International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres :

-






SWAMI VISHNUDEVANANDA


Founder of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres, Swami Vishnudevananda, was a world authority on Hatha and Raja Yoga. Swamiji was also known as the "Flying Swami" for the different peace missions he accomplished around the world.


BEFORE DISCOVERING YOGA :


Swami VishnudevanandaSwamiji was born in Kerala, South India, in 1927. As a young child one of his main character traits was a strong will and determination. His mother, now known as Mataji who later took Sannyas (vows of renunciation) from Swami Sivananda, said that whenever her son wanted something, nothing or no one could stop him. An interesting anecdote tells how as a 5 year old youngster he had the strong desire to go to school and learn. When told that it was not possible since the nearest school was located more than 5 miles away, the child took upon himself to pack and go early the next morning for the long 5 mile walk through the jungle. He walked back that evening and would do the same for many years to come.


As a teenager without financial resources for University, he turned to joining the army to receive the scientific education he yearned for. During this time as he looked for a lost paper in a waste basket, his eyes fell upon a paper entitled "20 Spiritual Instructions" by Swami Sivananda. The pamphlet began: "An ounce of practice is better than tons of theory". The practicality and inherent power of these simple words lead Swamiji to travel across India during a 36-hour leave to meet Swami Sivananda in far away Rishsikesh in the Himalayas.


This short visit left such an impression on the young boy's mind that he resolved to return as soon as possible.


MEETING THE MASTER :


On his second visit, the young disciple received 2 powerful lessons from Swami Sivananda. The first lesson came when Swami Vishnudevananda felt too timid and a bit arrogant to bow to the Guru Swami Sivananda. So the Master Swami Sivananda prostrated fully before the young student demonstrating the lesson of humility. The second lesson came during Arati (worship ceremony) to Ganga (Ganges river). Swamiji was perplexed and doubtful as he pondered why intelligent people would worship what scientifically is merely H2O. The Master then smiled subtly and gazed at Swamij who instantly beheld the river as a vast, bright, cosmic light. Swami Sivananda then invited the young boy to remain at the Ashram to study and become a Yogi. Swami Vishnudevananda spontaneously replied "Yes".


THE TRAINING :


For 10 years Swami Vishnudevananda continued at the Sivananda Ashram and was trained in all aspects of Yoga by Swami Sivananda. Swami Vishnudevananda quickly became an exceptional adept in the path of Hatha-Yoga and was a very keen and tireless Karma Yogi. One day Swami Sivananda gave Swamiji a 10 Rupee note (less than a dollar!) and his blessings to travel to the West and spread the teachings of Vedanta. "People are waiting" were the words of the Master.


SWAMIJI AS A WORLD TEACHER :


Swamiji's limitless energy and profound inspiration lead him to found and direct the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres. There are now 20 Yoga centres and 9 Ashrams and many Affiliated centres. Swami created the first Yoga Teachers Training Course which to date has trained more than 26,000 certified teachers in the field of Yoga and spirituality. One of his brilliant touches was to summarize these ancient and vast teachings into five principles of Yoga which are easy to understand and convenient to incorporate in one's daily practice.


THE FLYING SWAMI & THE PEACE MISSIONS :


Throughout his whole life, Swamiji was deeply concerned about the well being of the world and the constant disaster of wars. This lead him to learn to fly and then personally pilot a small plane over several troubled areas of the world. Not only did he create discussion and awareness in the news media, but he also "bombarded" these war torn areas with flowers and peace pamphlets while repeating the peace Mantra; Om Namo Narayanaya.


I have given you all I have with all my heart and love. It is for you to give to others. Sometimes I may not know all the answers, and I know that I have a long way to go. If you didn't get anything, that's because of my lower emotional nature. If there was anything good you got, it came from my great Master Sivananda. I don't say that I'm an unemotional person. I scolded and talked endlessly. I acted like a dictator. If I were like my master, or like Jesus, I could wash the feet of my disciples. 


But for that one must be very high. It can only be done when the ego is gone. If I were to do it, it would be hypocrisy. I'm not that high. Once, some years ago, I prostrated myself before a man to whom I had been rude and impatient. As I was doing it, I was thinking "How humble I am." So don't look for an easy way to overcome your ego. For years I've tried. I watch myself as my ego manifests itself. I analyze. But it clings like a leech. 


When we can't control ourselves, we should offer it to the Lord: "Oh Lord, I offer it to Thee!" And now, if in any way I hurt your feelings, I ask you with all my heart to pardon me.


