NEWS

Blessed Self,
Om Namah Sivaya
In August, it was a rewarding and fruitful experience for all attending the Worldwide Sivananda Yoga for Inner Peace Teacher's Reunion held this year at the Yoga Camp in Canada. With the grace of Swamiji, the Sivananda Organization continues to grow, finding a way to give a direction to those looking for inspiration and motivation in propagating Yoga and Meditation teachings to the World today. With over 300 people attending, discussions and ideas were shared, creating the beginnings of a large foundation for future reunions of teachers. A link to the photos of the Reunion can be found at www.sivananda.org/index.html on the "Om" page, lower left side. 
Pranams to all,
Prahlada
Yoga Camp

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• Helping relief of rheumatism in the limbs
• Relive sciatica
• Stretches legs, hips, and lumbar
• Strengthens hands & feet

YOGA SANSKRIT GLOSSARY

...continuing with the Avatar Series - The Great Avatars of Vishnu appeared at different times. The first four of the ten avatars appeared in the Satya Yuga; the next three avatars appeared in the Treta Yuga; the eighth incarnation appeared in the Dwapar Yuga and the ninth in the Kali Yuga. The tenth avatar is expected to appear at the end of the Kali Yuga.

Matsya - the fish, appeared in the Satya Yuga.
Kurma - the tortoise, appeared in the Satya Yuga.
Varaha - the boar, appeared in the Satya Yuga.
Narasimha - the Man-Lion, appeared in the Satya Yuga.
Vamana - the Dwarf, appeared in the Treta Yuga.
Parashurama - Rama with the axe, appeared in the Treta Yuga.
Ramachandra - Rama, the Prince, appeared in the Treta Yuga.
Krishna - appeared in the Dwapar Yuga.
Balarama - appeared in the Dwapar Yuga.
Kalki - expected to appear at the end of Kali Yuga, the current time period, which will end in the year 428899 CE.

This month we review the seventh incarnation of Vishnu - RAMACHANDRA AVATARA – The hero of Ramayana - The son of Dasaratha - The Prince and then King of Ayodhya, who destroyed Ravana. As the story goes, Ramachandra was born to the King with ten chariots, emperor of Ayodhya. Ramachandra came upon the earth to liberate the world from evil forces.
Rama, represents the perfect man. He honoured the elders, honoured his word, launched a great war to defend his wife, Sita, and as a ruler, brought happiness to his population. Rama is glorified in songs, poetry and art and in some of the greatest works of Indian literature.
The story of Rama's life is documented in The Ramayana by Sage Valmiki.

A complete Sanskrit Glossary can be found at: http://www.sivananda.org/teachings/glossary/glossary.html

Love and respect the saints of every faith. - Sri Swami Sivananda

From Discourse I: Samadhi Pada - On Contemplations
I.24. KLESA-KARMA-VIPAAKAASHAYAIR APARAAMRSHTAH PURUSHA-VISHESA ISVARAH
"Ishwara" is that particular center of Divine Consciousness that is untouched by misery, "Karma" or desire.

Commentary:
'Ishwara' is the immortal Self, or Purusha, with form. He is perceived as being, and yet is totally untouched by the ignorance of unhappiness, the law of cause and effect, and craving. For him, the opposites of the phenomenal world, such as pleasure and pain, do not exist.

Adaptability, kind speech, pure conduct, patience are the four fundamental virtues. - Sri Swami Sivananda

1. Melt half the butter in a pan and saute the millet over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring.
2. Add the boiling water and cook gently for about 20 minutes, or until the millet is tender and all the water is absorbed. Set aside.
3. Melt the remaining butter in a separate pan. Saute the celery for 5-10 minutes until soft.
4. Stir in the spinach and/or kale and cook for a few minutes until wilted.
5. Stir in the flour.
6. Add the warm milk, stirring to prevent clumps forming.
7. Reduce the heat and cook for a few minutes.
8. Stir in the millet, cheese or yeast flakes.
9. Season with salt and nutmeg.
10. Mix well and serve.
    

