Sivananda World News: The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres

Om Namah Sivaya! Beginning of August our yearly summer retreat took place. Many students had registered for the five day retreat, mostly coming from Berlin and Hamburg and several other parts of northern Germany. The weather was nice most of the time, allowing to have one Yoga class a day outside and having silent walks in nature. Students tuned more and more to the Ashram rhythm day by day. Everybody enjoyed living in the yogic community and practicing together. The retreat concluded on Wednesday with a lecture and a last snack in the afternoon. We are very thankful to Mahadev, who came from Reith, and together with Berlin staff Divya wonderfully took care of the kitchen. In the Centre in Berlin classes and courses were running as usual. Many people who were not on holidays but stayed in Berlin came very regularly for Asanas and Satsangs. A Yoga Beginners course started with a good group of students, as well as a meditation course and several higher courses. Our monthly open house was a bit smaller but well received. One Saturday a cooking course took place where students learned how to cook easy dishes for busy people and prepared a delicious meal. The same day in the afternoon we had a well visited headstand workshop. One focus was on the preparation of the TTC and ATTC in Poland starting in the beginning of September. Packing was going on in full swing, it created a very nice Karma Yoga atmosphere especially on Saturdays where many hands were helping. Some maintenance had to be done in the cellar after a small flood we had due to heavy rain. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/berlin

Om Namah Sivaya. During early August, Swami Premananda and Swami Dayananada returned from the TTC Colombia. Three Beginner courses started. On 6^th August morning, we prayed for World Peace.

For mid-August we continued studying the Bhagavad Gita. A new Beginner’s Course started on weekends. We offered our “Yoga and Stress” workshop. On Sundays many people attended Satsangs. We gratefully had plenty of help from our karma yogis. Prem & Om to all.

http://www.sivananda.org/baires

Om Namah Sivaya. During early August, we held steady stream of open classes and continued with the meditation and chanting courses. Searching for the new Centre also continued. We welcomed Saraswati, joining us again as staff. One weekend, staff retreated to the new TTC location, high in the mountains, to test it out.

For mid-August we signed the lease for the new Chengdu Sivananda Centre space. We are very excited to move to a bigger space and within a more accessible neighborhood, which is about 25min walk from our current location. We focused on offering open classes and promoting the upcoming TTC. We also started renovation at the new Centre and continued packing at the old. Swami Pranvavananda left for Vietnam to continue his service in Ho Chi Minh Centre. We were very grateful for what he brought to the Centre and we wish him the best. May Guru’s grace be with us to share the teaching. Prem & Om to all.

http://www.sivanandayogachina.org

Om Namah Sivaya to all Blessed Selves from the Chennai Centre. During early August, we started a morning Beginners, with good number of students. We successfully finished  the evening & weekend Beginners. Eshwar Martin, a senior TTC teacher, visited our Centre. The rest of activities in the Centre were carried out as usual. All staff members performed their karma yoga duties, making sure that the Centre operated efficiently for the benefit of everyone.

For mid-August we started an evening Beginners course. On 16th August Swamiji Sitaramananda and Narayananta left from Centre after their stop over. On 15th August Saraswathiji reached the Centre for conducting the “Teaching Yoga for Children and Teens” course. The rest of the activities in the Centre carried on as usual. Staff members performed their karma yoga activities efficiently and productively. With Blessings of

God and Masters, everything is fine here. Staff are well and wish you serenity and peace of mind. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/madras

Om Namah Sivaya. During early August, by the Grace of the Gurus, all continued normally, though many teachers, students, and karma yogis were away.  Swami Satyapremananda returned from a three-month stay at the Ranch. A new 8-week Yoga & Meditation course began on Saturdays, with a full group of students. Our teacher, Siva, offered a workshop on Bhakti Yoga, telling stories from Srimad Bhagavatam. We gave special recognition and appreciation to Ishwara at Sunday evening Satsang. We were grateful to him for having looked after the Centre while Swami Satyapremananda was away. He prepared to make his way back to Brazil. We thanked him for his service, wishing him the best and praying the Gurus guide and protect him always.

