This is the HTML formatted version of the Gurugram email newsletter.
Subscribe to receive this newsletter via email once per month.

Pranams to all.

This month's online version of Gurugram (http://www.sivananda.org/gurugram) has a new feature in the Glossary section – a Yoga Crossword asking for your knowledge and definition of over 30 yoga terms. The GURUGRAM crossword is designed by one of our students in Delhi, Tia Sinha, who also creates crosswords for yoga publications around the world. We would like to thank Tia for generously sharing her talents.

There is no virtue like Truthfulness.
-- Sri Swami Sivananda

• 3 1/2 cups coarse semolina
• 2 cups diced potatoes
• 3/4 teaspoon paprika
• 3/4 teaspoon turmeric
• salt
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons black mustard seeds
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin seeds
• 3 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 1/2 inch piece fresh gingerroot, peeled and finely chopped
• 3 fresh green chilies, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
• 10 ounces mixed vegetables (carrots, cabbage, green bell pepper) very finely chopped or grated
• 3 1/3 cups boiling water
• a few sprigs of fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

1. Heat a large skillet or wok. Add the semolina and cook over low heat for 10 to 12 minutes, until it is a few shades darker, stirring constantly. Remove from the pan; set aside.
2. Sprinkle the potatoes with paprika, turmeric and a little salt. Heat the oil in the skillet. Add the potatoes and sauté over medium heat until brown. Remove with a slotted spoon, set aside.
3. Add the mustard and cumin seeds to the skillet and heat them over high heat until they begin to
4. Add the boiling water and 1 teaspoon salt. Gradually add the toasted semolina, stirring all the time; the mixture should be light and crumbly without any lumps. Add a little more water if the mixture is too dry.
5. Gently mix in the fried potatoes and garnish with cilantro leaves.
6. Serve at once.

• Scant 1 cup unsweetened dried coconut
• 3 tablespoons chopped curry leaves
• 1 green chili, seeded and chopped
• 1/2 inch piece fresh ginger root, peeled and grated

1. Mix ingredients together well and serve

Om Namah Sivaya! Om. Early April was fairly quiet with still a lot of shoveling of snow and digging out the various buildings that have been blocked off by the record amounts of snow fall this year for Quebec. Temperatures have started to climb and the mountains of snow are melting. One weekend we held a workshop with the theme "The Deeper Teachings of Yoga" was well attended by local people for the workshop and Satsangs. Indoor cleaning and renovation projects continue with an anticipation of Spring in the air. Sarojani came back to join us as staff from Newfoundland.

In mid-April, the weather started to change dramatically. The first drink of Maple water from the maple trees appeared up at the temple as the temperatures have gone up slightly after the still cold nights. One weekend there was a successful workshop and turnout for Prahlada's Hatha Yoga Intensive weekend, which was enjoyed and appreciated by staff and guests alike. The temple was opened for the beginning of the Season, in time for the Tamil New Year. Devotees came from Montreal with some very familiar faces that helped at the beginning of the building of the temple. Manunath, the priest, did a wonderful job conducting and carrying out all the Pujas. The Murtis, kept down in the Krishna temple for the winter, were returned to the temple, carefully in the bucket of the tractor, as the roads were not passable to drive. The energy was re-installed into the larger Murtis, It was a special day for all with a feeling of the new energy returning. Satyam & Rama arrived back from their trip to India. Rama and Satyam travelled from Rishikesh to South India, both taking ATTC in Neyyar Dam. The Ashram is busy with various on going indoor projects. All are well and sending Pranams from HQ. Om Shanti.

Om Namo Narayanaya! In early April TTC went going well, with teaching practice in full swing into its third week. As the high season starts waning, we welcomed a smaller group of seventy Yoga Vacationers. In the early hours of one morning, forty seven students were initiated into their personal mantra in the Devi Temple. All TTC and Guests enjoyed the cultural program of colourful Bharatanatyam dance performance by the Trivandrum-based Gayatri School. Kalyani Chaitanya led a group of sixty on a day trip in Kerala's backwaters followed by a swim and a rest in local beach Varkala. Satyam and Rama, from Yoga Camp, returned to the Ashram after their Yatra in North India. We said goodbye to Narayana who had been work-study for the last three months.

