Sivananda Yoga: Health, Peace and Unity

Sivananda Yoga: Health, Peace and Unity

Swami Vishnudevananda: In the Name of Peace

Swami Vishnudevananda on the wing of his Peace Plane

Today, November 9, is the anniversary of the Mahasamadhi of Swami Vishnudevananda.

Swami Vishnudevananda has been an inspiration to millions of yogis and yoginis around the world, breaking man-made boundaries and encouraging "Unity in Diversity".

He taught that a daily yoga practice including proper exercise, proper breathing, proper diet, proper relaxation and positive thinking is the way to inner peace and world peace.

It seems particularly timely today to share this movie about his life and mission:

 In the Name of Peace

In this video my teacher Swami Swaroopananda talks about his Guru, Swami Vishnudevananda:

You can also read here about Swami Swaroopananda's first lesson from Swami Vishnudevananda.

Finally, check out this BBC report about Swamiji flying over the Berlin Wall.  His comments are as meaningful  today as ever:

Om Bolo, Swami Vishnudevananda Maharaj Ki - Jai!!!

Happy 60th Birthday Swami Swaroopananda!

Swami Swaroopananda

Right now in the Bahamas, some extraordinary people are gathered to celebrate Swami Swaroopananda's 60th birthday.

Thank you Swamiji for all your wise teachings and kind mentor-ship.  I wish you all the very best on this auspicious occasion and for many, many, many years to come!

Happy Birthday!

Looks like you're in good company, Swamiji.

Best wishes to my dear friends Katharine and Brian who are also celebrating their 60th Birthdays this year!

And check out this list of celebrities turning 60 in 2015.  Some of my favorites:  Billy Idol, Eddie Van Halen, Bruce Willis, Bill Nye, and Yo-Yo Ma!

Thank you all for your stellar contributions to your fields and the world.

Om Trayambakam x 108!

Sensitive as an Eyeball

Image Source Unknown

Sometimes when we hear of disasters in the world or are faced with our own crises closer to home, a feeling of being overwhelmed can paralyze our ability to act.  When tears and fears become our primary reactions, yoga can help.

My dear Teacher Swami Swaroopananda has described it this way:

He says, "The yogi is as sensitive as an eyeball."

Meaning, when you take a piece of cotton and rub it on your arm it feels pleasant.  On your cheek it is also pleasant.  Rub that same piece of cotton on your eyeball and it is irritating at best, likely even painful.

Many practicing yogis and yoginis will relate to this description.  You may find yourself so acutely sensitive to suffering that at times it becomes debilitating. 

If you're feeling too small to make a difference today, your yoga practice itself may offer some encouragement.

Here are a few suggestions:

Watch this video by Pema Chodron called Loving Oneself and Others:

Read this 3HO Tantric Numerology Forecast for May 2015

Chant these mantras by Deva Premal and Miten or listen to the Hanuman Chalisa.

Finally, in life and in your asana practice, focus on what you can do rather than what you can't.

As it says in the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 40:

"Nothing is wasted on this yoga path.  Even the slightest effort saves one from the greatest turmoil."

The Gita, Courage and the Unknown

Yogini Maheshwari

Thank you to all of the Yoga teacher trainees at Yoga Within and Breathe Yoga Studio for your enthusiasm and contributions as we studied the Bhagavad Gita!

It seems to me, that in a sense, we could all relate to Arjuna as we reflected on our own inner battles and concerns about the "Unknown".

I told you about my dear Teacher, Swami Swaroopananda, and then lo and behold, this video in the latest Sivananda Bahamas newsletter. 

I just had to share it with you! 

Thanks and blessings to you all!  I look forward to seeing you again next time!

Tara Chants the Invocation to Patanjali - Free Audio!



Swami Swaroopananda


Blessed Selves,

I have something special to share with you! 

My dear friend Shyaama just emailed me an audio recording I forgot even existed. 

It's me chanting the Invocation to Patanjali with translation while we were studying the Yoga Sutras at the Sivananda Yoga Ashram with our beloved Teachers Swami Swaroopananda, Geshe Michael Roach and Lama Christie McNally.

Thank you, Shyaama Devi!

I learned the melody from Swami Swaroopananda, and to this day, I always hear it in my heart in his beautiful voice. 

Please be aware that any mistakes are mine, and mine alone.

Limited time offer - free download:  

Tara Woltjen chanting the Invocation to Patanjali! 

Note* This file is available for one week only!  You must download it by April 23, 2012!

You are most welcome to listen to it, to save it, and even to share it with others! 

I have just two requests:

1. Please watch these short videos by my hero, Nina Paley first. 
2. Leave me a comment below to let me know you've downloaded it. 

With love and gratitude to you all, Tara

Copying is Not Theft - Nina Paley

Credit is Due (The Attribution Song) - Nina Paley

All Creative Work is Derivative - Nina Paley

Watch for Nina's masterpiece this weekend on Kali's Kitchen Sattvic Movie Saturday!

And here's the link to my rendition of the Invocation to Patanjali:  https://www.yousendit.com/download/M3Bua3ZITmFwcFdGa2RVag

Remember, you need to download it by April 23rd, 2012!  Then chant to your heart's content!

Patanjali Maharishi Ki - Jai!

Swami Swaroopananda Ki - Jai!

Om Tat Sat

Mahasivaratri Bahamas 2012

My Teachers and friends in the Sivananda Ashram, Bahamas!

I love you and miss you dearly!  May Lord Shiva bless you!!!

The Invocation to Patanjali



Image borrowed from collectindianstamps.com


"Welcome Back!" to the pioneering students of the first ever Meditation and Yoga Philosophy, Level Two class which began last night at Yoga for Today!

It was wonderful to hear how much you retained from  Level One, including chanting the first four lines of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras by heart!

In Level Two, we will continue with our meditation practice, mantras, Sanskrit reading and writing, stories, songs, and sutras. 

We will also be chanting the "Invocation to Patanjali" as I learned it from my teacher Swami Swaroopananda, the Acharya (Spiritual Director) of the Sivananda Ashram in the Bahamas.

We will learn the invocation little by little over the first four classes through the traditional method of "call and response" and group chanting. 

Feel free to write it down and bring it with you to class if you like.  See you next Wednesday!

The Invocation to Patanjali

पतञ्जलिप्रार्थनं॥

योगेन चित्तस्य पदेन वाचां मलं शरीरस्य च वैदिकेन ।

योपाकरोत्तं प्रवरं मुनीनां पतञ्जलिं प्राञ्जलिरानतोस्मि॥

yogena cittasya, padena vācāṃ,

malaṃ śarīrasya ca vaidyakena ।
yo'pākarot taṃ pravaraṃ munīnāṃ

patañjaliṃ prāñjalir ānato'smi ॥

I salute Patanjali, the highest among the sages,

who has presented the remedy for removing impurities of the body

through his treatise on Ayurveda (the Science of Life),

the remedy for removing impurities of the speech

through his treatise on grammar,

and the remedy for removing the impurities of the chitta (the mind stuff)

through his treatise on yoga; this, the Yoga Sutra.