For mid-August we enjoyed a full range of summer weather, from hot and muggy to surprise storms to sudden chills. The Yoga 1 course came to a finish, with the students doing well and continuing in Yoga 2. The other courses also continued well. Radha arrived from the Ranch to look after the Centre for a week. Swami Satyapremananda left for a week to the Yoga Camp for the TTC Refresher program. We are forever grateful for the guidance and protection of the Gurus. We send pranams to all. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

http://www.sivananda.org/chicago

Om Namah Sivaya. Everything was good, by the Grace of Gurus. May Guru’s grace be with us to share the teaching. Om Namah Sivaya.

https://sivanandayogavietnam.org

Om Namah Sivaya. By Guru’s Grace and God’s will everything went very well in the Centre at the beginning of August. We started the 6 am and 4 pm Beginner classes on Mondays. We also started a weekend Beginner classes. Along with this, all our open classes and other special classes continued very well. The monsoon season started in Delhi for 2 weeks and its being raining here. From then on, the temperatures started to come down and slowly Nature is becoming more vibrate and active again. All the plants and trees in and around the Centre are glowing, keeping everybody around them energetic. Because of this we saw more students coming to the Centre for their practice. With Gurus blessings and Nature’s grace, all of us are doing well.

For mid-August we started with Beginners course 6 am and 4:00 pm with good numbers of students. All our open classes and other special classes went very well. We started a meditation course only for those who can come only in weekend, with 17 students. It was good to see a large number of people interested in meditation. With Gurus blessings, and Gods grace, all of us are doing good. We pray for all of you. Om Namo Narayanaya. Pranams.

http://www.sivananda.org/dwarka

Om Namo Narayanaya. With the blessings of the Masters we started August with two Beginners’ courses – one at 6:30am and the other at 4:00pm. We started a Yoga 2, Intermediate course on Tuesdays. A weekend “Foundation to Meditation” course started on Saturdays. On the same day, we started the weekend Intensive Beginners’ course. We received four guests from Neyyar Dam Ashram for a two-night stay at the Centre during their North India trip. We conducted the usual Satsangs, as per scheduled times.

For mid-August we started a Beginners course at 6:30am. We conducted a “Hip Opening” workshop, with Superna. The weekend meditation course completed successfully. The teachers meeting was conducted with a good numbers of teachers participating in the discussion of the importance of Satsang; how to improve the teaching skills and the importance of passing on the Masters teachings. Every one brought different items for potluck. We had very good get together after the meeting. We conducted the usual Satsangs to maintain the Centre’s energy and to uplift our spirits. With the Grace of the Masters everything is going well at the Centre. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/delhi

Om Namah Sivaya, from Noida. With the Grace of Gurus during early August we started  a Beginners course at 6.30 p.m with good number of students. We also started a weekend meditation course. The open classes continued very well. It was raining throughout most of August which may have reduced the number of students in class but the temperatures were quite pleasant.

For mid-August we started another Beginners course at 6.30 pm. The weather is improving. The rains almost stopped so we hope that the number of students both in Open and Beginners classes will increase. We concluded the August weekend meditation course with three students.  On 20^th August Aarathy ji joined as permanent staff. Rest of the activities are going well with the Grace of Gurus. With the Blessings and Grace of our Beloved Masters, we send Pranams and our best wishes to all the Sivananda family.

http://www.sivananda.org.in/noida

Om Namah Sivaya. The summer schedule continued with four classes per week which are taught by close teachers and much appreciated by the students. The fall brochure arrived from the printer and the mailing was prepared. Staff are spending the summer at the Retreat House in Reith to support the special programmes and to recharge. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/geneva

Om Namah Sivaya. Early August was very busy at the Hochiminh Centre. We started 2 new courses: a Meditation course and Yoga Beginner course in English, taught by Ganga, with good number of attendees. The private classes for the local company also started, taught by Dharmini, with 10 people coming 3 times per week for 2 months. A Kids Yoga series class ended after 2 months teaching in this summer. The kids loved to practice Yoga so much and promised to come back again next summer. The Saturday “Spiritual Movie Night” was very successful with 25 people coming to watch the documentary movie named “The Quest for Meaning”. A Sunday Open House also was a success with more than 20 people arriving for the trial class and 20 other people for the Satsang. Last but not least, we also welcomed two new residents, Chandrika and Lachlan, as well as a new staff member Durga, who will commit her service with us for three years. We all feel so much blessing from the Gurus.

