om Namah Sivaya. In September we offered a nice weekend program with Ram Vakkalanka on Nada Yoga – Inner Healing through Nada Yoga. Many students and teachers attended and were uplifted. A new Meditation 2 course started. Many teachers and students were back from the summer vacation. It was nice to see them all at the Centre. Ananda, who has  finished TTC at the Yoga Camp, was staying at the Centre for a month until he finds a job. It was nice to have him here. We celebrated Swami Sivananda’s birthday with mantras, prayers and nice prasad.

Mid month we continued with Meditation 1 and 2 courses as well as regular courses and classes. Dr Sonal Bhatt offered an Ayurvedic Cooking workshop for students where they learned a lot of healthy and tasty Ayurvedic recipes. We had a lot of new students for Satsang. We held teachers meeting one Sunday. We started with Puja and class for all teachers, after which we shared lovely lunch and offered asana corrections workshops, where lot of teachers, specially new teachers asked a lot of questions and stayed late into the afternoon.

May Master and Swamiji’s blessings bring all good health and peace. May we continue to be useful for many. We send Om Namo Narayanaya to everyone. Pranams. Love to all. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/toronto

Om Namah Sivaya. Namaste to all from god’s own country – Kerala and the Trivandrum Centre, Kerala, South India. In September, all was well, with gods and gurus grace. The whole month was full of festival mood as it was the Onam festival. People were so excited as they got a chance to celebrate it after two year of Covid restrictions. We had a Puja and special Satsang on Master’s birthday. We invited all our outside teachers for sathya.

Mid September we started a morning Beginners’ Yoga. The climate was sunny without any rain for a long time. All our regular classes went well. We started our weekend kids class again. We went to a live stream for Satsangs. More than 50 people, mostly TTC graduates, attended the Sunday prayers. All was well. The staff were doing fine and keeping their Sadhana. Sending love and prem to all members of the family.

Praying for world peace – Om Namo Narayanaya. Our thoughts are with you all and we pray that you keep well and positive during these challenging times. Keep up your Sadhana and prayer for one and all around in the planet. Please stay connected. Pranams to all from Trivandrum Centre Kerala South of India. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/trivandrum

Om Namah Sivaya. In September a Yoga 1 course started with a good number of inspired participants. Also a Meditation course 2 began as a continuation from a course which had taken place before the summer holidays. A highlight was Swami Sivananda’s birthday which we celebrated during a morning Puja with some devoted students and teachers. A headstand workshop attracted a good number of students and gave them inspiration for their further practice. The trial class was well visited.
In mid-September a Yoga 8 course started with a good number of participants after the summer vacation break. Some newcomers came to a French trial class, eager to have their first yoga experience. The same day in the afternoon we had a successful workshop on Yoga for the Back. Many students came to get inspiration for their practice. The Vienna Centre took over some additional online classes from other Centres. Also the new Centre brochures arrived and students looked forward to the upcoming programmes.
We wish everyone health and inner strength. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vienna

Om Namah Sivaya. In September the number of students gradually increased. Beginners courses Yoga 1 and 2 continued successfully. One person came to the first class for Russian speakers, which was a good start. For the first time in a few years, students came to the evening open class from 8 pm. We renewed the classes for seniors and we were very happy that ten came, including 4 new students. We had an extra Satsang in the evening for Master Sivananda’s birthday. There was a very nice energy that united all the participants. Everyone contributed something: Vani Devi made a beautiful garland of rose petals, the teachers donated many beautiful flowers, Parvati made prasad. Everyone took part in the Archanam, and we sang the most beautiful kirtans for the Master. Shakti and Olga, recent graduates of TTC in Lithuania, helped Parvati make lunch. The Saturday trial classes returned to our schedule. Staff was happy to help ATTC Reith with the translation of the lectures into Lithuanian. It was a good opportunity to learn.

As we approached mid September the Beginners’ Yoga courses, classes and meditations continued as usual. We had a small Yoga 1 course one weekend. The students were very ripe, so they will be able to join the open classes immediately after this course. The Vilnius Centre was full of prana and in a joyful mood: Satsang with the strong chanting from the heart, attentive listening of a small lecture on Vedantic theory topic – Adhyaropa; asana class with a good experienced teacher Atmadev – the students barely fit in the hall. Most stayed for quite a special lunch, prepared by Parvati and her helper Shakti. A very joyful thing happened – one thousand copies of CIBY in the third edition in Lithuanian language arrived from the printing house – a real breath of yogic prana! Karma yogi Chaitanya helped unload the books and store them safely in the Centre. Next step – to distribute the book more widely.

We are very grateful to the teachers, who support the Centre so well. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vilnius