News
from the
Centre
NEWS, 28th September 2011
Friends,
It seems the Gods are enraged............. the rain and hail together are so thick you cant see more than a metre and all the time the rumble of the clouds threaten even more rain !! leaves and twigs are starting to float in the drains cut by the hail.............. one realises the power of nature........... now it seems in its destructive form !!
Just this morning there was sunshine and a springtime freshness in the air. The humming birds no more than the size of the little finger, hovering systematically from one flower of honeysuckle to the other on the walls of the buildings and the balcony. This plant likes this area so much that it blossoms in spring and after monsoon in full glory.
The rain seems to be having a break but the clouds continue to thunder as if to go for a second round. The lusciousness of green after monsoon is unique, so many shades of green. The corn this year has had a very small yield due to the heavy rain and last night over half of the neighbouring fields were eaten by a bear. The farmers were busily saving the rest of their crop till the rain came. The streams are now roaring with the gushing water spilling over the edges......... the thunder goes on........... Monsoons are dramatic anyway but more so in Dharamkot and the last few months have been full on !!
October 14th
The rains have subsided leaving the skies clear, the sun brighter than ever and we enjoy its warmth as it streams through into the hall. The Teachers Training is on its 2nd day. The largest group ever, fully committed......... starting their self practice at 4.30 am when still dark !!
The intensive finished on the full moon with a great party, was a great success resulting in invitations to many new places in the world.
October 27th
The TTC 1 just finished and we are blessed with beautiful weather. Going to the waterfall is my favourite trek. The water is so cold that one cannot stay in it for more than a few seconds...... but what a feeling.... like your body is on fire !! the dogs are enjoying the walks too.
We will start putting the insulation for the roof in the Dharamkot centre and put a carpet on the floor to make it more comfortable for all seasons after TTC 2 as well as upgrade students rooms.
I wish all a very happy time.
Anand (Sharat)
It seems the Gods are enraged............. the rain and hail together are so thick you cant see more than a metre and all the time the rumble of the clouds threaten even more rain !! leaves and twigs are starting to float in the drains cut by the hail.............. one realises the power of nature........... now it seems in its destructive form !!
Just this morning there was sunshine and a springtime freshness in the air. The humming birds no more than the size of the little finger, hovering systematically from one flower of honeysuckle to the other on the walls of the buildings and the balcony. This plant likes this area so much that it blossoms in spring and after monsoon in full glory.
The rain seems to be having a break but the clouds continue to thunder as if to go for a second round. The lusciousness of green after monsoon is unique, so many shades of green. The corn this year has had a very small yield due to the heavy rain and last night over half of the neighbouring fields were eaten by a bear. The farmers were busily saving the rest of their crop till the rain came. The streams are now roaring with the gushing water spilling over the edges......... the thunder goes on........... Monsoons are dramatic anyway but more so in Dharamkot and the last few months have been full on !!
October 14th
The rains have subsided leaving the skies clear, the sun brighter than ever and we enjoy its warmth as it streams through into the hall. The Teachers Training is on its 2nd day. The largest group ever, fully committed......... starting their self practice at 4.30 am when still dark !!
The intensive finished on the full moon with a great party, was a great success resulting in invitations to many new places in the world.
October 27th
The TTC 1 just finished and we are blessed with beautiful weather. Going to the waterfall is my favourite trek. The water is so cold that one cannot stay in it for more than a few seconds...... but what a feeling.... like your body is on fire !! the dogs are enjoying the walks too.
We will start putting the insulation for the roof in the Dharamkot centre and put a carpet on the floor to make it more comfortable for all seasons after TTC 2 as well as upgrade students rooms.
I wish all a very happy time.
Anand (Sharat)
Friends, May 2011
The temperature has mounted and this is when being next to the forest and having lots of trees in the garden is most appreciated. Just a trip to McLeod Ganj makes one realise how the coolness of the deodar forest is refreshing and vitalising in the heat of summer.
