Professional Documents
Culture Documents
50 US
2.50 UK
3.70 Europe
Summer 2009
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SPECIAL FEATURE
Celebrating Forty Years of
Sivananda Yoga Teachers
Training Courses
Page 10
Thought Power
Swami Sivananda
Prana as Electricity
Swami Vishnudevananda
Connect to your
Inner Divinity
Swami Durgananda
Benefits of the
12 Basic Postures
Swami Sivadasananda
S E R V E L O V E G I V E P U R I F Y M E D I TAT E R E A L I Z E
Imagine a haven of peace in the midst of vast open spaces, ancient forests with century
old trees, breathtaking sunrises and sunsets just one hour from Paris
Swami Vishnudevananda
(1927-1993)
Editors letter
International
Sivananda Yoga
Vedanta Centres
Swami Sivananda (1887-1963)
The spiritual strength behind the
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres,
Swami Sivanandas teachings are a
synthesis of all the formal doctrines
of yoga. Author of more than 300
books on yoga, Swami Sivananda
was a medical doctor before
renouncing worldly life for the
spiritual path. He founded the
Divine Life Society and the YogaVedanta Forest Academy, Rishikesh,
Himalayas. His main message was:
Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realise. In 1957 he sent one of his foremost
disciples, Swami Vishnudevananda to the West to spread the ideals of yoga.
Swami Sivananda entered Mahasamadhi on July 14th 1963.
Swami Mahadevananda
Swami Swaroopananda
Srinivasan
Swami Durgananda
Swami Sivadasananda
Swami Kailasananda
HEADQUARTERS
SIVANANDA ASHRAM YOGA CAMP
Welcome...
e are celebrating this year 40 years of Sivananda Teachers
Training Courses (TTC). Swami Vishnudevananda
taught the first TTC at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga
Camp, Val Morin, Quebec in 1969. Since then over 23,000
people have taken the course. Over the years, we have received
thousands of testimonies from students eager to express their
gratitude for this life changing experience. A few recent
testimonies are included in this issue. The course will be taught
for the first time in Italy this year.
We have been putting quite some energy this year into
book printing: Swamijis commentary on the Hatha Yoga
Pradipika has been reprinted see the article prana as
electricity; the new book Swami Vishnudevananda Upadesha
has been printed. We included some inspiring excerpts in this
issue. We are also working on a new book on Hatha Yoga,
which will be printed shortly in England by Dorling Kindersley.
Thanks to the untiring volunteer work done at the
Sivananda Ashram Yoga Camp, over 3,000 recordings have
been transferred from cassette tapes to mp3-format. We need
help to organise this precious legacy to make it available
to all see the article on how you can help on page 25.
Swami Durganandas article provides wonderful inspiration
on how to reconnect with our divinity, while Swami
Sivadasanandas article on the 12 basic asanas reminds us
of the logic behind this powerful sequence.
We also wanted to put emphasis on the power of the mind
in this issue Dr Shastri is sharing his rich knowledge of the
vedic tradition in his article on improving memory and
concentration in the gurukula tradition.
Finally, we would like to acknowledge in this issue the great
spiritual work done by inspired souls in various parts of the
world: the great work of Dr. Marilyn and Dr. John Rossner, both
close disciples of Swami Vishnudevananda, in inter-religious
and intercultural understanding for world peace; the wonderful
work of Gopala and a whole team of karma yogis in Spain and
South America with the translation of the books of Swami
Sivananda into Spanish, and last but not least, we would like
to pay a special tribute to Swami Neeladevananda, who left
her body last year at age 89. Her total devotion to her teacher,
Swami Vishnudevananda, will remain a source of great
inspiration for many generations of spiritual seekers to come.
Est 1957
Cover Photo:
Swami Vishnudevananda gives
out books and uniforms
during a Teachers Training
Course inauguration
Tel. 030/ 85 99 97 98
www.sivananda.org/berlin
Contents
SIVANANDA
8
10
Thought Power
"Thought makes man. Man makes civilisation." Swami Sivananda explains
how the power of positive thought can help develop a 'New civilisation'.
16
18
22
25
Prana as Electricity
An excerpt from the newly reprinted commentary on the Hatha Yoga Pradhipika
by Swami Vishnudevananda
10
18
26
27
32
38
42
Swamiji
44
48
51
52
54
56
57
58
60
Being Staff
Lakshmana, staff member at the Sivananda Yoga Centre in Paris, gives a personal
account of what joining staff has meant for him.
Elephant Ride
A tribute to the humility, compassion and wisdom of Elephants.
32
Kumbha Mela
51
Thought Power
Thought Power
and the conditions for a New Civilisation
an extract from Thought Power by Swami Sivananda
G COURSE
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G COURSE
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Kaivalya
TTC November 2002, Neyyar Dam, India
G COURSE
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Vishnudevananda Upadesha
Teachings of
God created perfection: That thou art.
Look inside and you will see.
Swami Vishnudevananda
Excerpt from the newly printed book, Vishnudevananda Upadesha
Do not forget your discipline, what you
have learned. Keep it up. Society will pull
you down. Now it is your duty to keep
fighting against the part of your nature
that pulls you down. Your life is very short.