Previous Recipes: http://www.sivananda.org/teachings/diet/recipes.html

In the garden of your heart plant the lily of love, the rose of purity, the Champaka of courage, the Mandara of humility and the lady-of-the-night of compassion. - Sri Swami Sivananda

Om Namah Sivaya! Greetings from the Headquarters.
In early August, all efforts were towards the ATTC program, Family Week and the Worldwide Sivananda Teachers' Reunion. An abundant and capable number of staff continued to support the creation of many events during the busy month, including auspicious homas and pujas led by Potti Swami. Staff cabins were constructed and painted by a team of skilled karma yogis.
Mid August saw the Ashram turn into the host location for the Worldwide Teachers Reunion on August 12, 13, and 14th, transforming the lawn in front of the Krishna Temple into a lustrous event of attending Swamis, senior and recent TTC graduates. There was much reminiscing by the senior teachers and plenty of discussions about how to maintain such an event in order to magnify the teachings of Master and Swamiji. The presence of Swamiji was certainly felt. The first day of the Reunion saw the 300+ attendees happily pitching in to help with special Karma Yoga projects around the Ashram. Even the sunny warm weather remained for the whole weekend, lasting until the last peg was removed from the giant special events tent. Everyone left filled with much prana while asking when the next reunion will take place. Pranams to all the Sivananda family from the Yoga Camp.

Om Namo Narayanaya!
In early August the Ayurveda Wellness Course concluded with all participants impressed with the level of teaching provided by the team of doctors and masseurs. Dr Vishnu deserved special recognition for coordinating the course so efficiently. We look forward to the next course in November 2010. Nataraj and a group of guests enjoyed a 2-day visit to Madurai Meenakshi Ashram. The clear dry weather of Madurai was a welcome change from the rains of Kerala.

Mid August brought a new yoga vacation programme, a Kanyakumari trip and a walk up Kalipara Hill to watch sunrise over 'God's own country'. We held the second free Ayurveda Medical Camp from our nursery school. The camp was attended by eight doctors. Over 170 local people benefited from free consultation and medicines. By Guru's grace we will continue once a month. Pranams & Om Namah Sivaya from all staff at Neyyar Dam.

Om Namo Narayanaya!
Greetings from Uttar Kashi. Pranams to all.

Om Namah Sivaya!
There were many activities this month in the Ashram. Priest Yagneshwara performed a wonderful Lalita Shahasranama Puja with lamps, flowers, rice offerings and a very sweet Prasad with chanting uplifting hymn to the Divine Mother at the end. Both the International July TTC and ATTC came to an end in very high spirit. Most of the students took the mantra initiation and it was a beautiful sight to see all the students dressed in white meditating everywhere afterwards in the garden. The graduation ceremony was powerful and students felt touched with the last message from Swamiji : be practitioners and not preachers. Staff and students gathered one last tile to talk and sign books in the evening. The week long Yoga-Psychology-Programme with Dr. Uma Krishnamurti was another very successful event. Students felt very inspired by the lectures and lively dance performances. Much work was done cleaning and organizing rooms and with a combined effort we had a smooth transition to the next French TTC, which started with an uplifting and powerful Ganapathi Homa. Then the participants of the Sadhana Intensive arrived, and on the same day we had a Hanuman Puja at the outdoor Hanuman temple. We celebrated next our temple anniversary. On that special day, elaborate Pujas were performed to all the shrines individually from 7.00 through to 13.00. Many students came. The vibration in the Ashram afterwards was very high and sweet. Dr. Kamlesh came for a one week programme and gave his knowledge in a series of  lectures, as well as a lively Ayurvedic cooking course. The French TTC is doing well with students starting to shine from the purification of systematic sadhana. We have a good team of karma yogis helping in all departments. OM.