Nature breaks out in bloom during May and while the honeysuckle and roses are going mad spreading a haunting scent, the hydrangeas are breaking out into purples and pinks. The foxgloves are high and the hollyhocks on their way. Being in the garden is unforgettable for eyes and nose. Even while i write this in my office upstairs some honeysuckle which managed to get up on the slate roof has such strong scent it feels like paradise. By the end of the day the flowers become yellow and ready to fall but the next day there are many more............
We are busy this week with 3 courses running, i am doing the therapy course and realise all the rust that has creeped in from not doing it more often. However it is all flashing back and I feel grateful to have this opportunity to grow in the subject of healing serious cases.
I write this mail to invite all our students and friends to attend our 9th anniversary celebrations of the BKS Iyengar Hall on the 24th of May – if you are anywhere nearby please don’t miss this get together. We are going to launch the video that was made 2 years back and finally copyrighted. It is a video where i am actually teaching real time and all the basic instructions of both beginner level as well as 2nd week level can be followed. One can put the video on and be in class!! This video will now be on sale from 25th May onwards.
Finally i would also like to remind you that the opening of the retreat centre is on 20th of Sep followed by the intensive course and Teacher’s training level 1 and 2. All are invited on this happy occasion. As things go in India, delays due to not keeping promises, we are struggling to get it finished on time. We are so happy to offer this facility for being in nature while concentrating on the teachings of the intensive courses.
Please note some changes to our schedule.
Wishing you a happy summer,
Anand (Sharat)
Nature breaks out in bloom during May and while the honeysuckle and roses are going mad spreading a haunting scent, the hydrangeas are breaking out into purples and pinks. The foxgloves are high and the hollyhocks on their way. Being in the garden is unforgettable for eyes and nose. Even while i write this in my office upstairs some honeysuckle which managed to get up on the slate roof has such strong scent it feels like paradise. By the end of the day the flowers become yellow and ready to fall but the next day there are many more............
We are busy this week with 3 courses running, i am doing the therapy course and realise all the rust that has creeped in from not doing it more often. However it is all flashing back and I feel grateful to have this opportunity to grow in the subject of healing serious cases.
I write this mail to invite all our students and friends to attend our 9th anniversary celebrations of the BKS Iyengar Hall on the 24th of May – if you are anywhere nearby please don’t miss this get together. We are going to launch the video that was made 2 years back and finally copyrighted. It is a video where i am actually teaching real time and all the basic instructions of both beginner level as well as 2nd week level can be followed. One can put the video on and be in class!! This video will now be on sale from 25th May onwards.
Finally i would also like to remind you that the opening of the retreat centre is on 20th of Sep followed by the intensive course and Teacher’s training level 1 and 2. All are invited on this happy occasion. As things go in India, delays due to not keeping promises, we are struggling to get it finished on time. We are so happy to offer this facility for being in nature while concentrating on the teachings of the intensive courses.
Please note some changes to our schedule.
Wishing you a happy summer,
Anand (Sharat)
Hello friends
A bird with its shrill tone is persistently trying to make itself heard. The sun has just arisen and while the squirrels race around from tree to tree the crows seem to be having a heated debate...
Practicing at the Goa centre around sunrise is an unforgettable experience – the multitude of creatures living in the trees waking up one by one to a crescendo of sounds.
One month back it seemed that we would have to cancel the Intensive due to shortage of participants however at the last minute we were surprised how many decided to participate! We are on the last day of the Chakra Intensive – the students have been practicing their inversions for quite a while and it is now time for Pranayama. Although slow the participants have made amazing progress, their relaxed faces and open smiles speak for themselves. We hope to put up the students comments on our site as soon as we receive them, the one we received is :
"For almost 40 years, since wearing a body cast and then a corset with metal stayes for 9 years, I have held my back 'in control' in order to feel safe. Pain was a constant companion for 18 years until I discovered yoga and my practice worked for many years, however the last 10 years I have deal with back stress, strain and amazing tightness. A month in Arambol and a two week intensive course. .. the last afternoon my practice flowed. Everything felt right, easy and relaxed. I got up from the floor and there was not one iota of tightness or stress. This body feels unfamiliar and amazing. From my jaw to my feet , the screws have been loosened and lubricated. A gift, a celebration of possibility."
