YOGALife I Summer 2010 - Sivananda Yoga
YOGALife I Summer 2010 - Sivananda Yoga
YOGALife I Summer 2010 - Sivananda Yoga
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$5 Canada $3.50 US £2.50 UK 3.70 € Europe<br />
‘Mother Ganga’<br />
The Divine River<br />
The River Ganga<br />
Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong><br />
Meditations from<br />
the Upanishads<br />
Swami Durgananda<br />
The Influence<br />
of Swami<br />
Vishnudevananda<br />
in the West<br />
Swami Mahadevananda<br />
The Power of Asanas<br />
Swami Sivadasananda<br />
Kumba Mela Yatra <strong>2010</strong><br />
Facts on Vegetarianism<br />
Dr Annika Waldmann<br />
Ayurveda and<br />
Womens’ Health<br />
Dr. Sanjay and Dr (Mrs) Anjani Kulkarni<br />
<strong>Yoga</strong> of the Heart<br />
An interview with Nischala Joy Devi<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
SERVE • LOVE • GIVE • PURIFY • MEDITATE • REALIZE
• <strong>Yoga</strong> Vacations all year round from 38 € per night<br />
• <strong>Yoga</strong> Teachers' Training Courses<br />
July 2 – 30, <strong>2010</strong> International<br />
August 1 – 29, <strong>2010</strong> French<br />
March 20 – April 17, 2011 French<br />
April 29 – May 28, 2011 Dutch/English<br />
July 1 – 29, 2011 International<br />
July 31 – August 28, 2011 French<br />
• Advanced <strong>Yoga</strong> Teachers' Training Courses<br />
July 2 – 30, <strong>2010</strong><br />
July 1 – July 29, 2011<br />
• Sadhana Intensive for TTC graduates<br />
August 7 – 22, <strong>2010</strong><br />
August 6 – 21, 2011<br />
• International Guest Speakers<br />
• Diploma Course:<br />
<strong>Yoga</strong> and Stress Management Diploma Course<br />
• Further Training Courses for <strong>Yoga</strong> Teachers<br />
Est 1957<br />
Ashram de <strong>Yoga</strong> <strong>Sivananda</strong><br />
26 Impasse du Bignon,<br />
45170 Neuville aux Bois<br />
Fax: +33 (0) 2 38 9118 09<br />
email: orleans@sivananda.net<br />
Tel: +33 (0)2 38 91 88 82<br />
www.sivananda.org/orleans<br />
Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong><br />
(1887-1963)<br />
Swami Vishnudevananda<br />
(1927-1993)<br />
Imagine… a haven of peace in the midst of vast<br />
open spaces, ancient forests with century old trees,<br />
breathtaking sunrises and sunsets… just one hour<br />
from Paris
International<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong><br />
Vedanta Centres<br />
Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong> (1887-1963)<br />
The spiritual strength behind the<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centres,<br />
Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong>’s teachings are a<br />
synthesis of all the formal doctrines<br />
of yoga. Author of more than 300<br />
books on yoga, Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong><br />
was a medical doctor before<br />
renouncing worldly life for the<br />
spiritual path. He founded the<br />
Divine Life Society and the <strong>Yoga</strong>-<br />
Vedanta Forest Academy, Rishikesh,<br />
Himalayas. His main message was:<br />
Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realise. In 1957 he sent one of his foremost<br />
disciples, Swami Vishnudevananda to the West to spread the ideals of yoga.<br />
Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong> entered Mahasamadhi on July 14th 1963.<br />
Swami Vishnudevananda (1927-1993)<br />
Born in South India in 1927,<br />
Swami Vishnudevananda entered<br />
the ashram of Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong><br />
at the age of 18. A world famous<br />
authority on Hatha and Raja <strong>Yoga</strong>,<br />
Swami Vishnudevananda founded<br />
the International <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong><br />
Vedanta Centres in 1957 and was<br />
author of The Complete Illustrated<br />
Book of <strong>Yoga</strong>, Meditation and<br />
Mantras, Karma and Disease<br />
and a commentary on the<br />
Hatha <strong>Yoga</strong> Pradipika. Swami Vishnudevananda entered Mahasamadhi<br />
on November 9th, 1993.<br />
The Executive Board<br />
The Executive Board of the <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centres is comprised of<br />
senior disciples of Swami Vishnudevananda, personally chosen and trained by him<br />
to direct the organisation after his departure. Each of them has had many years’<br />
experience in teaching all aspects of yoga. They are renowned for their devotion<br />
to Swami Vishnu-devananda and Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong> and for their profound<br />
knowledge and inspirational teaching and guidance, wisdom imparted to many<br />
thousands of students throughout the world.<br />
Swami Mahadevananda<br />
Swami Swaroopananda<br />
Srinivasan<br />
Est 1957<br />
Swami Durgananda<br />
Swami Sivadasananda<br />
Swami Kailasananda<br />
HEADQUARTERS<br />
SIVANANDA ASHRAM YOGA CAMP<br />
Eighth Avenue, Val Morin, Quebec, Canada JOT 2RO<br />
Tel: +1 819 322 3226<br />
email: hq@sivananda.org<br />
With ashrams and centres located around the world<br />
see page 62 for addresses<br />
The International <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centres, founded<br />
by Swami Vishnudevananda is a non-profit organisation whose<br />
purpose is to propagate the teachings of yoga and vedanta as a<br />
means of achieving physical, mental and spiritual well-being and<br />
Self-realisation.<br />
Welcome<br />
Editor’s Letter<br />
<strong>2010</strong> marked the year of the Kumbha Mela in Haridwar,<br />
North India. A group of close to 100 students from the<br />
European <strong>Sivananda</strong> Centres attended this very<br />
auspicious event, which brings together yogis, sadhus,<br />
spiritual teachers and aspirants from all traditions in a<br />
spirit of unity and diversity. The highlight of the day is<br />
the Ganga Arati at dawn, when devotees gather by the<br />
thousands to pay homage to Ganga, the symbol of the<br />
ever flowing consciousness. The energy of bhakti is so<br />
tangible at this time that one feels lifted out of body<br />
consciousness and connected with the divine presence.<br />
Here the words of Master <strong>Sivananda</strong>: “Ganga has<br />
consoled me, Ganga has nourished me, Ganga has<br />
taught me the truth of the Upanishads” resound in the<br />
mind with new meaning.<br />
Many of the students who joined the pilgrimage<br />
expressed how life transforming it has been for them.<br />
Swamiji Vishnudevananda’s main tools to establish<br />
unity in diversity on a large scale in the world, the TTC<br />
(Teachers’ Training Course) was carried to new horizons<br />
this year: for the first time ever, Swamiji’s teachings were<br />
successfully brought to Vietnam.<br />
For the first time also, the TTC was taught this spring<br />
in a city centre – in the heart of London. Much work had<br />
been done this year to turn the London Centre into a city<br />
Ashram, and the beaming faces of the students at the<br />
end of the 4 weeks was proof enough that the<br />
experience was very positive.<br />
The practice of asanas is becoming more mainstream<br />
by the day, with doctors and people in the medical<br />
field realizing its therapeutic value. The article on<br />
“<strong>Yoga</strong> for the heart” deals with some aspects of this fast<br />
developing field.<br />
The article of Dr Waldmann brings a wealth of scientific<br />
facts about the value of vegetarianism, which are a<br />
precious reference for students and yoga teachers alike.<br />
We wish you a fruitful summer and hope you will have<br />
to chance to visit one of the <strong>Sivananda</strong> Ashrams for rest<br />
and renewal!<br />
We hope you enjoy this issue.<br />
Om Shanti,<br />
The <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centre, London<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> 5
Contents<br />
6<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong>
8<br />
SIVANANDA<br />
The River Ganga<br />
“All glory be unto Mother Ganga, the giver of life, light and love!”<br />
Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong> explains about the purity and sanctity of this holy river.<br />
10 Meditations from the Upanishads<br />
Swami Durgananda gives an insight into different types of meditation according<br />
to these classic Indian scriptures.<br />
14 The Divine Grace of Mother Ganga<br />
We look at some inspirational letters that Swami Vishnudevananda wrote during<br />
his personal sadhana and seclusion on the banks of the river Ganga.<br />
17 Prison Project News<br />
Swami Padmapadananda updates us on the latest Prison Project news.<br />
18 The Influence of Swami Vishnudevananda<br />
in the West<br />
Swami Mahadevananda talks about Swami Vishnudevananda’s pioneering<br />
mission in the west.<br />
20 The <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Teachers’ Training Experience<br />
Personal experiences from students who have undergone the Teachers’<br />
Training Course<br />
22 <strong>Yoga</strong> of the Heart<br />
An interview with Nischala Joy Devi, looking at her therapeutic work with heart<br />
and cancer patients.<br />
25 Ayurveda and Womens’ Health<br />
How Ayurveda plays an important role in womens’ health through all stages of life.<br />
28 Shankara, his Life and Teachings<br />
Professor Pandey looks at the life and teachings of this great Vedantic master.<br />
32 A Journey of Transformation<br />
A report on the first Teachers’ Training Course held at the London <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong><br />
Centre and how the Centre has been transformed into an Ashram in the heart<br />
of the city.<br />
36 The Power of Asanas<br />
Swami Sivadasananda looks at some of the powerful processes that are activated<br />
during the practice of Asanas.<br />
39 Phytobiophysics<br />
Diana Mossop expalins how the vibration of plants can be used for healing.<br />
42 Facts on Vegetarianism<br />
Dr Annika Waldmann lays bare the facts and figures of a vegetarian diet and<br />
shows how important it is for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.<br />
50 Teachers’ Training Course in Vietnam<br />
A report on the very first <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Teachers’ Training Course to be held<br />
in Vietnam. A truly historic moment!<br />
52 Tips on Pranayama<br />
Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong> offers some practical advice on the benefits of pranayama<br />
and healing .<br />
54 Kumbha Mela Yatra <strong>2010</strong><br />
A report on the recent <strong>Sivananda</strong> North India Pilgrimage to the<br />
Himalayas and the Kumbha Mela in Haridwar.<br />
58 <strong>Sivananda</strong> Ashram and Centre News<br />
Updates on new developments in Ashrams and Centres around the world.<br />
62 <strong>Sivananda</strong> Ashram and Centre Addresses<br />
A listing of <strong>Sivananda</strong> Ashrams, Centres and teachers worldwide.<br />
10<br />
36<br />
Contents<br />
14<br />
54<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
7
By Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong><br />
“All glory be unto Mother<br />
Ganga, the giver of life,<br />
light and love”<br />
– Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong><br />
Main Picture: The River Ganga<br />
flowing through a valley<br />
in Rishikesh.<br />
Right: Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong><br />
standing on the banks of the<br />
River Ganga in Rishikesh.<br />
8<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong>
The Ganga is the most sacred river<br />
of India. The origin of The Ganga<br />
is ascribed to celestial glory.<br />
Lord Krishna says in the Gita:<br />
“I am the Ganga among rivers.”<br />
The Ganga Bath<br />
Thousands of pilgrims visit Hardwar and Rishikesh every<br />
year and take a dip in the sacred river. They have<br />
immense faith in the glory of Mother Ganga. They<br />
believe that all their sins are washed away if they take<br />
a dip in the sacred waters of the Ganga. Really they<br />
are washed off. A dip in the Ganga instantly purifies.<br />
There is no doubt about this. Even confirmed atheists<br />
and rationalists come to Hardwar for a refreshing bath<br />
in the Ganga.<br />
Purity of the Ganga Water<br />
The water of the Ganga is extremely pure and sanctifying.<br />
No germs can flourish in this. This has been tested by<br />
various scientists in the laboratory. Rich in minerals this<br />
water cures almost all kinds of diseases. The Ganga<br />
is saturated with antiseptic minerals. Even in the West,<br />
doctors prescribe Ganga water for rubbing in the<br />
treatment of diseases of the skin. Ganga is not merely<br />
a river; it is a sacred Tirtha (sacred place). It is possessed<br />
of mysterious powers which are not found in any other<br />
river in the world. Even scientists have admitted the<br />
efficacy of Ganga water.<br />
Dr FC Harrison of McGill University, Canada writes:<br />
“A peculiar fact which has never been satisfactorily<br />
explained is the quick death, in three to five hours,<br />
of the cholera vibrio in the waters of the Ganga. When<br />
one remembers the sewage and corpses, often of cholera<br />
casualties, it seems remarkable that the belief of the<br />
Hindus, that the water of this river is pure and they can<br />
safely drink and bathe in it, should be confirmed by<br />
means of modern bacterial research.”<br />
A well known French physician, Dr D. Herelle, made<br />
similar investigations into the mystery of the Ganga.<br />
He observed some of the floating corpses of men dead<br />
of dysentery and cholera, and was surprised to find “that<br />
only a few feet below the bodies where one would<br />
expect to find millions of these dysentery and cholera<br />
germs, there were no germs at all.” He then grew germs<br />
from the patients having the disease, and to these<br />
cultures added water from the Ganga. When he<br />
incubated the mixture, much to his surprise, the germs<br />
were completely destroyed.<br />
A Silent Teacher<br />
The Ganga starts from Gangotri in the Himalayas. She<br />
encounters many obstacles on her way, but she finally<br />
reaches the goal – the ocean. Similarly, the Sadhaka<br />
(spritual aspirant) should never give up his struggle,<br />
however insurmountable the obstacles in his path may<br />
appear to be. All difficulties and obstacles will be<br />
removed through the grace of the Lord if he is sincere<br />
The River Ganga<br />
in his Yogic practices, and he will reach the goal.<br />
The Ganga always gives you cool, pure water.<br />
It does not expect anything from you in return. The sun<br />
sheds its light on all without anticipating any reward.<br />
Derive lessons from them. Always give, give. Ask nothing<br />
in return. Expect nothing in return. Do not expect even<br />
appreciation, approbation, or recognition.<br />
I love Ganga and the Himalayas. Ganga is my Mother<br />
Divine. Himalayas is my Father Divine. They inspire and<br />
guide me. I bathe in Ganga. I swim in Ganga. I adore<br />
Ganga. I feed the fishes of Ganga. I wave light to Mother<br />
Ganga. I pray to Ganga. I do salutations to Ganga. I sing<br />
the glory of Ganga. I write about the grandeur and<br />
glory of Ganga. Ganga has nourished me. Ganga has<br />
comforted me. Ganga has taught me the truths<br />
of the Upanishads.<br />
O friend! Follow the lines of Mother Ganga. Be pure.<br />
Be adaptable. Be tolerant. Be forgiving. Be sweet. Pour<br />
out your love on all – share what you have, physical,<br />
mental and spiritual – with the whole of humanity.<br />
The more you give the more you get. Give without any<br />
motive, without expecting any reward. Embrace all.<br />
Cultivate equal vision.<br />
All glory be unto Mother Ganga, the giver of life,<br />
light and love. Worship Her with faith, devotion and<br />
piety. Adore Her with flowers of purity, love, self-restraint<br />
and equal vision. Sing Her names. Attain Brahman<br />
through Her grace. May Mother Ganga bless you all!<br />
May She help you to live on Her banks and practise<br />
<strong>Yoga</strong> and Tapas!<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
9
Meditations from the Upanishads<br />
Meditations from the<br />
Upanishads<br />
By Swami Durgananda<br />
From a lecture given at the <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Centre, Berlin, in January 2007<br />
“I am the body; I am the senses; I am the mind; I am the<br />
intellect; I am happy; I am unhappy; I am a Brahmin;<br />
I am lean; I am black; I am deaf; I am poor; she is my<br />
wife; this is my house. Learn to dissociate thyself from<br />
conditions like these and realize thy Self as being beyond<br />
all conditions whatsoever.”<br />
– Jyotirbindu Upanishad, Mantra 10<br />
The essential message of the Upanishads is: you are not<br />
the body, not the mind, not the thoughts, not the<br />
emotions and not the intellect. Everything you believe<br />
yourself to be, you are not. You are only the One,<br />
Unchangeable. In the context of meditation, this is<br />
called the subject. Everything else is the object, which<br />
changes, while the subject remains unchangeable. ‘Soul’,<br />
‘Brahman’, ‘God’, ‘the I’, ‘the Self’, ‘the Source’, ‘the<br />
Creator’ and ‘I am that I am’ are just some of the terms<br />
used for the subject.<br />
Meditation instructions in the Upanishads focus on<br />
reducing the thoughts until there is nothing but a single<br />
thought. This thought, which is still an object, becomes<br />
the subject. In theory, this may seem quite simple, but<br />
putting the theory into practice is not easy.<br />
“Thought is a thing.<br />
Thought is a dynamic force.”<br />
– <strong>Yoga</strong>-Sara Upanishad, Mantra 6<br />
Thoughts move faster than light. The unrest associated<br />
with our thoughts is in principle not negative, as without<br />
thoughts there would be no contact with the outside<br />
world. The reason why thoughts are considered a limiting<br />
object or upadhi, is that they prevent the experience of<br />
the underlying Reality. The meditation techniques in the<br />
Upanishads teach us how to perceive the thoughts as an<br />
object, in order to unite with the subject.<br />
10<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
“Withdraw the mind again and again from<br />
all sense-objects. Make it one-pointed. Fix it<br />
again and again on the Self. Become fearless.<br />
Be firm in the vow of Divine Life.”<br />
– Advaitamrita Upanishad, Mantra 6<br />
Buddhists call this process ‘awareness’, yogis call<br />
it ‘one-pointedness’, and Pantanjali calls it ‘abhyasa’,<br />
or constant practice. Whatever the name, the goal is<br />
to practise concentration on a single object. It can not<br />
be achieved by force as this will create only more unrest.<br />
It is better to accept the mind the way nature has created<br />
it and to work with it. To practise meditation means to rein<br />
in all thoughts and bring the mind back to the object<br />
upon which one has chosen to concentrate. This paves<br />
the way for peace, quiet and finally ananda, or bliss.<br />
Many people prefer to go directly to the allembracing<br />
subject, concentrating on nothingness instead<br />
of working with a specific object of meditation. They<br />
soon realize that this is too difficult as the very nature of<br />
the mind is to think of an object. Then they decide to<br />
choose a sattvic or pure object to concentrate on – an<br />
object that makes the mind light and cheerful. When the<br />
concentration has become strong and is undisturbed, the<br />
object becomes the subject.<br />
The object can be religious or spiritual, or concrete<br />
such as in tratak meditation: One gazes at a candle flame<br />
placed at eye level and then closes the eyes for a while,<br />
focusing on the mental image of the flame.
“Brahman is Light of Lights. He is Selfluminous.<br />
He is Supreme Light (Param<br />
Jyoti). He is Infinite Light (Ananta Jyoti).<br />
He is an embodiment of Light (Jyoti-<br />
Swaroopa). By His Light all these shine.”<br />
– Brahmarahasya Upanishad, Mantra 2<br />
As the tratak practice progresses, the light which<br />
is initially perceived on the forehead while the eyes are<br />
closed, spreads and expands until it eventually envelopes<br />
the entire body. The candlelight – the object light –<br />
becomes the subject. There is no more difference<br />
between candle, candlelight and light; there is simply light.<br />
When the object of the meditation is, for example,<br />
peace, the process is the same, although it is more<br />
difficult because peace is not a concrete object.<br />
Therefore, meditation on peace or another abstract<br />
concept includes focussing on the breath and a mantra.<br />
In this meditation, slow, rhythmic breathing reduces the<br />
speed of the thoughts, which are then saturated by the<br />
sound of the mantra until no other sound exists. The<br />
inner dialogue ceases and one is at peace with the inner<br />
and the outer world. The sound itself is peace. The<br />
object mantra becomes the subject and spreads. For this<br />
to take place, regular practice is necessary.<br />
Light, positive, sattvic or pure thoughts are calm and<br />
can be more easily transcended. Rajasic (extrovert) or<br />
tamasic (dull) thoughts like anger, jealousy and greed are<br />
difficult to control. The question, then, is how to purify<br />
the thoughts and experience positive thinking. How can<br />
I reach a level in which I am pure and sattvic and have<br />
a lighter mind?<br />
The three sheaths of our subtle body – which are<br />
marked by the three components of mind, emotions and<br />
actions – must be exercised and purified. For this, the<br />
scriptures define three classic paths: Karma <strong>Yoga</strong> (selfless<br />
action), Bhakti <strong>Yoga</strong> (devotion) and Jnana <strong>Yoga</strong> (wisdom).<br />
Raja <strong>Yoga</strong>, which Pantanjali presents as the psycho -<br />
logical aspect, was added later and is referred to as the<br />
fourth path. Together these paths constitute the synthesis<br />
of yoga. The meditation instructions of the Upanishads<br />
insist upon the necessity of integrating all human aspects<br />
in the process of meditation: the head or thinking, the<br />
heart or emotions and the hands or action.<br />
Without integral development a person may have a<br />
strong intellect yet remain emotionally weak. Often the<br />
student approaches a system with preconceived notions,<br />
thinking he already knows everything, has experienced<br />
just about everything and always has an answer. The ego<br />
is very big, doesn’t listen at all and doesn’t ask, because<br />
it thinks it already knows everything. Then there is the<br />
aspirant who appears to be humble or even submissive;<br />
upon closer examination the person is actually quite<br />
tamasic. Few aspirants are balanced enough to start<br />
directly on the path of the Upanishads.<br />
The first step to limit or remove diverse impurities,<br />
fluctuations and deceptions of the mind, is the practice<br />
of karma yoga. In the Bhagavad Gita, this is described<br />
as inaction in action; acting without identifying with the<br />
action, acting not of one’s own will, but simply because<br />
the situation calls for a certain action. This attitude is the<br />
opposite of rajasic motivations such as to earn more<br />
money, become famous, pursue a career or to put oneself<br />
above others. Selfless action unites, develops a stable<br />
personality and supports meditation.<br />
Through karma yoga the practitioner begins to<br />
perceive the sensitivities of others. A characteristic of<br />
depressed or worried people is that their thoughts are all<br />
about themselves. With karma yoga, one soon recognizes<br />
the difficulties of other people and one´s own problems<br />
are put into perspective; one becomes more humble and<br />
concentration improves. Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong> was, and is,<br />
very famous for propounding selfless service as part of<br />
the synthesis of yoga. In his ashram, everyone had to do<br />
everything. The caste system didn’t apply; someone from<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> 11
Meditations from the Upanishads<br />
the Brahmin caste was expected to clean the toilets just<br />
as well as anyone else. Even without the caste system,<br />
hierarchies are everywhere, even in the West. As soon<br />
as a person arrives at an ashram or similar community,<br />
he or she has to be prepared to do everything. The ego<br />
develops a whole new reference to the different tasks, as<br />
well as to the other people who are also expected to do<br />
everything. A strong sense of brotherhood is the result.<br />
“Where there is no ‘I’, there is release; where<br />
there is ‘I’, there is bondage. Man is bound<br />
by ‘mine’ but he is released by ‘not mine’.”<br />
– Anandabindu Upanishad, Mantra 6<br />
It shouldn’t be the case that a scholar develops his or<br />
her scholarly abilities yet is incapable of making a cup of<br />
tea, putting clothes away in a closet or telling a joke and<br />
