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 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 SivadasanandaSwami 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 tion.In 2017, In wethe w illlatter celebrate part 60 of years 2018 of Siva wenanda celebrated Yoga Worldwid thee. Thsilveris milestone jubilee (pageThe Sivananda 44). As Ypartoga Ve ofdanta the Centres celebration continue towe carry are this publishing powerful message a new is the opportunity to assess where we are standing as an international spiritual of unity: yoga is for all and can help humanity overcome the consciousness crisis it 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: satsangsethical principles in cities, of yoga towns and the andvision villagesof Swami Vishnude alongva thenanda way, of how continu yoga ca-n in China in Chinese, help humanity overcome the crisis it is going through. guidanceComplete on how Illustrated to live a meaningful Book and successful of Yoga life. We need a new definition ing Swamiji’s mission of bringing yoga to as wide a public as ofanother success. Success indication if not in of material how possessionthe teachings and power are over spreading. others. It is in Join us this year for courses in Vedanta, residential The foundation of our teachings lays in the vision of the great sage and yogi, Expand Your Horizons harmon ising ourselves and reaching a clear understanding of who we are. Once we possibleShankaracharya, (page who 30). reformulated Vedanta, the ancient philosophy of India, in the We hope this edition of YogaLife, full of articles on all aspects understand that we are the all powerful Self, fear disappears, and if there is no 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 blessingsproblems. People of willthe regain Gurus self andesteem God and hopebe uponfor 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 2019 Advanced Teacher Training Courses yoga vacations • courses • teacher training 1 audienceteachings of yogawhich to the continues western world, to c reatingflourish a remarkable and expandbridge between each East year. 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 Sivananda Yoga Retreat House CONTENTS SIVANANDA Reith near Kitzbühel, Tyrol, Austria Swami Sivananda Swami Vishnudevananda (1887 – 1963) (1927 – 1993) YOGA – A LIFESTYLE Spring 2019 INTERNATIONAL SIVANANDA YOGA FURTHER EDUCATION TEACHERS’ TRAINING COURSES FOR PRACTITIONERS RENEW YOURSELF WITH YOGA A different vacation in an alpine oasis Reith/Kitzbühel, Austria Study and practice classical yoga May 25 – June 23, 2019, German models supported by insights from Mittersill/Salzburg, near Großglockner Mountain, Austria June 28 – July 26, 2019, English, German Western and Eastern health sciences. Many of these 3-6 day courses are 28 April – 19 May 2019 July 28 – Aug 25, 2019, English, German supported by expert guest teachers 27 October – 24 November 2019 Sept 1 – Sept 29, 2019, English, German from around the world. Dec 14, 2019 – Jan 12, 2020, English, German January 1 – February 2, 2020, German AYURVEDA AND YOGA For radiant physical, FURTHER TRAINING mental and spiritual FOR YOGA TEACHERS