It was challenging to come from Tiruvanamalai straight to the Intensive. The experience of spending time in meditation and enquiry at Ramana Ashram has been one of deep healing – the prescence of the Master and Arunachala the holy hill is incomparable to any other place on this planet. What fortune to have discovered this. As happiness grows the decision to call myself Anand Sagar from now on has been made. This means Ocean of Bliss a name given to me by Papaji almost 15 years back. As the Intensive Course "Yoga and Ayurveda" scheduled for mid February is now full we have decided to have a Special Course "Staying Young with Yoga" during the last 2 weeks of January combining it with the Therapy classes.
Finally Can I remind all well wishers to come and celebrate the opening of the New Retreat Centre on 20th of September 2011 followed be Intensive and Teacher Training Courses including Level 2 (No Intensive Courses in Goa in 2011/2012).
Wishing you a nice winter,
Be Happy,
Anand Sagar
Practicing at the Goa centre around sunrise is an unforgettable experience – the multitude of creatures living in the trees waking up one by one to a crescendo of sounds.
One month back it seemed that we would have to cancel the Intensive due to shortage of participants however at the last minute we were surprised how many decided to participate! We are on the last day of the Chakra Intensive – the students have been practicing their inversions for quite a while and it is now time for Pranayama. Although slow the participants have made amazing progress, their relaxed faces and open smiles speak for themselves. We hope to put up the students comments on our site as soon as we receive them, the one we received is :
"For almost 40 years, since wearing a body cast and then a corset with metal stayes for 9 years, I have held my back 'in control' in order to feel safe. Pain was a constant companion for 18 years until I discovered yoga and my practice worked for many years, however the last 10 years I have deal with back stress, strain and amazing tightness. A month in Arambol and a two week intensive course. .. the last afternoon my practice flowed. Everything felt right, easy and relaxed. I got up from the floor and there was not one iota of tightness or stress. This body feels unfamiliar and amazing. From my jaw to my feet , the screws have been loosened and lubricated. A gift, a celebration of possibility."
It was challenging to come from Tiruvanamalai straight to the Intensive. The experience of spending time in meditation and enquiry at Ramana Ashram has been one of deep healing – the prescence of the Master and Arunachala the holy hill is incomparable to any other place on this planet. What fortune to have discovered this. As happiness grows the decision to call myself Anand Sagar from now on has been made. This means Ocean of Bliss a name given to me by Papaji almost 15 years back. As the Intensive Course "Yoga and Ayurveda" scheduled for mid February is now full we have decided to have a Special Course "Staying Young with Yoga" during the last 2 weeks of January combining it with the Therapy classes.
Finally Can I remind all well wishers to come and celebrate the opening of the New Retreat Centre on 20th of September 2011 followed be Intensive and Teacher Training Courses including Level 2 (No Intensive Courses in Goa in 2011/2012).
Wishing you a nice winter,
Be Happy,
Anand Sagar
Hi from Sharat
Just back from Europe to monsoon weather – it seems to be dragging on and on. Though since a few days the sun shines in the mornings and the damp has lifted, flowers of all kinds have started to emerge giving a little color to the otherwise uniquely green shades. The trees have grown and we are almost not visible from all sides, this time being the densest growth of leaves in the year.The shrubs and smaller plants look stalky and await some proper sunshine while sturdier creepers like honey suckle growing up the walls continue to flower and prosper. It is so good to be back home !! a place to rest !!
It was challenging to get to the retreat centre, roads washed away and the river too high and turbulent to swim across............. but we made it somehow. ........... It is exciting – with the floors and wall plaster of student houses complete we are almost ready to go...............we are hoping to OPEN THE RETREAT CENTRE IN SEPTEMBER 2011 with an Intensive course followed by teacher’s training level 1 and then level 2 ( in November / December ) for all those who have already done the basic teachers training.
Due to many requests it has been decided to open 2 weeks for intensive 5 day therapy courses towards the end of January.
Atlast existence is providing an opportunity to go to Ramana Ashram in Tiruvanamalai, which I am so grateful for to my teachers and students who are going to take care of both centres during my absence. A wish ever since I met Papaji in Lucknow early 90’s coming true – what a blessing.
THANK YOU..
Have a nice Autumn and a good life. Be Happy.