being able to laugh about it. A yogi is only a yogi when<br />
he or she is balanced and isn’t hiding behind anything.<br />
One person might know more about the Upanishads, the<br />
other might be more adept at working on a certain task<br />
and yet another could be more musically inclined. Swami<br />
Vishnudevananda, for example, was a hard worker who<br />
could take care of all sorts of jobs. But he could also<br />
speak about the Upanishads and at just the right<br />
moment be drop-dead funny.<br />
“The sage, who is resting in his own<br />
Swaroopa (nature), sports in Atma (Self), ever<br />
delights in Atma, looks upon all with equal<br />
vision, plays like a child and roams about as<br />
nature made him.”<br />
– Svaroopabodha Upanishad, Mantra 4<br />
It is very pleasant and refreshing to be in the<br />
presence of such a wholesome and balanced person.<br />
What all yogis have in common, without exception, is a<br />
hands-on attitude and a sense of humour. These two<br />
characteristics are the expression of a mind which can<br />
approach meditation in a very relaxed manner.<br />
With the support of integral yoga practice, meditation<br />
comes naturally because the mind is humble, like an<br />
unspoiled child who is thankful and full of awe: “Is this<br />
chocolate really for me?”, “May I really start trying to<br />
meditate?” At this point, a dialogue with the mind can<br />
begin: “Are you mature enough? Will you listen to what<br />
I am saying or are you going to continue with business<br />
as usual?” The mind responds: “I can give it a try…” For<br />
five, ten minutes, everything is fine. No itches, the back<br />
and knees feel okay. The aspirant is unaware of what<br />
is going in the room and only hears the inner sound:<br />
“OM, OM”, or “SOHAM” (I am THAT). But then the voice<br />
of the mind returns and the dialogue continues:<br />
•“Okay, that’s enough now. What is the use of this anyway?”<br />
•“Please calm down just a bit longer. Yesterday you were<br />
quiet for an entire fifteen minutes.”<br />
•“Yesterday was yesterday and today is today. I am<br />
12<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
hungry now”, or “I want to get up now”, or “I want to<br />
watch the news and call a friend – and I don’t feel like<br />
doing this anymore.”<br />
Slowly one has to begin denying the mind its wishes,<br />
outside the actual concentration practice, not as an<br />
obligation but of one’s own free will. Tapas or austerity is<br />
the name of this practice. “The cake is in front of me but<br />
I don’t eat it” – that is austerity. Not having enough<br />
money to buy the cake is a different situation. Here the<br />
mind knows that it must obey. Whichever way tapas<br />
is practised, the next day the mind may already have<br />
forgotten. This phenomenon, called maya or illusion,<br />
can be compared to a firework: a flash in the sky and<br />
moments later it has simply disappeared.<br />
“Maya is the illusory power of the Lord.<br />
It is neither Sat (existence) nor Asat<br />
(non-existence).”<br />
– Brahmarahasya Upanishad, Mantra 13<br />
In meditation, as soon as we say, “It works”, the<br />
concentration is gone. Even the observation, “Now the<br />
meditation is good”, means that it has already slipped<br />
away. Approaching meditation with childlike humility<br />
certainly helps.<br />
The technique is not complicated: breathe calmly,<br />
concentrate on a point, have an object to contemplate<br />
on and enter meditation. Let everything go. Imagine<br />
being surrounded by a transparent plastic box, and that<br />
any mosquito, fly or wasp which comes your way bounces<br />
off the box. Imagine that no thoughts are able to make it<br />
through the prana or energy sheath you have surrounded<br />
yourself with. Another method is to imagine being<br />
surrounded by a ball of light. Visualisations like these are<br />
actually easy to create. If it is possible to see an apple or<br />
a pear where there is none, why shouldn’t it be possible<br />
to picture a ball of light around yourself, even if it isn’t<br />
really there? It requires intense concentration and<br />
thinking about nothing else. Otherwise the ball of light<br />
disappears, just like the apple is gone when you start<br />
thinking about a pear.<br />
As you continue with this practice, you understand<br />
that it is you yourself who creates the thoughts, the<br />
sheaths, or the upadhis. When you refrain from creating<br />
the thoughts, you reach the subject. While the principle<br />
is simple, it requires daily practice to experience it.<br />
All types of excesses are counterproductive to meditation:<br />
too much food or sugar, coffee, black tea, alcohol and<br />
cigarettes all hinder concentration and thus meditation.<br />
One’s entire life has to be aligned with the intention<br />
to meditate.<br />
“If the mind is filled with Sattva (purity),<br />
the other two Gunas (Rajas, passion and<br />
Tamas, inertia) will perish by themselves.<br />
The mind will become very subtle and steady<br />
like a lamp in a windless spot.”<br />
– Jyotirbindu Upanishad, Mantra 5
If that is not the case, meditation is boring, since<br />
nothing happens. How wonderful it is when you have<br />
adjusted your life accordingly and you succeed.<br />
“If you identify with the Absolute<br />
Consciousness, having dissociated thyself from<br />
the body, you will enjoy this very moment<br />
supreme peace, eternal bliss and highest<br />
knowledge. You will be absolutely free<br />
from bondage.”<br />
– Vicharabindu Upanishad, Mantra 7<br />
You are calm, content and responsible amidst the<br />
chaotic conditions of daily life. Many things don’t have<br />
the same importance as they once did and you keep<br />
the upper hand. These are just some of the wonderful<br />
side benefits.<br />
In karma yoga, the challenge is to be open to new<br />
experiences, act to the best of one’s ability and especially<br />
not to be afraid of making mistakes. The same approach,<br />
along with a large dose of humility, is important in<br />
approaching meditation. Progress is only possible when<br />
meditation is not seen as something difficult and heavy.<br />
Meditation is light, natural, innocent, plain, wholesome<br />
and pure. With practice, the aspirant glides imperceptibly<br />
into meditation. For this to happen you have to be<br />
gentle, honest, pure and free from desires, greed<br />
and egoism.<br />
Real meditation regenerates more effectively than<br />
any tonic or antioxidant remedies. During meditation<br />
the cells are filled with ojas (power), tejas (brilliance)<br />
and prana (vital energy). People who meditate – even<br />
if they are far from reaching samadhi or the super -<br />
conscious state – have a certain shine on their skin and<br />
hair and a lovely twinkle in their eyes. People who<br />
meditate appear fresh, even if their youth is far behind<br />
them. All this and much more happens when you<br />
regularly practise meditation.<br />
“The impressions of discipline and Sadhana<br />
(spiritual practice) are never lost. They bear<br />
fruits in due time. Therefore thou dost not<br />
grieve. Do vigorous Sadhana daily.”<br />
– Vicharabindu Upanishad, Mantra 14<br />
Swami Durgananda is <strong>Yoga</strong> Acharya (spiritual director)<br />
of the <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centres in Europe.<br />
e-mail: SwamiDurgananda@sivananda.net<br />
Meditations from the Upanishads<br />
Poet’s Corner<br />
Lifes ifs and buts<br />
If you can look and see the truth of other faiths<br />
And not be swayed by promises or threats<br />
And let erring people say you hold erroneous views,<br />
Yet wish them success with their own beliefs,<br />
If you can hold on and tell your simple truth<br />
That God is one and has so many names,<br />
He loves us all of myriad creeds and faiths,<br />
He loves us all of different shades and shapes.<br />
He is mother, father, sister, brother, or what you wish.<br />
If your wishing is sincere in heart<br />
Yet all he wants; is love for him and all his works;<br />
For is he not the merciful Lord of the Universe?<br />
If you can suffer tragic sorrow yet lay no blame<br />
And know it gifted by the Soverign hand,<br />
These are but blessings and very disguised friends.<br />
How can we know before, about the very end?<br />
But when things go well and go all your way<br />
Don’t forget to say 'Lord thank you’ for the day.<br />
He moulded shapes in clay and blew them dry;<br />
And filled them with his 'atmic’ Holiness.<br />
So cherish and choose what came in from on high,<br />
Don’t seek it here and there in a fruitless quest<br />
Like the musk deer frantic for its own navel scent.<br />
Yet some seek to find a difference in the make.<br />
Does the mighty maker want to make mistakes?<br />
He has equal vision but we have erring sight.<br />
We thus deluded see others in a different light.<br />
If you knew we have a common self in all<br />
Then neighbour, stranger, friend and foe alike<br />
Reflect this self in all, a pact of universal might.<br />
So in hurting others we hurt our very self.<br />
Keeping this in mind be mindful of the final goal,<br />
Keep right on; give; serve; love; purify; and master mind control.<br />
Many tread the path but few maintain<br />
The ernest faith. So, so many fall<br />
No matter, rise, and then walk again.<br />
Faith sees the things the faithless do not see<br />
Firm of purpose, with incredible beliefs<br />
It awards rewards; impossible beyond belief,<br />
Kill your ego, lust, anger, greed, hatred and jealousy;<br />
Seek equal vision, wisdom, devotion, and mind mastery.<br />
Praise the Lord and he may grant these things.<br />
Praise and honour him with love and no attached strings.<br />
Be non attached yet in ‘samsaric reality’.<br />
If by grace and purpose you know Tat Twam Asi,<br />
If you cross these hurdles and yet maintain humility,<br />
Hope and pray my friends; all this will set you Free.<br />
M.S.K. Putney Oct ‘96 (Maan)<br />
Acknowledgement: with apologies to Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong> and Rudyard Kipling<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> 13
The Divine Grace of Mother Ganga<br />
The Divine Grace<br />
of Mother Ganga<br />
Swami Vishnudevananda had a special reverence and devotion for Mother<br />
Ganga. As a young Swami, he spent 10 years with Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong> near the<br />
River Ganga in Rishikesh, and in his later years he made many pilgrimages<br />
to her banks for Sadhana and meditation.<br />
God Pervades Everything<br />
Swami Vishnudevananda often used to recount one<br />
of his earliest experiences with Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong>.<br />
In 1946, when he was still a young man fresh from<br />
being discharged from the army, he was visiting<br />
Master’s ashram in Rishikesh and attended the<br />
evening Arati (waving of lights). All the devotees and<br />
inmates of the Ashram assembled by the banks of the<br />
Ganga to watch Master perform the evening worship<br />
of the river. The young visitor was sceptical. After all,<br />
he had a scientific temperament and knew that a river<br />
is only water, H2 O – imagine worshipping H2 O !<br />
But as he stood and watched, the Master turned and<br />
smiled knowingly at Swamiji who saw the river transform<br />
into a mass of flowing light. In that instant, the river<br />
assumed a divine flow, a manifestation of the Grace<br />
of the Lord. It whispered this message to him “God<br />
pervades everything – this too is His Special Form.”<br />
This experience entirely changed his outlook on life.<br />
Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong> then told the young man to remain<br />
at the Ashram. Swami Vishnudevananda spontaneously<br />
replied “Yes”.<br />
Waves of Energy<br />
In 1986, Swami Vishnudevananda decided to stay at<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> Guha, a small cave in Gangotri, for the winter<br />
months. A small kutir was built into the cave and stocked<br />
with firewood and food for the winter. Swamiji remained<br />
in the cave to practice meditation and mouna (silence).<br />
During December, temperatures dropped and the cave<br />
was completely isolated by waist deep snow. All roads<br />
had been closed. Swamiji wrote of his experiences<br />
in a letter to the staff of the <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong><br />
Vedanta Centres:<br />
“I am very happy to be near the Mother Ganges, the<br />
vibration of Her is far beyond description. Waves of<br />
energy are moving towards humanity to soothe with her<br />
14<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
cool nectar-like energy. I am praying for all your spiritual<br />
growth. Do not neglect your Sadhana. Time is short. You<br />
can all reach the very goal which all Rishis and sages<br />
attained in this very birth. Stick to discipline. Repeat<br />
God’s name and do lots of pranayama to keep the mind<br />
peaceful. If you neglect your Sadhana then the mind will<br />
be filled with weeds. Keep up your duties. Pray with all<br />
your hearts that Maya will not overpower you. Only by<br />
God’s grace you will be able to overcome these forces.”<br />
Time is Fleeting<br />
The following month Swami Vishnudevananda wrote<br />
another letter:<br />
“By the Grace of God, Ganga Ma and Gurudev my health<br />
is alright and I am enjoying the peace and solitude. I am<br />
regularly praying for all of your health and spiritual<br />
progress. Time is fleeting. Life is being burnt like an oil<br />
flame and many of my childhood friends are gone. So<br />
also this body is waiting to finish its karma. Do not waste<br />
time. Use every minute in Japa, pranayama and other<br />
spiritual activities.<br />
Maya is waiting to push you from the spiritual path.<br />
Before you know it you are in the old rut. Only the Grace<br />
of God and Guru will help you. Your own effort is<br />
successful only when God’s Grace comes.<br />
So pray, pray and pray. For me day and night are all<br />
same. Sixty years of my life are gone just like a dream.<br />
Born, grown up and now in old age. Many things only<br />
exist in past memory. There is difference between the<br />
time I spent as a young Swami in the Himalayas and<br />
now at 60 an old Swami. In those days the body was<br />
under control. Walking, hiking, etc. were easy, but the<br />
mind was turbulent. Now the body is weak but, by the<br />
Grace of God, the mind is calm and strong. In younger<br />
days the mind used to plan too many things. Now the<br />
mind wants solitude. In those days physical discipline<br />
was easy. Now the physical body can do very little.
“I am very happy to be near the<br />
Mother Ganges, the vibration<br />
of Her is far beyond description“<br />
– Swami Vishnudevananda<br />
Swami Vishnudevananda in<br />
seclusion at <strong>Sivananda</strong> Guha,<br />
Gangotri on the banks<br />
of the Ganga.<br />
The Divine Grace of Mother Ganga<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> 15
The Divine Grace of Mother Ganga<br />
Above left and right: Swami Vishnudevananda as a young Swami on the banks of the Ganga near Rishikesh.<br />
Above left: Swami Vishnudevananda meditates outside the cave at Gangotri<br />
Above right: A Bhagavata Saptaha recital takes place inside the cave<br />
In those days I thought only physical action can bring<br />
success. Now it is the opposite. You can do every thing<br />
by thought alone.<br />
Thought is the only reality. Body – you feel like<br />
a worn out shoe but with the mind you see the world<br />
in a different way. That concrete world now only looks<br />
like a mirage. No permanent entity. People you see like<br />
phantoms, moving in a shadowy world show. They do not<br />
see that their existence is only the darkness. When the<br />
light comes their phantom body and world will disappear<br />
like a mist. When the light comes it is beyond any<br />
description. You can only see Peace, Shanti, Shalom. But<br />
no words. Time disappears. So also day and night have<br />
no meaning. Good and bad also have no real sense here.<br />
Your mind becomes like Himalayan snow. Nothing to<br />
compare because there is only white snow everywhere.<br />
The mind is struggling to go beyond duality but only<br />
a glimpse of that non-dual state. It falls back to duality.<br />
Just a few minutes ago time was unreal but now it strikes<br />
like a cobra. Again and again the mind is moving like<br />
a pendulum. At times it does not move. At times the<br />
16<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
opposite takes place. Yes, all Maya’s play! With these few<br />
thoughts I close this letter. I pray for all of you.”<br />
– Swami Vishnudevananda<br />
Final Resting place<br />
As the summer of 1993 came to an end, Swami<br />
Vishnudevananda spoke more frequently about going<br />
back to India. Often Swamiji would say: “ I want to go<br />
to Uttarkashi and leave my body by the Ganga.”<br />
On November 9th, 1993, Swamiji attained his wish.<br />
He left the physical body near Mookambika, south<br />
India, and on November 11th, as per the Sannyas<br />
tradition, the body was immersed into the Holy Ganga<br />
at Uttarkashi. This ceremony is called jala-samadhi.<br />
After so many years of selfless dedication and hard<br />
work, Swamiji had finally returned to the embrace<br />
of the Mother.<br />
Compiled by Chandra <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centre London
Swami Padmapadananda Mahadev<br />
San Francisco:<br />
Letters are piling up faster than ever – two or three<br />
being received each day. We are grateful for the<br />
people who have dedicated their time to help out.<br />
By the Grace of Mother Lakshmi enough donations<br />
were received to keep the Project alive.<br />
<strong>Yoga</strong> Ranch, New York:<br />
Veteran inmate Bill, who has been practicing <strong>Yoga</strong><br />
for the last 13 years (since the program started), now<br />
helps with the teaching of the classes when Mahadev<br />
Chaitanya is unable to come. Mahadev Chaitanya<br />
also teaches regularly at Otissville Federal prison,<br />
where he also taught an all-day intensive program<br />
of asana classes and lectures on <strong>Yoga</strong> and meditation.<br />
The intention is to motivate more inmates to join<br />
the regular practices and to prepare the ground for<br />
a future TTC in prison.<br />
Thy Own Self,<br />
Swami Padmapadananda from San Francisco<br />
Prisoners<br />
Letters<br />
Dear Swami Padmapadananda,<br />
And everyone at the center,<br />
Thank you so very much for your<br />
kindness in sending me the The<br />
Complete Illustrated book of <strong>Yoga</strong> by<br />
Swami Visnu – Devananda.I can never<br />
thank you enough for your great<br />
kindness to me, at what seems like the<br />
low point of my life. Your gift to me of<br />
the path of yoga, and your willingness<br />
without<br />
hesitation to help me open my eyes and<br />
mind to the realization that there is only<br />
this moment.<br />
I will practice and stay in touch, with<br />
loving kindness. JB<br />
Dear Friend,<br />
I want to inform you that I received the<br />
book that you sent me named The Com -<br />
plete Illustrated book of <strong>Yoga</strong>. I want to<br />
thank you from the bottom of my heart.<br />
I am sure this book will prove to be very<br />
beneficial to me both spiritually and<br />
physically. As I am on a journey to<br />
finding my true self. I cannot thank you<br />
enough. May the creator continue to<br />
increase you on every level. God Bless.<br />
One mind, One body, One soul. JW<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Prison Project<br />
Donations should be sent to <strong>Sivananda</strong><br />
Prison Project, 1200 Arguello Blvd., San<br />
Francisco, CA 94122. We take PayPal, Visa,<br />
MasterCard, Discover, checks, and cash.<br />
Phone for credit card transactions 415-681-<br />
2731. For more information about the Project<br />
please visit our website www.sfyoga.org.<br />
Statistics for May 2009 - May <strong>2010</strong><br />
(Ranch & San Francisco):<br />
Total income: $4937<br />
Total expenditure: $5920<br />
255 CIBY, 51 M&M, 13 SYVC books,<br />
45 Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong> books<br />
Total books sent: 364<br />
Dear Swami Padma,<br />
Thank you so much for the book of<br />
yoga! My aches and pains have<br />
eased so much and I feel great after<br />
my daily practice, most everything is<br />
going well. JW<br />
Dear Swami Padma,<br />
Namaste. I received the books and<br />
letter you sent and am very grateful<br />
for your guidance and generosity.<br />
I have already found the book<br />
Meditation and Mantras to be very<br />
helpful in deepening my understanding<br />
of the yogic path. And the Bhagavad<br />
Gita will be a guiding light that I shall<br />
keep with me always. Thank you. DW<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> 17
The Influence of Swami Vishnudevananda in the West<br />
The Influence<br />
of SwamiVishnudevananda<br />
in the West<br />
By Swami Mahadevananda<br />
Swami Vishnudevananda was sent to the West in 1957 by his guru<br />
and teacher, with the words “people are waiting for yoga”. He set<br />
off with 50 rupees in his pocket, a young man full of vision,<br />
discipline and supreme faith in the teachings that he had absorbed<br />
under the guidance and tutelage of his teacher, the saint Swami<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong>. He was unsure of where he was going, nor exactly what<br />
he was going to do, but he knew he would be guided and he had<br />
no hesitation in stepping into what for him was the vast unknown.<br />
Within a few years he had established his first yoga<br />
centre, in Montreal, then his first ashram and within a<br />
short thirty years a world-wide organisation, dedicated to<br />
the teaching of yoga. This organisation is now considered<br />
one of the largest and most successful in the world, a<br />
huge accomplishment considering the impact that yoga<br />
is continuing to exert on the population in the West. It is<br />
estimated that some thirty million people in the US<br />
Swami Vishnudevananda was a pioneer<br />
and a visionary. He was one of the first<br />
to teach yoga in the West.<br />
alone practise yoga on a daily basis and the numbers are<br />
incalculable in other countries throughout the world.<br />
Swami Vishnudevananda was a pioneer and a<br />
visionary. He was one of the first to teach yoga in the<br />
West, following the ancient tradition of passing the<br />
knowledge from guru to disciple.<br />
In 1969 he established the first <strong>Yoga</strong> Teachers’<br />
Training Course in the West, not only to train yoga<br />
teachers, but to create leaders. The course focuses<br />
on inner discipline, where control of the mind and<br />
development of inner peace, contentment, generosity,<br />
love and compassion are part of the curriculum. Swami<br />
Vishnudevananda taught that world peace can only be<br />
achieved if there is inner peace within each individual.<br />
His mission was to train as many teachers as possible<br />
who would practice this inner discipline, but who would<br />
also be able to pass this knowledge on to others.<br />
To date over 25,000 teachers have been trained and<br />
the numbers are continuing to increase annually.<br />
18<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
In addition Swami Vishnudevananda carried out a<br />
mission of peace in the world. In the 1960s and 1970s<br />
he flew over countries in conflict, including Egypt and<br />
Israel, Pakistan and India, and Northern Ireland, in a<br />
brightly painted Piper Apache plane, distributing leaflets<br />
and flowers calling for peace. His missions were daring<br />
and courageous and through them he drew the attention<br />
of the world’s media to the folly of war. He made a<br />
record-breaking trip in a microlight aircraft over the<br />
Berlin Wall in 1983 when people were shot for such<br />
attempts. He is considered instrumental in the fall of the<br />
Berlin Wall as a result of this trip.<br />
He met with the Beatles in the mid-sixties and had a<br />
profound impact on George Harrison who in turn passed<br />
many of Swami Vishnudevananda’s teachings on to the<br />
hundreds of thousands of fans that followed the Beatles.<br />
Swami Vishnudevananda’s influence spreads far and<br />
wide and continues to grow. <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Centres<br />
opened recently in Lithuania, Japan and Italy; Teachers’<br />
Training Courses are being held for the first time in<br />
Thailand, Vietnam, and Poland. His legacy of peace for<br />
both the individual and for the world is incalculable and<br />
his message becomes ever-more powerful as the world<br />
faces escalating crises in society and the environment.<br />
Left: Swami Vishnudevananda’s Peace Plane in the 1970’s.<br />
Right: Swamiji piloting his Microlight plane over the Berlin<br />
Wall in 1983.