In mid-April we continued to have mixed weather with sunny mornings and daily showers in the afternoons and evenings. We also witnessed occasional, very strong thunder and lightning storms foretelling the approaching monsoon season. Our last TTC of the season was completed with the award of the title of "Yoga Siromani" to 170 new teachers. The TTC teachers gave words of encouragements and practical advice for their post-TTC return to 'real' life and Swami Tattvaroopananda shared one last elevating story! We had a beautiful Devi Puja one Tuesday evening, with over sixty small oil lamps, giving everyone the opportunity to make their own prayers and offerings to the Mother, accompanied by heartfelt chanting of Om Sri Para Shaktyai Namah. Everyone enjoyed this powerful and energizing ritual. We welcomed Jain and Solomon for an evening concert of classical Indian music with tabla, sitar and electric guitar. We are now starting to prepare for Kids Camp. All are well and send their pranams.

Om Namah Sivaya! For the Easter Retreat entitled "The Power of Positive Thinking", 54 yoga practitioners spend their Easter Holidays in the quiet seclusion of Ashram life. Swami Kailasananda and Swami Atmaramananda gave elevating Satsangs and dynamic yoga classes. Among the guests were close students and teachers from the Centres in Paris, London and Madrid as well as several newcomers to Ashram life. The kitchen that is used during the off season was professionally renovated; floors were tiled, an extra window was created, a new sink was installed and the walls were covered in plasterboard. The renovation resulted in a very practical and light kitchen. With the TTC that started on the 19th of April, there was a dynamic atmosphere at the Ashram. For the first time in the history of the organisation, the course is entirely taught in French which makes for a more intimate group of students. Preparations were in full swing, last moment enquiries came in and we are happy to see the number of registrations for the TTC in July growing steadily.

Om Namo Narayanaya - Greetings from Uttar Kashi. Uttar Kashi: Ashram is closed for the winter. One of the first programs will be April 20th - May 18th Teacher Training Course.

Om Namah Sivaya! In early April the staff happily welcomed back Swami Sitaramananda and Sankara back from Vietnam. They were happy to see the travel slide show and hear the accounts of this wonderful Yoga teaching venture and pilgrimage in Swami Sita's birth country. Surprisingly, Vietnam was a Hindu kingdom for ten centuries (Cham kingdom). Swami Sita, and a party of 5 staff and students, also visited famous Vishnu temple Angkor Wat in nearby Cambodia plus taught a few yoga intensive days in Taiwan to a group who has invited Swamiji Maharaj in 1987. Upon her return to the Ashram, Swami Sita immersed herself and staff in the preparation for upcoming TTC.

Swami Pranavananda and Sri Devi co-taught a Beginners Yoga Course. We welcomed Gajananam, from the Vishnu-devananda Centre, for a program on Hatha Yoga Pradipika and Advanced Asana class. Durga joined us for two months as Ayurvedic and PR consultant as well as Brea, a new work-study. The Ashram grounds began with spring flowers and green grass.

In mid-April Gajananam, from the Vishnu-devananda Centre in Berkeley, taught an Advanced Yoga Course to guests and staff and gave informative Satsangs and chanting workshops. We so appreciated his sattvic energy and experience. Swami Sitaramananda, along with Sankara and Sri Devi, gave a presentation on the Essentials of Yoga at the Fields Bookstore in San Francisco. They also visited our SF Centre there. Swami Sita then continued on to Los Angeles, giving a full program of workshops on "Vedanta and Relationships" and "Bhakti Yoga and Relationships" as well as doing a Puja at the Centre on the occasion of Ram Navami and the 13th day of Navaratri. Sarada, our Yoga teacher neighbour, brought a group of nearly 30 students from Davis and their Yoga teacher for a day visit of the Yoga Farm. They came out delighted and happy from the experience. At the same time, Swami Pranavananda taught a weekend "Purification & Kundalini Retreat", and Dharmadev, a former staff, professional chef, gave a weekend cooking workshop. The energy continues to be high as we prepare for upcoming TTC. Pranams to all.