Om Namah Sivaya!
In early August the Yoga of Recovery Retreat group and the Ayurveda Rejuvenation weekend kept us inspired. The group gained insight into the root causes of their self destructive habits and ways how to pacify the mind through Ayurveda techniques and 12 steps spiritual approach combined with Yoga Psychology. Durga gave much valuable information on Ayurveda and Yoga. Many guests took advantage of the Ayurvedic therapies.  Swami Sita led a beautiful Guru Puja in the Radha Krishna hall. The whole Ashram participated enthusiastically in a Karma Yoga work party with the building of a large fence on the field to eventually host our 3 donated horses. The Yoga Farm hosted an Open House, with many new guests enjoying the yoga class, a wonderful organic vegetarian dinner and Satsang with a special performance by Angelika. Angelika shared her divinely inspired music which included Sanskrit mantras and Christian hymns. The Yoga Farm also welcomed a large group of guests for the Beginners Course, a 5-day course in August.

During mid-August the Yoga Farm had a wonderful and enthusiastic group for the 5-day Beginners Course. Ananta gave the Hatha Yoga instruction and Swami Sitaramananda presented the afternoon lectures. During the week the group spent the afternoon at the beautiful Yuba River. That evening the Ashram enjoyed a lovely Guru puja led by Swamiji. For many it was their first puja. The "Yoga for a Change" course with Swami Sitaramananda began. This week-long course introduced students to the practical application of Yoga and Vedanta philosophies in daily life. We also welcomed participants for the 7-day Juice Fast & Detoxification Retreat currently underway. Om Namah Sivaya to all blessed selves from the Yoga Farm.

Om Namo Narayanaya.
In early August Srinivasan, Saraswati and Krishnam Namboodhiri represented the Ranch at the Yoga Camp's Teachers' reunion. We were happy to have their return with such joy and inspiration from the Sivananda Teachers' Reunion. The Permaculture Design course continued, with hands-on projects that are improving the grounds and function of the Ashram. We concluded the youth camp and said goodbye to our young yogis. They performed a talent show on their graduation night and wowed the guests with their yoga practice, art abilities and musical aptitude. We also welcomed Swami Padmapadananda for a Positive Thinking week long course.

During mid-August we welcomed Swami Padmapadananda for the Positive Thinking week, to several curious and interested guests and staff. The Permaculture Design Course completed their three week intensive with final presentations which allowed the students to share their innovations and ideas for future plans in building and landscaping of the Ashram. We received word that Carmon Cutino, passed away this week. Carmon was many things, among, a teacher, healer and inspiration to the many lives he touched. We held a puja for Carmon, and will ever feel the light he left on this Earth.The staff are very well and send pranams to all.

Om Namo Narayanaya, Blessed Selves!
In early August Swami Brahmananda spoke about Yogic Tools for Transcending Fear and Anxiety. We had an enjoyable weekend focusing on Kirtan and opening our hearts to the Divine. Our group of guests really enjoyed the chanting and attending the daily pujas. Om Shanti from all the staff in Nassau.