Sharat Arora, 20th September 2010
The 9th Anniversary Celebrations of the BKS Iyengar Yoga Hall – Dharamsala
Tuesday, 24th May 2011
There will be Asana demonstrations, followed by videos of Guruji and other cultural activities.
All friends, students and local inhabitants are invited to celebrate with us.
There will be Asana demonstrations, followed by videos of Guruji and other cultural activities.All friends, students and local inhabitants are invited to celebrate with us.
New Retreat Centre – Dharamsala
Inauguration of Retreat Centre on 2012
All are invited to this much awaited occasion. We are planning a BIG celebration and we hope a spiritual master will grace us with their presence. Please check details in our the centre web page.
Pictures and videos have been put on line about the new centre. It is here that we plan all Intensive Courses and Teachers´ Trainings.
All are invited to this much awaited occasion. We are planning a BIG celebration and we hope a spiritual master will grace us with their presence. Please check details in our the centre web page.Pictures and videos have been put on line about the new centre. It is here that we plan all Intensive Courses and Teachers´ Trainings.
I want to wish you a very HAPPY NEW YEAR
For us here it has been a great year – the centres ran well, we had a good amount of students during the 5 day courses, also for the intensives and gained many committed stusents thereby. The highlight this year is that we made a video for students who wish to carry on their practice when they leave here. Keren, a film director, kindly offered her services and has done an amazing job. It is now being reviewed and edited and should be out this summer, watch out for it on our website!
Another good news is that the Retreat Centre is nearing completion - all roofs are ready with insulation – 18 student’s double rooms which now only need plumbing and finishing. The Yoga hall / Dining room Building also has its roof and we hope to complete it in the monsoon - July August. We are making 3 self-contained, miniature and circular cottages for teachers and long-term community members which we hope to complete soon. All in all, we are going about the whole thing slowly and hope to have the first course there in Summer 2011 or even earlier !!
It is great weather now calm sea, no wind magnificient ! The New Year was very powerful with it being FULL MOON as well. I hope the year is spent in awakening to our Self.
Be Happy
Sharat
Another good news is that the Retreat Centre is nearing completion - all roofs are ready with insulation – 18 student’s double rooms which now only need plumbing and finishing. The Yoga hall / Dining room Building also has its roof and we hope to complete it in the monsoon - July August. We are making 3 self-contained, miniature and circular cottages for teachers and long-term community members which we hope to complete soon. All in all, we are going about the whole thing slowly and hope to have the first course there in Summer 2011 or even earlier !!
It is great weather now calm sea, no wind magnificient ! The New Year was very powerful with it being FULL MOON as well. I hope the year is spent in awakening to our Self.
Be Happy
Sharat
A Word to the Teacher Trainees of Our Centre
For Teacher Trainees who want to gain experience and confidence in instruction, and who wish to acquire particular skills, it is recommended that they come at specific times during the year when Sharat is available to give adequate attention.
From mid-May to mid-June 2010, there are new opportunities for Trainees to gain practical experience and to instruct classes. Those Teacher Trainees available to come to the Centre during these months, are requested to send an email directly to Sharat.
From mid-May to mid-June 2010, there are new opportunities for Trainees to gain practical experience and to instruct classes. Those Teacher Trainees available to come to the Centre during these months, are requested to send an email directly to Sharat.
Archived News
News from Sharat, Dharamsala
News from Sharat, Dharamsala
It is Divali the festival of light, when we pray for posperity and new beginnings. The Hindu New Year starts today. It is the day when Rama after successfully destroying evil forces ( Ravana and his followers) returned home with Sita who had been kidnapped.
Weatherwise it is truly the best Dharamkot can offer, bright sunshine, cloudless blue sky and completely dry !! This lovely weather was delayed due to prolonged monsoon. This is another spring with flowers of all kind in bloom. It is however getting cold and although I would have loved to stay here a few weeks more, it is time to move to Goa.
The Retreat centre is progressing nicely. The roof for the Yoga Hall is up !! It looks great, like a temple. Some 400 more trees were planted in my absence in the monsoon all along the borders, about 500 shrubs and about 400 bamboo !!! I am so happy that a lot of them survived. The student houses are nearing completion – floors, outside plaster, and windows. The teachers cottages, round in shape are the next thing we are on.