During mid-August Swami Sitaramananda and Swami Narayanananda came for three days. Swami Sita led a wonderful Satsang with 64 people attending, the largest attendance ever for Satsang here.  Swami Pranavananda returned to the Centre after one month in China at the Chengdu Centre.  We started a Yoga One Course, with Balarama teaching a course for the first time.  We continued the Meditation Course, English Yoga One and also a Yoga Two and a Yoga Three course, as well.  We had a good turnout of seven people for the workshop “Yoga for Cancer Patients”, taught by Dr. Huynh Hong Hanh. We are all so happy and inspired by the Blessing of the Master and Guru. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

Om Namah Sivaya. During early August, we hosted a summer weekend programme with workshops on “Concentration, The Master Key to Success” and “The Next Step in Your Meditation Practice”, special asana classes and themed Satsangs. The programme brought a very uplifting energy to the Centre. Preparations for the upcoming Summer Retreat in North Wales and for the September TTC are in full swing. After 6 weeks of building works, the renovations of the asana entrance entered the finishing stages. Decorating already started, lights installed and the sanitary equipment soon installed. Staff and students were all eagerly looking forward to the opening of the new entrance hall to the asana rooms which includes beautifully renovated changing rooms.

For mid-August, after almost two months of solid work, the renovations of the asana hall entrance were nearing completion. The external and internal doors were installed and a first layer of paint was applied. Staff and students were all much looking forward to putting the freshly refurbished changing rooms and entrance to use. Prema, from Taiwan, gave a much appreciated and well attended advanced asana workshop in the Centre and we welcomed a sincere group of new yogis for the monthly Open House. We were very happy to have Reza, a close student, moving in as a resident in the Centre.  Preparations for the upcoming Summer Retreat and the September TTC were in full swing. We finalised the brochure planning mentioning upcoming activities to February 2017. Om Namah Sivaya.

http://www.sivananda.org/london

Om Namo Narayanaya! During early August, the weather is more pleasant so staff took more time to focus for their Sadhana. We started a Beginner’s classes one weekend while all other yoga classes continued smoothly. Quite a few new students came to join Satsang, wishing to discover and learn about Yoga. We chanted Kirtan on Wednesdays and read Swami Sivananda’s essay on Ahimsa. We did two Devi Pujas at the Centre’s two altars. The energy of the Centre was light and uplifting. We were actively promoting TTC, hence students were asking more questions. The International Academy of Sound Healing conducted their training workshops at the Centre one weekend.

For mid-August we had Open House at the Centre. The students were very happy. Classes were well attended, a Yoga 2 course continued and new Beginners class was growing in numbers. Hamsa Chaitanya left for Taiwan to support Sw. Narayanananda with workshops and a retreat in Taiwan. Swami Sankarananda visited for a day of Om Namo Narayanaya chanting, Arati in “Shanti” (the Yoga for Peace Mobile) and lunch. Staff and Karma Yogis painted the Centre, brightening the space. Guru’s Grace is prevalent, Jai Gurdeva! May Grace of the Guru continue to shelter and guide us. Pranams to all.

http://www.sivananda.org/la

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed Selves! August was a success in Madrid with many enrolments and new visitors. A Yoga 1 started with a group of 15. The trial class was also well attended. We focused on the preparations for TTC Aluenda, with the packing of uniforms and taking the last inscriptions. We have confirmed 37 students coming for the TTC. Saraswati Chaitanya went to Orleans for a few days to recharge. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/madrid

Om Namah Sivaya. August started with a 10 am ladies Beginner course with good number of students. All other classes were doing well. A hip opening workshop was conducted with some of our regular students one Saturday. A Sunday Satsang was attended by group of people visiting Ramesharam. The rest is fine with Guru Kripa.