Om Namo Narayanaya.

Greetings from the Yoga Ranch. All staff are well and send pranams to all.

Om Namah Sivaya! We started a two week Special Easter programme with new guests arriving every day and then during the Easter weekend itself all rooms being fully booked. Swami Durgananda and Swami Sivadasananda, Yoga Acharyas, as well as staff and karma yogis from different Centres came for this event. Swami Durgananda gave a series of lectures entitled "From Ego Consiousness to Self-awareness", which focussed on how to find purpose in our daily action, on "Self-management" and "Our relationship with God, the world and the Self". Swami Sivadasananda also gave a 4 day workshop on Asanas and their connection with prana and mind. Again the hall was packed with inspired yogis. We also had a lovely Hindustani music workshop and concert with Subhankar Chatterjee, a young yet gifted musician from Kolkata. Bhakti was evoked when listening to the sweet bhajans of Mirabai and her love to Lord Krishna. Angela Hope-Murray, our guest speaker from the UK, gave Ayurveda lectures and shared her vast knowledge on this old science. A sudden weather change brought winter back and the nature walks in the snow mountains were loved by all as well as the Easter snacks and sweets. An intense further teacher training course on Health is Wealth with 18 yoga teachers included correction workshops, lectures on positive thinking, stress coping and spirituality in daily life and also a how to teach a cooking class. During the second half of the Easter programmes a wide range of workshops, lectures and nature walks were offered. Swami Durgananda and Swami Sivadasananda were staying on and gave inspiring Satsangs. We accomplished a lot of office work like preparation for the next few months, adaptation of letter heads, files etc., advertisement, newsletter and much more. With the help of karma yogis the Retreat House underwent a thorough spring cleaning. Later on this month we had smaller yet nice groups of guests with beautiful Satsangs and many workshops, mainly on asanas. One of the weekends was much enjoyed because of an Ayurvedic cooking class and an outing to one of the deepest and probably most beautiful lakes of Europe, the Hintersteiner See. All guests and staff walked around the lake. At times we were chanting kirtans and experienced the purity of nature. On Sunday, the 13th of April, we celebrated Ram Navami with a lovely Puja and some stories from the Ramayana.

Om Namo Narayanaya.

Om Namo Narayanaya! In early April we received unusual amount of heavy rains accompanied by loud thunder and lightening storms. Despite the weather, the dormitory construction progressed very well.

In mid-April the weather became hotter. There are occasional intense thundershowers, along with sudden, strong gusts of wind causing the temporary thatches to spring leaks. We focus our attention on the construction of the permanent New Dorm building in preparation for the next season. All the staff are well. OM

Om Namah Sivaya. We welcome a new staff in the Centre, Ananta from Lithuania, he took TTC in Poland last year. During the Easter weekend we did one big renovation project: We painted the meditation room and one asana room with nice new colour and cleaned all the carpets. Later the meditation room was newly decorated with inspiring new pictures of Master and Swamiji. The room looks very modern and full of Master's and Swamiji's presence. During the Easter week we had a very successful Easter intensive course. Students were very inspired and some of them continue to come regularly to Satsangs. We are having regular courses as usual; Yoga 1, 2, 3 and higher courses as well as a philosophy course on Ramayana. Twice a group of school children came to visit the Centre and have their first yoga class. One group was 18 year old students from a high school, the second one were smaller children at the age of 11. We had two special guests in the Centre, one Ayurveda specialist, Angela Hope Murray gave inspiring talks on Ayurveda and Subhankar Chatterjee who gave a beautiful concert an a workshop on Indian music. One of the weekends we had a Yoga retreat in nature, in a place two hours north of Berlin with 75 people. We had a good number of teachers, Karmayogis and close students, which helped us to keep everything flowing smoothly. One weekend Swami Atmaramananda and Rajeshwari went to Poland to visit the Yoga Centres and teachers in Warschau and Krakow, and to promote TTC in Poland in September. In the Centre we had a successful open house on Sunday; a good group of new people came for lectures and trial classes. Another weekend Swami Atmaramananda together with Swami Narayanananda from Munich went to Moscow to give a weekend retreat. About 45 interested Russian Yogis and teachers came. Swami Anantananda went to Uttarkashi for Sadhana.