Om Namah Sivaya!
During the later part of July we experienced the Yoga and Healing Herbs course with medicinal plant expert Brigitte Addington. The participants took part in the yoga programme and had every day excursions to the nearby woods, fields and gardens. The studies around 50 different plants and learned how to use them for healing, teas, salads and even sweets. Everybody was thrilled by natures richness and beauty. On a practical level a few much needed new furniture and kitchen items were ordered and renovations done. We had a beautiful puja for Guru Purnima with explanation of the importance of gurukula system. The following, last week of August was filled with many activities for the guests with workshops and guided walks. One Saturday the participants for the TTC in August arrived from many different countries and on Sunday the courses started with a very elevating inauguration. Swami Durgananda gave an inspiring introduction and connected us again with Masters and Swamijis mission. Swami Sivadasananda gave energetic satsangs which inspired everybody right from the beginning on. More staff and work studies arrived to support us for the month of August. The first week of TTC went very well with all students adjusting to the daily rhythm without any problems. The course is translated into German, Spanish and Italian. A nice group of guest arrived as well and the uplifting atmosphere grew by the day. Swami Durgananda was overseeing all activities and guided staffs, work studies and guests. Swami Sivadasananda taught a Yoga and Anatomy further training for yoga teachers and the 16 participants were fascinated by the body-mind wisdom of Yoga. The week-long yoga and psychology course with Dr. Uma Krishnamurthi started with 20 students all eager to go deeper into the mysteries of the mind. The course concluded the following Saturday with a fair well gathering. The course is a great inspiration to use the techniques of the four paths of yoga for mental health. Dr. Krishnamurthi was also giving some lectures during Satsangs and her Bharata dance performance with explanations was sweet and touching. Later on in this month the Hatha Yoga special workshops with Swami Sivadasananda were much appreciated with a group of 50 guest. Dr. Annika Waldmann from Germany arrived for the week end and held 3 lectures on vegetarianism from a scientific point of view. Specially the slides on the raise of obesity and diabetes worldwide were impressing. Many questions from the audience on nutrition proved the importance of the topic. Another event was the start of the Ayurveda kitchen pharmacy and Ayurveda and women health courses which run parallel for one week. A nice international group arrived for this. Drs Kulkarni from Pune are teaching with their usual systematic and inspirational way. Staff and work studies work together harmoniously. Om Namo Narayanaya.

Om Namo Narayanaya.
In early August eighty college students attended our yoga classes. We conducted a Lalithasasahasranama pooja at the temple. A group of 5 guests visited from Neyyardam Ashram along with Nataraj Ji for two days. They also visited the Alagar temple and Meenakshi temple. We had a Ganapathihoma one Sunday morning.

Mid August - Work related to thé new temple in the Ashram compound progressed.
We had a Puja at the temple on 20th Friday with guests participating. As it was the festival (Onam) of Kerala, staff from that state went for holidays with some replacement staff to take théier place. Ratheesh and Padma left for holidays. Raghava came from Neyyar Dam. On the main festival day we too had a feast, in Kerala style, providing a pleasant surprise for the guests. Yoga vacation continued. All are well and conveying Pranams. OM.

Om Namah Sivaya.
In early August, courses and classes continued steadily throughout the week. We had a strong trial class with many Yoga 1 inscriptions afterwards and a nice Yoga beginners Intensive one weekend. A group of 14 students participated in a Ayurvedic cooking class and learned how to prepare delicious simple meals according to the six tastes. The staff also focussed on preparations for the upcoming TTC on the Baltic Sea. Swami Atmaramananda left for the TTC in Spain and Swami Gokulananda went to Reith for one week.

Mid-August - As school holidays are nearing their end, students and teachers returned to the city. New courses were Yoga 1, Yoga 5 and Yoga 7. The main focus was on getting the cargo ready with all the many items needed for the upcoming TTC in Poland. Four huge pallets were finally ready and picked up by the cargo agent. Rajeshvari returned from Vienna to resume her staff duties in Berlin and also to help with the final preparations for TTC Poland. OM.

Om Namah Sivaya from Buenos Aires.
Prem & Om to all.

Om Namah Sivaya to all Blessed Selves from the Chennai Centre.
In early August started with a new Beginners' Course at 6:00 AM with a good number of students! Binoy went back home because he is getting married on 2nd September. We all wish him and Sreevidhya a long and happy life together. Vinod came from Kerala to replace Binoy at the SAK. He will be with us at least until mid-September. We started new private classes. One Sunday we had a Headstand Workshop, attended by very enthusiastic students who want to have the experience of seeing the world upside down!
Mid August started with a new Beginners' Course for ladies only at 9:30 am. Probably because of the unusual rain for this time of the year, the number of students dropped a little, but still we have very enthusiastic students who keep their practice! Thanks to Balaji, one of our students who is in the printing business, we have new advertising boards by the beach. They look great and we have already had calls from people who saw them! We wish Happy Onam to all the Sivananda family.