In another forty or fifty years from now
none of us will be here, except the few
children now growing. Most of us will be
dead and gone. In a very short time,
remember. In forty, fifty, sixty years, you
wont be here on this planet Earth. You will
have to leave your children, your home,
your wife or husband, your loved ones; you
will have to leave everything here, including
this physical body you are now nourishing.
Even the body has to leave: earth to earth
and ashes to ashes. There is nothing here that you can
take with you. Except two things: the good and bad that
you have done. This, in the form of happiness or
unhappiness, will go with you wherever you go. Whether
you are still in a body, or without a body, these two
things stay with you. So let us brush up our life, let us
create a positive atmosphere, let us evolve and seek
peace, let us encourage and help human beings and
stop waging war with the animal kingdom.
Do not believe only what you see and hear. Your mind
can only cover a limited wavelength. Your reason is also
limited. Do not blame God, saying he created an
imperfect world. This imperfection is due to your own
imperfection. If you wear red glasses, you will see
everything red. God created perfection: That thou art.
Look inside and you will see.
Dont worry about what others do, whether others
practise or not. Your progress depends only upon your
own effort. If you say that you will stay at this ashram
only if everyone else is doing their Sadhana, this is
foolish because nowhere will you find a perfect place.
Everywhere there is duality. There is no perfection
in this world.
You have to do whatever you can for your own growth.
Do not worry about your neighbours, your friends, other
swamis, even your teacher. It doesnt matter what the
teacher does. It is immaterial to you. You practise and
you eat. If you eat, you can satisfy your hunger. No one
else can eat for you, or enjoy for you. If you want to be
healthy, you have to eat healthily and live a proper life.
To think if everyone is healthy, then I will be healthy
automatically is not possible. To be healthy you have to
Special Thanks
With special thanks to Kamala Devi, a close disciple of Swami Vishnudevananda,
who devoted many hours of selfless work in editing the many transcripts
of Swami Vishnudevanandas lectures and helping to make this beautiful book
a reality.
email: KamalaDevi@bigpond.com
Vishnudevananda Upadesha
By The Sivananda Yoga Centre
Vishnudevananda Upadesha contains extracts that are taken from talks
by Swami Vishnudevananda on a variety of topics that encompass the
teachings of the vast science of yoga. The words he speaks offer solace,
hope, guidance and above all joy and love to all who listen to him.
To order a copy of this inspirational new book, contact your local
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre or Ashram.
Prana as Electricity
19
Prana as Electricity
The Chakras
This is where the energy is stored
up like a condenser, altered like
a transformer and acted upon
by resistors
Sahasrara Chakra
Ajna Chakra
Vishuddha Chakra
Anahata Chakra
Manipura Chakra
Swadhistana Chakra
Muladhara Chakra
YOGALife I Summer 2009 21
by Swami Durgananda
From a lecture given at the
Sivananda Yoga Centre in London
in January 2009
Extracts of the wide scope of topics which are addressed in recordings as early as 1969
Yoga Lectures
Ashtanga the eight steps of Yoga
Mission of Yoga in world
Meditative States
Karma and Reincarnation
Power of Thought
Vedanta Philosophy
Postural Alignment
Relaxation and Meditation
Mobilisation of Joints
Diet and Muscle development
Stress Management
Benefits of Asanas
Effects of Yoga on Children
Satsang topics
Commentaries on Scriptures
Bhagavad Gita
Raja Yoga Sutras
Srimad Bhagavatam
Most recordings have been taken at the Sivananda Ashrams in Val Morin, Woodbourne (NY), Grass Valley (California) and Nassau (Bahamas).
Very precious lectures have also been recorded on tour in the following places: Berlin, Buenos Aires, Chicago, Cracow, Geneva, Houston, Ireland,
London, Los Angeles, Madras, Madrid, Montevideo, Montreal, Munich, New York, Paris, Prague, Puerto Alegre, Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco,
Santiago de Chile, Tel Aviv, Trivandrum, Vienna, Warsaw, Washington, etc. For non English speaking students especially, the lectures in non
English speaking countries with consecutive translation into the local language will be of great value.
In this way we hope to be able to start publishing the audio files by the end of 2009. Your help is greatly appreciated.
OM shanti, The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres
Blue: An inspiration
Ruby
from Dianne Beal, daughter in law of Ruby
For those lucky enough to be aware in her presence, Ruby
Blue was an inspiration and guide to the powers of love
and intuition in our lives. Her constant reminders of what
a blessing we were to her made us realize our own powers
of self-realization and what a blessing she was to us.
As her daughter-in-law, we shared a special relationship
and what I consider a privileged introduction to Sivananda
yoga and the spiritual path. My first breathing lessons with
Ruby taught me to focus on my breath in a totally new
way and to concentrate on a bright, white shining light
after which several years of practice, opened my mind,
my heart and my life. For that, I will be ever grateful.
Loving Devotion
Srinivasan,
Yoga Acharya for the East Coast
centres in the USA, remembers Ruby Blue
I knew and loved Ruby as an inspiration not only as a
teacher but for her devotion for Swamiji. I have never
heard anyone speak so clearly about Swamiji, about his
energy and vision than Ruby. Ruby spoke the best about
Swamiji. When she taught an asana class it was as if
Swamiji himself shone through her with all his prana, love
and humor. When I was at the Camp she would council
me and many of the senior staff like a mother. Her heart
was always behind Swamiji and saw the Organization
as Swamiji's baby to nurture. Whenever she would guide
the staff in their individual problems it was always
with the clarity of Swamiji's love and the importance
of his mission.