Swami Vishnudevananda giving a lecture (above)<br />
and helping students during a yoga class (right)<br />
The Influence of India in theWest<br />
The influence of India on the West through the ages<br />
has been well-documented. The spiritual power that<br />
emanates from India throughout the world is known<br />
to all scholars of history. The Hindu religion is<br />
considered the oldest of all living religions, with its<br />
revealed scriptures going back many thousands of<br />
years. Its tenets are considered universal truths that are<br />
as relevant today as they were in the past. It is for this<br />
reason that India has acquired a powerful spiritual<br />
presence on earth and is considered to be the heart<br />
of spirituality in the world. Sages, god-men and<br />
women, saints and seers have abounded in the history<br />
of India and continue to do so. This force is felt<br />
throughout the world and has a powerful effect on<br />
maintaining spiritual life in a world that is becoming<br />
increasingly materialistic.<br />
Western nations are descendants of the original<br />
Aryans originating from the Indus Valley. The ancient<br />
civilizations of Greece and Rome owe much of their<br />
language to Sanskrit and their philosophy to the<br />
Upanishads and the Vedas, the ancient texts of<br />
Hinduism. Christ is considered to have spent many<br />
years in northern India practising the spiritual<br />
teachings of the great sages of the time. In the words<br />
of Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong> “India is a spiritual country. India<br />
never conquered territories or annexed dominions.<br />
Military conquest is not her ambition. She wants her<br />
children to have Absolute Independence. She does not<br />
call upon them to rule over others. She wants them<br />
to have conquest over internal nature. She wants them<br />
to possess brilliant divine virtues, moral stamina and<br />
inner spiritual strength, born of wisdom of the soul.<br />
Non-violence is her weapon to gain the spiritual<br />
conquest and the conquest of the minds of others.<br />
India is the sacred land with holy rivers and powerful<br />
spiritual vibrations. India is the land of yogins and<br />
sages, rishis, philosophers, saints and high intellectuals.<br />
The doctrines of Indian philosophy are sublime. Its ethics<br />
are soul elevating. Its scriptures are wonderful. It has<br />
an eternal message to give to a world rent asunder<br />
by hatred, dissension and war — the message of cosmic<br />
love, truth and non-violence.”<br />
Swami Mahadevananda is the <strong>Yoga</strong> Acharya (spiritual<br />
director) for the <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centre Ashrams and Centres<br />
in India, Canada, Italy and Japan.<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> 19
The <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Teachers’ Training Course Experience<br />
A Pleasant Surprise<br />
Dear Swamis,<br />
I have been wanting to write this email since after coming<br />
back from the excellent TTC in October but became busy with<br />
routine work. First of all, I would like to convey my sincere<br />
thanks to all of you for the excellent teaching during the<br />
course. As someone of Indian origin, when I first attended<br />
the TTC in August of 2008, I was pleasantly surprised that<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> TTC involves not only the physical aspects of <strong>Yoga</strong><br />
but has a great deal of emphasis placed on the Vedantic<br />
philosophy, meditation, and Bhakti <strong>Yoga</strong>. It was a great<br />
privilege to learn from the direct disciples of Swami<br />
Vishnudevananda. Your devotion to him was shown in the<br />
dedication and sincerity with which all aspects of the course<br />
are taught.<br />
It was a great opportunity to meet other students from all<br />
20<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
The first <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong><br />
Teachers’ Training Course was<br />
was taught by Swami<br />
Vishnudevananda in 1969.<br />
Since that time over 25,000<br />
students from all over the<br />
world have undergone the<br />
training. Here are a few<br />
personal experience from past<br />
graduates of the course.<br />
Personal experiences of the Teachers’ Training Course<br />
over Europe and other parts of the world with different<br />
backgrounds and in different stages of life with varying<br />
aspirations but a common goal of becoming a <strong>Yoga</strong> teacher.<br />
It was obvious although the reason behind everyone wanting<br />
to become a <strong>Yoga</strong> teacher was different, the TTC had made<br />
a profound impact on their way of thinking and hopefully<br />
towards a more fulfilling life. It has personally made a lot<br />
of difference in my own personal and professional life. I will<br />
be starting a <strong>Yoga</strong> class at my hospital for the staff from this<br />
coming March for which I seek your blessings.<br />
With this I would like to again thank you and the<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> organisation for continuing to spread the true<br />
message of <strong>Yoga</strong> and contribute towards World Peace.<br />
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,<br />
Om Namah Sivaya<br />
Tarun
The <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Teachers’ Training Course Experience<br />
Personal experiences of the Teachers’ Training Course<br />
So Much Wonderful Prana!<br />
Dear Swamis,<br />
Happy New Year! I wish you all a lot of love, peace and<br />
happiness for <strong>2010</strong>!<br />
2009 was the year that I become a yoga teacher and my<br />
girlfriend a child yoga teacher. <strong>2010</strong> is the year that starts at<br />
“0” again and it also really feels like a new start for us.<br />
The TTC in September in Reith was superb! I learned a lot<br />
and it gave me new insights. On Facebook I saw a couple<br />
of photos of the TTC and it made me a little bit sad. Sad that<br />
I wasn’t there anymore, that the TTC was over. But now my<br />
life is just beginning I was thinking and that gave me a lot<br />
of happiness! But also a little worrying, because at home it’s<br />
not always easy to create a safe and pranaful surrounding like<br />
in the ashram. However the ‘<strong>Sivananda</strong> prana’ is in me, given<br />
by my Swamis, western society is eager to pull me back.<br />
Problems with some family members, because I’m changed.<br />
Troubles with my new job in a wellness resort, because a<br />
rajastic yoga teacher was not really happy with me as her new<br />
colleague (who also knows something about yoga). And<br />
sometimes those and other things worry me, but I know that<br />
what I’m doing is good! I learned it from you and I received<br />
so much wonderful prana in Reith! So I don’t want to see<br />
some family relatives for the next years. And my job at the<br />
wellness resort has already ended. I worked in this company<br />
because I wanted to make a difference in this very<br />
commercial place. That’s why they asked me to make the<br />
place more a ‘yoga place’. And of course it would be nice to<br />
offer my services to build up a better place for the hundreds<br />
of people that come weekly to this resort. To give a little extra<br />
relaxation and peace in this place. Exactly that gave me a lot<br />
of energy to work in a place like this. Sometimes I had one<br />
hundred yoga students a day. To one hundred people I gave<br />
a little yoga prana! Many times I heard people ask each other<br />
if there was also yoga in their village. Frequently people asked<br />
me what yoga I gave. And several yoga teachers asked me<br />
where I did my study. Almost every day I gave one or more<br />
guests the internet address of <strong>Sivananda</strong>. Wonderful!<br />
So I know that what I’m doing is good. For the last few<br />
years I already tried to live like the two first limbs of Raja<br />
<strong>Yoga</strong>. And now after the TTC I’m totally ready for it! (also<br />
ready for the ATTC of course) and I really feel the prana that<br />
I received from you at the TTC! At that time I only thought<br />
I received the energy, …great, super, but that’s it. But for<br />
example, two months later I helped my girlfriend with some<br />
worries. And I was astonished about my own beautiful words!<br />
My girlfriend told me that she heard nice words before from<br />
me, but these were really very wise words! The TTC has<br />
changed me for the better, that’s for sure! Thank you very<br />
much <strong>Sivananda</strong>, Vishnudevananda and the swamis who carry<br />
out this beautiful work!<br />
I hope to be with you again soon.<br />
Om Tat Sat!<br />
Chaitanya (Ron Luttmer)<br />
Important for Humanity<br />
My name is Leonard Radut and I was at TTC in august 2008.<br />
What I want to say is that yoga is now a very important part<br />
of my life. I like to do yoga and that 30 days in Tyrol at the<br />
TTC were very good for me.<br />
Now I am doing yoga 1 – 3 hours a day and, in some<br />
week-ends even 24 hours continous. Now I have a yoga<br />
course in Bucharest with some people and a website in<br />
Romanian with a good visibility in the ‘world’ of Romanian<br />
yoga. At this course we are doing hatha yoga, a ‘how to eat’<br />
course, even a Bhaghavad Gita course and a meditation<br />
course. We are doing a lot of ‘Who am I’ meditation (self<br />
introspection) and meditation that is coming from Christianity<br />
named ‘Isihasm’ (it is something devotional, when the<br />
practitioner is asking for Divine Bliss).<br />
I am not eating meat and I think I have a sattvic eating<br />
style. I am saying this for you to know that the seeds from<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> are in good hands. I think your work, karma yoga,<br />
is very good for me and it is having results.<br />
I hope that I will transform and become a good disciple.<br />
I thank you for your yoga course and I think that this action<br />
is very important for humanity.<br />
Thank you, thank you, thank you very much for all.<br />
Have a nice and spiritual life!<br />
Leonard Radut<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> 21
<strong>Yoga</strong> of the Heart<br />
By Julie Deife*<br />
Nischala Joy Devi dedicated her life to yoga when she was in her twenties. Prior to that she had<br />
been a physician’s assistant, trained in modern medicine. At the Integral <strong>Yoga</strong> Institute where<br />
she served as a monastic disciple for 25 years, Swami Satchidananda** guided her in the direction<br />
of merging western medicine with yoga. She is the author of The Healing Power of <strong>Yoga</strong> and<br />
The Secret Power of <strong>Yoga</strong>, A Woman’s Guide to the Heart and Spirit of the <strong>Yoga</strong> Sutras.<br />
Julie: Without intending to do so, it seems you were one<br />
of the early yoga therapists in this country.<br />
Nischala: When I started at our ashram in Connecticut,<br />
we had one of the first holistic clinics. I didn’t have a<br />
title. We didn’t call things yoga therapist in those days.<br />
I just taught yoga to the patients with amazing results.<br />
Later I worked with Dean Ornish and Michael Lerner<br />
from the Commonweal Cancer Program. I had no idea<br />
it would make an impact on society as it has.<br />
Julie: How important is research on yoga?<br />
Nischala: We live in a western country that believes<br />
in research. I don’t think it makes a difference in how<br />
it affects people. That’s just what we like.<br />
There was a story recently by a physician who writes<br />
regularly for the San Francisco Chronicle. He was asked<br />
about acupuncture, and he went to China and had them<br />
show him the different ways they use acupuncture.<br />
He writes about observing an open-heart surgery on<br />
a woman with three needles in her ear. That was all,<br />
three needles. He was astounded by it; he took pictures<br />
and everything. Afterwards he said to the physicians,<br />
“I’d love to see your research on this.” And they burst out<br />
laughing. “Only Americans want to see this!”. But it’s<br />
growing. People in the United States like to see studies.<br />
Julie: Including people in the medical profession.<br />
Nischala: And patients. When you go for a drug even,<br />
you want to see a clinical trial to see if this works. To me,<br />
22<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
yoga’s been around for five thousand years. Doesn’t that<br />
work? But that’s not everybody. I honor both sides. My<br />
only concern with this is that people will forget that it’s<br />
a wisdom tradition, that it’s not a medical treatment<br />
plan. We chose to do our clinical trial on heart disease<br />
and yoga so people could see the results of yoga. That’s<br />
why it made such an impression on people.<br />
Julie: How is what you did with the Commonweal<br />
Cancer Program different?<br />
Nischala: We treated the whole person, and their hearts<br />
got better. I didn’t do anything specifically for their<br />
hearts, except maybe a little imagery. But basically<br />
the asanas that were done could have been done for<br />
arthritis, they could have been done for cancer, whatever.<br />
But in trusting the intelligence of the body, it will correct<br />
itself. The intelligence is nothing other than the spirit<br />
that came in physical form, and I have a tremendous<br />
respect for that. We don’t need to correct the body. I just<br />
need to get stress and the tension out of the way and let<br />
it correct itself.<br />
Julie: So often we hear that we can heal ourselves.<br />
Doesn’t that make you feel guilty, when people adopt this<br />
belief, try it with all their heart and then don’t get well?<br />
Nischala: Absolutely. There are two aspects here: one<br />
is that we can heal ourselves, the flip side of that is that<br />
we cause our own disease. This is a misinterpretation<br />
of a very high philosophy. A high philosophy can be<br />
*This article is taken from an interview given to Julie Diefe for the LA <strong>Yoga</strong> Magazine<br />
** Swami Satchidananda was a disciple of Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong> and Gurubai of Swami Vishnudevananda
misunderstood when brought down to the mundane.<br />
On the causal plain, these things manifest. It’s not that<br />
we cause illness or disease. It’s already there on the<br />
causal plain, and it filters down to the physical body.<br />
So, it’s not that I’m doing something bad for my knee<br />
if it hurts. Instead, there’s some reason on the causal<br />
plain that it filtered down, that this particular knee<br />
would be affected in that way.<br />
Again, we try to simplify everything in the west.<br />
We say, “Oh, you caused your pain. If you just changed<br />
your attitude, the pain would go away.”<br />
Julie: It also becomes egocentric when we say, “I caused<br />
this and I can heal it.”<br />
Nischala: That’s right. There’s the mistaken identity that<br />
the ego is in charge instead of the divine self. The divine<br />
self has certain lessons that it needs to learn and part of<br />
it is through the body.<br />
Julie: Beautiful. Whatever we’re handed is a gift from<br />
the divine, to help us learn.<br />
“We treated the whole person, and their<br />
hearts got better"<br />
Nischala: A line from a Rumi poem that expresses this<br />
is: “I needed more grace than I thought.” To me, this<br />
means that the grace brings us to knowing whether we<br />
can change the physical, change our attitude toward the<br />
physical or accept it all.<br />
What yoga tells us is that there’s really only one cause<br />
for disease, which is that we have forgotten who we are.<br />
And all of this is just to remind us of that. Swami<br />
Satchidananda used to say, “the hospitals are the<br />
ashrams of today.” He said you can’t get people to go<br />
into an ashram, so they go into a hospital instead where<br />
they’re made to sit with themselves, to really look inside<br />
and see what their life is about.<br />
Julie: Although, a lot of people in hospitals are on<br />
so many drugs that it’s impossible to have any kind<br />
of introspection or real external communication.<br />
Nischala: A lot of people are still coherent enough.<br />
And they look at their life. “What happens if I don’t get<br />
out of here?” “What’s important to me?”<br />
Julie: Why did you call your new book The Secret Power<br />
of <strong>Yoga</strong>?<br />
Nischala: I really believe that within Patanjali’s <strong>Yoga</strong><br />
Sutras, it’s all there. I wanted people to understand the<br />
yoga sutras in a simple way that relates to us now, yet<br />
keeps the essence of it intact. That’s the secret power<br />
of yoga, how it can relate to us right now.<br />
<strong>Yoga</strong> of the Heart<br />
Julie: But you tackled this for another reason, too, and<br />
that is to have a feminine perspective of the yoga sutras.<br />
Nischala: Absolutely. The ways the text has been<br />
translated bothered me for a long time. You see, the yoga<br />
sutras have three books, and the third book talks about<br />
psychic powers and spiritual powers, and what’s ironic<br />
to me is that many women already have those powers.<br />
Julie: You use words like miraculous and intuition, and<br />
you also foray into left and right brain hemisphere roles<br />
and differences.<br />
Nischala: And the polarization between the heart and<br />
the head.<br />
I got to know Patanjali well during this and we had<br />
a very intimate relationship. There’s a story in the back<br />
of the book where I tell about a direct transmission from<br />
him in India.<br />
I learned Patanjali was a reformer. He realized that<br />
the times were changing – it was shifting into Kali Yuga,<br />
which is the Iron Age – and that people were not going<br />
to read the Vedas. People were not going to read the<br />
Upanishads. So what he did was say, “I’m going to make<br />
this simple for people so we can keep it, and I’m going<br />
to talk to them in a simple way, and I’m going to distill<br />
the Upanishads, the Vedas and the Bhagavad Gita into<br />
195 aphorisms.” He was a reformer who was talking<br />
to the people of his day.<br />
Now we’re coming to the other side of Kali Yuga and<br />
the repression of women that took place during that<br />
period is disappearing and women are taking the<br />
spotlight again. I felt that this is the next reformation<br />
and the next reforming of the yoga sutras for a particular<br />
group of people that are now emerging and practicing<br />
was needed.<br />
Julie: I suppose also that cultural events shaped many<br />
translations during this time.<br />
Nischala: Yet the truth is truth. The British ruled India<br />
for over 200 years and during that time the sacred<br />
teachings were never translated, they were always kept<br />
in the ancient languages. When the British came in, they<br />
then began translating some of these scriptures into<br />
English. It’s like taking a peach and trying to make apple<br />
pie out of it. They were translated into a pragmatic<br />
language like English, and affected by what was<br />
happening during the Protestant reformation and<br />
a puritanical movement in Europe and England during<br />
the 1800’s. A puritanical mindset was brought in when<br />
the Sutras, the Gita and the Vedas were translated.<br />
Julie: These were attempts at understanding, though,<br />
were they not?<br />
Nischala: Yes, but they didn’t understand it, because<br />
of their mindset. What happened is for instance, what<br />
I consider these incredible teachings of the yama and<br />
niyama reduced to the Ten Commandments. Yama and<br />
niyama doesn’t tell us what thou shalt not do. What it<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> 23
<strong>Yoga</strong> of the Heart<br />
says, and again this is my way of thinking because<br />
I wrote from Sat Yuga consciousness, is “this is who<br />
you are.” Ahimsa does not say to you, don’t kill anyone.<br />
Julie: What does ahimsa say?<br />
Nischala: It says to have reverence for all beings, which<br />
is a very different way of looking at it. It’s not someone<br />
standing there and shaking their finger at you and<br />
saying don’t do this. Instead it’s saying (whispered)<br />
“remember who you are. Remember if you’re a divine<br />
being, how you would act.” I’d have reverence for all<br />
beings. I’d speak the truth with integrity.It’s not that<br />
I wouldn’t steal anything; it’s not even in my thoughts.<br />
And instead of saying non-greed or greedlessness, I’d say<br />
I have an awareness of abundance. If I have an<br />
awareness of abundance, why would I be greedy?<br />
I’d think it’s just going to keep flowing.<br />
Julie: Clearly, you took it from a different perspective.<br />
What yoga tells us is that there’s really<br />
only one cause for disease, which is that<br />
we have forgotten who we are."<br />
Nischala: I took it standing at a Sat Yuga<br />
consciousness…. already that… namaste… thou art that.<br />
Julie: Your thoughts on yoga therapy as profession.<br />
What should we be paying attention to?<br />
Nischala: <strong>Yoga</strong> has very little to do with anything other<br />
than a relationship with ourselves. And as westerners, we<br />
don’t really know very much about a relationship with<br />
ourselves. We’re told “don’t’ just stand there, do<br />
something.” We can’t sit with ourselves for ten or fifteen<br />
minutes even, let alone a long period of time.<br />
The most important thing to me about yoga therapy<br />
is that the therapist knows who they are. And how we<br />
know who we are is that we have some kind of practice.<br />
It doesn’t have to be sitting for five hours, but it has to<br />
be some kind of relationship with self.<br />
I’ve worked with many people over the years and<br />
people get burned out. Or they go and they say I’m<br />
gonna save this person, and what happens is that for<br />
people who are ill, their prana is generally lower. If you<br />
sit with them it’s almost like a siphon. If you’re not filling<br />
completely, if you’re not getting it from within you<br />
or above or wherever you get it from you’re going<br />
to be empty.<br />
Julie: As healers then, we need to maintain good prana.<br />
Nischala: That’s another question, who’s the healer?<br />
When I’ve sat with people, I don’t really see them as<br />
someone who is ill. They’re just another being on this<br />
plain, trying to realize who they are, and the body is<br />
24<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
what’s convincing them to do it. If I ever thought for one<br />
second that I was healing them, my prana would be<br />
deleted. I know that I’m not healing them. And I tell my<br />
students and patients who come to me, “I can’t heal<br />
you.” You’re the only one who can heal you with this<br />
divine energy. I can’t do it. It has to come from within.<br />
Julie: People who call themselves healers are people<br />
who know who they are and allow others to heal<br />
themselves, is that right?<br />
Nischala: They’re holding up a mirror of strong prana<br />
to somebody, saying, “this is what it looks like, mimic<br />
that.” They’re teaching people how to heal themselves.<br />
That is the greatness of yoga.<br />
When we started with our heart study in our<br />
Commonweal Cancer Program, one of the main things<br />
that we realized in the beginning was that we couldn’t<br />
heal anybody. And we would tell people this, and they<br />
would get real upset with us and they would say, “well,<br />
that’s what I came to you for.” I’d say, “no, no, no, you<br />
didn’t come to us to be healed, you came to us because<br />
you didn’t know how, because you needed guidance<br />
to help yourself heal.”<br />
I think it’s a very presumptuous to call yourself a<br />
healer. And I don’t really know any great healers who<br />
would call themselves healers. You can be seen as a<br />
healer. You can be known as a healer, but you always<br />
know who the healer is, really.<br />
Julie: The discussion of yoga therapy as an emerging<br />
profession is pretty new. What do you think about that?<br />
Nischala: It scares me. I overheard someone in the<br />
elevator at the yoga therapy conference say that some<br />
people are saying that you should have a bachelor’s<br />
degree before you can be a yoga therapist. I’m thinking<br />
that’s not to me what a yoga therapist is.<br />
Julie: What is it?<br />
Nischala: It’s becoming more and more academic, and<br />
if that’s what people think is yoga therapy, then who<br />
am I to say it’s not? I just know that when I sit with<br />
someone, they don’t care what kind of degree I have;<br />
they don’t care what kind of study I did, they just care<br />
if I’m present with them, if I’m peaceful and if I love<br />
them. But it’s the American way, what’s happening here<br />
and with yoga in this country. To a certain extent I’m<br />
part of it, and to a certain extent I refuse to be part of it.<br />
Julie: Can you have yoga without the spiritual?<br />
Nischala: Can you have water without wetness? I don’t<br />
think it’s possible.<br />
Nischala Joy Devi teaches at retreats<br />
and conferences worldwide.<br />
www.abundantwellbeing.com
By Dr. (Mrs) Anjani S. Kulkarni<br />
and Dr. Sanjay Kulkarni<br />
Ayurveda has focused on various aspects of women’s<br />
lives in a special way, because women are the centre<br />
of family life. Mothers are responsible for radiating<br />
happiness, bliss and health to their families. Mothers<br />
are the source of love for the entire family, and<br />
have to handle all the different relationships with<br />
children, husband, parents, in-laws and so on.<br />
Family life remains protected if the woman is safe<br />
and protected.<br />
A crying baby quickly calms down in the mother’s<br />
lap. Here, more than anywhere else, the baby receives<br />
unconditional love, feelings of safety, assurance,<br />
contentment and happiness. This is the greatness<br />
of motherhood, which only a woman can provide, and<br />
is precisely why she is worshiped as God. While creating<br />
the universe, the Almighty God, the Supreme Creator,<br />
had to take the assistance of Mother Earth in his<br />
creation. A seed might be very good, but if the<br />
land is not fertile or if it doesn’t even exist, then<br />
the seed is of no use. In the same way, the woman<br />
who carries the foetus in her womb for nine months<br />
must be given great importance.<br />
It is true that if a mother does not have a healthy<br />
physiology, then the next generation will also not be<br />
healthy. It is very important to think sincerely about<br />
women’s health, otherwise the coming generation will<br />
be born with imbalances and disease.<br />
The gunas, sattva, rajas and tamas, play a vital role<br />
in women’s health. Sattva increasing activities, such as<br />
performing yoga asanas, pranayama, meditation and<br />
Ayurveda and Womens’ Health<br />
eating a sattvic diet of fresh, warm and pure vegetarian<br />
food, will always help a woman to stay healthy. It will<br />
increase sattva and diminish the rajasic and tamasic<br />
qualities, especially in adolescence, pregnancy<br />
and menopause.<br />
Before considering the specific issues in female<br />
health, it is useful to define health generally as an<br />
ayurvedic concept. A simple definition of health would<br />
be: “Establishing balance between the physiology and<br />
one’s own inner intelligence”. It means coming back<br />
to your own nature, your own being, yourself.<br />
The different stages in a woman’s life which affect<br />
this connection are:<br />
•Menarche and the onset of menstruation at puberty<br />
•Menstruation and the childbearing years<br />
•Pregnancy and motherhood<br />
•Menopause and the end of menstruation<br />
Menarche and the onset of menstruation<br />
at puberty<br />
Adolescence, between the ages of 12 and 16 years, is a<br />
time when many physical, hormonal and psychological<br />
changes take place in the life of a girl. Preparation for<br />
future motherhood starts right from this age. Neglecting<br />
health in adolescence may give rise to later problems in<br />
health and fertility, so proper care is absolutely essential.<br />
Care should be taken of the following points, in the<br />
following ways.<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> 25
Ayurveda and Womens’ Health<br />
Psychological care<br />
Adolescence is a time of change, when the little girl starts to grow<br />
up. The physical and psychological changes can bring about feelings<br />
of confusion. At times, problems concerning these changes may make<br />
her feel depressed. At this time, a mother should create a bond of<br />
friendship with her daughter, which will help the daughter, and give<br />
answers to her questions regarding these changes. Mothers play an<br />
important role in giving information, security, faith and nourishment<br />
to girls of this age. A mother should create secure surroundings<br />
around her daughter, so that she can share all her secrets with her<br />
mother. At this age, a girl may follow a wrong path, due to her<br />
immaturity, and her mother should be aware of this possibility.<br />
Physical care<br />
Proper guidance and information about menstruation and physical<br />
changes such as breast development, growth of pubic hair and<br />
so on should be given to adolescent girls. Menstruation starts<br />
at around 14 years old, but varies according to health, lifestyle and<br />
heredity. Sometimes it doesn’t start until the age of 16 years. A girl<br />
may develop an inferiority complex in this situation, and ayurvedic<br />
counselling and some herbs can help.<br />
Proper hygiene is necessary during the menstrual period, as unhy -<br />
gienic conditions may give rise to infection. Some girls face problems<br />
such as cramps or pain in the lower abdomen before the menses<br />
or at the onset of menses. A gentle massage with warm sesame oil<br />
followed by the application of a hot water bottle relieves this pain.<br />
Wholesome diet<br />
A wholesome, sattvic, vegetarian diet should include:<br />
•Wheat, bulgur, oats, rice, soya bean and dinkle<br />
•Soups prepared with mung dhal, red lentils or garbanzo beans<br />
•All kinds of vegetables<br />
•Green leafy vegetables, salads, tomato, cucumber, beet and carrots<br />
•Cow’s milk, butter, ghee and buttermilk<br />
•All kinds of fruit; at least one fruit should be consumed every day.<br />
Menstruation and the childbearing years<br />
Monthly menstruation should be considered a health advantage,<br />
as the whole body is purified at this time. Ayurveda especially views<br />
menstruation as a unique female physiological function, which<br />
is beneficial to the health and happiness of women during their<br />
childbearing years. It keeps the body and mind prepared for repro -<br />
duction. Beyond reproduction, it also gives a regular opportunity for<br />
women to eliminate the accumulated ama, toxins or waste products,<br />
which have the power to create disease.<br />
For many women, menstruation is a common, normal and easy<br />
monthly elimination. But for some, it is a time of intense pain,<br />
emotional upset and instability.<br />
The main causes of difficulty in menstruation are:<br />
•Improper diet •Lack of exercise<br />
•Improper daily routines •Stressful environment<br />
•Irregular sleeping times<br />
For all these reasons, the bodily doshas become imbalanced, the<br />
digestive fire diminishes and ama accumulation starts. Ama is the<br />
excess metabolic waste product created during the month.<br />
Menstrual cramps, diarrhea, nausea and heavy blood loss are more<br />
likely to occur during the menstrual period if the body needs to<br />
eliminate ama. As these symptoms are ama-related, some women<br />
may feel light and enthusiastic after their menstrual period is over,<br />
although it is difficult for them during the menstruating days.<br />
For comfortable menstruation, ayurveda prescribes<br />
the following:<br />
•Stay inward; it is a time for rejuvenation. Pay more attention<br />
to physiology, to help to minimize discomfort and irritability.<br />
•Take a diet that is light and warm. Freshly prepared food is best.<br />
26<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Avoid cold drinks and carbonated beverages, fried food, cheese<br />
and yoghurt, non vegetarian food and mushrooms.<br />
•Rest; plan to take 2 or 3 days off each month for rest. Try to avoid<br />
staying up late at night. Resting doesn’t mean lying in bed, unless<br />
the pain or cramps are very bad. Rest can mean doing lighter<br />
scheduled activities at home or outside, as required. If possible,<br />
do light enjoyable activities around the house such as reading<br />
or writing. Avoid sleeping in the daytime.<br />
•Keep exercise easy. A 20 to 30 minute walk each day is enough<br />
exercise during menstruation.<br />
•Sexual activity should be avoided.<br />
•Abhyanga (oil massage) should be avoided for first 3 days<br />
of the period.<br />
•External sanitary napkins should be used, and tampons avoided.<br />
Pregnancy and motherhood<br />
Ayurveda believes in suprajaajanana, the birth of a baby with<br />
healthy body, mind and soul. For the birth of a healthy baby,<br />
ayurveda suggests some rules to follow, right from the menarche.<br />
Sushruta, a great ayurvedic scholar, suggested the marriageable age<br />
of a man as twenty five, and of a girl as sixteen years. For proper<br />
conception, the following are essential: ritu (time near ovulation<br />
or ritukaala), beeja (seed i.e. ovum and sperms), kshetra (field i.e.<br />
female reproductive system and uterus), ambu (nourishing<br />
substances), properly functioning vaayu (air element) and normal<br />
physiological and mental status.<br />
As conception takes place, the normal physiological, psycho -<br />
logical and physical status gradually changes in a woman. The<br />
foetus is affected mentally and physiologically by the deeds of the<br />
pregnant woman; hence emphasis has been given to the diet and<br />
lifestyle of the pregnant woman from the day of conception itself.<br />
Antenatal care starts from the moment a woman becomes<br />
pregnant. The woman should follow a sattvic diet and lifestyle.<br />
She should protect herself by the following good conduct:<br />
•Women should remain in high spirits, pious, wear clean and simple<br />
clothes, perform religious rites, do auspicious deeds and worship.<br />
•The diet taken should be considerate of place, season and<br />
digestive capacity. Ayurveda recommends a special diet for<br />
pregnant women, which is a sattvic diet.<br />
•Cooling agents such as sandal, wearing garlands, bathing by<br />
moonlight, massage and cool air are useful. A soft bed, favorable<br />
and desired food items, a loving partner and other pleasing modes<br />
of life should be followed.<br />
Apart from this, ayurveda can also offer solutions for infertility,<br />
polycystic ovaries, blocked fallopian tubes and endometriosis. These<br />
are burning issues nowadays, because of the violation of natural laws.<br />
Ayurveda can also help in:<br />
•Planning for a healthy pregnancy<br />
•Pregnancy care, month by month<br />
•Diet, yoga, breathing exercises and meditation during pregnancy<br />
•Post natal care of the mother with diet, yoga and exercise<br />
•Post natal panchakarma procedures for detoxification<br />
•Role of the husband in pregnancy care and raising a child<br />
Menopause and the end of menstruation<br />
Menopause is a natural change in the life of a woman, which takes<br />
place generally from 45 years onwards. Sometimes it may not occur<br />
until 50 or 52 years of age. This prolonged menstruation is probably<br />
due to an improvement in the general health and environmental<br />
conditions of women.<br />
Menopause is not a disease, but a normal part of a woman’s<br />
life. For over 5,000 years, ayurveda has acknowledged menopause<br />
as a natural transition, not a disease requiring hormone<br />
replacement therapy. Ayurveda believes that menopause can be<br />
psychologically balancing, spiritually transforming and physio -<br />
logically free of troublesome symptoms.