Om Namah Sivaya!
In mid August Shambhu looked after the Centre while Swami Narayanananda visited family in the UK. Resident Chandranatha left for a two week stay at the Yoga Camp. The Centre was fairly quiet, the best attended class was Shambhu's course on Ayurveda and Yogic Diet. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi.

Om Namah Sivaya
By the guru's grace, our Centre's activities went well in August. We started with new Japanese beginners' course as well as our regular beginners' course morning and evening with good number of students. One Wednesday we had headstand workshop. We also started 2 new beginners classes at 6:00am and 4:00pm. We had few workshops Yoga and Weight Loss and Pranayama workshop. Since we started the Japanese beginners course we had quite a lot of number of people joining. They will later be moving to open class in Japanese. The number of people for the open class doubled each week, especially the 10:00am batch. Staff conveys their pranams to all the Sivananda family. OM.

Om Namo Narayanaya.
Pranams to All. Prem and Om.

Om Namah Sivaya from the Geneva Centre.
The Centre was closed for six weeks, giving staff the opportunity to continue their service at the Ashram in Orleans and at the Paris Centre and to recharge. During this period close teachers gave three open classes per week which were well visited. Om Shanti.

Om Namah Sivaya.
We've had a glorious summer in the London allowing staff and students to enjoy the peace garden and the outdoor space of the Centre to its full potential. Many courses began, including three weekend intensives – Yoga 1, Yoga 2 and Yoga 3; a Yogic Diet Course with 17 enthusiastic students learning the fundamentals of a vegetarian diet; a well received full day "Yoga Body Check" with Madhava; a "Transforming Negative Emotions" workshop given by Swami Jyotirmayananda. Special programmes included a thought provoking talk on "Vedanta: Timeless Wisdom of Humanity" with Dr Shastri, Swami Sivananda's Mahasamadhi celebration, and a much appreciated talk on "Non-Violent Communication" with special guest speaker Gina Lawrie. The Guru Purnima celebration in honour of Master and Swamiji was a high point for all.  A beautiful and inspiring Homa brought renewed energy to the Centre. We already have strong interest for the London TTC 2011, having already received the first booking. Swami Jyotirmayananda departed for France while Swami Krishnadevananda and Chandrika returned inspired and recharged from their stay at the Ashram Sivananda in Orleans. Several maintenance projects were completed, including replacing the boiler for the asana halls and the completion of the basement renovations. Staff are well and send OM & Prem to all.

Om Namo Narayanaya!
In early August we had many varied activities. We hosted an interfaith lunch and dialogue meeting at the staff house and also held a vegetarian sushi making workshop. One Sunday evening a local classical guitarist, accompanied by violin, viola and voice, played angelic music for us at satsang. We know know what heaven will be like! The Positive Thinking, Yoga 1 and 2 courses all completed with much interest in the new courses. A local homeopath has been holding a course on Healing Emotions and this has also been well attended.
During mid-August we had a large Yoga 1 on Saturday mornings and many students returning for a new Yoga 2 on Sunday mornings. People from many faiths joined together one Sunday afternoon for our first interfaith chanting gathering. Sharing the stories and chants from the different traditions was very inspiring and uplifting and we especially enjoyed singing along with Rabbi Jason' rousing songs. Sending our Pranams to all.

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed Selves!
The main event of the month was the preparation of the Teacher Training Course and Yoga Vacation program at Aluenda, Zaragoza. Swami Atmaramanandaji came fir few days from Berlin to help for the beginning to the course. We had a beautiful inauguration of the course with the presence of forty students from Spain, Venezuela, Mexico and America. The first week went very well with an Ayurvedic program with Dr Kamlesh who did a nice Power point presentation of Ayurveda and a wonderful Ayurvedic cooking class. Pranams to all.

Om Namah Sivaya.
By the grace of God & Guru, the Centre ran well in August. All the workshops, activities and classes went smoothly. We started a new Beginners' with two students. One Sundays we had Satsangas with our Staff and students participating.

Mid August we taught the new beginner class with three students. On Sundays we had Satsangas. Staffs and students participated. Staff conveys their Pranams to all. Om Shanti!!