The here-and-now-guy
Swami Vishnudevananda was a here-and-now-guy.
There is one thing I have finally figured out: Swami
Vishnudevananda was teaching by example, even
though he planned, even though his whole life was
dedicated to retrieving the loss in our civilization that
makes us human. This was his masters energy and his
Come to
California
for Classical Yoga in
a Beautiful Setting
Founded by Swami Vishnudevananda in 1971,
offering Yoga retreats, Ayurvedic treatments and
serious Vedantic Studies.
12 Basic Asanas
By Swami Sivadasananda
Hormonal balance:
The inverted poses increase the blood supply
to the brain. This improves neuronal control of the
pituitary gland (hypophysis), whose hormones
regulate such important endocrine glands such
as the thyroid gland (involved in cell metabolism)
and the adrenal glands (emotional balance).
Specific asanas work like a massage, enhancing
cellular functions in each gland.
Internal organs:
From the gastrointestinal tract to the liver and
pancreas right through to the bladder the
pressure exerted by various asanas detoxifies these
tissues and increases the supply of blood to them.
Nadis (meridians):
The classical yoga texts speak of 72,000 subtle
nerve channels through which prana (vital
energy) flows in and around (aura) the body.
Pranic blockages at junctions of nadis can lead
to a lack (and, conversely, an excess) of energy
in different parts of the body. The 12 basic
poses exert pressure on these points in a way
that balances the prana, much like acupressure.
Thats one of the reasons why you feel
rejuvenated after a yoga class.
The Headstand
Contraindication: menstruation
The Shoulderstand
The Plough
The Fish
The fish is a counter-pose to the shoulderstand and the plough. It has a balancing and
relaxing effect on the entire back.
The Cobra
The Locust
The Bow
35
The Peacock
The Triangle
Swami Sivadasananda
Is a long time disciple of Swami Vishnudevananda and the director of the Sivananda
Yoga Vedanta Centre in Madrid. He is also Yoga Acharya for the Sivananda Yoga
Centres in Europe and S. America.
e-mail: SwamiSivadasananda@sivananda.net
Swamiji
Who is that?
Photo Archive: Swami Vishnudevananda with some of his early yoga students
GurukulaTradition
By Dr H V Satyanarayana Sastry
Concentration of Mind
Ekagrata or a spearheaded-mind
helps to prolong the grasp while
learning. Learning requires the unity
of our will and the intellect. Our
mind is basically like a switchboard
operator; it links one of our senses
at a time with their subjects. Our
intellect (the plant) doesnt get the
mind's supply unless the mind wills
to connect. Scriptures claim that we
easily concentrate on what our mind
likes. Hence creating interest is the
fundamental requisite. If the mind
wants to atop a hill, even while
limping you will climb. Vedic
education emphasizes the following
for a pointed mind: Holistic Vision
and following the footsteps of the
Vedas. The entire Indian tradition
emphasises the practice of ethics
The Guru
Faith in a Guru and trusting his
always-available navigation system
is indispensable. Even on roads we
install a satellite navigation system
in our car! Similarly, an ordained life
ensures good mileage. The Guru
helps prioritise what is appropriate
to the seeker and acts as a guide
in his or her spiritual growth.
Moderation
Being moderate always has good
results. Being hopeful, keeping
cheerful, finding joy in everything,
good humour and a helpful nature
are all the qualities of an enlightened
soul. Such a person is a product of
well-balanced contemplation and
meditation. In general, avoid
extremity in anything.
Strength in Solitude
Memory
The Gurukula
A Gurukula is like a retreat for
16 years given at a receptive age.
The formal ceremony (prevalent
even today) to mark the beseeching
of the traditional learning is called
Upanayana wherein the powerful
Gayathri mantra is taught. One of
the purposes of this ceremony is to
pre-empt and prepare the student
to enrol into Gurukula.
Every Gurukula was essentially
for all castes and was open amidst
the woods as a free residential
school. Men and women of all age
groups were there to offer specific
services. In the safe custody of
Acharyas and Maharshis their
children were protected, tutored
and groomed with personal attention. Although a normal tutelage of
every child lasted for 16 years, some
youths stayed beyond. They carried
on with their unceasing concen-
Natural Setting
The learning centres were far from
the maddening crowds of the cities.
In that escape full of Prana, tigers
and elephants would visit and
children would play with deer and
rabbits. The fresh air free from any
pollutants around the forest
optimised the learning environment.
The sounds of the birds and flowing
water accentuate the silence.
Students have the opportunity
to learn from and interact with
nature at all times.
Hospitality, honesty,
service and responsibility
were entrusted upon all.
Dress Code
The uniforms for the Gurukula were
simple, comfortable and natural.
The dress, given in the Upanayana
(initiation) ceremony, is neither very
loose nor very tight and is helpful
for concentration for a long time.
Bachelors, married men and women
all wore distinct garments.
Chanting Mantras
The majority of the population in
those monasteries were male and
youngsters. They were easily
recognisable because wherever they
went, they would incessantly utter
the Mantras such as the Gayatri,
holding their sacred thread as a
Japamala, a physical support for
concentration, they walked, keeping
their thoughts focused at all times.