Om Namah Sivaya! Hello from Buenos Aires. In mid-April classes and activities ran as usual. We were able to prepare for Swami Mahadevananda and Swami Rajeswarananda's visit, who came for an special program. Swami Premaannda was in Uruguay sharing the activity given by both Swamis in Montevideo. Om Shanti. Om & Prem!!!

Om Namah Sivaya to all Blessed Selves.

Om...Pranams to the Sivananda family, from all Chennai Centre staff. Early April started with the arrival of Suresh and family from Neyyar dam. We had a wonderful morning advance class with him. They stayed for the whole week. Parul, from Delhi Centre, was here on route to Thirupathi and Neyyar dam. Parvathi was away to her native place for a function. We had the new beginners' batch begin alongside a Kriya workshop. We also had a Korean group class. It was quiet interesting to teach the groups who dint know much English. Mirabai dropped by for one night.

In mid-April the climate started to be very hot. Classes were normal. We started an evening batch of classes. We are getting good enquires about the yoga classes and the Ayurvedic clinic. Gopanji left to Uttarkashi for assisting the TTC for a month. We started Kids summer class with 16 students. Soundari came from NeyyarDam on her way to Delhi Centre. Pranams from all the Chennai Centre staff.

Om Namah Sivaya!

In early April we held an especially busy Open House one Saturday. We welcomed 45 newcomers to the Centre. Sita taught an introductory class to 35 students who were fitted like well-packed sardines into every available space in our main asana room. Student and Karma Yogi Suresh somehow managed to share out the food that he had prepared for lunch so that all were satisfied. A number of the students attended an afternoon workshop on meditation. The event was most encouraging for all and a reminder of the Guru's grace. We started a new Yoga 2 course this week, taught by Sadasiva for the first time.

In mid-April classes increased in size with the arrival of warmer weather. We finally started outdoor work on the garden. The start of demolition and reconstruction of the porch was also imminent. One Saturday we held a special lunch meeting for all of our teachers which all enjoyed. Om Peace, Peace, Peace.

Om Namah Sivaya

In early April we started a new beginners' 6.30 pm course. We had a Sudarshan Homa one Wednesday morning and also a headstand workshop, attended by eight enthusiastic students. The number of students in open classes is increasing. The weather brings huge thunderstorms and unusual rains. Durga returned refreshed from her trip to Rishikesh. We bade farewell to Lila who has returned to her home. We thank her for her help here in Delhi.

In mid-April we started a new beginners' 6.30 am. Attendance numbers increased in the courses and open classes, not to mention the temperature here in Delhi as well. We were happy to welcome Swami Govindananda to the Centre for one week, en route to Netala for TTC. Swamiji conducted two courses here, advanced asanas in the am and meditation course in the pm, with about 25 students per class. As these courses are in addition to our normally scheduled classes, the Centre has a feel of abundance as students flow through its doors like water. Teachers were eager to teach open classes. We had a small but well-appreciated cooking workshop given by Mrs Kapoor, and a large Satsang one Saturday evening, with Swami Govindananda. We celebrated Ram Navmi by chanting Ram Nam Sunday evening Satsang. Staff are well and convey their Pranams.

Om Namah Sivaya

In early April we started two beginners' courses. Bharata went to Netala and Vijay returned. One Saturday evening we had a nice Satsang with good numbers of students and teachers. The student's numbers is steadily increasing.