According to ayurveda, healthy living is the best way to ease the<br />
symptoms of menopause. For this, regular panchakarma procedures<br />
(physiological purification procedures) help to provide a smooth and<br />
easy transition.<br />
Health problems at menopause represent imbalances which<br />
were already growing in the body and are disclosed by the stress<br />
of shifting hormones. Menopause symptoms are nature’s warning<br />
to a woman, letting her know that she needs to start paying more<br />
attention to her health.<br />
Symptoms occurring at menopause<br />
Around menopause time, vata dosha influences start increasing<br />
naturally. If vata becomes more aggravated, the associated symptoms<br />
may be nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, restlessness or depression,<br />
tingling and numbness, joint pains, constipation, backache, muscular<br />
pains and stiffness of the neck. The vagina becomes dry and atrophy of<br />
the cervix may take place. In pitta types, more irritation and hot flushes<br />
are seen. In kapha types, joint swelling, oedema of the legs and lethargy<br />
is seen. Osteoporosis, diabetes or hypertension may arise at this time.<br />
Women should take care in their thirties and forties to avoid these<br />
chronic disorders in their fifties and sixties. Therefore, during the thirties<br />
and forties would be the time to lay the foundations for health in old<br />
age. The ayurvedic prescription and general guidelines for menopause<br />
are as follows:<br />
Management of menopause through diet<br />
•Increase the following dietary items: milk products, soya bean,<br />
tofu, paneer, amaranth, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels<br />
sprouts, spinach, swiss chard, dates, raisins, almonds, molasses,<br />
sesame seeds and soya and rice beverages.<br />
•Reduce the intake of fat (e.g. oil and ghee).<br />
•Reduce the intake of refined products (e.g. white sugar, white<br />
flour, polished grains).<br />
•Reduce the intake of sugar.<br />
•Avoid foods which are salty (e.g. pickles, soya sauce)<br />
Ayurveda and Womens’ Health<br />
•Consume linseeds, soya beans, all sprouted beans, dhal and lentils.<br />
•Increase fresh fruits and vegetables. These are important in slowly<br />
increasing blood sugar levels so there is less pressure on insulin<br />
secretion. It is also helpful for keeping the weight under control<br />
and for easy bowl movements.<br />
•Include ayurvedic buttermilk or lassi in the lunch.<br />
•Enjoy the meals; don’t be under pressure.<br />
•Change the diet according to seasonal changes, imbalances<br />
and constitution.<br />
Controlling the diet may feel difficult in the beginning and may<br />
become boring. Here the role of the mind is very important. Think<br />
positively and do not entertain negative thoughts. Stay cheerful and<br />
enthusiastic about life, because health is wealth.<br />
Management of menopause through lifestyle<br />
•Meditation and yoga along with pranayama (breathing<br />
techniques) are helpful, as well as avoiding stressful situations.<br />
•Listen to vedic sounds, relaxing music and practice relaxation tech -<br />
niques. Oil application every day helps to calm down the vata dosha.<br />
•Be knowledgeable about the menopause. Always think that it is<br />
going to be a healthy transition for you. Welcome all the changes<br />
taking place in mind and body.<br />
•Share emotional changes with your husband, another family<br />
member or friend.<br />
•Rasayana, herbal supplements, are useful for a smooth transition<br />
through menopause, especially Shatavari, Ashvagandha and Brahmi.<br />
In the vedic tradition women are very highly respected.<br />
“Matru Devo Bhav” means worship mother as a god.<br />
Dr. Sanjay and Dr (Mrs) Anjani Kulkarni<br />
are Ayurvedic Medical Directors of Shruti Ayurved Panchakarma<br />
Speciality clinic, Pune, India.<br />
email: info@ayurvedabliss.com<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> 27
Shankara, his Life and Teachings<br />
Shankara<br />
his life and teachings<br />
By Prof. Pandey<br />
To find a person equal to Shankara<br />
anywhere in the world is no easy<br />
task. He had unsurpassed<br />
influence on all the major areas<br />
of India’s history, from the<br />
Gurukula system, its philosophical<br />
developments to its spiritual<br />
tradition which started with the<br />
Vedas. Though he lived for only<br />
thirty two years, his achievements<br />
were unparalleled.<br />
The time in which Shankara<br />
lived is uncertain. Those belonging<br />
to his lineage say that he lived<br />
more than two thousand years<br />
ago, but other scholars who hold<br />
a neutral and objective opinion,<br />
believe that Shankara lived around<br />
the 7th century AD.<br />
Shankara was a legendary<br />
figure during his lifetime. He was born in the south of<br />
India, in the state of Kerala. He is still widely revered and<br />
worshipped in this area and across India. Evidence of his<br />
influence can also be found all the way to Kathmandu<br />
in sacred sites and temples.<br />
At a very early age he had a strong desire to<br />
renounce the world. His mother, however, would not<br />
allow it. He was her only child; she loved him dearly and<br />
could not bear to give him up to a life of renunciation.<br />
One day he went to take a bath in the river and some<br />
miraculous beast got hold of his legs. It pulled him<br />
deeper into water so he cried for someone to help him.<br />
His mother was nearby and saw what was happening.<br />
She yelled for him to come out. Shankara replied<br />
cunningly that unless she would permit him to take<br />
Sannyas (vow of renunciation), the dangerous animal<br />
would take him into the water. Feeling helpless, she had<br />
to accept to save her son’s life. Even at that very early<br />
age, against the tradition of Sannyas dharma, upon<br />
his mother’s request, Shankara vowed that when she<br />
departed this world he would come personally to per -<br />
form the last rites of the Hindu religion. Against the<br />
strict rules of conduct of a Sannyasin, Shankara took this<br />
pledge and fulfilled his promise.<br />
Shankara lived a short life and within his lifetime he<br />
mastered all the classical scriptures and literature of his<br />
28<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
time. He is recognized as the<br />
greatest philosopher to have lived<br />
as well as the philosopher of<br />
Vedanta. Vedanta is the philosophy<br />
propounded in the Upanishads.<br />
The Upanishads are ancient<br />
scriptures, several hundred in<br />
number. Shankaracharya realised<br />
that it would be a great feat for a<br />
single person to study and under -<br />
stand all the Vedic texts. He pro -<br />
duced a compressed form of the text<br />
in the form of sutras (aphorisms).<br />
These are known as the Brahma<br />
Sutras. Today they comprise of the<br />
Upanishads, Brahma Sutras and<br />
Srimad Bhagavad Gita as well as<br />
the Bhagavad Gita.<br />
The Upanishads are the explana -<br />
tion of the Vedas, the Brahma Sutras<br />
are the concluding aphoristic compression of the Upanishads,<br />
and the Bhagavad Gita is a commentary on the Upanishads.<br />
The Upanishads, the Brahma Sutras and the Bhagavad<br />
Gita together are known as the Prasthan trayi. Prasthan<br />
means to come and go. Like the human life cycle, we<br />
leave one place to reach another and later leave that<br />
destination as well. Life in essence is constant change.<br />
Shankara did not claim that he was providing new<br />
information. He simply provided a commentary, an<br />
explanation of the philosophy in a condensed form in<br />
this Prasthan trayi. He is best known for the commentaries<br />
he wrote on the Upanishads, the Brahma Sutras and the<br />
Bhagavad Gita.<br />
The Bhagavad Gita is a dialogue between Lord Krishna<br />
and his disciple and friend, Arjuna, which took place before<br />
the great battle of Mahabharat. Lord Krishna taught<br />
Arjuna that while fighting the enemy, the man of duty<br />
does not consider whether they are relatives, friends, kith<br />
or kin, since whosoever stands in the path of righteousness<br />
is helping to promote the wrong, unethical and the illegal.<br />
There has been a long tradition of writing comm -<br />
entaries in India, but the earliest one known is that<br />
written by Shankara. He is considered to be a Jagad<br />
Guru, a teacher of the whole world. He is said to be the<br />
first Acharya and the first Jagad Guru to exist.<br />
In order to understand his achievements and
contributions, one needs to understand the pre Shankara<br />
period in India. It is no accident when a man of<br />
greatness is born into an age. There is always a need<br />
within that age for someone to revive, reassess the<br />
existing view of the world and create a change in<br />
thought and ideas. This change is necessary for the<br />
evolution of humanity.<br />
Buddhism was at the climax of its glory before<br />
Shankara. Buddhist teachings are not always in line with<br />
the Vedic tradition. Take the Four Noble Truths as an<br />
example. The first of them states that all is suffering –<br />
dukha: there is suffering in our life; there is suffering in<br />
the outside world. Evidently there are things which give<br />
us happiness but they are just occasional interludes in<br />
the general drama. The second truth states the cause of<br />
suffering; the third deals with the cessation of suffering<br />
and the fourth with <strong>Yoga</strong> as a method to relieve us from<br />
that cosmic pain. This was preached by Buddha with no<br />
reference to any scripture. This information came from his<br />
own realisation. So far as these precepts are concerned<br />
there is no objection to their value. Nobody will deny the<br />
validity of these precepts, though everything has its<br />
proper order.<br />
Vedanta philosophy propounded by<br />
Shankara encourages not to identify<br />
oneself with the body, mind and senses and<br />
the ever changing and mundane existence<br />
Shankara taught that guidance from the scriptures<br />
is needed to rise from the mundane to the spiritual level.<br />
This requires preparation, study and guidance from a<br />
teacher who has already gained this knowledge through<br />
his own practice.<br />
His journey took him to the four corners of India,<br />
where he established the four Mathas (monasteries). One<br />
in the south, Sringeri, one in the east, Puri, the third in<br />
the extreme north, Badarikashram, and the fourth in the<br />
extreme west, Dwarkha. He went on pilgrimage through<br />
jungles and undiscovered land to reach these sites where<br />
he established rites and teachings that remain until<br />
today. He often met with scholars of those times and<br />
participated in debate on the meaning of the scriptures.<br />
He was regularly being proved correct in his unders -<br />
tanding. More significantly, Shankara rejuvenated, revived<br />
and reinstated the principles of the Vedic texts.<br />
It is believed that the scriptures were not produced by<br />
a human intellect but rather channelled from a collective<br />
divine source. The Upanishads, Vedas, Brahma Sutras and<br />
the Bhagavad Gita are divine revelations. This is why man<br />
can only understand them to a certain extent. Shankara<br />
stated that unless one possesses faith in the scriptures,<br />
unless there exists some Vedic or scriptural authority in<br />
one’s life, there is likely to be a collapse in social conduct.<br />
Shankara taught that there must exist a level of<br />
spiritual teaching within all social and cultural education.<br />
He maintained that spiritual understanding is acquired in<br />
Shankara, his Life and Teachings<br />
three ways. The first is through the example of our<br />
ancestors. We know they existed through the stories<br />
heard from our current relations, though we have never<br />
seen them ourselves. Secondly, a guru shows a student<br />
some white granules and tells him it is sugar and that<br />
sugar is sweet. The student, having never tasted sugar<br />
before, believes this fact due to his trust in his teacher.<br />
The third is when the student is able to taste the sugar<br />
directly. Here the understanding is complete since it is<br />
acquired through direct experience. The first two stages<br />
require trust, whilst in the third stage understanding<br />
comes from experience.<br />
Vedanta teaches that when one hears that the soul<br />
is immortal, one believes it though one has not seen the<br />
soul. It is neither born nor does it die. It is beyond the<br />
senses, yet we believe in its existence.<br />
We believe in the existence of the physical body – the<br />
body feels hungry, thirsty, sleepy etc. One is aware of it;<br />
but what happens when the body is asleep? Is the soul<br />
sleeping too? Man can live without bread but not without<br />
the soul. We accept the existence of the soul as it is stated<br />
in the scriptures. Evidence of the soul can be felt in a self<br />
realised being, although this is not firsthand knowledge.<br />
The aim of Vedanta is to guide people to the third<br />
level of understanding or self realisation. The ultimate<br />
purpose of life is to experience the Soul or Atman. That<br />
Atman and Brahman are one. Vedanta philosophy goes<br />
as far as stating that the only duty is to know God. You<br />
are Brahman, you are God. These statements from the<br />
Upanishads are known as Mahavakyas, great sayings;<br />
•Aham Brahmasi – I am Brahman – no matter my<br />
stature or circumstances.<br />
•Tat tvam asi – That thou art - ‘That’ denoting that<br />
which is immortal, beyond the Gunas, the three<br />
attributes of nature. That part of divinity that is lying<br />
dormant under several material layers within us.<br />
Vedanta philosophy propounded by Shankara<br />
encourages not to identify oneself with the body, mind<br />
and senses and the ever changing and mundane<br />
existence. That which is sensuous, sexual, instinctive is<br />
part of the bodily existence. One must aim to transcend<br />
it. This philosophical doctrine is widely practised today<br />
and known as Advaitism or non-dualism. Dualism implies<br />
the separateness of body, mind and soul, of one<br />
individual from another, mind and animal mind. Nondualism<br />
accepts that all are one. There is no difference<br />
between colour, cast, creed, sex, opinion or religion. We<br />
are ultimately all one.<br />
Shankara said that liberation without knowledge<br />
is impossible. He held that the world is an illusion. For<br />
example if one mistakes a rope for a snake in the dark,<br />
this is due to ignorance. It is a classical example of Maya<br />
(cosmic illusion). When light is shed on the situation we<br />
see that it was a rope all along. It is the same illusion<br />
when one identifies with the body, which is born and will<br />
eventually die. The soul, however, is infinite.<br />
Professor Pandey is a retired professor of Indian philosophy from<br />
Vrindavan, North India.<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> 29
A Journey of Transformation<br />
The First Teachers’ Training<br />
Course to be held at the<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centre<br />
in Putney, London<br />
AJourney of Transformation<br />
By Tia, staff at the London Centre<br />
32<br />
In the heart of London is the <strong>Sivananda</strong><br />
<strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centre, called by many<br />
of its students the ‘hidden sanctuary’.<br />
In the past twelve months there has<br />
been a great shift and wave of change<br />
that has slowly transformed the centre<br />
into its current manifestation. In full<br />
bloom the London centre is now<br />
an operating sanctuary of peace and<br />
tranquillity, successfully accommodating<br />
students for residential courses and<br />
the <strong>Sivananda</strong> Teachers’ Training<br />
Course held in a city centre for the<br />
first time ever!<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong>
A Journey of Transformation<br />
Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong> (1887 – 1963) Swami Vishnudevananda (1927–1993)<br />
Background photo: The London Centre<br />
‘Peace Garden’ in full bloom.<br />
Below: Images from The Teachers’<br />
Training Course.<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> 33
A Journey of Transformation<br />
Bhagavata Saptaha with Sri Venugopal Goswami, TTC Graduates and Teachers, Correcting the postures during an Asana Class<br />
In the middle of 2009 the centre was experiencing<br />
what one would consider a lull with the usual centre<br />
schedule. Of course, if anyone has ever experienced the<br />
London centre, a lull is not ever really what one would<br />
picture a quiet period to be. Soon enough it was decided<br />
that the asana halls were in desperate need of a face lift.<br />
In came the first of the workmen who began work on<br />
plastering and painting the halls. At the same time<br />
radiators needed maintenance and were being refreshed<br />
for the upcoming winter months. Such works often<br />
uncover other maintenance issues. The early morning<br />
squeal from the staff bathroom was not a badly sung<br />
Kirtan but the unfortunate experience of the temper -<br />
amental boiler deciding that it was time to switch off in<br />
the middle of a shower. We all agreed that there was no<br />
better way of waking up in the morning, but perhaps it<br />
could be experienced in a more civil manner.<br />
A couple of months later we were informed that the<br />
basement (being used as storage for tools and the<br />
Centre’s make-shift laundry department) was turning<br />
into a brand new shower/wet room. ‘Om Swamiji. How<br />
wonderful!’ we all exclaimed. So the next wave of<br />
workmen came through to begin the project. The project<br />
in the basement moved along nicely with a few ‘major’<br />
adjustments along the way.<br />
The year end came around at lightening speed and<br />
one fateful night, at the end of our new year celebration,<br />
a loud thud was heard from above as staff finalised the<br />
evening clean up. Upon investigation we discovered the<br />
ceiling had collapsed in one of the staff rooms. We were<br />
all thankful for the good fortune that no one was hurt.<br />
Such an event triggered yet more action to be taken.<br />
Well, of course the ceiling had to be fixed! In came<br />
Vishvakarma with his team. The rooms were cleared,<br />
work began. It was then announced that whilst the<br />
opportunity was there the office needed desperate<br />
expansion. “Om Swamiji. How wonderful!” we all<br />
exclaimed. As one room became somewhat liveable,<br />
work began in the next. At one stage there were more<br />
workmen than students attending the centre! Full steam<br />
ahead, the sound of saws and hammering rang out<br />
across the centre. Whilst teaching, one would find oneself<br />
chanting the prayers in tune to the banging of the<br />
hammers and shrill of the saws. As Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong>’s<br />
famous saying goes, “Adapt, Adjust, Accommodate”.<br />
So at the beginning of <strong>2010</strong> we had intermittent hot<br />
water in the kitchen and staff shower, dust on every<br />
surface in the Main House, the Swamis swanning off to the<br />
exotic land of India for the Kumbha Mela and a basement<br />
that resembled a maze of pipe work and studding.<br />
34<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Countdown began. The Swamis returned. A new wave<br />
of movement began. Rooms were plastered and painted,<br />
windows replaced, floors were carpeted. The office<br />
transformed into a modern haven for the staff to attend<br />
to their daily administrative duties. The basement<br />
continued taking shape.<br />
Four weeks until TTC. The basement was still ‘taking<br />
shape’. Workmen were staying late into the night to meet<br />
the deadline. Were we going to have the shower room<br />
operational for the beginning of the course?<br />
More prana came in the form of Swami Keshavananda<br />
from the <strong>Sivananda</strong> Retreat House, Austria. All day IKEA<br />
shopping trips created mounds of boxed up furniture<br />
piled in every corner of the Centre. Karma yogis came<br />
in full force assembling and building the furniture for<br />
the rooms.<br />
We had residents staying at the centre for the first<br />
of the new residential courses in April. They were much<br />
appreciative of the wonderful space provided for their<br />
accommodation and study. Meanwhile the basement<br />
was still ‘taking shape’.<br />
The wait was over. The 24th day of April finally came<br />
around. The rooms for our new residents were beautifully<br />
prepared with a hint of modern IKEA colour and space<br />
consciousness. And with great relief the basement wet<br />
room was operational and available for use at the very<br />
last minute!<br />
On a bright sunny day in London, we welcomed the<br />
students to the city Ashram for the first TTC in a city<br />
centre! They enjoyed the intense programme with regular<br />
silent walks along the River Thames and serene natural<br />
surroundings in the early morning light as well as during<br />
the evening hours when the city begins to slow down.<br />
Special guest programmes and learning and living the<br />
different aspects of yoga kept them focused and eager.<br />
The students maintained an enthusiastic and positive<br />
attitude throughout the course. The intense schedule<br />
flowed smoothly with the reduced daily schedule of the<br />
centre. Every space of the centre was fully utilised<br />
to maximum effect.<br />
We were very blessed to be part of this landmark<br />
event. Plans are in place to continue the tradition of TTC<br />
at the centre in the future. Meanwhile residential courses<br />
have been planned throughout the year with the next<br />
being ‘<strong>Yoga</strong> Psychology and Positive Mental Health’ with<br />
Dr. Uma Krishnamurti in August, followed by ‘The Raja<br />
<strong>Yoga</strong> Sutras of Patanjali’ with Swami Durgananda in<br />
November <strong>2010</strong>. We look forward to the ever growing<br />
success of the residential activities in the London Centre,<br />
which has turned into a real city Ashram!
By Swami Sivadasananda<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong>
Unblocking Vital Energy<br />
The increase of energy or prana is a<br />
main motivation for the practice of<br />
asanas. While you hold a posture,<br />
pressure builds up in certain areas<br />
of the body, which are physical<br />
counterparts of major meridian<br />
crossing points. Whether it is pressure<br />
between the body and the mat,<br />
pressure on joints or gentle muscle<br />
stretch pain, watch carefully what<br />
happens when this pressure is<br />
released as you slowly come out<br />
of the asana. While you spend some<br />
time lying in the corpse pose,<br />
relaxing before starting the next<br />
posture, you can positively experience<br />
an increase in energy circulation.<br />
This is more than just having<br />
a more detailed body awareness.<br />
When you let go of the body, giving<br />
up the resistance to the pull of<br />
gravity, you can experience a feeling<br />
of lightness, a magnetic flow of<br />
energy from the feet up to the head.<br />
It is different and independent<br />
of the motor and sensory nerve<br />
impulses traveling to and from your<br />
muscles. The energy or prana<br />
currents are specific for each asana.<br />
Once you have learned to identify<br />
them during relaxation after the<br />
asana, you can start focusing on<br />
them even while holding the pose.<br />
With time you learn how long you<br />
need to hold an asana, simply<br />
by focusing on these energy<br />
movements. Once the energy is<br />
unblocked, you can leave the pose,<br />
relax for a while and then carry on<br />
with the next asana. In order to reap<br />
the energetic benefits of the asanas<br />
it is recommended to remain in one<br />
system of practice.<br />
Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong> says:<br />
“Everybody should select a course<br />
of a few asanas to suit his tempera -<br />
ment, capacity, convenience, leisure<br />
and requirement. Never change<br />
the asanas. Adhere to one set<br />
tenaciously. If you do one set<br />
of asanas today and some other<br />
tomorrow and so on, you cannot<br />
derive much benefit.”<br />
The Play of the Gunas<br />
<strong>Yoga</strong> describes the frequency of vital<br />
energy in three vibratory levels.<br />
These gunas or “qualities of nature”<br />
apply to the whole universe,<br />
including the body and the mind:<br />
Sattva<br />
Purity, clarity, peace, harmony,<br />
balance, awareness, happiness, joy,<br />
love, calm, silence, light, knowledge,<br />
intelligence<br />
Rajas<br />
Activity, passion, agitation, worry,<br />
desire, anger, restlessness,<br />
impulsiveness, turbulence<br />
Tamas<br />
Laziness, lethargy, delusion,<br />
ignorance, sleep, attachment,<br />
fear, depression, dullness,<br />
heaviness, decay<br />
Nobody will remain in any one<br />
of the three states for a long time.<br />
Just as night (tamas), day (rajas) and<br />
sunrise/sunset (sattva) repeat<br />
themselves in cycles, so also the<br />
The Power of Asanas<br />
“Nobody knows the power of asanas”<br />
– these are the words of Swami Vishnudevananda, spoken<br />
with humble reverence for the greatness of <strong>Yoga</strong>.<br />
<strong>Yoga</strong> points out the defects of human existence – pain and ignorance – and<br />
offers practical ways to attain happiness and wisdom by applying natural laws.<br />
These laws are inscribed in every cell of our body and in the background of<br />
every thought we think. Here are three powerful processes which are activated<br />
when you practice asanas:<br />
gunas constantly change.<br />
Today’s lifestyle in the big cities is<br />
characterized by an excess of rajas –<br />
the senses are constantly bombarded<br />
at great speed by exciting sights,<br />
sounds, smells and tastes. This<br />
hyperactive rush causes a great deal<br />
of agitation followed by prolonged<br />
periods of exhaustion or tamas – the<br />
vital energy is low and the mind<br />
cannot focus on anything. While one<br />
vaguely longs for the peaceful,<br />
creative, positive and uplifting<br />
energy of sattva, body and mind<br />
remain trapped in rajas or tamas.<br />
<strong>Yoga</strong> helps to balance the play<br />
of the gunas by increasing sattva.<br />
Each time the vital energy starts to<br />
circulate in the asana class, it feels<br />
like drops of nectar entering the<br />
system. As the practice continues<br />
you can observe how asanas not<br />
only provide greater amounts of<br />
energy, but also improve the balance<br />
of the gunas.<br />
Take for instance a three-minute<br />
practice of the shoulderstand: How<br />
you experience it depends on the<br />
guna which predominates at the<br />
time. If there is more tamas, the<br />
body will feel heavy and you would<br />
rather leave the posture and spend<br />
more time in relaxation. If you are in<br />
a mood of rajas, your body will want<br />
to move in and out of the pose,<br />
instead of remaining in it. In both<br />
situations focusing on your<br />
breathing will help you to hold the<br />
pose. Deep inhalations will give you<br />
enough energy to overcome the<br />
lethargy of tamas, and long and<br />
controlled exhalations will help you<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> 37
The Power of Asanas<br />
to control the jerking impulses of<br />
rajas in your muscles. Similar exper -<br />
iences can be had in other asanas<br />
such as headstand, plough, fish,<br />
sitting forward bend and spinal twist.<br />
After final relaxation, the play of the<br />
gunas is more balanced. You are<br />
then better able to meditate (sattva),<br />
to do energetic work (rajas) and to<br />