People joked about them as the bees
or the flowers, before whose sight
you came across their buzzing sound
or their fragrance. Their chanting
filled the narrow lanes and footpaths
tread by their tiny footprints. This
was their walking yoga.
Daily Routine
Their routine diary commenced with
a quick bath and early morning
physical exercise briskly done
followed by the yoga exercises
or Surya Namaskar. Wearing certain
marks on the forehead helps
concentration for the wearer as well
as giving the onlookers a sense
of freshness. Gazing at the sun
(while not very hot) and moon helps
in freshening up of mind and leads
to single-minded focus. During their
prayer, in both twilights, the students
would do Japa, normally with the
Gayatri mantra, which helps concentration of mind and stimulates memory.
The practice of asanas would also
help them for concentration.
Food
Good food and good exercise is the
master key for good health. The basic
needs were supplied for free. The
food, drinks and medicines served in
the Gurukulas were of a satvic nature.
Though not a specific medicine for
loss of memory or concentration,
moderate amounts of ghee were
served to these pupils to stimulate
their mental work, as recommended
by Ayurveda. Dairy products, honey,
ginger, lime and neem were used to
tone up their mind. Abhyanga (oil
bath) and refraining from alcohol or
tobacco helped their concentration.
Certain herbal tonics like Amalaka,
Chyavana-prasha or Kooshmanada
(Pumpkin) were also used to aid
memory and concentration.
GurukulaTradition
By Dr H V Satyanarayana Sastry
Concentration of Mind
Ekagrata or a spearheaded-mind
helps to prolong the grasp while
learning. Learning requires the unity
of our will and the intellect. Our
mind is basically like a switchboard
operator; it links one of our senses
at a time with their subjects. Our
intellect (the plant) doesnt get the
mind's supply unless the mind wills
to connect. Scriptures claim that we
easily concentrate on what our mind
likes. Hence creating interest is the
fundamental requisite. If the mind
wants to atop a hill, even while
limping you will climb. Vedic
education emphasizes the following
for a pointed mind: Holistic Vision
and following the footsteps of the
Vedas. The entire Indian tradition
emphasises the practice of ethics
The Guru
Faith in a Guru and trusting his
always-available navigation system
is indispensable. Even on roads we
install a satellite navigation system
in our car! Similarly, an ordained life
ensures good mileage. The Guru
helps prioritise what is appropriate
to the seeker and acts as a guide
in his or her spiritual growth.
Moderation
Being moderate always has good
results. Being hopeful, keeping
cheerful, finding joy in everything,
good humour and a helpful nature
are all the qualities of an enlightened
soul. Such a person is a product of
well-balanced contemplation and
meditation. In general, avoid
extremity in anything.
Strength in Solitude
Memory
The Gurukula
A Gurukula is like a retreat for
16 years given at a receptive age.
The formal ceremony (prevalent
even today) to mark the beseeching
of the traditional learning is called
Upanayana wherein the powerful
Gayathri mantra is taught. One of
the purposes of this ceremony is to
pre-empt and prepare the student
to enrol into Gurukula.
Every Gurukula was essentially
for all castes and was open amidst
the woods as a free residential
school. Men and women of all age
groups were there to offer specific
services. In the safe custody of
Acharyas and Maharshis their
children were protected, tutored
and groomed with personal attention. Although a normal tutelage of
every child lasted for 16 years, some
youths stayed beyond. They carried
on with their unceasing concen-
Natural Setting
The learning centres were far from
the maddening crowds of the cities.
In that escape full of Prana, tigers
and elephants would visit and
children would play with deer and
rabbits. The fresh air free from any
pollutants around the forest
optimised the learning environment.
The sounds of the birds and flowing
water accentuate the silence.
Students have the opportunity
to learn from and interact with
nature at all times.
Hospitality, honesty,
service and responsibility
were entrusted upon all.
Dress Code
The uniforms for the Gurukula were
simple, comfortable and natural.
The dress, given in the Upanayana
(initiation) ceremony, is neither very
loose nor very tight and is helpful
for concentration for a long time.
Bachelors, married men and women
all wore distinct garments.
Chanting Mantras
The majority of the population in
those monasteries were male and
youngsters. They were easily
recognisable because wherever they
went, they would incessantly utter
the Mantras such as the Gayatri,
holding their sacred thread as a
Japamala, a physical support for
concentration, they walked, keeping
their thoughts focused at all times.
People joked about them as the bees
or the flowers, before whose sight
you came across their buzzing sound
or their fragrance. Their chanting
filled the narrow lanes and footpaths
tread by their tiny footprints. This
was their walking yoga.
Daily Routine
Their routine diary commenced with
a quick bath and early morning
physical exercise briskly done
followed by the yoga exercises
or Surya Namaskar. Wearing certain
marks on the forehead helps
concentration for the wearer as well
as giving the onlookers a sense
of freshness. Gazing at the sun
(while not very hot) and moon helps
in freshening up of mind and leads
to single-minded focus. During their
prayer, in both twilights, the students
would do Japa, normally with the
Gayatri mantra, which helps concentration of mind and stimulates memory.
The practice of asanas would also
help them for concentration.
Food
Good food and good exercise is the
master key for good health. The basic
needs were supplied for free. The
food, drinks and medicines served in
the Gurukulas were of a satvic nature.