In mid-April we started a new Beginners course at 6:30 am. One Friday and Saturday we had an outside class at a nearby school. Forty and forty-five children attended the two classes respectively. One Saturday we had a stress management workshop with ten people attending. We had one of our biggest Open House events. We also celebrated Rama`s Birthday plus the one-year anniversary of the Dwarka Centre with a special Satsang with Swami Govindananda. Pranams to all!

Om Namah Sivaya from the Geneva Centre. Students in Geneva are happy that the Centre opened again after the Easter break with the regular schedule. We had a small workshop on "How to combat stress", discussing various relaxation techniques and also talking about the karmic implications in life. Swami Shyamananda started to teach the UN yoga classes which the Centre is holding since over 30 years. On one weekend we had an active gathering with a group of Karma Yogis to give the Centre a thorough cleaning. We are expecting the visit of Swami Sivadasananda at the end of the month.

Om Namah Sivaya. For the Easter Retreat in Gaunts House in Dorset a very inspired group of over 100 people came together for a full yoga experience. Dr. Uma Krishnamurthy shared her view of Yoga Psychology and Positive Mental Health and she also playfully showed us a few steps of classical Indian dance before giving a Bharata Natyam dance performance. Also her programme at the Centre was much appreciated. New courses starting this month included a new Sanskrit level one course with Dr. Shastri, a Yogic Diet-course and a large Yoga 2 Meditation course and a workshop on "Prana, Chakras and Astral Body". Also a Beginners Weekend was very successful. The foremost focus was organizing and packing the TTC Scotland which is now completely booked with 38 participants.

Om Namo Narayanaya.

Early April marked another successful Open House at the Centre. Additionally, Vidya continued to lead a group of enthusiastic students in the Meditation Course and Bhagavad Gita class. A highlight was a new program at the Centre, called "Sadhana Sunday". Sadhana Sunday is offered once a month. It seeks to give students a chance to deepen their practice in philosophy, asanas and Satsang, while nurturing spiritual community. The day began with a 2-hour introduction to the Bhagavad Gita, followed by a 3-hour Advanced Asana class with Vishnuprem. A light meal was also provided following the class with many students staying on for Satsang. The day was a great success and the energy of the Centre was very high and positive.

In mid-April the Centre welcomed Swami Sita for weekend programs on Vedanta and Relationships and Bhakti and Relationships. We had many yogis in attendance and they were very pleased and impressed with the teachings. Sunday Satsang was a beautiful Puja to the divine Mother, led by Swami Sita and Vidya Chaitanya. The energy was very high and powerful. The Centre hosted a lovely dinner one Friday evening with many students and teachers in attendance. A delicious Vietnamese dinner was provided by karma yogis. It was a nice evening and gave students a chance to connect with one another and with the Staff. Meditation and Yoga 1 courses continued with high interest in Meditation and Positive Thinking courses at the Centre. Upcoming workshops and programs will serve to cultivate students' growth in these areas. We saw the departure of long-time staff, Shambudas, who returned home to be with family. His service at the Centre included teaching yoga classes, the daily operation of the Centre, and offering support to the students. His service will be missed. Pranams to all.

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed Selves. The high light of the first week in April was the workshop and concert of Indian vocal music with Subhankar Chatterjee and Prabir Kumar Mitra on tabla on Saturday well appreciated by all. Swami Gopalananda went to Lisbon, Portugal at the affiliated Sivananda Centre during the weekend for a day of "Health and Peace of Mind" to promote the summer TTC in Aluenda, Spain. It went very well with the participation of twenty four people, the affiliated Centre moved four months ago, it is bigger to receive the students, we did the yoga classes on the terrace. On April 7th Narayani went to Paris to help with the preparation of the new Centre. Parvati went to London to serve and to practice her English. We had Ayurvedic program with Angela Hope Murray, with inspiring lectures on Ayurveda and an Ayurvedic cooking class. The program attracted new people and all were very happy to learn more about the science of Ayurveda. Finally on April 19th, we had an open house day with 40 participants. Some teachers came to help with the teaching and reception. Mahadev and Rajeswari went to Murcia, in the East of Spain. This was one of the 5 programmed visits to province, performed to promote the next TTC in Spain.