Om Namah Sivaya.
In mid-August Milan has been a bit of a ghost town as those in the city traditionally close up shop and leave for the mountains or the sea in mid-August. But many started returning by the weekend. I was told we are the only yoga centre open in Milan this month, and we got a few new students because of that. We had a few decorating projects already started at the Centre that will be finished once the shops open again in September. Fortunately, the weather was extraordinary in August - just 24C and sunny! Om Namo Narayanaya.

Om Namah Sivaya.
In early August we continued with daily classes, a Kirtan workshop on Mondays, a pregnancy class on Tuesdays, an advanced class on Wednesdays. The second class of beginners and the first class of the course "Theory and Practice of Meditation." We also shared the film of the Life of Adi Shankaracharya, the Indian philosopher who consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta, along with teachers and students. Om Shanti to all.

Om Namah Sivaya. Blessings from Montreal.
In mid August we prepped for the Fall season, organising the new programs, restructuring our beginner courses and developing new workshops. The new brochure should ready in September. The TTC Reunion at the Yoga Camp was a great inspiration for the Centre, our teachers and students. Swami Mahadevanandaji inspired both students and teachers with a beautiful Satsanga here one Sunday. The topic of the Satsang was the meaning of a spiritual Yatra. The priest came as well and performed a Siva Puja that kept the spiritual vibrations of the Yoga Hall very strong. Om Namo Narayanaya. Pranams from Montreal.

Om Namah Sivaya from the Munich Centre!
The Centre is continuing all its activities throughout the summer months. We had a preparation day for the yoga teachers training course. We also had a successful cooking class and a further teachers training day with the special topic "Vegetarian Diet". We are looking forward to an autumn full of special yoga activities! The Centre will also offer a number of additional Open Classes, among them one more advanced class and an "integral yoga"-class combining 20 minutes pranayama, 50 minutes asanas and 20 minutes of meditation in the end.

Om Namah Sivaya!
In early August a relief from hot weather came right in time.  Minakshi went to the Ranch Ashram for a weekend for a little rest.  We had a small headstand workshop with 7 people. Kumari gave a nice Satsang one Sunday. 

Mid August we began two courses - Y1 and Y2. Kumari and Minakshi went for a week-long course in cooking at the Kushi Institute. We were very happy to welcome Swami Padmapadanandaji for a Sunday Satsang on his way to San Francisco. Swamiji was joyfully received by many of his old students. Swamiji spoke about ahimsa and shared some of his insights of our Swami Vishnu. All staff are well & sending pranams to all the Sivananda family.

Om Namah Sivaya.
In early August a relief from hot weather came right in time.  Minakshi went to the Ranch Ashram for a weekend for a little rest.  We had a small headstand workshop with 7 people. Kumari gave a nice Satsang one Sunday.

Mid August we began two courses - Y1 and Y2. Kumari and Minakshi went for a week-long course in cooking at the Kushi Institute. We were very happy to welcome Swami Padmapadanandaji for a Sunday Satsang on his way to San Francisco. Swamiji was joyfully received by many of his old students. Swamiji spoke about ahimsa and shared some of his insights of our Swami Vishnu. All staff are well & sending pranams to all the Sivananda family.

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed selves.
During mid-August Swami Rajeshwarananda returned from HQ after the TTC reunion. Despite the hot weather and that the city is deserted in August, students are coming for classes. We started a new Yoga 1 class. We were busy with preparations for TTC in September. All went well. Om Shanti to the Sivananda Family from the Rome Centre.

Om Namo Narayanaya, Blessed Selves.
In early August we had a few more students as some old students returned.  We looked into some internet marketing options, and received some valuable suggestions from some close students.  Everyone is doing well with lively morning Satsangs and silent walks to the nearby parks. Swami Padmapadananda went to the Ranch for programs and attended the TTC Reunion at the Yoga Camp.