have a deep sleep at night (tamas).<br />
An important factor should be<br />
mentioned here: Deepening the<br />
sattva during your asana practice<br />
and remaining in that state after -<br />
wards depend mostly on what you<br />
eat before and after the practice.<br />
Meat and alcohol create tamas;<br />
stimulants like tea, coffee, onions<br />
and garlic enhance rajas. The vege -<br />
tarian satvic yogic diet is a tremendous<br />
help to keep the gunas in balance.<br />
Concentration and<br />
Positive Thinking<br />
Wanting to be a good, positive<br />
person is a natural tendency of the<br />
higher mind. Yet while one may<br />
know quite well one’s negative<br />
thought trends and habits, it often<br />
remains difficult to shift to the<br />
positive side.<br />
The Raja <strong>Yoga</strong> Sutras of Patanjali<br />
observe this phenomenon in a very<br />
38<br />
Newly Published!<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
neutral and objective way:<br />
When the thought waves are<br />
stilled, the perceiver rests in his<br />
own true nature (I, 3)<br />
When the waves of a lake are stilled,<br />
one can see the bottom clearly.<br />
Likewise, when the modifications<br />
or thought waves in the mind<br />
subside, one’s essential nature<br />
becomes evident. This true nature<br />
is the same for everybody and<br />
manifests as peace, love and bliss.<br />
When the mind is not concen -<br />
trated, the perceiver identifies<br />
with its modifications. (I,4)<br />
When thought waves arise, there is<br />
the immediate tendency to identify<br />
with them. Especially during socalled<br />
“free time” the mind is in a<br />
distracted state, as it does not have<br />
to focus on any specific task. In this<br />
situation it is very difficult to get rid<br />
of instinctive thoughts of lust, anger,<br />
hatred and jealousy, simply because<br />
the mind is not focused. Without<br />
Kirtan<br />
the <strong>Sivananda</strong> Book of Chants<br />
This beautiful wiro bound colour book offers a very clear and<br />
informative introduction to Kãrtan. It includes chants that are sung<br />
regularly at all <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centres and Ashrams.<br />
It clearly explains the meanings of each chant and<br />
also includes a Sanskrit transliteration chart to help<br />
with pronunciation.<br />
The symbolism and meaning behind the different<br />
aspects of the Hindu dieties is also explained.<br />
It contains nearly 180 pages and includes more than<br />
80 bhajans.<br />
The book also includes sections on The Power<br />
of Sanskrit Mantras, Bhakti <strong>Yoga</strong>, Dhyàna ølokas,<br />
Sunday Prayers, øànti Mantras, Guru Stotra,<br />
Univeral Prayer and âratã.<br />
For more information and to order a copy of this new book,<br />
contact your <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centre or Ashram. (See address<br />
listing on page 62).<br />
concentration, we take the “movie”<br />
of the mind for actual fact.<br />
When negative or harmful thoughts<br />
disturb the mind, they can be<br />
overcome by constant pondering<br />
over their opposites. (I, 33)<br />
Through constant alertness and<br />
focus, it is possible to replace useless<br />
thought waves with positive<br />
thoughts. Asanas develop concen -<br />
tration naturally. Fine-tuning the<br />
postures with conscious breathing<br />
and relaxation quickly brings the<br />
mind into a focused state.<br />
During an asana class the group<br />
atmosphere and the instructions of<br />
the teacher easily guide the mind to<br />
concentration. This is why you may<br />
prefer to take a class rather than<br />
practicing at home. Try to practice at<br />
home what you have learned during<br />
the class and come in touch with the<br />
magic focusing power of the asanas.<br />
As you relax deeply, the thoughts<br />
become as light as a feather and<br />
miraculously move to the positive side.<br />
Swami Sivadasananda<br />
Is a long time disciple of Swami Vishnudevananda and the director of the <strong>Sivananda</strong><br />
<strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centre in Madrid. He is <strong>Yoga</strong> Acharya for the <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong><br />
Centres in Europe and South America.<br />
e-mail: SwamiSivadasananda@sivananda.net
Tapping the Energy of Plants<br />
By Diana Mossop<br />
Phytobiophysics is a new and relevant scientific approach to the problems of mankind that<br />
incorporates modern knowledge, traditional therapies and ancient wisdom. Above all it is a<br />
means of accurately assessing causal factors of disease. The word Phytobiophysics simply<br />
means the science of plant energy and the definition of this philosophy is the use of the<br />
infinite energy of plants to restore balance and harmony to people of the world on all levels<br />
of consciousness; Spiritual, Mental, Emotional and Physical.<br />
The primary remedial aspect of<br />
Phytobiophysics is by the use of the<br />
vibrational energy of plants<br />
Using the vibration of plants for healing is not a new<br />
scientific approach. In fact it is timelessly old. For<br />
centuries it has been well understood that plants have<br />
an extremely important role in our lives, not only do we<br />
live and survive by eating plants but also we use them<br />
to restore our bodies to health. It should come as no<br />
surprise that the energetic aspect of plants plays a vital<br />
role in ensuring healing on a profound and subtle level.<br />
Phytobiophysics is an understanding of the interrelationship<br />
between our souls and our being and the<br />
physical manifestations which often appear as symptoms<br />
of illness. People, when hurt on a very deep level, fall<br />
degenerately ill.<br />
Many years of research have been conducted into<br />
matching the electro-magnetic frequencies of healthy<br />
cells to those of plants. Plant energy is captured as a<br />
memory by the traditional sun method. Thousands of<br />
plant and flower essences have been gathered from all<br />
over the world. By combining the frequencies of these<br />
thousands of essences, the twenty Phytobiophysics<br />
Flower Formulas have been produced. They have been<br />
formulated to resonate on very precise and specific<br />
frequencies following the colour spectrum of the<br />
Rainbow. However a healthy person also resonates on<br />
the colour spectrum. Each Flower Formula has been<br />
specifically created to match the resonance of a healthy<br />
cellular system in the body. The formulas act as<br />
neurotransmitters and when ingested they instantly<br />
regulate the electro-magnetic frequency of the system<br />
being targeted. This encourages the body’s own innate<br />
ability to heal itself on a very deep level.<br />
The Spiritual Journey<br />
The word spiritual is profound and encompasses the<br />
entire journey of our lives, which is infinite in both<br />
directions. The infinity of the past is the energy from<br />
the genetic coding of our ancestors and the infinite<br />
information of our inheritance. The infinity of the future<br />
is the consequence of all our actions and relationships<br />
and our children’s inheritance from us. The spiritual<br />
journey is the entire journey of our lives, it has no<br />
beginning and it has no end. It is everything that we are<br />
and everything that we do in our lives. The spiritual<br />
journey is the deepest of all and when we are hurt or<br />
traumatised on this level we will fall degenerately ill.<br />
The Mental Journey<br />
The mental journey is the intellectual journey, the journey<br />
of this life starting from the date of conception. The<br />
mental journey is linked very closely with the way we<br />
have been taught, the way we have been brought up, the<br />
languages we speak, the relationships that our parents<br />
have. If we are treated with love and respect as little<br />
children, we will grow up to love and respect and value<br />
humanity. If we are treated with betrayal and trauma and<br />
sadness we grow up as victims, lose our confidence and<br />
feel sad. We lose our self worth. When hurt on the mental<br />
journey, the journey of this life, we frequently manifest<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> 39
Phytobiophysics<br />
these traumas as structural disorders in the skeleton and<br />
in the way we breathe. The mental journey has a direct<br />
relationship with oxygen and our body’s use of oxygen.<br />
The Emotional Journey<br />
The emotional journey is the journey of our senses and<br />
the journey that gives our lives purpose. This is the journey<br />
of loving, giving, creation and maturity, the journey of<br />
loving relationships that are of paramount importance in<br />
our lives. When we are hurt on the emotional journey this<br />
will manifest as functional disorders.<br />
The Physical Journey<br />
The physical journey is the journey of now, today and is<br />
to do with daily routine. Getting up in the morning, how<br />
we slept the night before, whether we are happy or<br />
angry, whether someone has hurt us right this very<br />
moment. The physical journey is about the digestive<br />
system, assimilation and the utilisation of nutrients. The<br />
physical journey is about growth, breathing, the heart<br />
beat, digestion, elimination and living. We travel on all<br />
the journeys at all times throughout our lives. Every<br />
emotion and experience that we feel during our lives has<br />
a subtle yet profound reflexive action on the four valves<br />
of the heart. Relationships are of paramount importance<br />
in our lives, the way we relate to our loved ones is an<br />
exceedingly important aspect as to whether we are well.<br />
The location of the block is decreed by the relationship of<br />
the social breakdown within the family. The depth of the<br />
block or the plane upon which it manifests is influenced<br />
by the degree of trauma.<br />
•Those of us who live in isolation from our loved ones<br />
frequently fall ill.<br />
•Those of us who are saddened and embittered by the<br />
circumstance of our lives frequently fall ill.<br />
•Those of us who get stopped and held back on our<br />
journey of life and are not able to overcome these<br />
circumstances frequently fall ill.<br />
It is not until we really start to understand these<br />
serious tragedies and traumas that occur in our lives and<br />
come to terms with them and are then able to forgive<br />
and forget and move on, that we recover from illnesses.<br />
Father<br />
My Father<br />
I Father<br />
Fatherhood<br />
Youth<br />
My Youth<br />
My Son<br />
I Youth<br />
Brother<br />
40<br />
1 3<br />
2<br />
4<br />
Mother<br />
My Mother<br />
I Mother<br />
Motherhood<br />
Baby<br />
My Baby<br />
My Daughter<br />
I Baby<br />
Sister<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Heart Blockages<br />
Wherever there is a<br />
block in one of the<br />
chambers of the heart,<br />
there will be corres -<br />
ponding physical reflex<br />
blocks throughout<br />
the body.<br />
The Physical Correspondence of Negativity<br />
Plane Negativity Effect<br />
Spiritual Death /desertion/betrayal/shock Structural degeneration<br />
Mental Sexual/verbal aggression/neglect Structural chronicity<br />
Emotional Grief/heartache/sadness/ heartbreak Functional degeneration<br />
Physical Bereavement/victimisation/suppression Functional chronicity<br />
The Heart is the fulcrum of the body<br />
All energy travels through the heart<br />
For each one of us to be in harmony with our soul, emotions,<br />
the environment and our relationships, we need to travel<br />
freely on our journey through life. Each stage of our<br />
journey creates different responsibilities and commitments.<br />
We relate to friends and loved ones in our lives in different<br />
ways at different times, hence a person will relate differently<br />
according to the relationship with the people in their environ -<br />
ment. A healthy man will behave in a protective way towards<br />
his child but passionately towards his wife, lovingly towards<br />
his mother and respectfully towards his father. He will treat<br />
strangers differently from his close family. Furthermore,<br />
when a trauma affects a close family member, the pain<br />
will be far greater than if it were a stranger.<br />
As the blood flows freely through our hearts and<br />
bodies so also should our relationships and emotions flow<br />
freely through our lives. The four chambers of the heart are<br />
physical structures of the human body and correspond to<br />
the four quarters of the body. Each chamber is separated<br />
by a valve that gives its name to the individual constitution.<br />
Constitution is dependent on inheritance, environment,<br />
evolution, occurrence, experience, accident and trauma.<br />
Negative experiences could be classified as keys which turn<br />
the lock in the gateways, the valves of the heart.. When the<br />
gateways are locked we are trapped in the chamber and<br />
behave accordingly and fall ill accordingly.<br />
The four basic constitutions of humanity<br />
are named after the heart valves.<br />
The Tri-Cuspid Constitution is the father figure.<br />
Leader, Strong and Noble.<br />
Negativity manifests emotionally as aggression,<br />
domination and physical cruelty.<br />
The Pulmonary Constitution is the youth. Tall, Vital<br />
and Slender.<br />
Negativity manifests emotionally as loss of self worth,<br />
aloof, cold withdrawal and sarcasm.<br />
The Mitral Constitution is the mother earth. Warm,<br />
Loving and Bountiful.<br />
Negativity manifests emotionally as destructive,<br />
oppressive smothering and nagging.<br />
The Aortic Constitution is the baby. Perfect, Rounded,<br />
Creation of Life.<br />
Negativity manifests emotionally as victimisation,<br />
bereavement grief, and theft.<br />
The Five Senses<br />
The five senses, touch, taste, sight, hearing and smell<br />
connect each one of us to life. Through the senses, we ex -<br />
perience emotions that have a profound effect on our souls<br />
and manifest as subtle changes in the function of the body.<br />
Since function governs structure, changes in mood and<br />
emotion will also have an effect on the physical structure<br />
of the body. The more profound the emotion, the deeper<br />
the change in function and structure. Hence, emotions<br />
may be positive and create harmony and healing or<br />
negative and create disharmony (disease) and destruction.<br />
Trauma and tragedy create wounds that leave scars
on the soul. These scars leave their mark, which appear as<br />
craters. The degree of trauma will determine the depth of<br />
the crater and the level of disharmony. Negative emotions<br />
create visible physical distortion that manifests as signs in<br />
the face and eyes. Facial expressions are controlled by the<br />
twelve pairs of cranial nerves. The cranial nerves are the<br />
guardians of the organs of the five senses. Since we<br />
experience emotions through the senses, these changes<br />
in emotion reflect as facial expressions, wrinkles and<br />
distortion. Emotions affect the nervous system and trauma<br />
reflects as lesion marks in the iris. Iridology is the analytical<br />
science of interpretation of these visible lesions. Iridology<br />
shows that every experience creates a visible lesion in the<br />
iris that may be interpreted as a physical disorder. It is<br />
possible to relate these subtle changes as imbalances that<br />
occur in the function of the heart and have a distinct effect<br />
on the valves of the heart. The four chambers of the heart<br />
relate to the four quarters of the body. So… as we are<br />
wounded by negative emotions during our journey through<br />
life, so, also, is the Lotus of the inner heart wounded.<br />
The heart is the fulcrum of the energy flow through the<br />
body. Every experience, every emotion and all of life’s daily<br />
expectations and occurrences have a subtle yet profound effect<br />
on the heart-beat and the flow of blood through the heart.<br />
The four chambers of the heart relate to the four<br />
quarters of the body and the four magnetic poles of the<br />
earth. The four valves of the heart are the gateways<br />
through the chambers. The function of the valves is<br />
impaired by negative emotions, which leads to creating<br />
patterns of disease and tendencies to inherent disorders.<br />
A childhood wound may damage on a spiritual level. This<br />
manifests as a deep lesion that has a long-term disturbing<br />
effect on a specific valve of the heart and therefore all the<br />
corresponding organs. Positive emotions create healing on<br />
all levels of our journey and as we travel through life we<br />
have a choice to recover from tragedy through love and<br />
understanding or we may take the negative attitude to<br />
further trauma and disease. The journey to recovery is an<br />
individual journey and yet there is a pattern to life on all<br />
levels of consciousness. The journey to recovery is a<br />
journey of choice.<br />
Life is Energy-Light is Energy<br />
Each level and meridian of the human body vibrates on a<br />
specific colour frequency. Light is the visible part of a very<br />
wide spectrum of energy. It is that part of the electromagnetic<br />
spectrum to which the human eye is sensitive<br />
and that part of the energy field that sustains life as we<br />
know it. Within its narrow part of the spectrum, light<br />
varies in colour, depending on frequency and wavelength.<br />
Colour radiates from the comparatively low frequency of<br />
infra-red to red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet<br />
and ultraviolet. Light is measured in Angstroms. This is a<br />
unit of length used to measure one hundred millionth<br />
(10 – 8) of a centimetre of a radiation wavelength. The<br />
Angstrom is one tenth of a nanometre (10A=1nm).<br />
White light splits into the rainbow:<br />
Ultra Violet 380 nm, Violet 423 nm, Indigo 449 nm,<br />
Blue 475 nm, Green 512 nm, Yellow 573 nm,<br />
Orange 607 nm, Red 680 nm, Infra Red 780 nm.<br />
The shorter the wavelengths of colour the higher the<br />
Phytobiophysics<br />
frequency and therefore the penetration potential is<br />
increased. It is for this reason that colours which fall<br />
in the high frequency range of sky colours such as<br />
ultraviolet, violet and indigo are effective in the<br />
treatment of spiritual, emotional and nervous system<br />
disorders. Whilst low frequency earth colours such as<br />
yellow, orange and red are more effective for the<br />
treatment of the physical body.<br />
In 1666, Isaac Newton showed that white light could<br />
be split into different colours by passing it through<br />
a glass prism. The rainbow occurs because each colour<br />
wavelength is refracted at a different angle. A rainbow<br />
is a spectrum of light produced by the natural prism of<br />
raindrops in the atmosphere. Colour results from the<br />
absence or the absorption of other wavelengths. A red<br />
object appears red because other colours are absorbed<br />
and only red is reflected.<br />
Every chemical element and every substance on the<br />
planet has its own characteristic pattern of energy frequency<br />
that can be related to the colour-band. It is possible to<br />
relate the vibration of each flower to a colour vibration.<br />
The part of the colour wavelength that can be<br />
perceived by the naked eye vibrates between 420 to 680<br />
nanometres however, despite the fact that we cannot see<br />
all the colour frequencies we still feel them and these<br />
frequencies play a vital role in the harmony of life.<br />
The electro-magnetic frequencies that are close to<br />
colour on either end of the colour spectrum are ultra -<br />
violet and infra-red. At the ends of the colour spectrum,<br />
colour fades into invisibility. Light energy comes from the<br />
sun and the sunlight that the moon reflects.<br />
Light is vital for the survival of the life force. Without<br />
light, life cannot be sustained. Colours play a valuable<br />
role in healing, energizing and harmonizing the different<br />
levels and meridians of the body. White light enters the<br />
body through the eyes and via the melanin in the skin to<br />
the pineal gland. The pineal gland acts as a prism,<br />
splitting the light into the different frequencies of colour.<br />
The resonances of the different colours balance the energy<br />
on each chakra or level. The rainbow travels through the<br />
body, from the hot, low frequencies of infra-red and red<br />
which relate to the earth, base chakra to the cool, high<br />
frequencies of ultraviolet and violet, which relate to the<br />
crown chakra of the mind and soul and the brain.<br />
Every cell in the body vibrates on a frequency that is<br />
ordered and in harmony with the whole. Each species of<br />
cell in the body vibrates on a different frequency but the<br />
homeostatic current produced by a healthy body is a<br />
constant flow of 5.4 micro amps. Health disturbances<br />
create an interference with this flow. It is therefore<br />
possible to accurately measure disturbances in the flow<br />
of energy through the acupuncture points by using<br />
a galvanometer calibrated in micro amps.<br />
Each level of the body vibrates on a specific energy<br />
frequency which can be measured as colour.<br />
Diana Mossop created Phytobiophysics, based<br />
on vibrational medicine and the healing qualities of<br />
plants and flowers. She created a whole array of<br />
floral essences.In her workshops, you will become<br />
acquainted with the properties of flowers and plants<br />
and learn to use them for healing.<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> 41
42<br />
International <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centres Europe<br />
International <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong><br />
Teachers’ Training Course<br />
Ustka, Baltic Sea, Poland<br />
August 28 – September 26, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Fully certificated four-week intensive course<br />
International guest speakers<br />
Teaching Language:<br />
Taught in English, Polish, Lithuanian, Russian<br />
and Estonian<br />
A <strong>Yoga</strong> Vacation<br />
Programme<br />
will be held at the<br />
same time as the<br />
Teachers’ Training<br />
Course.<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centre Berlin<br />
Schmiljanstr. 24 (U9 Friedrich-Wilhelm-Platz) 12161 Berlin<br />
Fax: 030/ 85 99 97 98 E-Mail: Berlin@sivananda.net<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong><br />
(1887 – 1963)<br />
Swami<br />
Vishnudevananda<br />
(1927 – 1993)<br />
Tel. +49 (0)30/ 85 99 97 98<br />
www.sivananda.org/berlin<br />
www.sivananda.eu
By Dr. Annika Waldmann<br />
Growing in popularity, vegetarianism has gone mainstream. Adopting a vegetarian lifestyle is not<br />
only justifiable on religious, moral or ecological grounds. Growing scientific evidence is confirming<br />
that a vegetarian diet is a well balanced diet for human beings. The remarkable health benefits of a<br />
vegetarian diet are demonstrated by a multitude of scientific and medical studies and range from<br />
lower blood pressure, control of diabetes, prevention of cancer to an overall feeling of well-being.<br />
The following article is taken from a Powerpoint presentation given by Dr Waldmann.<br />
Definitions of Vegetarianism<br />
•Dietary regimen that excludes foods being<br />
produced from dead animals.<br />
•Vegare (lat.) = to grow, to live<br />
Reasons for Being a Vegetarian<br />
Religion<br />
•Slaughter is a sin<br />
•Eating meat is a religious taboo<br />
•Mercy to animals<br />
•Renunciation of meat = asceticism<br />
Ethics<br />
• Killing = Wrong<br />
• Animals rights<br />
• Sympathy with animals<br />
• Avoiding meat as a strategy to solve<br />
world hunger problems<br />
Facts on Vegetarianism<br />
Health<br />
• Maintaining health<br />
• Losing weight<br />
• Prevention of certain diseases<br />
• Healing of diseases<br />
• Increasing physical and brain performance<br />
Ecology<br />
• Saving global climate<br />
• Avoiding animal mass keeping<br />
There is often more than one reason.<br />
The Major Groups of Vegetarians<br />
Classic (true) Vegetarians<br />
•Lacto-ovo-vegetarians •Vegans<br />
•Lacto-vegetarians •Raw food eaters<br />
•Ovo-vegetarians<br />
Almost Vegetarians<br />
•Fruitarians<br />
•Low meat eaters •Pesco-vegetarians<br />
•Almost vegetarians •Pollo-vegetarians<br />
•Semi-vegetarians •“Pudding vegetarians”<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> 43
Facts on Vegetarianism<br />
How Many People are Vegetarians?<br />
India: 40% 452 million people<br />
Italy: 10% 5.9 million people<br />
Germany: 9% 7.4 million (3% of all children)<br />
UK: 9% 5.4 million people<br />
Israel: 8% 600,000 people<br />
Austria: 4% 245,000 people<br />
USA: 4% 12.13 million people<br />
France: 2% 1.23 million people<br />
Poland: 1% 380,000 people<br />
Health Reasons for Adopting<br />
a Vegetarian Diet<br />
Life expectancy / Longevity<br />
“Current data from prospective cohort studies of adults<br />
raise the possibility that a very low meat intake is<br />
associated with greater longevity“.<br />
Am J Clin Nutr [1]<br />
“A long term (2 decades) adherence to a vegetarian<br />
diet contributed to a significant (3.6 years) increase<br />
in life expectancy.“<br />
Stat Med [2]<br />
Metabolic Syndrome<br />
The death bringing four:<br />
1. Obesity<br />
2. Hypertension<br />
3. Hyperlipidemia<br />
4. Insulin resistance<br />
1. Obesity<br />
Overweight means an upper normal body weight<br />
that is determined by an increase in body fat mass.<br />
44<br />
BMI =<br />
Underweight<br />
Normal weight<br />
Overweight<br />
Obesity<br />
body weight (kg)<br />
body height (m) * body height (m)<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
BMI<br />
2. Hypertension<br />
•Hypertension = high blood pressure<br />
Normal Hypertension<br />
Systolic pressure (mmHg) 160<br />
Diastolic pressure (mmHg) 95<br />
•90% Primary hypertension<br />
•Genetic reasons<br />
•Physical stress (enduring)<br />
•High salt intake<br />
(actual: 10-15 g/d salt [NaCl]; recommended 5 g)<br />
•10% Secondary hypertension (following kidney<br />
diseases)<br />
•> 50% of all Germans (42% UK, 38% Italy,<br />
28% USA)<br />
Hypertension – Symptoms, complications<br />
Early Symptoms<br />
•Head ache, vertigo (dizziness), fatigue, decreased<br />
physical performance, impaired vision<br />
•On the long run: Angina pectoris, shortness of breath<br />
Late Complications<br />
•Atherosclerosis (heart, brain, kidney, extremities, eyes)<br />
•Increased risk for coronary heart disease<br />
Approximately 35% of all cardiovascular events<br />
are due to hypertension.<br />
Life Expectancy and Hypertension<br />
Life Insurance Agency:<br />
BaBP Study<br />
•One million Americans<br />
•Age: 45 yrs<br />
•Classified as either<br />
normal blood pressure,<br />
slightly elevated,<br />
elevated or seriously<br />
elevated BP<br />
•Follow up = 20 years<br />
)<br />
%<br />
(<br />
d<br />
e<br />
i<br />
D<br />
50<br />
40<br />
30<br />
20<br />
10<br />
Mortality rate<br />
Age 50 55 60 65<br />
Blood pressure at the age of 45 yrs<br />
normal elevated<br />
132/85<br />
132/90<br />
152/95<br />
mmHg<br />
162/100<br />
nach Society of Actuaries: Build and Blood Pressure Study, 1959<br />
Vegetarianism and Hypertension<br />
•A number of studies have shown vegetarians to have<br />
lower blood pressures than non-vegetarians.<br />
e.g. Sacks 1974 [4]; Armstrong 1977 [5]; Fraser 1999 [6]<br />
•A vegetarian diet has also been shown to reduce blood<br />
pressure in hypertensive patients. Margetts 1986 [7]<br />
•Non-meat eaters, especially vegans, have a lower<br />
prevalence of hypertension (6 – 7%), lower systolic and<br />
diastolic blood pressures than meat eaters<br />
(12 – 15%), largely because of differences in body<br />
mass index. Appley et al. 2002 [8]<br />