- Swami Vishnudevananda


ASHRAMS IN INDIA :

1. Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram 

Neyyar Dam, Kerala
P.O. Neyyar Dam
Thiruvananthapuram District
Kerala, 695 572
India
Tel: +91-471-273-093
Fax: +91-471-272-093



2.Sivananda Kutir - Himalayas

P.O. Netala, Uttara Kashi Dt,
(near Siror Bridge)
Himalayas, U.P. 249 193
India
Tel: +91.1374.22624


3.Sivananda Meenakshi Ashram - Madurai

Kalloothu, Saramthamgi Village
Vellayampatti P.O.
Palamedu ( Via ), Vadippatti Taluk
Madurai Dist 625 503
Tamil Nadu
India
Tel: +91 (0) 452 - 209 0662


YOGA CENTRES IN INDIA :


1. Delhi-South (Nataraja)

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Nataraja Centre
A41, Kailash Colony
New Delhi 110048
India
Tel: +91-11-292-40869
Fax (and phone): +91-11-292-30962


2. Delhi-West (Dwarka)

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dwarka Centre
PSP Pocket, Sector - 6
(near DAV school and next to Kamakshi Apts)
Swami Sivananda Marg, 
Dwarka, New Delhi, 110075
India
Tel: +91.11.6456.8526 or +91.11.4556.6015/6


3. Chennai:

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre
3/655 (Plot No. 131) Kaveri Nagar
Kuppam Road Kottivakkam
Chennai (Madras) 600 041
India
Tel: +91 44 2451 1626 / 2451 2546


4.Madurai :

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre
Plot # 23, Hajee Dr Sathar Road
Anna Nagar, Madurai 625 020 Tamil Nadu, India
Tel: +91 (0) 452- 252 1170
Fax: +91 (0) 452 539 3445


5. Thiruvananthapuram :

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre
House No.18, TC 36/1238, Subhash Nagar
Vallakkadavu PO, Perunthanni,
Thiruvananthapuram, 695 008, 
Kerala, India
Tel: + 91-471-245-1398/245-1776

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Swami Udit Chaithanya :

-
Image
Swami Udit Chaithanya was born and brought up in Kerala, the beautiful green state in the southern west part of India. After graduating in Law, Swamiji joined Sandeepani Sadhanalaya in Bombay. Finishing his post graduation in Vedanta, he became a part of the Chinmaya mission and served the organisation for 3 years. He was inspired by Swami Sevananda who was the secretary of Acharya Vinoba Bhave when he discovered a new dimension in Sevanandaji's unique interpretations of India's ancient spiritual texts. Ever since, Swamiji has been teaching the messages of Srimad Bhagavatham, Bhagavad Gita, Narayaneeyam and the other Holy Scriptures to thousands of people in India and abroad. Swamiji has dedicated his life to the mission of spreading the divine message and to transform the society and the individual through heightened spiritual awareness. Swami Udit Chaitanya is the founder of Bhagavatham village, a spiritual retreat home and Swamiji  has formed “Bhagav...
Read more

Bhagavatham Village:

-
Image
Bhagavatham Village Trust is a registered charitable institution having its own office functioning in Cochin city near Ernakulam South Railway Station. The trust is headed by Swami Udith Chaithanya. Bhagavatham Village is situated at Munipara, Chalakudy, near Kalady, the birth place of Jagathguru Adi Sankara. This place is in a serene atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of the city on the banks of chalakudy river. According to ancient scriptures the name Chalakudy is derived from chala (shala) kudy (hut). It is said that there used to be yagnas conducted in this place in ancient times. Bhagavatham Village is easily accessible by railway, road, and air. The Kochi International Airport is just a few kilometers away. Concept  and  Vision : Bhagavatham Village is envisaged by Swamiji for practising the "Pancha Yajna" for the benefit of society and setting up an example for the whole world. Swami Udit Chaithanyaji, the Acharya of Bhagavatham Village, aft...
Read more

Spiritual Import of Religious Festivals - 17.1

-
Image
19/10/2018 17 - The Awakening Message : 1. The inaugural message given at the 24th All India Divine Life Conference held at the Convention Hall of the Ashoka Hotel, New Delhi, on 29th of December, 1973. It would not be easy for many of you to envisage the purpose of a Divine Life Conference. At the outset I may take the liberty of pointing out that this is not a religious conference, in the sense religion is interpreted and understood by the popular mind. It is not the intention of this conference to tell you something stereotyped or to give you a diversion from the boredom of your daily life. With the benign blessings of most worshipful Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj and the grace of the Almighty, this conference has been inaugurated and conceived to point out to the human mind in general a way of extricating itself from the meshes in which it seems to be involved. Man has to become man in order that he may accelerate his progress to a state which is superhuman. Mankind today m...
Read more