Spring 2019 50 years of the TTC Janma Samadhi Yatra Avatara of Lord Vishnu The Great Vision The Spice of Life 5 Meditation Poses Serve Love Give Purify Meditate YOGALifeRealise Spring 2019 1 Yoga Life 2016 PRINT_design 16/01/2017 11:30 Page 4 EDITOR’S LETTER EDITOR’S LETTER SIVANANDA Ashram Yoga Retreat BAHAMAS International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres Swami Sivananda (1887 – 1963) Swami Vishnudevananda (1927 – 1993) Swami Sivananda Swami Vishnudevananda The spiritual strength behind the Sivananda Born in South India in 1927, Swami (1887 – 1963) (1927 – 1993) Yoga Vedanta Centres, Swami Sivananda’s Vishnudevananda entered the ashram teachings are a synthesis of all the formal of Swami Sivananda at the age of 18. doctrines of yoga. Author of more than A world famous authority on Hatha and 300 books on yoga, Swami Sivananda was Raja Yoga, Swami Vishnudevananda founded a medical doctor before renouncing worldly life the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta for the spiritual path. He founded the Divine Life Centres in 1957 and was author of Society and the Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy, The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga, Rishikesh, Himalayas. His main message was: Meditation and Mantras, Karma and Disease Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realise. In 1957 he sent one of his and a commentary on the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Swami Vishnudevananda foremost disciples, Swami Vishnudevananda to the West to spread the ideals entered Mahasamadhi on November 9th, 1993. of yoga. Swami Sivananda entered Mahasamadhi on July 14th 1963. The Executive Board The Executive Board of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres is comprised of senior disciples of Swami Vishnudevananda, personally chosen and trained by him to direct the organisation after his departure. Each of them has had many years’ experience in teaching all aspects of yoga. They are renowned for their devotion to Swami Vishnudevananda and Swami Sivananda and for their profound knowledge Swami Durgananda Swami Swaroopananda Srinivasan Prahlada and inspirational teaching and guidance, wisdom imparted to many thousands of students throughout the world. We welcome Kanti Devi, Acharya for the South American Centres and Prahlad, Acharya for the Indian and Canadian Centres, as new members on the executive board. Swami Durgananda Swami Kailasananda Swami Swaroopananda Swami Sitaramananda Srinivasan Kanti Devi Swami Sivadasananda Prahlada Swami Sivadasananda Swami Kailasananda Swami Sitaramananda Kanti Devi WelcomeWelcome TheSivananda years 2018 and 2019Yoga have, beena gate and continueway toto be speyour- homes Self enriched with this gift from Swamiji and taken the an- cial years for the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres organisa- cient wisdom of yoga and vedanta to all corners of the globe In 2017, we will celebrate 60 years of Sivananda Yoga Worldwide. This milestone The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres continue to carry this powerful message tion.is the Inopportunity the latter to assess part where of 2018 we are we standing celebrated as an international the silver spiritua jubileel of(page unity: yoga44) .is As for partall and of can the help celebration humanity overcome we arethe consciousness publishing crisis a newit is oforganisation Swami teachingVishnudevananda’s yoga to hundred of mahasamadhithousands of people, with to define a six-weekafresh our goingbook, through The. Great Vision, which tells the inspirational story of pilgrimagedharma and mission, through based India,on the v eryvisiting strong f oundationstemples laid and by ourholy Master places,s. SwamiWhat peopleVishnudevananda’s need now are practical mission, guidelines aon preview how to ma keof c hangeswhich in is thei onr Expand your horizons... givingFor ttalks,his reason seminars, several of the conferences, articles in this i ssueyoga are demonstrations dedicated to dharma, toand the livepages. It is9 becoming. This year very will clear also that for see this the world publication to overcome t heof hugeSwamiji's challenge The it is facing, the changes must come from individuals. This is exactly what yoga can give: ethical principles of yoga and the vision of Swami Vishnudevananda of how yoga can Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga satsangshelp humanity in overcomecities, towns the crisis and it is going villages through along. the way, continu- guidance on how to live a meaningful and successful life . Wein Chinaneed a new in Chinese,definition Join us this year for courses in Vedanta, residential ing ThSwamiji’se foundation mission of our teachings of bringing lays in the yogavision ofto the as great wide sage a apublicnd yogi, as ofanother success. Success indication if not in of material how possessionthe teachings