Though not a specific medicine for
loss of memory or concentration,
moderate amounts of ghee were
served to these pupils to stimulate
their mental work, as recommended
by Ayurveda. Dairy products, honey,
ginger, lime and neem were used to
tone up their mind. Abhyanga (oil
bath) and refraining from alcohol or
tobacco helped their concentration.
Certain herbal tonics like Amalaka,
Chyavana-prasha or Kooshmanada
(Pumpkin) were also used to aid
memory and concentration.
The Power
I still remember the first time
I met Swami Vishnudevananda
in 1974. I remember above all his
first smile. This vision continues
to linger in my mind. By Gopala
In the seventies in Madrid, yoga was an activity that
many people were suspicious of, associating it with
sects, and strange, not very respectable people, in
what was still a very conservative Spanish society.
To have a child doing yoga in the seventies was a cause
of concern for some parents. To have a parent doing yoga
in this decade is a source of healthy pride for a child.
It is an inspiration to see society opening up. How much
things can change in the space of 30 years!
The words of Swami Vishnudevananda and the
energy of his voice were reflections of his determination
to pull us towards this wonderful way of Life that
Yoga is. He was resolute in his decision to lift us up.
After many years, I now see in Swami Vishnudevanandas smile the effect of the thoughts of Swami
Sivananda and of all the great Masters who preceded
him. The universal knowledge that they share should
be surrendered to.
Thought is the underlying force which makes things
happen. Sometimes I ask myself, when we organise
activities, festivals, courses and workshops at the
Madrid centre: What is it that keeps us united and
inspired by these wonderful projects, and brings so
many people to the centre? I always come to the same
conclusion, that in this first smile, all of our present
work and all of our future were already present,
of a
Smile
SPANISH NEWS
Pictured: The Indian President and her husband (seated centre), the
Indian Ambassador seated far right, and Gopala and his wife Dolly
(standing second and third from left), representatives of the Sivananda
Yoga Vedanta Centres at the official reception.
Elephant Ride
Twenty dollars a day for food and water might not seem
much in Western terms but it is lot in India where a labourer
earns on average one hundred dollars a month. India has
3,500 domesticated elephants with approximately 600
in Kerala. Most of them are used for commercial purposes.
The EWTI, composed of concerned persons and veterinary
surgeons, have taken up the cause of these gentle giants.
They plan to buy land which will serve as a rehabilitation
centre for diseased, aged and abandoned elephants. Other
issues include the screening and treatment of infectious
diseases such as TB, maintaining minimum standards of
comfort for elephants during festivals, setting up a mobile
veterinary clinic, simplifying insurance for captive elephants,
training and welfare of mahouts (elephant handlers),
cultivation and supply of balanced feeds for captive
elephants and mass education on elephants.
If you wish to help contact Dr Joju Davis, telephone:
+ 91 9447417100, email: jojudavi@hotmail.com
MONTREAL, CANADA
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre
The year 2009 marks the 50th anniversary of
the founding of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta
Centre in Montreal. Swami Vishnudevananda
established the Centre in 1959 and using it as
his base, spread the teachings of yoga throughout the world. We would like to thank all the
staff, teachers and students who have come
during these 50 years and who have, through
their interest and enthusiasm contributed
to the growth and expansion of the Centre
and the organisation. May the Centre flourish
with the grace and guidance of Swami
Vishnudevananda and his master Swami
Sivananda, and continue to bring the glorious
teachings of yoga to many future generations.
PARIS, FRANCE
NETALA, INDIA
Sivananda Kutir
With the grace of the Gurus we have
purchased a new Ashram across the River
Ganges in close proximity to our existing
Ashram in Netala. The buildings are nestled
against the bank of the Mother Ganga and
situated opposite Swami Vishnus Samadhi
rock, the place where Swamijis body entered
the Ganges in 1993.
It lies at the gateway to the holy pilgrimage
centre of Gangotri, where Swami Vishnudevananda
spent many months in the Sivananda cave
practising intense sadhana. We have named
the Ashram the Vishnu Kutir and extensive
remodelling and rebuilding will take place over
the next two years. The Ashram will be used
for retreats and extra accommodation for the
Netala Ashram.
MUNICH, GERMANY
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre
The Munich Centre is celebrating its 35th anniversary this
year with a series of special musical performances, asana
workshops and lectures. Beautiful wooden sliding doors
were installed in several parts of the centre, and with their
exquisite open-worked structure they add a special charm
to the rooms. In the big yoga hall the curtains were
replaced with blinds in a warm peach shade, making the room appear more spacious and
luminous. The corridors were furnished with new oriental-style carpets and modern transparent
lamps. Blinds were also installed in several asana rooms. After the redecoration, the Centre looks
fresh and radiant, and ready to host many more generations of yogis.
LONDON, ENGLAND
BERLIN, GERMANY
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre
Gateway to Eastern Europe
The London Centre has gone through a miraculous transformation over the past 18 months
with the addition of the newly acquired
property at 45 Felsham Road. After a 12 month
period of construction and renovations, the new
addition to the Centre was completed, inaugurated and lovingly named Swamijis Kutir.
We now have a large, open shop space
as well as additional teaching space on the
basement and upper floors. The new addition
gave birth to a lovely green space christened
More than 70 million Hindu pilgrims took part in the Kumbha Mela
pilgrimage, making it by far the largest peaceful gathering
anywhere in the world.