For mid-August a morning Beginner Course started on Mondays at 10 am. The free trial class was given for some people who had inquired about joining a long time ago. A Kriya workshop was conducted for the morning class students followed by a class. Sunday Satsangs were well attended by some of our students. All other classes were doing well, with Gurus Grace. Pranams to one and all from Madurai Centre. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi!!

http://www.sivananda.org/madurai

Om Namah Sivaya! During early August, we continued normally with regular, elderly and children classes. Thanks to God and Gurus we started our Wednesday and Thursday Beginners courses with a very good assistance. On Fridays and Saturdays we had our weekly Meditation.

We started the fifth and last Beginners course for August with a good number of interested students and also completed two other Beginner courses. We continued with an intense publicity campaign of all Centre’s activities thanks to the wonderful Bhagavati’s help. We had the visit of two pregnant students which helped to boost classes. For the staff there was intense service between the work of cleaning, cooking, maintenance, administrative tasks and teaching the yoga classes. Thanks to God and Gurus, everything resulted perfectly. Om Shanti!!

http://www.sivananda.org/montevideo

Om Namah Sivaya from the Montreal Centre! During early August, we were fortunate to welcome 3 new karma yogis, this week:  Amrita and Luna, who just finished TTC in Val Morin, plus, Sanatani who completed TTC in the Bahamas. They all fill the Centre with wonderful new energy as they assist asana classes. The Centre felt ever more satvic, thanks to Lakshmi’s devoted work as she completed the deep cleaning. Narayani gave a beautiful Satsang on the life and teachings of Adi Shankara. Her enthusiasm, well researched and structured talk inspired students here.  On Fridays, more students attended the new OM Meditation sessions, with Omkara. Thanks to the wonderful weather we enjoyed, we had a record number of students for the summer at the class in the Park on Saturdays. We are ever grateful for Masters and Swamijis grace.

For mid-August we were fortunate for more beautiful weather in Montreal and the Centre. We finished painting the exterior wall of the building. Yellow and white now adorn the entrance of the Centre. The students and teachers seemed to appreciate the bright change. We welcomed Bhavani who just finished Kids and Teen Camp at the Yoga Camp, staying with us for 2 weeks, bringing with her wonderful enthusiasm and energy. We had a wonderful Wednesday Satsang, with Sivaram, as students and teachers filled the Centre with wonderful chanting of the Maha Mantra. One Saturday morning we had a new record number of students attending the class in the park, thanks again to the wonderful weather we had. We were fortunate to welcome Dr.Vishnu from Neyyar Dam Ashram to join our Sunday Satsang. He gave a wonderful introduction to Ayurveda.  Gopan, director of Chennai Centre, taught a class and cooked an Ayurvedic meal, along with his wife Sandia, that everyone enjoyed.  We are ever grateful for Masters and Swamijis grace. Pranams to all!

http://www.sivananda.org/montreal

Om Namah Sivaya. We had a successful Open House in August. Participants could get to know the Centre and its different activities: We offered a trial class, a lecture about the benefits of yoga, an asana demonstration, a meditation workshop, a cooking workshop and a video show about the yoga vacations and the teachers training courses. Despite the holiday season we keep our normal schedule for the Open Classes (except two noon-time classes). A number of students  came also for individual coaching on topics like the practice of asanas, meditation and yogic nutrition. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/munich