and power are over spreading. others. It is in Expand Your Horizons harmon ising ourselves and reaching a clear understanding of who we are. Once we Shankaracharya, who reformulated Vedanta, the ancient philosophy of India, in the possible (page 30). understandWe hope that this we edition are the all ofpowerful YogaLife, Self, fear full disappear of articless, and if on there all is aspectsno fear, study, devotional kirtan, detox cleanses, and more. 8th century. He asserted with authority that our true nature is universal Self and that This year, 2019, we are celebrating the 60th year of the open- howof yoga can one and harm allied anyone? topics, This will willsolve continuereligious conflict to s,inspire environment you conflic in yourts, separation between beings is based on a limited perspective of reality. Swami ing of the organisation’s first city centre in Montreal in 1959 apractice.ddiction and May depression the blessings problems. Pe opleof thewill regainGurus self and esteem God and behope upon for the us 2019 28-day Teacher Training Courses Sivananda and Swami Vishnudevananda inherited these teachings and interpreted future. They will sense that their true roots are not in a country or a religion, but that (pagethem for 60) the andmodern the world. 50th Being year both of visionariesthe first, theySivananda foresaw the Yoga evolution Teachers’ of the all. January 4, February 3, March 5, April 4, May 4, the grounding and stability they are seeking comes from a clear sense of identity. This Trainingworld towards Course—held more conflict, chaosin 1969—and and loss of meaning. the first They tobreathed be heldnew lifein intothe newOm sense Shanti of goal will bring focus, positivity and fresh energy. This will in turn affect June 3, July 3, November 4, December 4 West.the practical Swami side ofVishnudevananda Vedanta philosophy, yoga ,was and openedan innovator this ancient practicand e,pio so - theirThe healthInternational positively. Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres far kept for a small group of recluses, to the world. neer. He was instrumental in bringing yoga to a world-wide May we bring forth the true message of yoga with full power, authenticity and Swami Vishnudevananda came to the West in 1957 and further adapted the humility, remembering that we are only instruments of the cosmic being, and be ever JANUARY–JUNE 2019 Front cover: The first Sivananda Yoga Teachers' Training 1 audience which continues to flourish and expand each year. 2019 Advanced Teacher Training Courses yoga vacations • courses • teacher training teachings of yoga to the western world, creating a remarkable bridge between East grateful for the opportunity to serve in His grand plan for the evolution of the world. sivanandabahamas.orgsivanandabahamas.org | 800.123.4567 and West. He taught young and old, men and women from all walks of life and Course, 1969 January 4, April 4, November 4 Nearly 50,000 students have graduated from the internation- The International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres ally-renownedreligions, equally. course, teachers who have returned to their Get inspired. Browse HEADQUARTERS TheThe InternationalInternational Si Sivanandavananda Yoga Yoga Vedanta Vedanta Centre Centres,s, founded founded by Swami by Swami Vishnudevananda SIVANANDA ASHRAM YOGA CAMP Vishnudevanandais a non-profit organisation is a non-profit whose purpose organisation is to propagate whose tpurposehe teachings is practising of yoga and our new online catalog. Eighth Avenue, Val Morin, Quebec, Canada JOT 2RO teachingand vedanta the as ancient a means yogic of a knowledgechieving physical for health,, mental peace,and spiritual Unity well-being in Diversity and and Tel: +1 819 322 3226 Self-realisation.Self-realisation. sivanandabahamas.org email: [email protected] Est 1957 With ashrams and centres located around the world see page 6084 for addresses 2 YOGALife Spring 2019 YOGALife Spring 2019 3 4 YOGALife |Autumn/Winter 2016 Yoga Life Jan 2019 FullPage Catalog Ad.indd 1 12/7/18 2:02 PM Yoga Life 2016 PRINT_design 16/01/2017 11:46 Page 5 Reith YL advert 2019.qxp_Layout 1 28/12/2018 10:51 Page 1 CONTENTS Sivananda Yoga Retreat House CONTENTS Reith near Kitzbühel, Tyrol, Austria SIVANANDA Swami Sivananda Swami Vishnudevananda (1887 – 1963) (1927 – 1993) 6 24 30 YOGA – A LIFESTYLE Spring 2019 6 Life and its Purpose By Swami Sivananda Celebrating 60 years of Swami Vishnudevananda’s INTERNATIONAL SIVANANDA YOGA FURTHER EDUCATION 10 RENEW YOURSELF WITH YOGA Teachings Worldwide 10 TEACHERS’ TRAINING COURSES FOR PRACTITIONERS A different vacation in an alpine oasis How to Overcome your Inner Limitations By Swami Durgananda Reith/Kitzbühel, Austria Study and practice classical yoga 20 May 25 – June 23, 2019, German models supported by insights from Mittersill/Salzburg, near Großglockner How to Love without Attachment By Swami Swaroopananda