Kumbha Mela is a sacred Hindu
pilgrimage that takes place four times
every twelve years (approximately
once every three years) at one of the
following four locations of India:
Haridwar (Uttar Pradesh), which
litterally means the Gateway to
God, where the river Ganga enters
the plains from the Himalayas. This
is where the next Kumbha Mela will
take place in March & April 2010.
Prayag, also known as Allahabad,
in the state of Uttar Pradesh at the
confluence of three holy rivers: Ganga
(Ganges), Yamuna and Saraswati
where it will be held in 2013.
Kumbha Mela
Mahadev is collecting
money from cookie sales
from both the city ovens as
well as at the Ranch.
Mahadev, staff at the Yoga Ranch, has happily joined me in the operation of the
Project. He is a great help, working enthusiastically in New York, and began resuming
teaching at the local prison. One of the prisoners, Bill, who participated in the very
first class taught there in 1998, is still coming for classes a lesson in titiksha! Many
letters still arrive at the Ranch for processing. Mahadev is collecting money from
cookie sales from both the city ovens as well as at the Ranch. Needless to say,
he is taking quite a load off my shoulders, which is a blessing. Letters are also
arriving here in SF daily, so the Project has grown now to two "branches."
Thanks to all of you who contributed towards the Project during the year and please
continue with your generous donations to keep the Project alive.
Prisoners
Letters
Letter from a prison chaplain
Dear Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center,
I wish to express our gratitude for the
books you sent to our chapel. The books
have already been placed into our
Chapel Resource Center for checkout.
The inmates' options in prison are quite
limited and it is through people/
organizations like yours that help them
to better themselves while in prison.
It also helps to remind them that even
though they are in prison for whatever
they have done, not everyone is society
has given up on them. It reminds them
there are still compassionate people in
the world that are willing to give of
themselves to help those who are less
fortunate. Thank you very much, from
both the inmates and myself.
DS, SOU Chaplain
My Dearest Swami,
I thank you sincerely for the copy of
the Meditation and Mantras that you
sent me. I have begun to read it and
considering how much I enjoy
meditation, I am sure it will help lots
in guiding my path. I would like to take
this opportunity to further thank you
for all you've done for me and for your
kind words and attention. The books
that you so graciously provided me
with gave me two most valuable
instruments: Yoga and Meditation.
They provided me with a way to
channel some of the pent up energy
and most of the frustrations and
stress that I had and will encounter in
life. I want you to know that you are
appreciated. A prison is always filled
with lots of darkness and gloom.
Sometimes easily comparable to a
cemetery where a person vegetates
before dying (on the inside). I've seen
it first hand in many people. On the
other hand, it could also be compared
to a seminary where a person can
study, look at life, and even analyze
to see where it is that went wrong
(which is what I tried to do).
Namaste,
Thank you for the Complete Illustrated
Book of Yoga. It is exactly what I have
been looking for. It has helped me
increase my understanding a lot.
I especially enjoy the information in the
book about vegetarianism. This is new
to me but it is also very important. I am
very devoted to my practice to include
my diet, which is not as easy as you
might think in prison. I would like to
request your help and guidance with
my spiritual practices. I am experiencing
difficulty with painful thoughts and
memories; any advice for this or diet or
anything to do with spiritual growth
would be greatly appreciated.
CF
Be well, LCR
CENTRES
ARGENTINA
AUSTRIA
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Zentrum
Prinz Eugen Strasse 18
A -1040 Vienna, AUSTRIA
Tel:: +43.1.586.3453
Fax: +43.1.587.1551
e-mail: vienna@sivananda.net
CANADA
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre
5178 St Lawrence Blvd
Montreal, Quebec H2T 1R8, CANADA
Tel: +1.514.279.3545
Fax: +1.514.279.3527
e-mail: Montreal@sivananda.org
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre
