| News |
 |
 |
 |
|
There are no translations available. *Submit news articles or inspirational stories to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
NEW CHILDREN’S ROOM AT SWAMI RAMA SADHAKA GRAMA On Tuesday October 18, 2011, children and families of Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama (SRSG) held the official opening of their new children’s yoga classroom located in a Gurukulam Dormitory of the SRSG campus. This is the first of three rooms which will be devoted to children’s yoga programming leading up to the International Yoga Youth and Children’s Retreat (YYCR) December 22-31, 2011, and followed by an Indian International Yoga Youth and Children’s Retreat scheduled for November 2012.
Michelle Kinsey, Nalini Behari and Laura Quartieri playing fun yoga games with the children while the mothers observe Throughout the month of October, ashram guest, Laura Quartieri, from Italy worked with Nalini Behari (a co-organizer of the upcoming retreat) to clean and prepare the new classroom. Together they held a three-week children’s yoga class, which will likely continue for at least the next few months with various guest teachers from the international community. Meeting on Sunday mornings for approximately 1-2 hours, Quartieri led playful and inspired hatha yoga sessions, which loosely followed a pirate story theme. Children acted out sea and island adventures through movement and song while periodically taking 1-2 minute meditation breaks ending with a collective “Aaaauuuummm”.
Laura Quartieri (right) and Co-organizer of YYCR Lela Pierce (left) playing fun yoga games with the children The opening event was a nice opportunity for the children to demonstrate what they learned over the past few weeks to their parents. Children sang their favorite songs and proudly displayed their artwork and short stories around the classroom for the parents to see. After the demonstrations were over, Nalini and Quartieri shared sweets with the children and parents. By the end of the night, the room was bursting with squirrely child energy manifested as a joyous family dance party!
Ashram resident children dancing the night away. Laura Quartier sharing sweets after the class. (to follow us on Facebook and view more photos click here) ****************************** Children’s Yoga: Breath- Awareness Session
Pragyan School, Greater Noida, India The exhilarating cool breeze on a clear April day saw yet another effort of outreach programs by Ahymsin - to introduce the importance and practice of correct breathing to the students of Pragyan School in Greater Noida.
The session was part of the Monday morning assembly. About 175 children from standard I-XII sat cross-legged on little mats and learned about breath awareness, nadi-shodhanam and most importantly sitting with their backs straight!
While all this maybe elementary knowledge for seekers and people living within the fold of the tradition, for the world at large, it is largely an alien concept, which will take time and effort to sink in. What better way to make a start than by empowering a whole new generation with this knowledge and simple tools they can use all their lives?
.jpg) The school Principal, Shashi Banerjee (herself an accomplished Kathak dancer and social worker) introduced Sadhana Mishra, Secretary General, Ahymsin, who expertly led the session first by explaining the twin laws of life involving mind and breath and the benefits of even breath. She demonstrated various methods of Nadi Shodhanam using Vishnu mudra. She then practically guided the students and made them practice one of the ways of nadi-shodhanam repeatedly.
The other critical aspect that was introduced to the students was telling them how mediation and breath control was not restricted to just the spiritual traditions or ashram living, but is also a crucial to turbo-charge modern living. The Principal requested Sadhana to explain the various roles she performs so that it inspires the students and the teachers alike.
.jpg) Sadhana gladly shared her experiences and also emphasized that she is tremendously benefited and supported by these simple practices which help her effectively manage her mind-body and emotions.
This was her second visit to Pragyan. In her first visit she, supported by Vimalji from the ashram led the teachers and faculty through asanas to practice diaphragmatic breathing followed by question answer sessions and 5 minute meditation.
 Since Vimalji could not be here this time, another Pragyan parent Nivedita Mishra assisted her.
The heartening news is that since the first meeting, The Principal has introduced the idea of beginning every important meeting such as parent orientation get-togethers and other classroom activities with a 2 minute focus on breath.
We hope that this effort is merely one small step in a long fulfilling journey of empowering ourselves by empowering others to live their lives more fully.