Om Namah Sivaya! During early August we were busy with regularly scheduled classes and ongoing courses, including Introduction to Meditation, Positive Thinking, Bhagavad Gita study, and Yoga 1 and 2. Two former NYC Centre staff members, Chandrika and Pranava, arrived for a weekend visit and Karma Yoga service. Akhil, the son of two active Sivananda teachers in Delhi, also arrived. He will stay through August to serve the Centre as he prepares to begin graduate studies at The New School in Chelsea at the end of August. Our monthly Open House had some of our regular karma yogis and teachers involved. Swami Paramananda arrived and taught the advanced yoga class as well as led Satsang. His lecture focused on the messages in Swami Sivananda’s book “How to Cultivate Virtues and Eradicate Vices” as well as the need to maintain “an attitude of gratitude” even in the most difficult of circumstances. We also welcomed the arrival of Sonam, a Sivananda teacher in India, who will be serving at the Centre for the next three weeks. It was lovely to have her here again.

For mid-August we Swami Paramananda and Sankara arrive to lead Satsang and hold a Devi Puja. The ceremony was very powerful and beautiful, allowing everyone to make offerings and receive blessings. The crowd participation and powerful prayers created a beautiful energy that lingered in the Centre for days. A surprisingly large crowd of 20 came to a Saturday chanting workshop, led by Shakti and Crystal, a Karma Yogi. Participants received technical instructions, translations for many of the chants they sing regularly and information on the power of Kirtan/Bhakti Yoga. But it wasn’t all theory, the crux of the workshop involved chanting. Held in Swami Vishnu room, the workshop was a great success and something we hope to do again and possibly regularly. Swamiji arrived to teach the advanced asana class and lead Satsang, for which Dr. Kamlesh was the featured speaker. He delivered his talk on Ayurveda with both great information and advice as well as humour, explaining how Ayurveda is the sister science of yoga, Dr. Kamlesh provided useful information anyone can put to work on the road to balance. We said goodbye to our temporary staff member, Akhil, who started graduate studies at New School in Chelsea. We wished him well and know that he’ll be back to the Centre soon. All the Staff is well and send their pranams. Om.

http://www.sivananda.org/ny

Om Namah Sivaya. This month we had a powercut and a huge storm which affected all the automatic doors of the building. The reception area was like a big waterfall. The staff and the students had a big shower trying to stop the flood. We were all focused taking out the water with buckets and towels. Thank God nothing got damaged. There was a terrorist attack in a village church in France.  Yoga is more needed than ever. For the evening Satsangs, we had extra chanting and the inspiring words of  the Masters on the topics of  peace, fear, love, prayer, and life. The Centre was blessed with some flash visits of Swami Kailasananda. Swamiji guided and gave support to everyone, she put special prana on some maintenance projects to make the house more welcoming. Swamiji gave also an inspiring Saturday Satsang, sharing a message of peace and hope with over than 90 people who came for the occasion.  The words of the Masters were  like a shower of positivity for everybody. There was a cheerful atmosphere with two yogi buses and many members of the Sivananda family passing by on their way to and from Orleans. . The Masters sent precious help to support the Centre, allowing the staff to enjoy some inspiring programmes at the Ashram. A meditation course started with a little group of 8 students. A two week intensive  Yoga 1 brought lively evenings. We had two workshops on the topics of prana and raja yoga. Many teachers were on holidays but the Masters kept sending enough help. A new team of temporary staff and an army of karma yogis sent by the Masters did some maintenance projects and enabled the smooth running of the Centre. Part of the new brochure is ready for printing. The new pictures done at the beginning of the summer and some more done in the last days give a refresh look to the brochure. The reception looks beautiful with new red chairs, a new wooden bench and new boards to display the porters. The changing rooms look more welcoming with new wooden benches. The boutique stock was reorganized. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/paris

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

http://www.sivananda.org/portoalegre

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed selves. For August, the report was all was well for Sivananda Organization current TTC Italia. The earthquake in August was 100 miles from Bracing, the location of the August TTC. The TTC group did not feel the quake. We send our prayers to the victims and their families. Pranams to all from Roma. Om Shanti.

http://www.sivananda.org/rome

Om Namo Narayanaya, Blessed Selves. During early August, Swami Sankarananda was visiting and led the Bhagavad Gita class one Friday night, plus a 4-session Positive Thinking workshop over one weekend. He challenged us to question who has the thoughts and who changes them. He led a Sunday Satsang, too. We started a Meditation 2 course and finished a Yoga 1 course. We were promoting our new Senior Yoga class. Daya Devi came to help at the Centre from the Yoga Farm. We applied to be certified as a Green Business in San Francisco. The Gurus continued bring new students to the Centre.