Reason for the low blood pressure in vegetarians remains<br />
unclear. Possible reasons:<br />
•The relative leanness of vegetarians<br />
•The effect of reduced sodium or increased potassium<br />
intake<br />
3. Hyperlipidaemia<br />
Total cholesterol: > 200 mg/dl LDL: > 135 mg/dl<br />
HDL: < 40 mg/dl Triglyzerides: > 150 mg/dl<br />
Lipid Screening Leipzig:<br />
•Vegetarians showed lower total and non-HDLcholesterol<br />
levels in comparison with the general<br />
population (approx. 10%).<br />
•Mean total cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol level, total:<br />
HDLcholesterol ratio showed the expected agedependence,<br />
with maximum values within the decade<br />
60 – 70 years.<br />
•Age-dependent increase of these parameters is less<br />
pronounced under the conditions of vegetarian<br />
nutrition and life-style.<br />
Leipzig [9]<br />
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)<br />
•“A plant-based diet with lots of fruits and vegetables<br />
can reduce the risk of heart disease."<br />
(Tim Byers; Univ. of Colorado, Health Sciences Center in Denver)<br />
•”Substantial evidence indicates that plant-based diets<br />
(whole grain, unsaturated fats, fruits, vegetables, n-3 fatty<br />
acids) can play an important role in preventing CVD.“<br />
(Frank Hu; Harvard School of Public Health in Boston)<br />
– Soluble fiber<br />
(beans, peas, oats,<br />
barley): seems to<br />
lower blood<br />
cholesterol<br />
– Folic acid: Bvitamin,<br />
lowers<br />
blood levels of<br />
homocysteine<br />
– Antioxidants:<br />
minimizing of<br />
oxidation of LDL<br />
– “Squeezing Out<br />
Saturates”:<br />
substitution effect<br />
continued on page 48<br />
Facts on Vegetarianism<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> 45
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> 47
Facts on Vegetarianism<br />
continued from page 45<br />
4. Diabetes mellitus / Insulin resistance<br />
Diabetes<br />
•High blood glucose level<br />
•Due to absolute or relative lack of insulin<br />
Reasons<br />
•Insulin resistance<br />
•Overweight / Reduced physical activity<br />
International Diabetes Federation:<br />
“Epidemics of the 21st century“<br />
•6% world wide with diabetes (2006)<br />
•Germany: 8% (2004)<br />
Diabetes – Symptoms, complications<br />
Early Symptoms<br />
•Excessive thirst<br />
•Frequent urination/Urinary urge<br />
•High content of glucose in urine<br />
Late complications<br />
•Atherosclerosis (major / minor vessels)<br />
•CHD, arterial occlusive (obstructive) disease, stroke<br />
•Damages of the kidneys, nerves, retina<br />
Diabetes – Prevention<br />
•Avoiding overweight and obesity<br />
•Physical activity<br />
•Maximum fat intake 30% of energy intake<br />
•Maximum intake of saturated fatty acids 10%<br />
•Eating plenty of dietary fibre rich products (low GI)<br />
such as whole grain products, legumes, fruits and<br />
vegetables<br />
Diabetes risk of vegetarians is approximately 50%<br />
compared to non-vegetarians.<br />
Fraser 1999 [6]; Bradwaite et al. 2003 [10]; Tonstad et al. 2009 [11]<br />
Health with Vegetarianism<br />
Vegetarians suffer less from:<br />
•Metabolic syndrome<br />
•Overweight<br />
•Hypertension (8% vs. 15% in the general population)<br />
•Insulin resistance (lower prevalence of diabetes)<br />
•Hyperlipidemia (vegetarians: HDL higher, LDL and<br />
triglyzerides lower)<br />
48<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
•Coronary Heart Disease<br />
(Relative Risk to die 0.3-0.5 compared to omnivores)<br />
•Cancer (Colon / Rectum, Mamma (Breast),<br />
Prostate, Lung)<br />
•Constipation and Diverticulosis (12% vs. 33%)<br />
•Osteoporosis<br />
•Bile- (12% vs. 25%; Cholesterol) and Kidney stones<br />
•Macula degeneration due to high intake of green<br />
vegetables<br />
•Spina bifida due to high intake of folic acid<br />
•High intake of dietary fiber / low intake of saturated<br />
fatty acids = less Gout, Hiatus Hernia, Varicose Veins,<br />
Haemorrhoids<br />
Due to diet and life style!<br />
Vegetarian life style<br />
Vegetarians …<br />
•Smoke less frequently<br />
•Drink less alcoholic beverages<br />
•Show a higher physical activity<br />
•Practice more often meditation, yoga<br />
Waldmann et al. 2003 [12]; Davey et al. 2003 [13]; Haddad et al. 1999 [14];<br />
Ball 1997 [15]; Janelle and Barr 1995<br />
Four simple rules to prolong your life<br />
1 Stop smoking<br />
2 Alcohol in moderation<br />
3 Plenty of fruits and vegetables (= at least 5 a day)<br />
4 Physical activity<br />
•Study with 20 000 persons (45-79 years),<br />
follow up = 11 years<br />
•One point for each rule<br />
•Risk of dying was 1 : 4 comparing zero to four points<br />
•Increased life expectancy by 14 years<br />
•Increased life expectancy by 14 years (by way<br />
of calculation)<br />
Khaw et al. 2008, Myint et al. 2009 [16]<br />
Dr Annika Waldmann<br />
Dr. Annika Waldmann studied Food Science at the<br />
University of Hannover, Germany.<br />
e-mail: Annika.Waldmann@gmx.de<br />
Below: <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Retreat House, Tyrol, Austria
Vegetarian Recipes<br />
Barley Risotto<br />
One of the best sources of soluble and insoluble fibre, barley makes this risotto<br />
especially healthy.<br />
Serves 4<br />
1 tbsp olive oil or ghee (clarified butter)<br />
3 cm (11/4 in) fresh ginger root<br />
200 g (7 oz) pot barley<br />
600 ml (1 pint) hot vegetable stock or filtered water<br />
140 g (5 oz) fresh or frozen peas<br />
85 g (3 oz) asparagus, bottoms trimmed and stalk finely chopped,<br />
leaving 2-3 cm (3/4 – 11 /4in) stem below the tips (set<br />
aside 2/3 of asparagus tips)<br />
small handful mint leaves, shredded<br />
pinch rock salt and freshly ground black pepper<br />
vegetarian Parmesan cheese, grated<br />
reserved asparagus tips, blanched in boiling water<br />
for 1 minute<br />
mint leaves to garnish<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> Upadesha<br />
Raising your vibratory level<br />
By Swami Vishnudevananda<br />
“<br />
Understand what I am trying to do. We are trying to raise your vibratory<br />
level. In the early morning the vibratory level is very high, it will help you. Also the<br />
vegetarian diet you are taking will increase your vibratory level because there is no<br />
animal magnetism. You try to increase your vibratory level through using the air,<br />
earth, water, fire, air and sun. The sun is energy. Mother earth has all the min erals<br />
and all the water necessary to convert these minerals with the help of the sun.<br />
Your body is completely controlled by these five elements. You are not your<br />
body. You have already learned that your body is the vehicle. You are different from<br />
the vehicle. But your body’s vibratory level can go down or up. So also your mind.<br />
According to the vibratory level of your body, your mental level will change. If the<br />
mental vibration is very low, it will affect your body.<br />
When you do asanas, you are controlling the vibratory level of the physical<br />
body. Pranayama controls the vibratory level of the psychic body, using the air. By<br />
eating a vegetarian diet you get the proper vibratory level created by the mineral<br />
kingdom. Your body also contains iron, copper, magnesium, and these minerals that<br />
your body is composed of will be very pure.<br />
The body is also made up of substances such as water. On a full moon day,<br />
you can see the tides in the ocean; ocean tides are caused by the moon. Your body<br />
is made up of seventy percent water, so the moon's gravity affects your body as<br />
Vegetarian Recipes<br />
1. Place the olive oil or ghee in a large saucepan over a moderate heat. When<br />
the oil is hot, add the ginger and pot barley to the pan and cook, stirring<br />
regularly, for 2 – 3 minutes.<br />
2. Gradually stir in half the hot stock. Bring the stock to a steady simmer and leave<br />
to cook for 15 minutes, stirring regularly, until almost all the stock has been<br />
absorbed. Add the rest of the stock to the barley and repeat the process for a<br />
further 15-20 minutes, at which time the barley should be tender with a little<br />
bite to it and the stock should be mainly absorbed. If the barley is still firm, add<br />
a little more stock or water and allow it to cook for a further 5-10 minutes.<br />
3. Stir in the peas and chopped asparagus and cook them with the barley for<br />
5 minutes until they are tender.<br />
4. Remove the risotto from the heat and stir in the mint and seasoning until<br />
well distributed.<br />
5. To serve, divide the risotto between 4 serving bowls and place the blanched<br />
asparagus tips in the centre of each bowl. Scatter the grated Parmesan over<br />
the top and sprinkle with mint leaves to garnish.<br />
Mediterranean Spinach<br />
This traditional recipe from the Mediterranean region offers fresh, sharp<br />
flavours and requires only minimal preparation.<br />
Serves 4<br />
60 ml (2fl oz) olive oil<br />
75 g (21/2 oz) pine nuts<br />
1 kg (21/4lb) young spinach, washed and tough stalks removed<br />
to taste salt and freshly ground black pepper<br />
50 g (13/4 oz) currants<br />
1 tbsp lemon juice<br />
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg<br />
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon<br />
1. Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan. Add the pine nuts and sauté over low<br />
heat, stirring continuously, until they are lightly browned.<br />
2. Add the washed spinach and season with a little salt and pepper. Stir, cover,<br />
and cook for about 2-3 minutes, until the spinach has wilted. If necessary,<br />
drain any excess moisture from the pan.<br />
3. Stir in the currants, lemon juice, nutmeg, and cinnamon and serve the<br />
spinach immediately.<br />
well. The ocean can be affected, and you are not bigger than the ocean, so you are<br />
affected too. It is not merely someone's idea. If you go to a mental hospital on a<br />
full moon day you will see more guards. The patients are affected more on a full<br />
moon day than at any other time. According to the police forces<br />
they will put more police on that day, because there will be more<br />
crimes. You are not an inde pendent entity. We are all connected<br />
to the universal force of energy. And all that universal energy<br />
force comes from God. God is energy.<br />
“<br />
Vishnudevananda Upadesha<br />
By The <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Centre<br />
Vishnudevananda Upadesha contains extracts that are taken from talks<br />
by Swami Vishnudevananda on a variety of topics that encompass the<br />
teachings of the vast science of yoga. The words he speaks offer solace,<br />
hope, guidance and above all joy and love to all who listen to him. To<br />
order a copy of this inspirational new book, contact your local <strong>Sivananda</strong><br />
<strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centre or Ashram. (See page 62 for address listing).<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> 49
50<br />
By Durga Devi, Nirmala and Theresa Tram<br />
Five years previously, Theresa Tram<br />
had stepped up to the microphone to<br />
introduce herself to her TTC group at the <strong>Yoga</strong> Farm<br />
in Grass Valley, California. Instead of saying, “I want<br />
to be a yoga teacher”, she was astonished to hear<br />
the words, “I came here to bring Swami Sita back to<br />
Vietnam”, come from deep within her. She was the<br />
first yoga student to come from Vietnam, originally<br />
not knowing that Swami Sitaramananda was<br />
Vietnamese born and had not been back to her<br />
country for 35 years. Theresa’s words contained<br />
a vision and inspiration which was prophetic.<br />
This vision materialized as students bearing<br />
diverse sounding names from 14 countries –<br />
Vietnam, Taiwan, Europe, United States, Japan,<br />
Australia, China, Canada, Great Britain, Singapore,<br />
Forty years prior to today, a war was<br />
carried out in all its ugliness at this<br />
same location<br />
Dubai and the Philippines – came forward to the<br />
microphone in the big yoga hall at the Wellness<br />
Center in Ba Thuong resort, to introduce<br />
themselves. It was an emotional experience because<br />
everyone knew that something good and special<br />
was happening, not only because it was the first<br />
time, but also because they were staying on the<br />
very grounds that once were killing fields. Cu Chi<br />
is famous for its hundreds of miles of underground<br />
tunnels and for being the target of many battles,<br />
located strategically between the Ho Chi Minh Trail<br />
entrance and Saigon.<br />
Forty years before, Cu Chi had been a place of<br />
tears for the people who died in this village – one<br />
quarter of the population of 200,000. This was<br />
once a so-called ‘white zone’, where no rice fields,<br />
trees, bushes or even a blade of grass was left. And<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
here, on this very spot, the first <strong>Sivananda</strong> TTC was<br />
taking place, 15 minutes from the famous Cu Chi<br />
Tunnels. Surrounded by rice fields, the tropical<br />
manicured landscape is now breathtaking, with<br />
flowers, many banana, mango and palm trees and<br />
wonderful lotus ponds. It was as if the land, which<br />
had been dormant and waiting, was coming alive<br />
with the arrival of the yogis and their uplifting<br />
energy, pujas, blessings and healing mantra,<br />
Om Namo Narayanaya.<br />
The preparation for this venture took years of<br />
hard work and diplomacy. The two swamis, Swami<br />
Sitaramananda, Swami Pranavananda and some<br />
of the staff arrived only a week before the TTC<br />
began, and set to work transforming the brand new<br />
buildings into an ashram. Within a week the big<br />
tiled dining room had become a yoga and<br />
meditation hall with a beautiful altar with Om,<br />
Ganesha and pictures of the Gurus.<br />
For four weeks, each student was confronted<br />
daily with their own challenges. For some it was<br />
the physical hardship of conquering certain asana<br />
poses, for others it was focusing the mind or<br />
working with the ego during the karma yoga tasks<br />
of cleaning toilets or sweeping floors. Success would<br />
not have been possible without the special energy,<br />
the patient guidance of the swamis, asana teachers,<br />
karma yoga supervisors and the support among the<br />
students. After a while, even the heat and humidity,<br />
the new vegetarian Indian and Asian diet and the<br />
exhaustion that inevitably grows toward the end,<br />
were met with ease, as the students became<br />
stronger by the day.<br />
On the free day, excursions were organized<br />
outside of the ashram. Students, swamis and<br />
teachers together were able to get a real taste for<br />
the Vietnamese culture. The Cu Chi tunnels and<br />
booby traps, the war memorial and its thousands<br />
of names inscribed on golden plaques gave insight<br />
into the horrible war. A day was spent in Saigon<br />
visiting pagodas and museums displaying the rich
In March <strong>2010</strong>, seventy students from all over the<br />
world came together in Vietnam to participate in the<br />
first Teachers’ Training Course in Southeast Asia.<br />
Over the month, the group was united as one and<br />
all preconceptions and boundaries were broken<br />
down – a profound example of the True World Order<br />
of Swami Vishnudevananda.<br />
cultural past of Vietnam. The foreign students who experienced traffic in the<br />
bustling city of 8 million people and 4 million motorbikes saw how Vietnamese<br />
people are able to keep their calm, even amongst the worst chaos. A visit to the<br />
Cao Dai (a mixed religion of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism) temple<br />
indicated the mixed influences in the history of the country and how the<br />
Vietnamese are able to harmonize and respect each other even with so many<br />
different religious beliefs.<br />
There were two especially heartwarming events. The first was special yoga<br />
lessons for the elderly yogi-volunteers, among them one old Vietnamese lady,<br />
aged 84. She took yoga for the first time in her life, which was taught with love<br />
and patience by the Vietnamese yoga teachers every morning at 8 o'clock. She<br />
learned it so quickly that she must have been a yogi in a previous life. “I am so<br />
happy”, she said. “Although yoga came so late in my life, I am so grateful”.<br />
Second was hearing the young and earnest voices in Vietnamese, English,<br />
Chinese and Japanese, as the students recited in their own language,<br />
“O Adorable Lord of Mercy and Love, Salutations and Prostrations unto Thee.<br />
Thou art Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient. Thou art Satchidananda”.<br />
This brought tears to many eyes.<br />
On the evening of the graduation a bright navy blue sky hung over the<br />
ashram just before it turned dark, giving way to a spectacular thunderstorm<br />
which, during the ceremony, was literally shaking the grounds. The winds blew<br />
through the yoga hall, even opening up the wall behind the altar as the wind<br />
came rushing in. Rain was pouring down after months of no rain at all. Everyone<br />
saw this as an auspicious sign, a blessing and a goodbye from the elements.<br />
This first TTC in Southeast Asia was a historical moment in more than one<br />
way. It could not have been successful without the love and help of the Gurus<br />
and the ancestors, Swami Sitaramananda, Swami Pranavananda, the Thanh Son<br />
family in Vietnam and the love of all who came to Vietnam to participate with<br />
teaching, translating and volunteering. The outpouring of gratitude from the<br />
students at graduation showed that this initiative was more than a success<br />
– it was a blessing.<br />
It united the Vietnamese and Americans, the Japanese and Chinese, the<br />
Dutch and Germans through Guru’s grace and vision. This was a true example<br />
of Swami Vishnudevananda's teachings as we read in his Upadesa book: “Let us<br />
not fight. Let us bring this message of TWO: world brotherhood”. He further said,<br />
“If we can live peacefully, respecting other's wishes, other's religions and other’s<br />
philosophies, and yet sticking to our own philosophy, our own religion, our faith,<br />
our way of life, this is beauty. This is called Unity in Diversity”.<br />
Dates for the next TTC in Cu Chi, Vietnam are February 6 – March 6, 2011<br />
For enquiries: www.sivanandayogavietnam.org<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> 51
Practical Advice on Pranayama<br />
Practical Advice on<br />
PRANAYAMA<br />
By Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong><br />
True to his concrete writing style, Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong> gives us some very<br />
practical advice with the practice of Pranayama, that can be easily be<br />
incorporated into daily life and will help a great deal to improve our general<br />
stamina, relax our nervous system and increase our power of concentration.<br />
The Master then reveals the possibility of healing through the control of Prana, even from a distance. Although he did<br />
not publicly acknowledge having these powers, many disciples have recounted several examples of him healing his<br />
devotees from all sorts of health problems and illnesses, oftentimes by mere closing his eyes and using his will power.<br />
This also highlights two trademarks of Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong>’s writings. The first is the fact that he only recommends<br />
practice of which he has a first-hand experience. The second is that he makes all spiritual advice and recommend -<br />
ations, even of the highest order, readily available to all.<br />
Pranayama While Walking<br />
Walk with head up, shoulders back and with chest<br />
expanded. Inhale slowly through both nostrils counting<br />
OM mentally 3 times, one count for each step. Then<br />
retain the breath till you count 12 OMs. Then exhale<br />
slowly though both nostrils till you count 6 OMs. Take the<br />
respiratory pass or rest after one Pranayama counting<br />
12 OMs. If you find it difficult to count OM with each step,<br />
count OM without having any concern with the steps.<br />
Kaphalabhati can also be done during walking. Those<br />
who are very busy, can practise the above Pranayama<br />
during their morning and evening walks. It is like killing<br />
two birds with one stone. You will find it very pleasant<br />
to practise Pranayama while walking in an open place,<br />
when a delightful gentle breeze is blowing. You will be<br />
invigorated and innervated quickly to a considerable<br />
degree. Practise, feel and realize the marked, beneficial<br />
influence of this kind of Pranayama. Those who walk<br />
briskly, repeating OM mentally or verbally, do practise<br />
natural Pranayama without any effort.<br />
Pranayama During Meditation<br />
If you do concentration and meditation, Pranayama<br />
comes by itself. The breath becomes slower and slower.<br />
You will practise this Pranayama daily unconsciously.<br />
When you are reading a sensational story-book or when<br />
you are solving a mathematical problem, your mind is<br />
really very much absorbed in the subject-matter. If you<br />
closely watch your breath on these occasions, you will<br />
find that the breath has become very, very slow. When<br />
you see a tragic story being enacted in the theatre or a<br />
film-show, when you hear very sad striking news or some<br />
glad tidings, when you shed tears either of joy or sorrow,<br />
52<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
or burst into laughter, the breath is slackened –<br />
Pranayama comes by itself. In those Yogic students who<br />
practise Sirshasana, Pranayama comes by itself. It is<br />
obvious from these examples that when the mind is<br />
deeply concentrated on any subject, the respiration slows<br />
down or stops. Pranayama is being done automatically.<br />
Mind and Prana are intimately connected. If you turn<br />
your attention to watch the breath on those occasions,<br />
it will regain its normal state. Pranayama comes by itself<br />
to those who are deeply absorbed in doing Japa, Dhyana<br />
and Brahma-Vichara (enquiry of Atman).<br />
Prana, mind and Virya (seminal energy) are under one<br />
Sambandha (connection). If you can control the mind,<br />
Prana and Virya are controlled by themselves. If you can<br />
control Prana, mind and Virya are controlled by<br />
themselves. If you control the Virya by remaining as an<br />
Akhanda Brahmachari without emission of a single drop<br />
of semen for 12 years, mind and Prana are controlled by<br />
themselves. Just as there is connection between wind<br />
and fire (light), so also there is connection between Prana<br />
and mind. Wind fans the fire. Prana also fans the mind.<br />
If there is no wind, a fire or light burns steadily. Hatha<br />
Yogins approach Brahman by controlling Prana. Raja<br />
Yogins approach Brahman by controlling mind.<br />
In this Pranayama you need not close the nostrils.<br />
Simply close the eyes if you practise it in a sitting<br />
posture. Forget the body and concentrate. If you practise<br />
this during walking, just feel minutely the movement<br />
of the air that is inhaled and exhaled.<br />
Pranic Healing<br />
Those who practise Pranayam, can impart their Prana<br />
in healing morbid diseases. They can also recharge<br />
themselves with Prana in no time by practising
“You can have extraordinary power of concentration, strong<br />
will and a perfect healthy and strong body by practising<br />
Pranayama regularly”. – Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong><br />
Kumbhaka. Never think that you will be depleted of your<br />
energy by distributing it to others. The more you give, the<br />
more it will flow to you from the cosmic source<br />
(Hiranyagharba). That is the law of nature. Do not<br />
become a niggard. If there is a rheumatic patient, gently<br />
shampoo his legs with your hands. When you do<br />
shampooing (massage), do Kumbhaka and imagine that<br />
the Prana is flowing from your hands towards the legs<br />
of the patient. The patient will at once feel warmth, relief<br />
and strength. You can cure headache, intestinal colic<br />
or any other disease by massage and by your magnetic<br />
touch. When you massage the liver, spleen, stomach or<br />
any other portion or organ of the body, you can speak to<br />
the cells and give them orders: “O cells!<br />
Discharge your functions properly. I<br />
command you to do so.” They will obey<br />
your orders. They too have got<br />
subconscious intelligence. Repeat Om<br />
when you pass your Prana to others.<br />
Try a few cases. You will gain<br />
competence. You can cure scorpionsting<br />
also. Gently shampoo the leg and<br />
bring the poison down.<br />
You can have extraordinary power<br />
of concentration, strong will and<br />
a perfect healthy and strong body<br />
by practising Pranayama regularly. You<br />
will have to direct the power of Prana<br />
consciously to unhealthy parts of the<br />
body. Suppose you have a sluggish liver.<br />
Sit on Padmasana. Close your eyes. Inhale gently till you<br />
count OM 3 times. Then retain the breath till you count<br />
OM 6 times. Direct the prana to the region of the liver.<br />
Concentrate your mind there. Fix your attention to that<br />
area. Imagine that Prana is interpenetrating all the<br />
tissues and cells of the lobes of the liver and doing its<br />
curative, regenerating and constructive work there. Faith,<br />
imagination, attention and interest play a very important<br />
part in curing disease by taking Prana to the diseased<br />
areas. Then slowly exhale. During exhalation imagine<br />
that the morbid impurities of the liver are being thrown<br />
out. Repeat this process 12 times in the morning and<br />
Practical Advice on Pranayama<br />
12 times in the evening. Sluggishness of the liver will<br />
vanish in a few days. This is a drug-less treatment. This is<br />
a nature-cure. You can take the Prana to any part of the<br />
body during Pranayama and cure any kind of disease, be<br />
it acute or chronic. Try once or twice in healing yourself.<br />
Your convictions will grow stronger. Why do you cry like<br />
the lady who is crying for ghee when she has butter in<br />
her hand, when you have a cheap, potent, easily<br />
available remedy or agent Prana at your command at all<br />
times. Use it judiciously. When you advance in your<br />
concentration and practice, you can cure many diseases<br />
by mere touch. In the advanced stages, many diseases<br />
are cured by mere will.<br />
Distant Healing<br />
This is known as ‘absent treatment’<br />
also. You can transmit your Prana<br />
through space, to your friend, who<br />
is living at a distance. He should have<br />
a receptive mental attitude. You must<br />
feel yourself en rapport (in direct<br />
relation and in sympathy) with the<br />
man, whom you heal with this Distant<br />
Healing method.<br />
You can fix hours of appointment<br />
with them through correspondence.<br />
Swami Vishnudevananda practising You can write to them: “Get ready at<br />
Anuloma Viloma pranayama<br />
4am. Have a receptive mental attitude.<br />
Lie down in an easy chair. Close your<br />
eyes. I shall transmit my Prana.” Say mentally to the patient:<br />
“I am transmitting a supply of Prana (vital force)“. Do<br />
Kumbhaka when you send the Prana. Practise rhythmical<br />
breathing also. Have a mental image that the Prana is<br />
leaving your mind when you exhale; it is passing through<br />
space and it is entering the system of the patient. The<br />
Prana travels unseen like the wireless (radio) waves and<br />
flashes like lightning across space. The Prana that is<br />
coloured by the thoughts of the healer is projected<br />
outside. You can recharge yourself with Prana by<br />
practising Kumbhaka. This requires long, steady and<br />
regular practice.<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> 53
