Progress was also made on the program for 2019. Navaratri started with the first Pujas for Durga and Lakshmi, elevating the energy of the Ashram. The Yoga Vacation program was quiet with only 2 guests but all the while attending classes and Karma Yoga with enthusiasm. Karma Yogi Shree, a senior, came to help with an outdoor painting project at the Centre, masked and hungry for company. The Gurus were generously blessing the still-new Sivananda Centre, in so many ways. Sivananda yoga is suitable for practitioners of all levels, from beginners to advanced yogis. During mid-February we had 3 new beginners groups. Among them three Beginners’ Yoga courses: two 4 week courses and one weekend course. Two new online webinars started: Yoga and Stress Relief and a Meditation Course in Spanish. We offer meditation evenings on Saturday and Sunday evenings. The written MCQ exam took place at 4 pm on Saturday.

Srinivas from Hyderabad and Rekha from Trivandrum joined Kalyani for assessing the YCB entrants for half the day Saturday and all day Sunday. Throughout the first week of the New Year we were blessed by the presence of our guest of honour, Sri Venugopal Goswami for the seven- day journey of the Bhagavata Saptaha, which softened the heart and uplifted the mind. We are grateful for Master and Swamiji’s presence in all these activities. May Master and Swamiji bless them with Abhyasa and Vairagya as they join the big world again. "Yoga masters don’t let the world disturb them, and don’t disturb the world." A Yoga 4 course finished. We are happy to let you know that you can connect to the Ashram, and to each other, through our online classes, courses, and workshops. With the grace of the Masters the week went well as per scheduled(open classes, gentle yoga, kids class, prenatal class & Satsangs) along with few private sessions. On the online front we also have a group of students religiously attending our free open class in the evenings. The new graduates’ teaching group started again in the morning with several staff and a couple of TTC students who stayed back a few days to get more practice and guidance.

A 9-day TTC Immersion course concluded with 3 students receiving their Siromani certificates. Students took to busily studying, which for some included joining a 1 hour study period provided by Ravi online and Nataraj in person for the YCB specific topics. The kitchen provided an excellent Kerala Sadhya on banana leaf for lunch. Senior Teachers and Karma Yogis stayed back at the Ashram and provided the daily programming for the 12 guests present who seemed quite happy. A group of karma yogis assisted over the weekend, helping with registration, driving, shopping, cooking, cleaning and taking care of special guest. We were part of Online TTC from Gudur Ashram with a small yet vibrant group of 8 students. September started with a Guru Puja, conducted with the TTC students onsite and online, as well as, What is Sivananda yoga the staff and a few guests. By the grace of our Master and Guru everyone is happy and content.

We celebrated Master Swami Sivananda ji’s 134th birth anniversary with a Guru Puja seeking his blessings to guide us always through thick and thin. All the children participated by doing Abhishekam to Master Sivananda. There was a nice celebration of the Birthday of the Master - nice atmosphere was created by the teachers. May Master and Swamiji bless all the efforts to follow the teachings. Mid March Swami Sitaramananda gave a talk online in the evening Satsang one Sunday, in which Swamiji introduced the yogic lifestyle offered by SYVC and Ashrams available for people to practice it. Everyone offered flowers and enjoyed the Prasad. Thailand Sivananda teachers attended and offered flowers with prayers for his smooth progress onwards. We wish all the Sivananda family good health and peace of mind. Take to Raja Yoga after possessing good health. Staff are well. We wish everyone health and inner strength. We are very grateful to the teachers, who support the Centre so well. Athul and Mira both left to support the hosting of the Gudur Online TTC. Anoop, Parvathy plus daughter Aadiyaa, karma yogis Sharantu and Nandalala all returned to Madurai having contributed hugely to the TTC. The staff are in good spirits and doing lots of karma yoga and Sadhana.