77 Harbord Street
Toronto, Ontario M5S 1G4, CANADA
Tel: +1.416.966.9642
e-mail: Toronto@sivananda.org
FRANCE
Centre Sivananda de Yoga Vedanta
140 rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin
F-75010 Paris, FRANCE
Tel: +33.1.40.26.77.49
Fax: +33.1.42.33.51.97
e-mail: Paris@sivananda.net
GERMANY
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Zentrum
Steinheilstrasse 1
D-80333 Munich, GERMANY
Tel: +49.89.700.9669.0
Fax: +49.89.700.9669.69
e-mail: Munich@sivananda.net
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Zentrum
Schmiljanstrasse 24
D-12161 Berlin, GERMANY
Tel: +49.30.8599.9798
Fax: +49.30.8599.9797
e-mail: Berlin@sivananda.net
INDIA
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Nataraja Centre
A-41 Kailash Colony
New Delhi 110 048, INDIA
Tel: +91.11. 292.40869
or +91.11. 292 30962
e-mail: Delhi@sivananda.org
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dwarka Centre
PSP Pocket, Swami Sivananda Marg,
Sector - 6 (Behind DAV school)
Dwarka, New Delhi, 110075 INDIA
Tel: +91 11 6456 8526
Or +91.1145566016
e-mail: Dwarka@sivananda.org
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre
TC37/1927 (5), Airport Road, West Fort,
Thiruvananthapuram Kerala, INDIA
Tel +91 0471 245 0942, +91 (0)9497008432
Email: trivandrum@sivananda.org
ISRAEL
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre
6 Lateris St
Tel Aviv 64166, ISRAEL
Tel: +972.3.691.6793
Fax: +972.3.696.3939
e-mail: TelAviv@sivananda.org
ITALY
Centro Yoga Vedanta Sivananda Roma
via Oreste Tommasini, 7
00162 Rome, ITALY
tel: +39 06 4549 6529
fax: +39 06 9725 9356
roma@sivananda.org
Centro Yoga Vedanta Sivananda Milano
Milan, ITALY
Phone: +39 334 760 5376
email: Milan@sivananda.org
LITHUANIA
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre
Opening in October 2009
For information contact Swami Atmaramanda
e-mail: swa@sivananda.net
SPAIN
Centro de Yoga Sivananda Vedanta
Centro de Yoga Sivananda Vedanta
Calle Eraso 4
E-28028 Madrid, SPAIN
Tel: +34.91.361.5150
Fax: +34.91.361.5194
e-mail: Madrid@sivananda.net
SWITZERLAND
Centre Sivananda de Yoga Vedanta
Centre Sivananda de Yoga Vedanta
1 Rue des Minoteries
CH-1205 Geneva, SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41.22.328.03.28
Fax: +41.22.328.03.59
e-mail: Geneva@sivananda.net
UNITEDKINGDOM
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre
51 Felsham Road
London SW15 1AZ
UNITED KINGDOM
Tel: +44.20.8780.0160
Fax: +44.20.8780.0128
e-mail: London@sivananda.net
URUGUAY
Asociacin de Yoga Sivananda
Acevedo Daz 1523
11200 Montevideo, URUGUAY
Tel: +598.2.401.09.29 / 401.66.85
Fax: +598.2.400.73.88
Montevideo@sivananda.org
AFFILIATED CENTRES
ARGENTINA
Centro de Yoga Sivananda
Centro de Yoga Sivananda
Carlos y Laura Chiarotto
Alderete 97- Neuqun (8300),
ARGENTINA
Tel: +54.299.4331774/ 4484879
e-mail: naradaneuquen@hotmail.com
AUSTRALIA
Sivananda Yoga Centre
Kamala Devi, The Shellin 40 Ninth Avenue
Katoomba 2700 N.S.W. AUSTRALIA
Tel: (047) 82-32-45
e-mail: KamalaDevi@bigpond.com
BOLIVIA
Centro de Yoga Sivananda Santa Cruz
Calle Junin #271
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, BOLIVIA
Tel/Fax: +591.333.1508
e-mail: marcelaterceros@hotmail.com
BRAZIL
Centro Sivananda de Yoga Vedanta
Rua Santo Antonio, 374
Porto Alegre 90220-010 -RS, BRAZIL
Tel: +55.51.3024.7717
e-mail: centro@yogasivananda.com.br
www.sivanandayoga.com.br
Centro Sivananda de Yoga Vedanta
Rua das Palmeiras n/13
Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro CEP 20270-070
BRAZIL
Tel: +55.21.2266.4896
www.sivanandayoga.com.br
UNITEDSTATES
CANADA
COLUOMBIA
Atma Yoga
Antioquia, Medelln, COLOMBIA
www.atman-yoga.org
info@atman-yoga.org
Tel: (57 - 4) 311 11 32
GERMANY
INDONESIA
FRANCE
INDIA
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre
# 79, 4th cross, 4th Block, 16th Main
Koramangala, Bangalore -560034
Karnataka State, INDIA
Tel: +91.80.2563.4991
e-mail: yogamana@yahoo.co.in
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre
Swami Sundarananda
'Laksmi Sadan'
College Road
Palakkad, Kerala 678 001, INDIA
Tel: +91.491.254.5117 / 254.4549
e-mail: Palghat@sivananda.org
Sivananda Yoga Centre
Ajitha Vijayaraghavan
E-94 Income Tax Quarters
Panampilly Nagar
Kochi, Kerala 682 036, INDIA
Tel: +91.484.231.3418
e.mail: ajiyoga@gmail.com
T Raghavan
Kripa, Kundanmur
Maradu P.O.