Kumbha Mela Yatra <strong>2010</strong><br />
A report on the recent <strong>Sivananda</strong> North India Pilgrimage<br />
to the Himalayas and the Kumbha Mela in Haridwar<br />
On 14th of February at 10am a group<br />
of 72 participants coming from many<br />
countries (Austria, Germany, France,<br />
Spain, UK, USA, Lithuania, Russia,<br />
Croatia, Belgium, Finland, Uruguay)<br />
arrived at the meeting point near<br />
Delhi airport and were cordially<br />
greeted by Swami Atmaramananda<br />
and a group of Swamis and staff.<br />
After OM Tryambakam prayers<br />
for a safe journey, three buses Vishnu,<br />
Rama and Baby Krishna started the<br />
journey towards the Himalayas.<br />
In the late evening we reached<br />
Mussorie, where we spent the night.<br />
With the sunrise appeared the<br />
beautiful views from this scenic<br />
hill station in the foot hills of<br />
the Himalayas.<br />
The second travel day took us on<br />
winding mountain roads through<br />
valleys and mountain passes to our<br />
first sadhana destination – Uttarkashi,<br />
54<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
where each yatri was welcomed in<br />
the guesthouse by a local priest with<br />
a flower garland and tilak.<br />
Uttarkashi is a scenic Himalayan<br />
township at 145 km from Rishikesh<br />
at an altitude of 1352 metres, by the<br />
river Ganga. For centuries it has been<br />
a place of sadhana with many<br />
ashrams. Our beloved teacher Sri<br />
Swami Vishnudevananda spent<br />
several months here in intense Hatha<br />
<strong>Yoga</strong> Sadhana in the early 1950’s<br />
and also completed his earthly<br />
journey here with his Jala Samadhi<br />
(immersion of his body into the<br />
Ganga) in 1993.<br />
The group soon became absorbed<br />
in the elevating vibrations of Ganga<br />
and the Himalayas. Everybody<br />
relaxed and settled into the daily<br />
Ashram schedule of satsang, asanas,<br />
pranayama, study and simple local<br />
diet served in bandhara style in<br />
long rows on the floor.<br />
Swami Atmaramananda’s<br />
readings and commentaries on Adi<br />
Shankaracharya’s Vivekachoodamani<br />
brought insight and reflection into<br />
the higher purpose of life.<br />
Our first local visit took us to the<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> Kutir, the beautiful<br />
Ashram directly by the Ganga<br />
on the outskirts of Uttarkashi,<br />
which was founded by Swami<br />
Vishnudevananda in 1992. Swami<br />
Parameshwariananda gave us a<br />
loving welcome and a tour through<br />
the Ashram which was still closed for<br />
the winter. After a Ganesha-Homa<br />
was performed by a local priest in the<br />
Ashram temple and lunch we had<br />
satsang at Swamiji’s Jalasamadhi<br />
rock where we sat and chanted OM<br />
Namo Narayanaya for World Peace.<br />
Swami Atmaramananda gave a<br />
moving description of Swami
Vishnudevananda’s Jalasamadhi<br />
cere mony, the immersion of his<br />
body into the Ganga on November<br />
11th, 1993.<br />
In the early hours we had<br />
Darshan at the old Vishwanath Siva<br />
temple in Uttarkashi. The Yatris<br />
sat close to the Sivalingam and<br />
repeated the Mantra for Siva with<br />
devotion and concentration.<br />
Another enjoyable outing took<br />
us to the Ashram of Swami<br />
Chaitanyananda who had been<br />
a close Gurubhai of Swami<br />
Vishnudevananda. The Ashram is<br />
situated above the Uttarkashi main<br />
road with a wonderful view on the<br />
valley. Satsang included recitation<br />
of vedic mantras and a reading<br />
from Adi Shankaracharya’s<br />
Sri Dakshinamurti Strotram which<br />
had been commented by Swami<br />
Chaitanyananda.<br />
On our last day in Uttarkashi,<br />
a Bandhara (meal) was organized<br />
for the local sadhu community.<br />
The event started with kirtan in the<br />
meditation hall where the Yatris<br />
(to the right) and some 80 Sadhus<br />
(to the left) gathered. The sun<br />
falling on the many orange robes<br />
created a magic glow which blended<br />
with their exquisite chanting<br />
devoted to Lord Rama. After Arati,<br />
food was served to the sadhus in<br />
complete mouna (silence) and a<br />
small donation and gifts were<br />
humbly accepted by these saintly<br />
men and women who dedicate their<br />
life to secluded sadhana and prayer<br />
for world peace.<br />
After an invigorating afternoon<br />
asana class on the roof top and<br />
a dinner with special local dishes<br />
our stay in Uttarkashi concluded<br />
with a cultural program: bonfire and<br />
Kumbha Mela Yatra <strong>2010</strong><br />
Main picture: Ganga Arati at Haridwar<br />
during the Kumbha Mela<br />
a dance performance narrating<br />
parts of the Mahabharata,<br />
accompanied by local musicians.<br />
Several dancers entered into a<br />
trance-like state and danced through<br />
the bonfire. After Ganga Arati we<br />
enjoyed special moments under the<br />
brightly twinkling stars, the soft<br />
murmur of the nearby Ganga and<br />
a light cool breeze coming down<br />
from the snowy mountain peaks.<br />
The next morning we started the<br />
downhill bus journey with a scenic<br />
picnic at the Classic Hill Top Hotel in<br />
Chamba with breathtaking all round<br />
panoramic view to the higher<br />
Himalayan peaks. We reached the<br />
Divine Life Society Ashram in<br />
Rishikesh just on time for evening<br />
Arati in the Siva temple. We joined<br />
the Maha mantra Akhanda Kirtan<br />
in the Bhajan Hall. Gurudev Swami<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> had started this World<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> 55
Kumbha Mela Yatra <strong>2010</strong><br />
Ganga Arati at Haridwar <strong>Sivananda</strong> Ashram, Rishikesh Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong>’s Bedroom in Ananda<br />
Kutir, Rishikesh<br />
Main picture: <strong>Sivananda</strong> Kutir, Netala<br />
– the place of Swami Vishnudevananda’s<br />
Jala Samadhi in the river Ganga<br />
Peace Prayer which since then has<br />
been chanted 24hrs without interruption<br />
for over 60 years. We meditated in the<br />
Mahasamadhi Shrine and after going<br />
down the steep Ashram stairs we<br />
visited Ananda Kutir, Master’s small<br />
cottage by the Ganga. Many yatris<br />
were moved to tears when they saw<br />
Master’s meditation room and the<br />
desk where he wrote the unending<br />
stream of inspiring books.<br />
In the late evening we reached<br />
Haridvar and met more yatris and<br />
Swamis who had just arrived from the<br />
West. We settled into the spacious<br />
guest house which previously was the<br />
sadhana residence of a local Maharaja,<br />
at walking distance from the main<br />
Kumbha Mela sites. The rooms are<br />
situated on 4 floors around a courtyard<br />
with a small temple. It has a large<br />
terrace overlooking the Ganga as well<br />
as an exclusive ghat (bathing area).<br />
The week in Haridvar was marked<br />
by the continuous spiritual fellowship<br />
amongst the yatris and the group of<br />
19 Swamis; the morning and evening<br />
satsangs were vibrant with the love<br />
and wisdom of the Masters.<br />
The first outing took us to the<br />
Har-ki-Pauri, the main Ganga Arati<br />
56<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
location. A group of local priests<br />
connected each yatri individually to<br />
the worship of Mother Ganga with<br />
special mantras and blessings. More<br />
and more people gathered in the area<br />
and a dozen priests swung huge ghee<br />
lamps standing on the river banks and<br />
the Ganga Arati was sung out loud by<br />
thousands of devotees standing on<br />
both sides of the narrow fast flowing<br />
river. On the way back to the guest -<br />
house we passed by some of the tent<br />
camps which had been erected for the<br />
expected multitudes of pilgrims on the<br />
Kumbha Mela’s main bathing days.<br />
Sri Potti Swami, a respected tantric<br />
priest from Trivandrum, had come<br />
specially from Kerala, South India, to<br />
conduct a Devi (Mother) puja and to<br />
invoke the blessings of Master and<br />
Swamiji for the yatris as well as for<br />
their ancestors, friends and families.<br />
Potty Swami is a devoted friend of<br />
Swamiji and a great spiritual support<br />
of the <strong>Sivananda</strong> organization.<br />
After the puja Swami Durgananda<br />
addressed the yatris, inspiring<br />
everybody to relax and fully focus on<br />
this unique sadhana stay, to take a<br />
daily bath in the Ganga and to absorb<br />
the powerful spiritual vibrations in<br />
Haridvar. Her words really helped<br />
everybody to become more settled<br />
and open to the experience ahead.<br />
Then started seven unforgettable<br />
days of Bhagavata Saptaha, the<br />
recitation of the Srimad Bhagavatam<br />
by Sri Venugopal Goswami. The daily<br />
sessions from 11am to 3pm immersed<br />
everybody deeply into the world of<br />
Bhakti – devotional philosophy,<br />
spiritual stories, mantra chanting and<br />
uplifting humour. It was a totally<br />
unique situation, authentic teachings<br />
from the scriptures from the great<br />
yoga tradition of India in the most<br />
auspicious time and place, in the<br />
company of sincere fellow practitioners.<br />
The daily pujas by two priests from<br />
Vrindavan and the classical musical<br />
accompaniment by a whole orchestra<br />
of excellent musicians who accom -<br />
panied Sri Venugopal Goswami’s<br />
exquisite chanting – these were true<br />
nectar drops in the Kumbha Mela<br />
experience.<br />
We visited some of the nearby<br />
Camps and were introduced to this<br />
special community. The hundreds of<br />
naked Sadhus are not just an<br />
exceptional sight, their presence is a<br />
powerful message of simplicity and
enunciation. They live year in year out<br />
in remote secluded forests following<br />
a strict personal as well as group<br />
discipline. One Sadhu who had not<br />
lowered his left arm for more than<br />
thirty years, explained that “he had<br />
offered the arm to God”, truly<br />
a thrilling statement.<br />
One morning the Swamis silently<br />
left the guesthouse at 3.30am to<br />
participate in the 5am satsang of the<br />
Divine Life Society in Rishikesh,<br />
offering prayers to Master and<br />
Swamiji. It is due to the grace of the<br />
Masters that the Swamis can follow<br />
some of the sannyas disciplines,<br />
literally nurtured by the love and<br />
support of the students in the<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centres and<br />
Ashrams all over the world. The Swami<br />
group returned with a special glow,<br />
just in time for the next session of the<br />
Saptaha: The Krishna Lila portion of<br />
the Bhagavatam which contains the<br />
uplifting stories of Lord Krishna’s<br />
childhood. As we listened to the<br />
soulful pranks of Baby Krishna and<br />
their deep philosophical meaning<br />
faces softened, hearts opened and<br />
eyes started to shine.<br />
One last outing took us on a<br />
longer walk by the Ganga to the<br />
Daksh Prajapati Temple in Kankal,<br />
where we witnessed the powerfull<br />
worship of the Siva Lingam. We also<br />
visited the nearby Ashram of Ma<br />
Ananda Mayi and meditated at the<br />
Mahasamadhi Shrine of this<br />
enlightened lady saint who had the<br />
most blissful and soothing spiritual<br />
smile, coming out of the depths of her<br />
union with the Divine.<br />
March 1st was the day of the<br />
famous Indian Holi Festival. It<br />
coincided with the 8th day of the<br />
Saptaha reading. For several hours we<br />
listened to the famous Holi songs<br />
presented by Sri Venugopal Goswami<br />
and musicians. The conclusion was the<br />
showering of Lord Krishna with<br />
thousands and thousands of rose and<br />
marigold flower petals which later<br />
gave way to a collective showering<br />
and throwing of the petals onto each<br />
other, a most playful and joyful<br />
experience for everyone.<br />
The next morning the return journey<br />
started, the buses reached the Sri<br />
Aurobindo Ashram in Delhi, a modern<br />
building complex in a green oasis<br />
located right in the middle of the busy<br />
Indian capital. The highlight of the<br />
Kumbha Mela Yatra <strong>2010</strong><br />
Bhagavata Saptaha, Haridwar<br />
Conclusion of the Bhagavata Saptaha<br />
Asana Class, Haridwar<br />
next day was the visit to the <strong>Sivananda</strong><br />
<strong>Yoga</strong> Center in Kailash Colony, where<br />
some Yatris enjoyed an ayurvedic<br />
massage. Swam Atmaramananda gave<br />
a very inspiring Satsang in reminiscence<br />
of Swamiji’s own yatras in India. The<br />
day ended with an interfaith pilgrimage<br />
to the Ba’hai Lotus Temple. Here we<br />
spent some time in silent meditation.<br />
Next stop was the Gurdwara Bangla<br />
Sahib Sikh temple, where we sat to<br />
listen to the reading of the Adi Granth,<br />
the ancient Holy Book of the Sikhs in<br />
a very calm and peaceful atmosphere.<br />
continued on page 61<br />
Join the next Himalayan<br />
Yatra in November <strong>2010</strong>!<br />
November 7 – 20, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Delhi – Haridvar – Rishikesh –<br />
Uttarkashi – Delhi<br />
Netala, Uttarkashi<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> 57
<strong>Sivananda</strong> Ashram and Centre News<br />
58<br />
Ashram and Centre News<br />
VAL MORIN, CANADA<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Ashram HQ<br />
Reconnect with Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong> and Swami<br />
Vishnudevananda at the <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> HQ in<br />
Canada. Meet up with friends, senior disciples<br />
and staff from the four corners of the world.<br />
Re-energise, revitalise and create peace. Register<br />
at www.sivananda.org/camp<br />
See page 35 for information.<br />
GRASS VALLEY, USA<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> Ashram Vrindavan<br />
<strong>Yoga</strong> Farm<br />
The <strong>Sivananda</strong> Ashram Vrindavan <strong>Yoga</strong> Farm<br />
in Grass Valley will celebrate its 40 years<br />
anniversary in 2011. The celebrations will be<br />
in April 12 – 16, 2011. We would like to make<br />
an album book gathering stories, pictures, and<br />
testimonials about the ashram, specially during<br />
the years when Swami Vishnudevanandaji<br />
came regularly to teach and to seclude at the<br />
<strong>Yoga</strong> Farm. Please send your stories and photos<br />
to ‘yogafarmpublications@gmail.com’.<br />
Thank you. <strong>Yoga</strong> Farm Staff.<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
WOODBOURNE,<br />
NEW YORK<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> Ashram <strong>Yoga</strong> Ranch<br />
The <strong>Yoga</strong> Ranch is upgrading the whole ashram<br />
while maintaining its rustic beauty and simplicity.<br />
Dedicated to Yogic lifestyle and simple, natural<br />
living, besides a predominance of organic vege -<br />
tarian diet, we are growing more and more of our<br />
own food according to organic, sustainable,<br />
permaculture principals. The old <strong>Yoga</strong> Ranch<br />
buildings have been given new life with a new<br />
Asana and dining Hall, and new kitchen.<br />
We have replaced the roofs and insulation of the<br />
old buildings and given them a needed facelift.<br />
This year we started two new courses: an<br />
Ayurvedic Cooking Certification course with<br />
Dr. Kamlesh; and a <strong>Yoga</strong> of the Heart Certification<br />
with Nischala Joy Devi and Bhaskara Deva, to<br />
train <strong>Yoga</strong> teachers to teach heart and cancer<br />
patients to adopt a healthy <strong>Yoga</strong> lifestyle. We are<br />
also teaching three Teachers, Training Courses<br />
(TTC’s) in 2011 with a new April/May Course in<br />
addition to our traditional June and September<br />
TTC’s. We are also continuing the July Advanced<br />
Teachers’ Training Course (ATTC) with a very<br />
strong group of Teachers.<br />
NEYYAR DAM, INDIA<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta<br />
Dhanwantari Ashram<br />
Work is currently going on to renovate the<br />
stage/altar area of the main satsang hall,<br />
Siva Hall. The beautiful ceiling with 33 hand<br />
carved lotus flowers is already complete.<br />
Additionally there will be wood panels on the<br />
walls around the Nataraja alcove and a carved<br />
front with canopies over Master and Swamiji’s<br />
statues all down in teak wood.<br />
MILAN, ITALY<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centre<br />
The new <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centre in<br />
Milan, Italy, celebrated it's opening with a<br />
Weekend Open House on April 24 and 25, <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
The daily program included open and intro -<br />
ductory classes throughout the day, vegetarian<br />
lunch, seminars, and evening satsang – all free<br />
and open to the public. We were honored to<br />
have Swami Mahadevananda in Milan for the<br />
weekend and he gave seminars on “What is<br />
<strong>Yoga</strong>” and “What is Vedanta” as well as very<br />
inspiring satsangs. The efforts of karma yogis<br />
to distribute flyers the preceding weeks paid off<br />
as nearly 60 people visited the center for the<br />
first time over the weekend. Just as important,<br />
it was an opportunity for new teachers and<br />
students to participate together in sharing the<br />
center with others. With full asana classes and<br />
large satsangs, they were inspired to see how<br />
energetic the center could be with some effort<br />
from us all. With Master's and Swamiji’s grace,<br />
the centre will continue to expand and serve<br />
ever more students in Milan.<br />
REITH, KITZBHÜEL,<br />
AUSTRIA<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> Retreat House<br />
When Swami Vishnudevananda gave the first<br />
<strong>Yoga</strong> retreats in the quiet and breathtaking<br />
beauty of the Tyrolian Alps, he spontaneously<br />
exclaimed: “This is just like the Himalayas!”<br />
And this is what actually many students feel<br />
after coming for a <strong>Yoga</strong> vacation or one of the<br />
many courses offered at the <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong><br />
Retreat House. An inspiring summer season is<br />
about to start with new one week intensive<br />
courses on yoga and health: Ayurveda for<br />
Women, Ayurveda Kitchen Pharmacy, <strong>Yoga</strong> and<br />
Wild Herbs, <strong>Yoga</strong> and Transpersonal Psychology.
SIVANANDA YOGA<br />
IN SOUTH AMERICA,<br />
BRAZIL TOUR,<br />
IN THE NAME OF PEACE<br />
During the month of May we had a tour in Brazil<br />
"In the name of Peace". Kanti Devi was invited<br />
to visit different cities to spread the teachings of<br />
Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong> and Swami Vishnudevananda.<br />
Subramanya, director of the affiliated center in<br />
Rio de Janeiro organized the tour. Teachers and<br />
students from Porto Alegre, Curitiba, Rio de<br />
Janeiro, Petrópolis, Sao Paulo, Santos and Recife<br />
prepared different programs: <strong>Yoga</strong> classes, satsangs,<br />
workshops and retreats. The activity was intense<br />
and beautiful at the same time.<br />
New <strong>Sivananda</strong> Center<br />
in Porto Alegre (Brazil)<br />
In the month of July, the affiliated center in Porto<br />
Alegre will be part of the oficial <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong><br />
Vedanta centers. Kanti Devi will be directing the<br />
center with the help of teachers and karma yogis<br />
from the cities. Gopala, who started the center<br />
nince years ago, moved to Rio for personal reasons.<br />
The center is located in a beautiful neighborhood.<br />
It has to big <strong>Yoga</strong> halls, a platform in the garden<br />
for practice and very inspiring Ganesha Temple.<br />
10 Aniversary in Buenos Aires<br />
Center, Argentina<br />
We are celebrating this year our tenth aniversary.<br />
Swami Premananda will be doing a tour in<br />
different cities in Argentina. During the month<br />
of June we will have a <strong>Yoga</strong> Festival celebrating<br />
this special occasion. Besides <strong>Yoga</strong> workshops,<br />
we invited Pandit Ravi Hari Kewlani to perform<br />
a Puja and a Homa. We will also have indian dance,<br />
music and different surprises for participants.<br />
Montevideo <strong>Sivananda</strong> Center<br />
This center has been working for more than<br />
24 years. From here we organize the TTCs in South<br />
America and print many Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong>’s books<br />
in Spanish. We are including Ecuador for TTC in<br />
2011 and there is a project to have the <strong>Yoga</strong> life<br />
magazine into Spanish and Portuguese too.<br />
MUNICH, GERMANY<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Zentrum<br />
The Munich meditation room saw the install -<br />
ation of three powerful black granite statues<br />
in traditional south Indian style. The spiritual<br />
vibrations of the meditation room had always<br />
been exceptionally high due to 35 years of<br />
uninterrupted Sadhana and the presence of<br />
a very special idol of Lord Krishna, which was<br />
blessed by Swami Vishnudevananda many years<br />
back. But now that Krishna has been joined by<br />
beautiful Murtis of Lord Ganesha, Mother Durga<br />
and a Siva Lingam (all of them in handmade<br />
wooden shrines), the small room has been<br />
transformed into a little heaven on earth,<br />
making it a perfect place for deep contemplation.<br />
To improve the crowded office situation some<br />
renovations and rearrangements were done and<br />
now the Centre has two separate offices, which<br />
is greatly appreciated by all staff.<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> Ashram and Centre News<br />
BERLIN, GERMANY<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Zentrum<br />
Students in Berlin enjoy the atmosphere of the<br />
centre and especially the outside classes on the<br />
garden platform in the summer surrounded by a<br />
little oasis of peace full of blooming flowers. The<br />
Berlin centre is functioning as a door to Eastern<br />
Europe, organizing weekend seminars as well as<br />
the TTC in Poland with translation into polish,<br />
Lithuanian and Russian language. Many former<br />
TTCs have started to teach in Russia, Poland,<br />
Lithuania, Estonia and other Eastern European<br />
countries and help to spread the knowledge of<br />
<strong>Yoga</strong> in this part of the world.<br />
ORLEANS, FRANCE <strong>Sivananda</strong> Ashram de <strong>Yoga</strong><br />
Fund Raising Campain<br />
We are starting a fund raising campain for our landscaping project at the Ashram designed to<br />
further beautify its picturesque natural setting. The project is planned to start in the fall of <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
We are working on the plans with a inspired garden architect and invite you to be part of this<br />
wonderful project. Our goal is to turn the already beautiful gardens of the Ashram into a real<br />
haven of natural beauty and energy, so that our guests can fully rejuvenate and reconnect with<br />
inner peace through the inspiration they will feel in nature. We would like to plant many bushes,<br />
flowers and bloomong trees. If you would like to make a donation, please contact us at<br />
orleans@sivananda.net, we will let you know how you can help!<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> 59
<strong>Sivananda</strong> Ashram and Centre News<br />
60<br />
VILNIUS, LITHUANIA<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centre<br />
Since the opening of the Vilnius centre last<br />
October all activities are developing nicely<br />
including special pujas, Ayurveda workshops<br />
and weekend seminars. A highlight was the<br />
arrival of the marble Krishna for the altar,<br />
which came from India in February and spreads<br />
an uplifting energy in the meditation room.<br />
NEW DELHI, INDIA<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta<br />
Dwarka Centre<br />
After fours years since opening of the centre,<br />
the monsoons will no longer flood the base -<br />
ment satsang hall. The open back stairwell has<br />
now been closed with new windows. Another<br />
improvement is the completed fence at the<br />
back of the building, giving more security and<br />
refinement to the building area. Dwarka Centre<br />
is a 5 storey building; 1 story for reception and<br />
office, and 3 stories are used for the many diff -<br />
erent classes and workshops offered at the centre.<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
VIENNA, AUSTRIA<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Zentrum<br />
The first <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Centre in Europe<br />
(established in 1974) is remem bering its origins<br />
with a gallery of historical black and white<br />
pictures featuring Swamijis pioneer work in the<br />
west, including new informative boards on<br />
Master and Swamiji’s mission.<br />
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND<br />
Centre <strong>Sivananda</strong> de <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta<br />
The large windows are shining brightly with<br />
new curtains, giving a warm welcome to the<br />
continuous flow of people from United Nations,<br />
World Health Organization, World Intellectual<br />
Property Organization, etc., who come to<br />
Geneva for their professional mission and<br />
to learn <strong>Yoga</strong>!<br />
MADRID, SPAIN<br />
Centro de <strong>Yoga</strong> <strong>Sivananda</strong> Vedanta<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> Tour <strong>2010</strong>: Madrid is located in<br />
the geographical centre of the country,<br />
regularly attracting workstudy students from<br />
the provinces to the Centre. This spring saw<br />
lightning visits to many places in Spain: <strong>Yoga</strong><br />
congress in Malaga and Gerona and Satsangs<br />
and <strong>Yoga</strong> days with active <strong>Sivananda</strong> teachers<br />
in Valladolid, Murcia and Elche. News from the<br />
South American/Spanish translators group:<br />
Science of Pranayama by Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong> is<br />
now available in Spanish.<br />
Karma <strong>Yoga</strong> Project<br />
Life and Teachings of Swami<br />
Vishnudevananda in audio files<br />
‘Listen and take notes’ – Karma <strong>Yoga</strong> Project<br />
Preparing the audio archive of Swami Vishnudevananda’s lectures.<br />
PARIS, FRANCE<br />
Centre <strong>Sivananda</strong> de <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta<br />
The completion of the renovations of the new,<br />
spacious and sunny first floor in the Paris centre<br />
has created three additional teaching rooms and<br />
three residential quarters. Close to two years<br />
after the move of the Paris centre, the opening<br />
of the new floor marked a further development<br />
of the activities of the centre. The extra teaching<br />
space is used for daily gentle classes, philosophy<br />
courses and special guest lectures. (Below: the<br />
main yoga hall).<br />
It is the wish of the International <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centres to make this treasure of knowledge<br />
and inspiration progressively available to students all over the world. For this we need your help:<br />
•Send an email to sita@sivananda.net<br />
•Receive an internet link to download<br />
one demon stration mp3 – lecture file<br />
and submit your details if you would<br />
like to participate.<br />
•You will receive by email a recording<br />
for evaluation.<br />
•Listen to the recording, and define<br />
the content by selecting, for each<br />
Your help is greatly appreciated. OM shanti, The <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centres<br />
10-minutes of the recording,<br />
5 – 10 keywords from an online<br />
evaluation form.