Mid August Swami Padmapadananda was away visiting the Yoga Ranch and New York.  We welcomed Uma, as a new resident. She was staff at the Yoga Farm then took the TTC in Vietnam this March. We look forward to having her as a teacher and a cook!  We welcomed Vishnudas from the Yoga Farm, who stayed with us a few days and did some important plumbing repairs. One of our residents, Eva, helped us with some internet marketing. We began Ganga's plan to have a teacher meeting every week on Sunday morning, as six teachers now live in the Centre. Pranams to all from San Francisco Centre.

Om Namah Sivaya.
Om and Prem to all the Sivananda Family.

Om Namah Sivaya.
In early August all the activities at the Centre continued normally with the grace of the GURUS.  We started a Yoga2 course. Most of teachers went to Camp to attend the TTC reunion in August.

During mid-August most of the teachers who went to Camp for teachers' reunion returned with lot of energy and stories of wonderful experiences. We started a new beginners Yoga course with good number of students. The Indian Vegetarian cooking workshop was very well attended by the students. The attendance in the open classes increased. Pranams to all.

Om Namah Sivaya!
In early August, by the grace of our gurus, all the activities of our Centre went smoothly. All the classes and poojas were held as usual. We started a morning beginners' batch with 22 students. We had conducted a Kriya workshop, with 27 students. We also held a public Satsang, with Kalyani.

Mid August Wishing you all very Happy ONAM. We had celebrated this Onam with beautiful flower decoration ("attha pookkalam") and a feast with all the staff and teachers. We had a Ganapathy Homa and a Lalithasahasranama Archana. One Sunday we had a public Satsang with Rajeswariananda Mathaji. By the grace of our Gurus all the activities of the Centre going on smoothly. Om Shanti.

Om Namah Sivaya.
Courses and classes are running as usual, and we had a small but successful cooking course with the topic "Light Summer Cuisine". We finalised the work on the new brochure and after receiving it back from the printer immediately sent out the bulk mailing with the help of many karmayogis. Some of the projects over the month were remote preparations of the TTC in Poland, updating the posters for the upcoming Centre activities, going on poster runs and also several maintenance issues were worked on and solved. During the summer vacation time there were many staff moves: Sivani returned from her stay in Munich and Reith, Ishwara returned back and Swami Annapurnananda left for assisting during the TTC in Reith. Mangala Chaitanya visited for a few days on her way back to Geneva and towards the end of the month Rajeshwari left back to Berlin and Swami Annapurnananda returned inspired from her stay in Reith. Om Namah Sivaya from Vienna.

Om Namah Sivaya, from Vilnius.
In early August a new summer intensive Yoga 1 course started with 18 students. Our main focus was preparing for the 7-day retreat later in August.

Mid-August - The main focus was our seven-day retreat in the Dalios retreat place, located one hour from Vilnius. The retreat started with an Introduction into all yoga activities of the day. 80 students from Lithuania, Estonia , Russia, one woman from Japan joined the retreat with a positive attitude, accepting yoga activities with ease. All were eager to help with the needed karma yoga in the kitchen, cleaning, teaching etc . We were very happy to welcome Swami Atmaramananda coming directly from the TTC in Spain. Lectures and Satsangs on Meditation, Dharma, Vedanta, Life, Happiness, Mind were led by Swamiji, and were inspiring for everyone. Friday was the biggest arrival day, with many teachers from different corners of Lithuania joining the retreat. We held a teachers meeting with 20 Sivananda teachers from different countries. Swami Atmaramamanda shared news from the organization, also reminding us that the Vilnius Centre, the first  Lithuanian Centre will be celebrating one year birthday on the 4th of October. For relaxation, a football match took place, where nobody was a winner. The  talent show on the same day gave the opportunities for all to represent their culture with Lithuanian, Estonian and russian songs and dances. The next day a very calm and peaceful mantra initiation was given to 10 people. Spiritual names where given to a few others. All of us left the retreat very thankful to the Masters for this inspiring and positive  experience. Om & Prem.