Kochi 682304, Kerala, INDIA
e-mail: trmenon@vsnl.com
Sivananda Yoga Centre
Sarath Kumar
Balan K. Nair Road, Asokapuram,
Kozhikode, Kerala 673 001, INDIA
Tel: +91. 495 2771754/2770384
Mobile +91 944 6953652
e-mail: mail@sivanandayogacentre.com
ISRAEL
Sivananda Yoga Centre
3 Reuven Street
Jerusalem, ISRAEL
Tel: +972.2.671.4854
e-mail: syvc@013.barak.net.il
Sivananda Yoga Centre
8 Amnon and Tamar Street, Apt 1
Herzelia, ISRAEL
Tel: +972.9.9561004
e-mail: gerag@internet-zahav.net
Sivananda Yoga Center
11a Einstein Street
Haifa 34605, ISRAEL
Tel: +972.4.8111921
e-mail: narayans@netvision.net.il
ITALY
Sivananda Yoga Firenze
Via de' Marsili 1
50125 Firenze, ITALY
Tel +39 055 230 2250
In Sabina Yoga Centre
Torri in Sabina
Lazio, ITALY
Tel: +39.340.387.6028
e-mail: giulialandor@tiscali.com
www.insabina.com
JAMAICA
UKRAINE
JAPAN
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Japan
Suite 1002 Yoyogi Cityhomes
Sendagaya 5-26-5
Shibuya, Tokyo
JAPAN
Tel +81.03 5969 8311
e-mail beams_tokyo@yahoo.co.jp
LEBANON
Sivananda Yoga Centre
Sivananda Yoga Centre
522 Couraud Street #3A
Gemayzeh, Beirut, LEBANON
Tel: +961-1-566-770
e-mail: sivanandabeirutcenter@yahoo.com
NEW ZEALAND
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre
145a Tukapa Street
Westown, New Plymouth, NEW ZEALAND
Tel : +64(0)6 7538234
richnz79@yahoo.co.nz
www.sivanandayoga.co.nz
POLAND
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centrum
ul.Friedleina 20/6
30-009 Krakow, POLAND
Tel: +48 12 634 43 83, +48 604 460 166
e-mail: yoga@yoga.krakow.pl
www.yoga.krakow.pl
PORTUGAL
UNITED STATES
The Yoga Center
Tara Durga Devi (Terry Crane)
and Bhavani (Mary Keeney)
235 Dorris Place,
Stockton, CA 95204
Phone # 209-463-3330
Website: www.stocktonyoga.com
e-mail: information@stocktonyoga.com
Vishnudevananda Yoga Vedanta Center
1034 Delaware Street
Berkeley, CA 94710, USA
Tel: +1.510.273.2447
e-mail: mail@vishnuyoga.org
www.vishnuyoga.org
Yoga and Inner Peace
3964 Lake Worth Road
Lake Worth FL33461-4054, USA
Tel: +1.561.641.8888
e-mail: b@yogapeace.com
Yoga Warehouse
Shyam and Mohini
508 SW Flagler Ave.
Fort Lauderdale
Florida 33301, USA
Tel: +1 954 525-7726
e-mail yogis@yogawarehouse.org
www.yogawarehouse.org
SINGAPORE
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre
Affiliated Singapore
Harbour Front Centre Post Office
PO Box 026
Singapore 910930, SINGAPORE
Tel: +65 90679100
jantitanto@yahoo.com.sg
UNITED KINGDOM
Universal Yoga
(Chandrika) Redhill House,
Red Hill, Camerton, Bath,
BA2 0NY, UK
Tel: 01761 470 658
E-mail: info@universalyoga.co.uk
SIVANANDA YOGA
Vedanta Retreat House
Reith /
, Tyrol, Austria
Swami
Sivananda
Swami
Vishnudevananda
Mountains, rivers,
lakes, fresh air
Just like the Himalayas
INTERNATIONAL YOGA
TEACHERS TRAINING COURSE
With Internationally Recognised Certificate
Course in English language with simultaneous
translation into German; please ask for
Spanish, French and Italian translation.
May 23 June 21, 2009 (German)
August 1 August 29, 2009
September 5 October 4, 2009
(reduced price)
December 19 January 17, 2010
July 2 July 29, 2010 (German)
August 1 August 29, 2010
December 18 January 16, 2011
AYURVEDA NUTRITION /
COOKING COURSE (ANC)
August 10 30, 2009
Certificate upon Completion
With Ayurveda Acharya from India
Daily Cooking workshops with authentic recipies
Ayurveda Nutrition Science
Yoga classes, Yoga lectures, Meditation
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
WITH YOGA ACHARYAS AND
INTERNATIONAL GUEST SPEAKERS
YOGA PHILOSOPHY AND SATSANGS
Swami Durgananda, Yoga Acharya
ASANA SPECIAL WORKSHOPS
Swami Sivadasananda, Yoga Acharya
EASTERN WISDOM MELODIES
Sri Venugopal Goswami and Ensemble
JYOTISHA - VEDIC ASTROLOGY
Stephen Quong, California, USA
HOLISTIC HEALTH WITH ENERGY MEDICINE
Dr. Fadel Behman, Montreal, Canada
AYURVEDA NUTRITION SPECIAL
Dr. Shanti Kumar Kamlesh, North India
MANTRAS ANS MYSTICISM OF YOGA
Sri Potty Swami, Kerala, South India
YOGA AND MENTAL HEALTH
Dr. Uma Krishnamurthi,
Bangalore, India
TYROL, AUSTRIA
MERLO, ARGENTINA
ORLEANS, FRANCE
UMBRIA, ITALY
WOODBOURNE, NY
Sep 11 Oct 9, 2009
June 2 30, 2010
ALUENDA, SPAIN
Aug 17 Sept 13, 2009
(Spanish only)
USTKA, POLAND
NEYYAR DAM,
SOUTH INDIA
Nov 15 Dec 13, 2009
Jan 10 Feb 7, 2010
March 21 April 18, 2010
NASSAU, BAHAMAS
HIMALAYAS, INDIA
BRAZIL, S. AMERICA
VIETNAM
VRINDAVAN, INDIA
LONDON, UK
GRASS VALLEY, CA
MADURAI,
SOUTH INDIA
HQ@sivananda.org
www.sivananda.org
www.sivananda.eu