Om Namah Sivaya.

In early April all classes & activities of our Centre continued smoothly. We started a new regular class at 8 AM with seven students. The Kids Sanskrit class (Bala Saba) continued on as usual on Saturdays and Sundays with the kids enjoying the class. One Friday Yamunesh came for a short visit and to teach some classes. Many students participated in Satsanga one Sunday evening. All other things went well. In mid-April all classes & activities of our centre continued smoothly. We started Beginner course, with twenty students. Kids' vacation class started from 07th April with some new & old students. Kids are enjoying the class. All of our staff conveys their Pranams to all of our Sivananda Yogis.

Om Namah Sivaya from Montevideo!

In April we continued the publicity of our next TTC in Argentina 2008. We had several courses this week given by Kanti Devi, all of them with very good attendance. Students and teachers were happy to see her again. One Sunday Kanti Devi and Chandra traveled to Brazil to meet Swami Mahadevananda. Karuna was helping lot in the morning and evening because Valentina was on vacation.

All classes and meditations are going well. Later in April we had an intensely busy week with a lot of activities. We received Swami Mahadevananda, Swami Rajeswarananda and Swami Premananda to the Centre. Alot of teachers and people from different parts of our country came to participate in the lectures and workshops. Swami Pemananda delighted us with the melodies of the harmonium while everyone listened with much attention Swami Mahadevananda's wise words. Swami Rajeswarananda's classes were very well received. The people were very grateful for the Swamis' contributions. Many people came and enjoyed all the activities including a great vegetarian lunch with these wonderful beings of light and full of wisdom. Swami Rajeswarananda and Swami Majadevananda continued with others activities at the Buenos Aires Centre. Om Shanti

Om Namah Sivaya.

Blessings from Montreal. In mid-April we welcomed Maheswari as temporary staff. She adapted well at the Centre. We celebrated Ramanavami at the Centre with a Puja and beautiful Satsang. Weekend programs continued very strong, with very good attendance. The weather became warmer so we are took the time to do a deep spring cleaning with the help of karma yogis. Om Namah Sivaya!

Om Namah Sivaya from the Munich Centre! The latest of our very popular Saturday afternoon workshops had the title "Cool Head, Balanced Mind". Based on Swami Sivananda's books "Thought Power" and "Conquest of Fear" we discussed how to overcome negative emotions. We did a lot of exercises with positive affirmations. In a cooking class participants learnt a number of easy to prepare and healthy yogic dishes. For our monthly Open House many new people came the first time to the Centre and stayed for the whole programme: trial class, meditation workshop, asana demonstration and information about yoga vacations and the yoga teachers training course. We are looking forward to our next special programmes: a classical Indian flute concert with bansuri master G.S. Sachdev on 7 May and lectures on Vedic astrology with renowned Vedic astrologer Stephen Quong from 17 to 21 May.

Om Namah Sivaya!

In mid-April went well. Swami Sadasivananda and Gauri Devi returned from the Bahamas, after completing the Raja Yoga Course on the third Pada. We held a full cooking workshop with a new karma yogi, Priya. Swami Sadasivananda taught a Positive Thinking workshop and continued with a Bhagavad Gita course. We were happy to begin a new Meditation course, Positive Thinking course and Conquest of Anger, taught by Mahadev, Gauri Devi and Kumari respectively. We send our pranams to all.