My trip to Israel was fantastic, what a welcome ! Had 6 days to look around – the best was the dead sea !! A connection with the Light community in Ber Sheva was really enjoyable and I felt people all over the world are living in truth. I hope to complete my visit of the north soon.
Have a good autmn and winter.
Be Happy
Weatherwise it is truly the best Dharamkot can offer, bright sunshine, cloudless blue sky and completely dry !! This lovely weather was delayed due to prolonged monsoon. This is another spring with flowers of all kind in bloom. It is however getting cold and although I would have loved to stay here a few weeks more, it is time to move to Goa.
The Retreat centre is progressing nicely. The roof for the Yoga Hall is up !! It looks great, like a temple. Some 400 more trees were planted in my absence in the monsoon all along the borders, about 500 shrubs and about 400 bamboo !!! I am so happy that a lot of them survived. The student houses are nearing completion – floors, outside plaster, and windows. The teachers cottages, round in shape are the next thing we are on.
My trip to Israel was fantastic, what a welcome ! Had 6 days to look around – the best was the dead sea !! A connection with the Light community in Ber Sheva was really enjoyable and I felt people all over the world are living in truth. I hope to complete my visit of the north soon.
Have a good autmn and winter.
Be Happy
Inauguration Ceremony of the B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga Hall - May 2002
The celebrations started with days-long prayers for purification and for the installation of Patanjali and Ganesh, followed by one week of free courses and special classes with Freny Motivala and Arti H. Mehta from Mumbai. It was a very inspiring experience for all 120 students who participated.
His Holiness, the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinle Dorje, one of the spiritual leaders of Tibet, inaugurated the Centre on Buddha Purnima, the day of his enlightenment - May 26th 2002. In his speech, he pointed out the importance of physical practice as the base for spiritual development and blessed the Centre's aspirations:
His Holiness, the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinle Dorje, one of the spiritual leaders of Tibet, inaugurated the Centre on Buddha Purnima, the day of his enlightenment - May 26th 2002. In his speech, he pointed out the importance of physical practice as the base for spiritual development and blessed the Centre's aspirations:
I am very happy to be here and thank all of you - teachers, staff, and students, who have extended this invitation. I am also glad to see that you are practicing a Dharma that has such positive qualities. Working with the body as you do is very important, for the body is the home and the support for the winds and channels (prana and nadi). The mind, which is the source of our peace and happiness, depends upon these winds that flow within the channels. All these three levels are related: the mind depends upon the winds which depend on the channels which depend on the body.
The study of the winds and channels that has spread throughout India is well-preserved and complete, one that can bring many benefits. There are numerous types of study, including diverse kinds of Dharma practices and other sciences; however, the most important study one can do, the head or the mother of all study, is the study of Dharma. The Buddhist Dharma found in Tibet has its origin in India, and not only did the Buddhist teachings come to Tibet from India, but also many other sciences. In this way, India has shown great kindness to Tibet.
You are practicing a Dharma that was formed by authentic teachers in India and it brings benefits to body, speech, and mind. In today's world there are many disturbances and little peace and happiness. The Yoga is a branch of practice that can lead people to the peace and happiness they seek. As you have explained, it was in going through many difficulties for the sake of genuine Dharma that you were able to build this Centre for practice. I was also very interested to hear that its shape also reflects the eight-fold path of graduated practice. It moves through to the final stage where you have placed pictures of your teachers, indicating that this ultimate attainment is the union of one's body, speech, and mind with that of the teacher's. This is an excellent path.
I rejoice to see that you are practicing an authentic way and make the aspiration prayer that your practice will be without obstacles and find ultimate success. I also sincerely hope that your practice of Dharma will benefit many people so that they will not see each other with hatred, but give rise to deep affection and compassion for each other.
Thank you.
The festivities continued with a demonstration of Asana, video presentations of Guruji, and amazing classical Indian music.
The event became an outstanding and overwhelming experience for all those present and provided the perfect atmosphere for commencing work in the Yoga Hall.