continued from page 57<br />
Kumbha Mela Yatra <strong>2010</strong> Testimonials<br />
Om Namah Sivaya!<br />
I would like to express my deepest gratitude and<br />
thank you to all of you.<br />
Words fail to express the deep beautiful<br />
moments that I experienced during the Yatra<br />
to Uttarkashi and Haridwar. From the ‘four dimen -<br />
sional visions’ to the heart opening chanting by the<br />
sadhus in Uttarkashi, from the sweetness of Sant<br />
Venugopal’s songs to the energy of Ma Ganga.<br />
I thank you for letting me be part of this Yatra.<br />
I thank you for having organized such a ‘once in a<br />
life-time’ experience for many of us. I myself had<br />
waited for 28 years for the opportunity to be right.<br />
And it was. Every day brought forth an illuminating<br />
and inspiring moment. Truly so. My heart is at peace.<br />
Serve, Love, Meditate, Realize. These words will<br />
never leave me. They have been with me for a very<br />
long time already, and now they echo in the core<br />
of my soul.<br />
Shanti Roopa<br />
(Lena Rhazaoui, Paris)<br />
The Kumbha Mela Pilgrimage was a great spiritual<br />
experience for me. It was wonderful to travel with<br />
like-minded people through the beautiful Northern<br />
region of India and to do Sadhana. I enjoyed<br />
meditating on the banks of the river Ganges and<br />
practising Asanas every day. A special highlight was<br />
the Bagavata Saptaha with Sri Venugopal Goswami<br />
and the visit to a Sadhu camp in Haridwar. You<br />
could feel the spiritual energy in Haridwar during<br />
the Kumbha Mela festival. I returned feeling<br />
uplifted and recharged.<br />
Ganga<br />
The <strong>Sivananda</strong> Kumbha Mela pilgrimage <strong>2010</strong><br />
was a opportunity I could not miss. The stay in<br />
Uttarkashi enabled me to release some of my deeper<br />
tensions through the spiritual practice. When we<br />
visited <strong>Sivananda</strong> Ashram Rishikesh I experienced<br />
a strong connection to Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong> and was<br />
filled with joy and determination for my Sadhana.<br />
The energy in Haridwar was focused, building up<br />
to a blissful peak on the final day which we will<br />
always remember. I am so grateful to all who made<br />
this unique experience possible.<br />
Padmini<br />
Kumbha Mela Yatra <strong>2010</strong><br />
Highlights for me were having Satsang with the<br />
Sadhus in Uttarkashi and looking into the faces of<br />
those men and women, some filled with pure<br />
radiance; meditating for five minutes in Swami<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong>'s small room in Rishikesh and feeling the<br />
energy of his presence, which was incredibly strong;<br />
and listening to the sacred stories of Lord Krishna in<br />
Haridvar during Kumbha Mela, looking out onto<br />
Mother Ganga as her sparkling, rapid waters flowed<br />
past. Those are moments I will never forget.<br />
Kaivalya<br />
During the Kumbha Mela Yatra, we were<br />
privileged to participate each day in a wealth of<br />
inspiring and uplifting experiences: whether we<br />
were meditating on the banks of the Ganga, visiting<br />
temples, listening to spiritual discourses or<br />
celebrating ancient festivals, we found ourselves<br />
immersed in the beauty and simplicity of our<br />
surroundings, sharing and celebrating abundant joy.<br />
Akhil<br />
Stepping on sacred ground…<br />
The Teachers’ Training Course (TTC) in the land of Bhakti <strong>2010</strong>/11<br />
After the Kumbha Mela, a group of Swamis and staff from the<br />
European <strong>Sivananda</strong> Centres travelled from Delhi to Vrindavan<br />
to prepare for the next event: the Teachers’ Training Course<br />
in Vrindavan.<br />
135 students arrived from all over the world eager to<br />
experience the depth of yoga and bathe in the special energy<br />
of one of the very popular pilgrimage places of India.<br />
Vrindavan is the land of bhakti yoga, the yoga of opening<br />
of the heart. It can be experienced already from the (very!) early<br />
morning hours, when mantra are being chanted throughout the<br />
town, generously amplified by powerful loudspeakers so that no<br />
one should miss this auspicious time… It first comes as a surprise<br />
to the newly arrived students, but the mind quickly gives up its<br />
resistance and surrenders to the powerful vedic chants…<br />
The Teachers’ Training Course in this gentle yet very tangible<br />
bhakti energy takes a new dimension. For the western students it<br />
is a constant lesson of surrender, which reinforces the message<br />
of yoga and Vedanta and the “melting process” which takes<br />
place in the course.<br />
Melting quite literally as one surrenders to the heat,<br />
surrenders to the sounds of mantra chanting echoing all day<br />
along from one temple to another, surrenders to the monkeys<br />
ever ready for mischief (the top game being to steal glasses in<br />
exchange for a banana or a sweet!), surrenders to the complete<br />
simplicity of the life style in this medieval city, surrenders to the<br />
dust, as omnipresent as the devotional energy floating in the air..<br />
and very holy anyway since it is the dust of Krishna’s feet…<br />
Finally surrendering to one’s heart and soul, leaving behind ego<br />
resistance, flowing again with the simplicity of life.<br />
After one month of intense practice in this most special<br />
place, students return home transformed, strengthened in their<br />
determination to lead the yogic life, their hearts opened and<br />
softened with the sweetness of bhakti.<br />
We look forward to seeing you there…<br />
The European <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centres<br />
www.sivananda.eu<br />
Upcoming Courses in Vrindavan North India:<br />
Teachers’ Training Course:<br />
October 9 – November 7, <strong>2010</strong><br />
5 February – 6 March, 2011<br />
Advanced Teachers’ Training Course:<br />
October 9 – November 7, <strong>2010</strong><br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> 61
62<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> Ashram <strong>Yoga</strong> Camp, Val Morin, Quebec, Canada<br />
ASHRAMS<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> Ashram <strong>Yoga</strong> Camp<br />
673, 8th Avenue Val Morin<br />
Quebec J0T 2R0, CANADA<br />
Tel: +1.819.322.3226<br />
Fax: +1.819.322.5876<br />
e-mail: HQ@sivananda.org<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> Ashram <strong>Yoga</strong> Ranch<br />
P.O. Box 195, Budd Road<br />
Woodbourne, NY 12788, U.S.A.<br />
Tel: +1.845.436.6492<br />
Fax: +1.845.434.1032<br />
<strong>Yoga</strong>Ranch@sivananda.org<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> Ashram <strong>Yoga</strong> Retreat<br />
P.O. Box N7550 Paradise Island, Nassau,<br />
BAHAMAS<br />
Tel: +1.242.363.2902<br />
Fax: +1.242.363.3783<br />
e-mail: Nassau@sivananda.org<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta<br />
Dhanwantari Ashram<br />
P.O.Neyyar Dam<br />
Thiruvananthapuram Dt.<br />
Kerala, 695 572, INDIA<br />
Tel: +91.471.227.3093 / 2703<br />
+91.949.563. 0951 (mobile)<br />
Fax: +91.471.227.2093<br />
e-mail: Guestindia@sivananda.orgt<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> Ashram <strong>Yoga</strong> Farm<br />
14651 Ballantree Lane<br />
Grass Valley, CA 95949, U.S.A.<br />
Tel: +1.530.272.9322<br />
Fax: +1.530.477.6054<br />
e-mail: yogafarm@sivananda.org<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta<br />
Meenakshi Ashram<br />
Near Pavanna Vilakku Junction,<br />
New Natham Road, Saramthangi Village<br />
Madurai Dist. 625 503<br />
Tamil Nadu, South INDIA<br />
Tel: +91.94421.90661<br />
e-mail: madurai@sivananda.org<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> Kutir<br />
(Near Siror Bridge)<br />
P.O. Netala, Uttar Kashi Dt,<br />
Uttaranchal, Himalayas, 249 193,<br />
North INDIA<br />
Tel: +91.1374.224.159 or +91 9411.330.495<br />
Himalayas@sivananda.org<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Retreat House<br />
Bichlach 40<br />
A- 6370 Reith bei Kitzbühel, Tyrol, AUSTRIA<br />
Tel: +43.5356.67.404<br />
Fax: +43.5356.67.4044<br />
e-mail: tyrol@sivananda.net<br />
Ashram de <strong>Yoga</strong> <strong>Sivananda</strong><br />
26 Impasse du Bignon<br />
45170 Neuville aux bois, FRANCE<br />
Tel: +33.2.38.91.88.82<br />
Fax: +33.2.38.91.18.09<br />
e-mail: orleans@sivananda.net<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
CENTRES<br />
ARGENTINA<br />
Centro Internaciónal de <strong>Yoga</strong> <strong>Sivananda</strong><br />
Sánchez de Bustamante 2372 - (C.P. 1425)<br />
Capital Federal - Buenos Aires - Argentina<br />
Tel: +54.11.4804 7813<br />
Fax: +54.11.4805 4270<br />
e-mail: BuenosAires@sivananda.org<br />
AUSTRIA<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Zentrum<br />
Prinz Eugen Strasse 18<br />
A -1040 Vienna, AUSTRIA<br />
Tel:: +43.1.586.3453<br />
Fax: +43.1.587.1551<br />
e-mail: vienna@sivananda.net<br />
CANADA<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centre<br />
5178 St Lawrence Blvd<br />
Montreal, Quebec H2T 1R8, CANADA<br />
Tel: +1.514.279.3545<br />
Fax: +1.514.279.3527<br />
e-mail: Montreal@sivananda.org<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centre<br />
77 Harbord Street<br />
Toronto, Ontario M5S 1G4, CANADA<br />
Tel: +1.416.966.9642<br />
e-mail: Toronto@sivananda.org<br />
FRANCE<br />
Centre <strong>Sivananda</strong> de <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta<br />
140 rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin<br />
F-75010 Paris, FRANCE<br />
Tel: +33.1.40.26.77.49<br />
Fax: +33.1.42.33.51.97<br />
e-mail: Paris@sivananda.net<br />
GERMANY<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Zentrum<br />
Steinheilstrasse 1<br />
D-80333 Munich, GERMANY<br />
Tel: +49.89.700.9669.0<br />
Fax: +49.89.700.9669.69<br />
e-mail: Munich@sivananda.net<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Zentrum<br />
Schmiljanstrasse 24<br />
D-12161 Berlin, GERMANY<br />
Tel: +49.30.8599.9798<br />
Fax: +49.30.8599.9797<br />
e-mail: Berlin@sivananda.net<br />
INDIA<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Nataraja Centre<br />
A-41 Kailash Colony<br />
New Delhi 110 048, INDIA<br />
Tel: +91.11. 32069070<br />
or +91.11. 292 30962<br />
e-mail: Delhi@sivananda.org<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Dwarka Centre<br />
PSP Pocket, Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong> Marg,<br />
Sector - 6 (Behind DAV school)<br />
Dwarka, New Delhi, 110075 INDIA<br />
Tel: +91.11. 6456 8526<br />
Or +91.1145566016<br />
e-mail: Dwarka@sivananda.org<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centre<br />
TC37/1927 (5), Airport Road, West Fort,<br />
Thiruvananthapuram Kerala, INDIA<br />
Tel +91.471.245 0942, +91.9497008432<br />
Email: trivandrum@sivananda.org<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> Ashram <strong>Yoga</strong> Retreat, Nassau Bahamas<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> Ashram and Centre Addresses<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centre<br />
3/655 Kaveri Nagar, Kuppam Road, Kottivakkam<br />
Chennai 600 041, Tamil Nadu, INDIA<br />
Tel: +91.44.2451.1626<br />
or +91.44 2451.2546<br />
e-mail: Chennai@sivananda.org<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centre<br />
Plot # 101 (Old No 23), Dr Sathar Road<br />
Anna Nagar, Madurai 625 020<br />
Tamil Nadu, INDIA<br />
Tel: +91.452.2521170<br />
Fax: +91.4552.4393445<br />
e-mail: maduraicentre@sivananda.org<br />
ISRAEL<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centre<br />
6 Lateris St<br />
Tel Aviv 64166, ISRAEL<br />
Tel: +972.3.691.6793<br />
Fax: +972.3.696.3939<br />
e-mail: TelAviv@sivananda.org<br />
ITALY<br />
Centro <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta <strong>Sivananda</strong> Roma<br />
via Oreste Tommasini, 7<br />
00162 Rome, ITALY<br />
Tel: +39.06.4549.6529<br />
Fax: +39.06.9725.9356<br />
roma@sivananda.org<br />
Centro <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta <strong>Sivananda</strong> Milano<br />
via Guercino 1<br />
20154 Milano, ITALY<br />
Tel: +39.02.3670.8647<br />
Mobile: +39.334.760.5276<br />
e-mail: milano@sivananda.org<br />
www.sivananda.org/milano<br />
LITHUANIA<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> jogos vedantos centras<br />
Vivulskio 41<br />
LT-03114, Vilnius LITHUANIA<br />
Tel: + +370.648.57.824<br />
Fax: + 370.5.21.041.94<br />
e-mail: vilnius@sivananda.net<br />
SPAIN<br />
Centro de <strong>Yoga</strong> <strong>Sivananda</strong> Vedanta<br />
Centro de <strong>Yoga</strong> <strong>Sivananda</strong> Vedanta<br />
Calle Eraso 4<br />
E-28028 Madrid, SPAIN<br />
Tel: +34.91.361.5150<br />
Fax: +34.91.361.5194<br />
e-mail: Madrid@sivananda.net<br />
SWITZERLAND<br />
Centre <strong>Sivananda</strong> de <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta<br />
Centre <strong>Sivananda</strong> de <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta<br />
1 Rue des Minoteries<br />
CH-1205 Geneva, SWITZERLAND<br />
Tel: +41.22.328.03.28<br />
Fax: +41.22.328.03.59<br />
e-mail: Geneva@sivananda.net<br />
UNITED KINGDOM<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centre<br />
45 – 51 Felsham Road<br />
London SW15 1AZ<br />
UNITED KINGDOM<br />
Tel: +44.20.8780.0160<br />
Fax: +44.20.8780.0128<br />
e-mail: London@sivananda.net<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Dhan<br />
UNITED STATES<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Center<br />
1246 West Bryn Mawr Avenue<br />
Chicago, IL 60660, USA<br />
Tel: +1.773.878.7771<br />
Fax: +1.773.878.7527<br />
e-mail: Chicago@sivananda.org<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Center<br />
243 West 24th Street<br />
New York, NY 10011, USA<br />
Tel: +1.212.255.4560<br />
Fax: +1.212.727.7392<br />
e-mail: NewYork@sivananda.org<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Center<br />
1200 Arguello Blvd<br />
San Francisco, CA 94122, USA<br />
Tel: +1.415.681.2731<br />
Fax: +1.415.681.5162<br />
SanFrancisco@sivananda.org<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Center<br />
13325 Beach Avenue<br />
Marina del Rey, CA 90292, USA<br />
Tel: +1.310.822.9642<br />
LosAngeles@sivananda.org<br />
URUGUAY<br />
Asociación de <strong>Yoga</strong> <strong>Sivananda</strong><br />
Acevedo Díaz 1523<br />
11200 Montevideo, URUGUAY<br />
Tel: +598.2.401.09.29/401.66.85<br />
Fax: +598.2.400.73.88<br />
Montevideo@sivananda.org<br />
AFFILIATED CENTRES<br />
ARGENTINA<br />
Centro de <strong>Yoga</strong> <strong>Sivananda</strong><br />
Centro de <strong>Yoga</strong> <strong>Sivananda</strong><br />
Carlos y Laura Chiarotto<br />
Alderete 97- Neuquén (8300),<br />
ARGENTINA<br />
Tel: +54.299.4331774/4484879<br />
e-mail: naradaneuquen@hotmail.com<br />
AUSTRALIA<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Centre<br />
Kamala Devi, The ‘Shellin’ 40 Ninth Avenue<br />
Katoomba 2700 N.S.W. AUSTRALIA<br />
Tel: +047.82.32.45<br />
e-mail: KamalaDevi@bigpond.com<br />
BOLIVIA<br />
Centro de <strong>Yoga</strong> <strong>Sivananda</strong> Santa Cruz<br />
Calle Junin #271<br />
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, BOLIVIA<br />
Tel/Fax: +591.333.1508<br />
e-mail: marcelaterceros@hotmail.com<br />
BRAZIL<br />
Centro <strong>Sivananda</strong> de <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta<br />
Rua Santo Antonio, 374<br />
Porto Alegre 90220-010 -RS, BRAZIL<br />
Tel: +55.51.3024.7717<br />
e-mail: centro@yogasivananda.com.br<br />
www.sivanandayoga.com.br<br />
Centro <strong>Sivananda</strong> de <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta<br />
Rua das Palmeiras n/13<br />
Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro CEP 20270-070<br />
BRAZIL<br />
Tel: +55.21.2266.4896<br />
www.sivanandayoga.com.br
antari Ashram, Kerala, India<br />
CANADA<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centre affiliated<br />
Sivaram & Sasi<br />
“Lakshmi”, 108 Des Berges<br />
Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec, J7V 9X2, CANADA<br />
Tel: +1.450.510.2656/+1.450.510.2657<br />
e-mail: Psivaraman@sympatico.ca<br />
<strong>Yoga</strong> <strong>Sivananda</strong> de l'Outaouais<br />
Catherine Gillies (Kumari)<br />
745 Chemin d'Aylmer<br />
Gatineau (secteur Aylmer)<br />
Québec, J9H 0B8, CANADA<br />
Tel: +1.819.684.2084<br />
e-mail: info@yoga-aylmer.com<br />
www.yoga-aylmer.com<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centre Vancouver<br />
1202-2055 Pendrell Street<br />
Vancouver, B.C. V6G 1T9,CANADA<br />
Tel: +1.604.880.2109<br />
e-mail: yoga@mail.com<br />
www.sivanandavancouver.com<br />
FRANCE<br />
Centre de <strong>Yoga</strong> Sruthi<br />
18 rue Savorgnan de Brazza,<br />
14000 Caen, FRANCE<br />
Tel: +33.6.86.88.69.78<br />
or +33.2.31.73.26.41<br />
GERMANY<br />
International <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Centre<br />
Kleiner Kielort 8<br />
20144 Hamburg, GERMANY<br />
Tel: +49.40.41.42.45.46<br />
e-mail: post@artyoga.de<br />
www.artyoga.de<br />
INDIA<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centre<br />
Swami Sundarananda<br />
'Laksmi Sadan'<br />
College Road,<br />
Palakkad, Kerala 678 001, INDIA<br />
Tel: +91.491.254.5117/254.4549<br />
e-mail: Palghat@sivananda.org<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Centre<br />
Ajitha Vijayaraghavan<br />
Nedunghattu Kalam,<br />
Mankurussi, Mankara, Palakkad<br />
Kerala 678 613 INDIA<br />
Tel: +91.491.2107550<br />
Mobile: +91.94465554490<br />
e.mail: ajiyoga@gmail.com<br />
T Raghavan<br />
Kripa, Kundanmur<br />
Maradu P.O.<br />
Kochi 682304, Kerala, INDIA<br />
e-mail: trmenon@vsnl.com<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Centre<br />
Sarath Kumar<br />
Balan K. Nair Road, Asokapuram,<br />
Kozhikode, Kerala 673 001, INDIA<br />
Tel: +91. 495 2771754/2770384<br />
Mobile +91 944 6953652<br />
e-mail: mail@sivanandayogacentre.com<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Centre<br />
#236,5th Cross, 3rd Block,<br />
H R B R Layout,<br />
Bangalore , Karnataka, 560043, INDIA<br />
Tel: +91.80.57637144,<br />
Mobile: +91.9448464448<br />
e-mail: yogaprabhus@yahoo.co.uk<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> Ashram <strong>Yoga</strong> Farm, Grass Valley, California<br />
Arsha <strong>Yoga</strong> Gurukulam<br />
Double Cutting<br />
Calvarimount Post<br />
Idukki (Dt), Kerala 680 681, INDIA<br />
Tel: +91.480284.6080<br />
e-mail: harilal_k@yahoo.com<br />
www.arshayoga.org<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Centre, Gurgaon<br />
M13/23 DLF Phase II<br />
Gurgaon 122002<br />
Haryana, INDIA<br />
Tel: +91.0124.2581353<br />
e-mail:yogashowstheway@yahoo.com<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centre<br />
L-12, 26th Street<br />
Annanagar East<br />
Chennai , Tamil Nadu, 600102, INDIA<br />
Tel: +91.44.26630978<br />
e-mail: durain@gmail.com<br />
INDONESIA<br />
Bali <strong>Yoga</strong> and Wellness<br />
Beate McLatchie<br />
Jl Tunjung Mekar 58<br />
Br Peliatan, Kerobakan<br />
Bali, INDONESIA<br />
Tel: +62.8123804046<br />
e-mail: info@baliyogawellness.com<br />
www.baliyogawellness.com<br />
ISRAEL<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Centre<br />
3 Reuven Street<br />
Jerusalem, ISRAEL<br />
Tel: +972.2.671.4854<br />
e-mail: syvc@013.barak.net.il<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Centre<br />
8 Amnon and Tamar Street, Apt 1<br />
Herzelia, ISRAEL<br />
Tel: +972.9.9561004<br />
e-mail: gerag@internet-zahav.net<br />
ITALY<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Firenze<br />
Via de' Marsili 1<br />
50125 Firenze, ITALY<br />
Tel: +39 328 9660501<br />
e-mail: info@yogaincentro.it<br />
www.yogaincentro.it<br />
In Sabina <strong>Yoga</strong> Centre<br />
Torri in Sabina<br />
Lazio, ITALY<br />
Tel: +39.340.387.6028<br />
e-mail: giulialandor@tiscali.com<br />
www.insabina.com<br />
JAMAICA<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Centre<br />
17 Tremaine Road<br />
Kingston 6 Jamaica<br />
WEST INDIES<br />
Tel: +1.876.381.1504<br />
e-mail: Alina133@yandex.ru<br />
JAPAN<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centre, Japan<br />
Suite 1002 Yoyogi Cityhomes<br />
Sendagaya 5-26-5<br />
Shibuya, Tokyo<br />
JAPAN<br />
Tel: +81.03.5969.8311<br />
e-mail beams_tokyo@yahoo.co.jp<br />
LEBANON<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Centre<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Centre<br />
522 Couraud Street #3A<br />
Gemayzeh, Beirut, LEBANON<br />
Tel: +961-1-566-770<br />
e-mail: sivanandabeirutcenter@yahoo.com<br />
NEW ZEALAND<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centre<br />
145a Tukapa Street<br />
Westown, New Plymouth, NEW ZEALAND<br />
Tel : +64.6.7538234<br />
richnz79@yahoo.co.nz<br />
www.sivanandayoga.co.nz<br />
POLAND<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centrum<br />
ul.Friedleina 20/6<br />
30-009 Krakow, POLAND<br />
Tel: +48.12.634.43.83, +48.604.460.166<br />
e-mail: yoga@yoga.krakow.pl<br />
www.yoga.krakow.pl<br />
PORTUGAL<br />
Centro de <strong>Yoga</strong> <strong>Sivananda</strong> Vedanta<br />
de Lisboa<br />
Rua Jose Carlos dos Santos<br />
No. 12 – 1 Andar<br />
1700-257 Lisbon, PORTUGAL<br />
Tel: +351.21.7971.431<br />
e-mail: sivananda.lisboa@gmail.com<br />
www.sivananda.pt<br />
SINGAPORE<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centre<br />
Affiliated Singapore<br />
21B Bukit Pasoh Road<br />
Singapore 089835, SINGAPORE<br />
Tel: +65.9067.9100, +65.9838.6704<br />
www.sivananda.com.sg<br />
SRI LANKA<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centre (Affiliated)<br />
52 Colombo Road,<br />
Piliyandala, Sri Lanka<br />
Tel: +94.75.5.018.227<br />
e-mail: titus.wijeratne@gmail.com<br />
UNITED KINGDOM<br />
Universal <strong>Yoga</strong><br />
(Chandrika) Redhill House,<br />
Red Hill, Camerton, Bath,<br />
BA2 0NY, UK<br />
Tel: +44.01761.470.658<br />
e-mail: info@universalyoga.co.uk<br />
UKRAINE<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Centre<br />
Valentina Nikitina<br />
Sadovaya Str 60,<br />
95050 Simferopol, Crimea, UKRAINE<br />
e-mail: valentina-nikiti@mail.ru<br />
UNITED STATES<br />
The <strong>Yoga</strong> Center<br />
Tara Durga Devi (Terry Crane)<br />
and Bhavani (Mary Keeney)<br />
235 Dorris Place,<br />
Stockton, CA 95204<br />
Tel: +1.209.463.3330<br />
e-mail: information@stocktonyoga.com<br />
www.stocktonyoga.com<br />
<strong>Sivananda</strong> Retreat House, Reith near Kitzbühel, Tyrol, Austria<br />
Vishnudevananda <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Center<br />
1034 Delaware Street<br />
Berkeley, CA 94710, USA<br />
Tel: +1.510.273.2447<br />
e-mail: mail@vishnuyoga.org<br />
www.vishnuyoga.org<br />
<strong>Yoga</strong> and Inner Peace<br />
3964 Lake Worth Road<br />
Lake Worth FL33461-4054, USA<br />
Tel: +1.561.641.8888<br />
e-mail: b@yogapeace.com<br />
<strong>Yoga</strong> Warehouse<br />
Shyam and Mohini<br />
508 SW Flagler Ave.<br />
Fort Lauderdale<br />
Florida 33301, USA<br />
Tel: +1.954.525.7726<br />
e-mail: yogis@yogawarehouse.org<br />
www.yogawarehouse.org<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> 63
AND COME<br />
T TO Viet<br />
<strong>Yoga</strong><br />
Teacher<br />
T raining C Course<br />
February<br />
6–Mar<br />
ch 6, 2011<br />
<strong>Yoga</strong> Vacations<br />
• Y oga of R Recovery<br />
Ayurveda Rejuvena<br />
tion R Retreat<br />
March<br />
6–15, 2011<br />
Vietnam<br />
Yo oga Tours<br />
(befooreoraftt<br />
er c ourse)<br />
HIGHLI<br />
G GHTS<br />
of Upc oming C Courses<br />
Yo oga Teeacher<br />
T Training<br />
Course<br />
Oct<br />
ober 2–31, <strong>2010</strong><br />
May<br />
7– June 4, 2011<br />
Yo oga of Recover<br />
y f for<br />
Counselors<br />
July 29– A ugust 8, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Yo oga of Recover<br />
y R Reteat<br />
A ugust 8–13, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Annual Vedic<br />
A str strology<br />
Conference<br />
Sept<br />
ember 2–6, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Sadhana,<br />
S ilence & S Sutras<br />
with Swaami Sitara<br />
am amananda<br />
Sept<br />
ember 12–17, <strong>2010</strong><br />
West Coast<br />
T eacher eacher’ss<br />
Meeting<br />
Sept<br />
ember 17–19, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Ayurvedic<br />
C leansing &<br />
Rejuvenation<br />
R etr etreat<br />
Sept<br />
ember 19–24, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Veedanta & S ilence R Retreat<br />
Nov<br />
ember 1–10, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Permacultur<br />
e Design C Course<br />
Nov<br />
ember 6–13, <strong>2010</strong><br />
T hanksgiving R etr etreat<br />
Nov<br />
ember 25–28, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Christmas<br />
& Ne<br />
w Ye ear’ssRetreat<br />
Dec<br />
ember 23, <strong>2010</strong>–<br />
January<br />
2, 2011
<strong>2010</strong>/2011<br />
International <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Centres<br />
Teaching location: Vrindavan, North India<br />
International <strong>Sivananda</strong> <strong>Yoga</strong> Teachers’<br />
Training Course (TTC)<br />
October 9 – November 7, <strong>2010</strong> International<br />
February 5 – March 6, 2011 International<br />
Advanced <strong>Yoga</strong> Teachers’ Training Course<br />
Oct 9 – Nov 7, <strong>2010</strong> International<br />
The holy city of Vrindavan<br />
is located 150 km from Delhi<br />
and just 30 km from the<br />
Taj Mahal at Agra.<br />
On arrival day a chartered bus<br />
will bring the participants from<br />
Delhi airport to the Vrindavan<br />
Ashram (at extra cost).<br />
Founder: Swami Vishnudevananda, est 1957<br />
Tel. London: +44 20 8780 0161 Tel Austria: +43 5356 67 404<br />
email: London@sivananda.net or tyrol@sivananda.net<br />
Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong><br />
(1887 – 1963)<br />
Swami<br />
Vishnudevananda<br />
(1927 – 1993)<br />
www.sivananda.eu<br />
<strong>YOGALife</strong> I <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> 65
Dates and Locations<br />
Teachers’ Training Course<br />
QUEBEC, CANADA<br />
July 4 – 31, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Sep 5 – Oct 2, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Nov 14 – Dec 11, <strong>2010</strong><br />
ORLEANS, FRANCE<br />
Aug 1 – 2, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Jul 1 – 29, 2011<br />
Jul 31 – Aug 28, 2011<br />
TYROL, AUSTRIA<br />
Aug 1 – 28, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Aug 29 – Sept 26, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Dec 18, <strong>2010</strong> – Jan 16, 2011<br />
May 21 – Jun 19, 2011<br />
UMBRIA, ITALY<br />
Sep 5 – Oct 2, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Sep 4 – Oct 1, 2011<br />
WOODBOURNE, NY<br />
Sep 10 – Oct 8, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Apr 17 – May 15, 2011<br />
ALUENDA, SPAIN<br />
Aug 15 – Sept 12, <strong>2010</strong><br />
(Spanish only)<br />
USTKA, POLAND<br />
Aug 28 – Sep 26, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Sep 3 – Oct 2, 2011<br />
GRASS VALLEY,<br />
CALIFORNIA<br />
Oct 2 – 31, <strong>2010</strong><br />
May 7 – June 4, 2011<br />
HIMALAYAS, INDIA<br />
Oct 3 – 31, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Apr 17 – May 15, 2011<br />
June 5 – July 3, <strong>2010</strong><br />
VRINDAVAN, INDIA<br />
Oct 9 – Nov 7, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Feb 5 – Mar 6, 2011<br />
MERLO, ARGENTINA<br />
Oct 16 – Nov 14, <strong>2010</strong><br />
MADURAI,<br />
SOUTH INDIA<br />
Oct 24 – Nov 21, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Nov 28 – Dec 26, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Feb 27 – March 27, 2011<br />
1800 263-YOGA in Canada<br />
1800 783-YOGA or 1800 469-YOGA in USA<br />
1866 446-5934 in Bahamas<br />
NEYYAR DAM,<br />
SOUTH INDIA<br />
Nov 15 – Dec 12, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Jan 9 – Feb 6, 2011<br />
Feb 13 – March 13, 2011<br />
March 20 – April 17, 2011<br />
NASSAU, BAHAMAS<br />
Nov 21 – Dec 12, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Jan 23 – Feb 19, 2011<br />
Feb 27 – Mar 26, 2011<br />
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May 14 – Jun 12, 2011<br />
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+ 43 (0) 5356/67 404 in Europe<br />
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Swami <strong>Sivananda</strong><br />
(1887 – 1963)<br />
Swami Vishnudevananda<br />
(1927 – 1993)<br />
Advanced Teachers’<br />
Training Course<br />
QUEBEC, CANADA<br />
Aug 1 – 28, <strong>2010</strong><br />
NASSAU, BAHAMAS<br />
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www.sivananda.org<br />
www.sivananda.eu