Om Namah Sivaya! After the two-week Spring break, many regular students and teachers returned to Paris after their holidays. Swami Kailasananda gave a three-day intensive course on "Prana, the astral body and extra sensory perception". The course included two lectures, a very well attended advanced asana class and an elevating Satsang entitled "from suffering to joy". The programme was attended by many close students of the Centre and teachers. The renovation in the new Centre is going on full speed, with the building company on one side and Pio and his team of karma yogis on the other. There is still a lot to do, but things are starting to take shape. Partitions were installed creating a changing room, humid walls where covered with plasterboards and linoleum was ordered for the kitchen and changing rooms. Five recent TTC graduates from India started assisting in open classes as well as very actively helping in the Centre, which is a great blessing.

Om Namo Narayanaya, Blessed Selves.

In early April we held a Yogathon to raise funds for St. Jude's Children's Cancer Research Hospital. Three participants put their all into the event. Two of them did more than 108 rounds of Surya Namaskar and received donations from sponsors for each round. Skanda was off to the Farm, Sambasiva filled in for his classes. We also had a good turn out for the Open house. Swami Padmapadananda led the talk about the Five Points and showed a video for the newcomers.

In mid-April Swami Sitaramananda came to the Centre and stayed over for a night along with Sankara, and Sri Devi. She was here to give a talk and conduct an asana demonstration at Fields Bookshop. Ram Navami was also celebrated. Skanda gave an animated summarization of the Ramayana and talked about the festival from his perspective as a native of India raised with a Hindu background. We also experienced some unusually warm and beautiful weather here in the Bay Area, a real treat for us.

Om Namah Sivaya.

In early April we began a new yoga 1 course. Warmer spring weather has arrived and students are beginning to register for courses as well as our June retreat.

Since Prahlada's return from India a lot of energy was put it to the Centre, so classes and courses are picking up once again. In mid-April we started a full Y1 course, and a Y2. We put more new posters around to increase the awareness. The big news of the week is finally our on-line payment system is up and running, and so far we have good response with students registering and feeling more comfortable with the system, please take a look http://www.sivananda.org/toronto. Prahlada went with couple of Karma Yogis to the Camp to run the weekend program there and open up the Subramanya/Ayyappa temple after winter. Saraswati just returned from Bahamas with quite uplifting energy after attending a Raja Yoga course there. Looks like finally spring is here in Toronto, after a harsh winter. Pranams to all.

Om Namah Sivaya. In early April, by the grace of our gurus, we are functioning smoothly. We started new beginners class.The response was good. Priya from Madurai Centre joined us as staff. We started the kids' summer classes at 4:00 pm. About 35 kids already joined the class. One Sunday we had a workshop with Mani Chaitanyaji. The subject was "Moksha - The Ultimate Freedom" and it was followed by a Satsang. Syam travelled to Neyyar Dam Ashram for assisting the Kids Camp.

In mid-April all the activities of our centre ran smoothly with all the classes in full swing. One Sunday we had a Satsang with Swami Sivaswaroopananda. Om Shanthi Shanthi Shantihi!

Om Namah Sivaya. During the Easter holidays part of the staff visited the Tirol Retreathouse. They returned inspired by the programs there, in time for our elevating Hindustani Vocal concert with Subhankar Chatterjee, accompanied on the tables by Prabir Mitra. A school class visited for an introductory yoga-class. We were very happy to welcome Swami Durgananda and Swami Sivadasananda for a visit to the Centre. Swami Durgananda guided the staff lovingly and gave input for future projects in the Centre. Swami Sivadasananda gave an inspiring Satsang about "Thought Power", to which many teachers and close students came. We also had a successful Open Day with many interested newcomers for lecture plus asana demonstration and various trial classes. Angela Hope-Murray gave an inspiring Special Program on Ayurveda with lectures on "Principles and Cleansing Techniques of Ayurveda", "Health through Ayurvedic Diet" and "Ayurveda in the daily routine". We did several poster runs this month, advertising the upcoming courses and special programs and sent out our new brochures at the end of the month. Two beautiful Pujas in worship of Lord Rama and Lord Hanuman, at the occasion of their birthdays, created a loving and devotional atmosphere in the Centre.



If the mind is controlled, it is then capable of great service. If it is not subdued, it creates endless pain and suffering.
-- Sri Swami Sivananda