For mid-August the Gurus sent many new students to the Centre. One Saturday we offered a popular Hip Opening workshop within the context of a Sivananda class. It was a welcome extra challenge for many. One Sunday we offered a Yoga Nidra session. A Yoga 5 course also started that day. Pranams to all from the new San Francisco Centre.

http://www.sivananda.org/sanfrancisco

Om Namah Sivaya from Sao Paulo. During early August, we painted some walls, and made some arrangements for the flowers. The Ayurveda cooking workshop did not have students.

For mid-August the marketing on Google started to bring some good results. We have an important number of subscriptions at the open house and Beginners courses. Om and Prem to all the Sivananda family.

Om Namah Sivaya. During early August, we were all so exited to welcome Swami Shambhudevananda back to the Centre. He arrived after a month long absence during which he was teaching in the July TTC at the Yoga Retreat Bahamas. He had only two days to recover from the jet lag as he was leaving soon to the new Ashram in Mata to lead a 7 days Sadhana Retreat. The retreat started with a very strong positive energy with over 30 participants. All the staff from the Centre joined the retreat and enjoyed the rich program, the gourmet food and the satvic vibrations of Nature. As the staff drove back to the Centre we bid farewell to Minakshi Chaitanya who came for a short visit to Israel and flew back to the Yoga Retreat. We started a new series of lectures with Professor Yochnan Grinshpon from the Hebrew University. This visit Prof. Grinshpon taught the Yoga Sutras. The first lecture attracted an audience of over 20 participants. A new course of Positive Thinking started with 12 students and a new Yoga 1, with 24 students.

For mid-August during a Sunday evening Satsang we had Miss Rachel Zolberg as our special guest. She hosted Swami Vishnu in 1971 when he visited Israel during the time of his peace mission. Moreover, she was the one driving him to the airport before his famous flight over the Suez Canal to Egypt. After the successful journey he visited her again, and she was given 24 hours to open a Yoga Centre (and she did !) Which was the first Sivananda Yoga Centre in Israel. Although 90 years old today, Rachel is very much alive and active in the field of Yoga in Israel. Her memories and stories about the early days with Swami Vishnu kept us all fascinated and extremely elevated. At the current Tel Aviv Centre, we started a new training course for teachers who would like to work with elderly people. The course was taught by Sita from the Jerusalem Centre with 6 people enrolling. A new Yoga I and Yoga 2 started, with 12 students each. We were happy to welcome Swami Hridyananda who came for a visit of several months and teach special courses and programs. Our weekend programs were phenomenal with record-breaking numbers of participants. Pranams to all the Sivananda Family from the Tel Aviv Centre.

http://www.sivananda.org/telaviv

Om Namah Sivaya. During early August, we were temporarily short of teachers as many teachers went on a summer vacation until mid August. We called for substitute teachers to cover those classes and several outside teachers came forward to help us with teaching classes. Thankfully, we have been able to operate all classes as planned without cancelling any classes. Rukmini, who graduated TTC in Vietnam this year, taught her first class. A Sanskrit course, taught by Kiran, started with 2 participants. This course is especially beneficial for those who consider taking ATTC in the future.