Contributed by: Nivedita Mishra
***************************
Youth from The Lawrence school, Sanawar, India, Given Yoga Meditation Training at SRSG Namaste dear yoga family, From the 27th till the 30th of March, we had the honour to receive a very special and lively group in our ashram. Thirty-one boys, ages 10-15, travelled to SRSG from The Lawrence School in Sanawar, India, located near the hill station of Shimla. Sanawar is a co-educational boarding school, one of the top schools in India, and has students of varying backgrounds from all parts of the sub-continent.
The idea to visit our ashram came from their yoga teacher, Dr. Sanjay Sharma, a sadhaka who lived in an ashram himself for a few years and visits Rishikesh often. It was an exciting though challenging event as this was the first large group of young people we have stay at our ashram. One of the big challenges was to offer them an educational programme which was both fun and interesting. The first day we noticed that the programme was too hard for the boys. After a few changes and with help of Pamela Khudan from Trinidad and Tobago, we were able to make our classes more interesting and child friendly. Classes like Science of Breath and the Yamas and Niyamas were offered in a more playful way. We blew up balloons to feel how the diaphragm works and the boys created skits to illustrate what Ahymsin means to them in their daily lives.
I am happy to say that it turned out to be a great success, with both groups, the ashram teachers and the boys, learning a lot from each other. Most important of all, we had a lot of joy in the process. At the end of the four days we had a small evaluation with the children and asked them to share something about their experience with us. The following are a few remarks from the boys.
It was a lifetime experience which I will never forget all I have learned. The teachers are very different and loving. I would like to stay and learn more things. - Gobind-
The experience in this ashram was really fun. I have learnt many things here. Especially the meditation, yoga etc. I learnt the different exercises of yoga I also liked the teachers here, they teach whole heartedly. We have also gone for a little walk. We also went to Rishikesh main market and bought different things and collected Ganga Jal. The trip to this ashram was the most interesting trip out of my whole trips and I wish I can visit here again!! – Tarush-
My experience in this ashram was actually amazing. Because we had two days silence and relaxation which was a cut from our school busy and stressing routine. I really appreciate the motto of Ahimsa and peace followed by the swamis, teachers and every member. By listening to stories about Swami Rama’s life I really got very impressed. The most I liked was that before we started doing anything we did the two minutes silence, which really gave me peace for my short temper. I thank Mr. Ramparkash for being such a wonderful Big brother. Even the teachings of Swami Vachanananda and Gian Carlo. – Saurav-
It was a lifetime experience which I will not have again in my lifetime. I never forget the Big Brothers and Sisters. I loved going for every class willing to learn something new every day and I was so lucky to meet Swami Veda Bharati and to talk to him and know about his and Swami Rama’s life. After this experience I would share the experience with my relatives, parents and friends. I will suggest them to come and I will also try to come here every year. I would like to tell you that I do not feel like going. I am sure that my life will be better after this experience. Thank you. – Indereshwar-
Personally I am most pleased to see how our SRSG family worked together as a team, helping each other wherever necessary; in planning, serving, teaching and playing with the children. I think we became like children ourselves, more spontaneous and joyful. For me it was a great improvement in my sadhana. It was nice to see how all the people at the ashram, guests and ashramites alike, have a strong affection towards children, and each teaching them in their own special way. I believe that our SRSG family has learned a lot from this event and is ready for the upcoming Yoga Youth and Children’s Retreat in December 2011.
Looking forward to it! In service of the children, Nalini Behari 2nd year Gurukulam student from The Netherlands **** Editor’s Note: Swami Veda Bharati invites families within our Spiritual Family to attend the Yoga Youth and Children’s Retreat, 22nd – 31st December 2011 at Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama. For more information, please visit: http://www.ahymsin.org/main/index.php/2011-Youth-and-Children-s-Retreat/yoga-youth-and-childrens-retreat-december-2011.html
********************
Kai Haasl Blilie, of Minnesota, reportedly sat down on his mothers meditation cushion and delivered the following message:
"Your Teacher is always in your heart
-Kai Haasl Blilie Swami Veda Bharati provides us this aspiration of life. |
.jpg)
