In the Bahamas, at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat, where I currently am, we celebrated the International Day of Yoga with a special puja (ceremony) conducted by the Ashram priest and also had a special advanced yoga class.  Our sister Sivananda ashram and center in New York, as well as Sivananda centers around the world also had celebrations.

This photo from New York and the largess of it all was pretty amazing.  I thought it was worth sharing with all of you.  It's also fascinating to me that prior to three years ago, I had never heard of Sivananda yoga.  It's a wonderful practice, and I'm happy that it is upfront and center for the International Day of Yoga celebrations.

In New York, the celebration began at ​the United Nations Headquarters in Manhattan for "Yoga Sessions with Yoga Masters" program sponsored by the Permanent Mission of India. Swami Paramananda, from the Sivananda Yoga Ranch led a 20-minute asana class, and Sivananda teachers and TTCs (teacher training course students) acted as demonstrators and assistants for the class, which was attended by close to 1000 participants who filled the North Lawn of the United Nations Headquarters.

At the UN, the "Yoga for Peace" panel discussion held on Thursday afternoon included Sivananda NY Ashram director, Srinivasan among six panelists for the discussion, which was attended by 200-300 people. The panel was moderated by Mitchell Rabin, who has been a long-time friend of the ashram, and Lila Lolling was also among the panelists.

On Thursday evening in Times Square, Swami Paramananda led a 75-minute asana class as part of the Times Square Alliance's Summer Solstice celebration. Again Sivananda teachers and TTCs acted as demonstrators and assistants for the class, which was attended by 1500 people. (photo above)
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Namaste
Loving Life and Living Love,
Mary

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As I look back over the past three years, I marvel at the experiences I've had since I took 'the leap' to stay at the Sivananda Bahamas Ashram and Yoga Retreat. Starting with a year long study of living an Ayurvedic-Yogic lifestyle, under the guidance of Ayurveda doctor and expert herbalist, KP Khalsa, my life has changed radically.  
KP and I co-authored a book about the year long study that will soon be published and available for purchase. 

Together, we wanted to find out what is possible for an American born woman, raised in Western culture on the work hard/play hard treadmill of life path.  Was there anything other than the usual 'take a pill' quick solution to our health issues? Would the rest of my life be a downward struggle of decreased health and mobility?

The book takes you on a year long journey with before and after photos, actual journal entries, milestone reports and final results.

Stay Tuned for more about the book and details of how to order.
It is a story I'd be honored to share with you.

Namaste
Loving Life and Living Love,
Mary

​If you haven't signed up for the blog posts, please do.
I welcome you to leave a comment below or post one on my BestYOU Facebook page.
Sharing your thoughts is a gift to all of us!

                                                                                                                                           Photo courtesy of medicalxpress.com
Qualia and Kirtan - Talk about Diversity!

Last week the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat, where I am currently residing, has provided some really unique and diverse presenters.  The beginning of the week was all about kirtan (call and response chanting/singing).  

Gaura Vani is renown in the yogi world and has been singing kirtan since the age of 6.  He and his ensemble are Bhaktis - devotional kirtan singers.  Gaura Vani brings his entire family, and they are all musically talented - from his children to his mother and extended family.  Each night was filled with joyous devotional music.

I think back to my first night at the Ashram and how freaked out I was with the chants mentioning Hari Krishna.  Now, chants of all kinds are second nature to me, and I really enjoy chanting.

The remainder of the week was all about Qualia and the Science of Consciousness.
Menas Kafatos PhD, Neil Theise MD, Debashish Banerjee PhD, and Swami Brahmananda dialogued during a smposium about the qualities of consciousness, or qualia. 

The symposium expanded the conversation that began last year at the ashram with Deepak Chopra and Menas Kafatos presenting “You are the Universe: Discovering Your Cosmic Self and Why it Matters.”   They co-authored a book by the same title.  

In the description of the symposium, “These qualities of consciousness, or qualia, when closely observed, allow us to be “alchemists” who create both our internal and external worlds. For thousands of years, our spiritual traditions have taught that the path to health and enlightenment lies in our perceptions. Now science is validating and deepening this assertion.” 

I really enjoyed Neil Theise's and Debashish Banerjee's talks. These two presenters were new to me, and I found them each to be fascinating. It is quite amazing, the level of presenters that the ashram provides and the vast diversity.  I have been enriched and am grateful for the nightly satsang experiences.

Namaste
Loving Life and Living Love,
Mary

​If you haven't signed up for the blog posts, please do.
I welcome you to leave a comment below or post one on my BestYOU Facebook page.
Sharing your thoughts is a gift to all of us!

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