For mid-August we had 3 typhoons approaching to Japan. The weather was rainy and windy for a week. We were thankful that many students came to the Centre despite the bad weather. The open trial class was successful, with 11 students attending. Among them, 4 registered for a Yoga 1 course. Sivadevi, a 2015  Neyyar Dam TTC graduate, joined the Tokyo Centre as a resident staff, staying here for 3 months. It will be the first time for her to be a full-time Karma yogi. We hope this experience will be fruitful for her spiritual learning. Om and Prem to all the Sivananda family. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

http://www.sivananda.jp

Om Namah Sivaya. During early August, we had two new Y1 and a Meditation course starting. Though it was a quiet time for classes, we had a full house for Sunday Satsangs. It was inspiring to see that. The summer of 2016 was quite warmer than usual, hence people were trying to keep away from the heat.  We had a couple of teachers from the July TTC start assisting and to do Karma Yoga at the Centre.  Karna and Shivani were here from Chile after finishing their Karma Yoga term at the Camp. Many students came to see Karna and visit. Narayan, from Japan, was also here visiting for the first time with her son Ishan, who just finished Kids Camp at the Yoga Camp Ashram. She visited Niagara Falls and other places in Toronto, with Ramapriya and Radha taking her around.

For mid-August we started a new Yoga 2, while Open classes continued to be strong.  We had a special guest for Satsang with Father Charles Organ, from Nigeria. He gave a wonderful talk on how he was in India studying Vedanta in many Ashrams including the Sivananda Ashram and how it helped him to understand Christianity better. He emphasized that karma yoga was the path all of us should take. Serving from the heart. Father Charles was running a orphanage and a school for children, plus a program to service water supplies to many villages. Pranams to all.

http://www.sivananda.org/toronto

Om Namah Sivaya. During early August, we conducted a Head Stand workshop for the students, which helped them to improve their posture. All other classes went well. We did some gardening. Lalitha Sahasra Nama Pooja was conducted on Fridays. Satsangs were led by Sri. Rajesh.

For mid-August we conducted a Ganapathy Homa as it was the first day of the new Malayalam month. A Beginners’ batch started for ladies. All other classes went well. Satsang was led by Sri. Rajesh. Pranams to all. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

http://www.sivananda.org/trivandrum

Om Namah Sivaya. We had an inspiring month at the Vienna Centre and the Centre was quite active. For the summer time we offered 2 summer-courses over 8 weeks, with flexible attendance due to vacation time. A few courses started and we also designed a few workshops to attract students in the low season, for example a cooking workshop, an advanced asana class for 2,5 hours (with very good attendance), also the open class which emphasized shoulder- and hip-flexibility on Saturday. Also, we had a headstand workshop and a preparation day for TTC. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vienna

Om Namah Sivaya. The final week of the TTC in Lithuania by the end of July was uplifting with Vedanta lectures, advanced Pranayama class and a lovely talent show. We welcomed Irina Kushelevich who gave a well-attended Bharata Natyam workshop and performed during the TTC graduation. The course ended in a high spirits with 34 shining yoga shiromanis. Both teachers and students expressed their gratefulness to be part of the course. Many helping hands joined to pack up the Lithuanian summer Ashram and bring the energy back to the Centre in Vilnius. Many students proposed to volunteer at the Centre after the course, as well as to assist in the classes. After the TTC at the beginning of August the main focus was to bring back the energy to the Centre. With the help of the students and teachers all the course items have found their place, lots of washing and cleaning was done. The new teachers started to assist during the asana classes and continued successfully. Narada, Pushpa, Greta, Shakti, Mirabai soon will be the great support of the Centre in teaching and other karma yoga projects. Wednesday evening Satsangs in August gathered not less than 30 souls and lots of joy and prana was felt in the chanting allways crowned by the inspiring messages from the Sivananda Upanishads. August is the peak of holidays in Lithuania so we are very happy to have students even for the weekends for the morning Satsangs and classes. We were focused on preparing the Centre for the students to come back from the holidays and to start with new pra1na in September. With the help of karma yogis step by step Centre got deeper cleaning from outside and inside. Some Centre repair projects took place: all the windowsills were renovated and on Friday the main hall will be repainted. In the early August Swami Vairagyananda left to HQ for Sadhana and some rest for 3 weeks. OM.

http://www.sivananda.org/vilnius