Celebrating The First International Day of Yoga

SPECIAL REPORT: INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA
ROME, ITALY
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre
We had a very successful yoga class in the park. Our purpose
to have a yoga class for all was achieved, as we had pregnant
women, seniors and many of our students came with friends and
family to share the yoga experience. Everyone enjoyed the class
and the atmosphere.
In the evening we held a satsang and finished with dinner
for everyone. We had many teachers and students who happily
participated in this special meeting. It was a very festive evening.
All our students, teachers and new comers were given a special
booklet.
The evening before the International Yoga Day, we had an
amazing concert with Oscar Bonelli. He performed spiritual
chanting and music from various traditions. Many new people
came and all participated wholeheartedly.
CHENNAI, INDIA
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre
International Yoga Day Programme in Chennai
5.30am – 8am: 108 Sun Salutations
The arrival of 12 visiting teachers and 60 guests was officially registered.
The session started with breathing practice (kapalabati and anuloma
viloma) led by Subbarao. At 6am the beginning of 108 rounds of Surya
Namaskar practice was announced. The Sun Salutation practice was
conducted by nine teachers (Subburao, Karthyayini, Prabutha, Rekha,
Usha, Saravanan, Rani, Honey Rani, Gopan) each leading 12 rounds
of surya namaskar. Between the practice refreshments and drinks were
provided to participants. After completion of 108 rounds guests were
served the traditional south Indian breakfast consisting of idli, pongal,
sambar and coconut chutney on the terrace with a beautiful sea view.
9am – 11am: Yoga Class Beginners/ Intermediate
The yoga class started with a lecture led by Hariharan and assisted
by Honey Rani, Rani and Vaidyanathan about yoga, including an
explanation of the 5 points of Sivananda yoga and a demonstration
given of the basic asanas of the Sivananda sequence. After the lecture,
guests were asked to proceed to the Ganesha hall for an intermediate
yoga class or to Radha Krishna hall for the beginners class. The beginners
class was led by Hariharan and assisted by Honey Rani and attended
by 47 guests. The intermediate class was taught by Vaidyanathan and
assisted by Rani and Saravanan and attended by 29 guests. After the
yoga classes all the guests were offered refreshments with snacks and
informed about the upcoming programme of the day.
4pm – 5.30pm: Open Yoga Class Beginners/Intermediate
The Open Beginners yoga class started with an introduction to Sivananda
Yoga Vedanta Centre, yoga philosophy and demonstration of the basic
Sivananda yoga asana sequence led by Saravanan and assisted by Pradeep.
The total number of participants exceeded 70. The Open Intermediate
class was taught by Sivapad and the total number of registered guests
was 15.
6pm – 7.30pm: Satsang/ Talk
The Satsang session started with a guided meditation by Sivapad, and
continued with daily chants. The session concluded with a talk by Wing
Commander E.A. Murthy who shared his personal experience of yoga
practice. The session was attended by more than 90 people and was
concluded with arathi. At the end of the programme traditional South
Indian food was served for the guests.
YOGALife |Autumn/Winter 2015
33