Sunday, 1 June 2025

Upcoming Program - June 2025

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Upcoming Programs

June 2025

Dear Sangha,


Greetings from Chennai! We are coming back after a pause post Sangama. The summer down south has been good so far, with intermittent showers that have a calming and cooling effect, especially on the mind! The holiday season is coming to an end, and we are getting ready for work!


Sangama was much more than the celebration of an important milestone. The coming together of close to 150 alumni from different parts of India and abroad was very gratifying! The joy of fellowship and camaraderie was palpable and deeply enlivening!


Moving on, we are now ready to take our work forward from a different launch pad, Sangama has created!


We have a few new programs planned for June that we hope will interest you. A new advanced edition of Yoga Sadhana — Practising Pratyahara is offered as a 3-weekend online course with weekly group classes, 21 days of  Practising Pratyahara, essentially!


We are very happy to announce a very special online workshop with Sriram and Angelika Sriram—Breathing Balance into Emotions—that is offered over four weeks (Mondays and Wednesdays afternoons). If you have read their book Natya and Yoga, you will understand the power and depth of their exploration over many decades of working with Yoga and Dance! We are planning an in-person retreat sometime in early 2026 on the same topic.


I have been doing theme-based online workshops with Yoga Therapy Australia, connecting with a committed Sangha of yoga practitioners from across the world. This online community has been a beautiful space to dwell deep into the fundamental yogic concepts in a more practical, experiential manner. This year, we are planning two four-week series: Prana and Sraddha in June and Moving from Gross to Subtle: Mind and Perception in August-September 2025.


Hoping to see you in the learning space again!


Warmly,

Saraswathi

Yoga Sadhana

Advanced Series (June 2025)

Three weekends: June 21, 22, 28, 29, June 5, 6, (4:00-7:30 PM IST)

+ Daily āsana & prāṇāyāma practice (Mon-Fri) for three weeks.


In 2025, we are offering 2 online Advanced Series focussed on one of the eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga in order to  facilitate a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of each of the Angas and how to bring them into every aspect of our daily life.


The first advanced series starts on June 21, 2025, with a focus on Pratyahara - the fourth limb of Ashtanga Yoga, the less explored, almost forgotten aspect of yoga! Pratyahara is the gentle practice of consciously turning our senses inward, giving the mind a chance to settle and listen within. It offers an opportunity to cultivate clarity, self-awareness, and a steadier inner space.


Being an Advanced Series, this program is currently being offered to people who have already done the Foundational Yoga Sadhana course (in-person / online). It is also open to those who have completed any of the training programs offered by YogaVahini (Yoga Acharya, Yoga Vaidya, YITP, Yoga Prayogam).


If you are already a yoga practitioner/teacher from other yoga traditions with a basic understanding of yoga, you maybe eligible for this course.


For more information and registration,

YogaVahini presents a special 4-week Online workshop with Sriram & Angelika Sriram (Anjali) in June 2025, based on their book, Natya Yoga.

Dates: June 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23 & 25 (Mondays & Wednesdays)

Timing: 3 - 5.30 pm (IST) / 11.30 am - 2 pm (CEST) / 7.30 - 10 pm (AEST)

On Zoom, recordings will be available for 3 months (until August 31, 2025).

When something deeply inspires you, strengthens your determination and awakens your will for action, when nothing can stop you or pull you back, that is Sraddha at work. This invisible, inherent quality is very subtle, but visible in everything you do. When Sraddha is strong, Prana - the life force energy - will find its way through powerful actions that reflect the intensity of one's Sraddha!


Understanding Prana and Sraddha, their intimate connection and their action potential, is essential to understanding yoga, more of ourselves, why we are here and how we can live a more meaningful life.


Together, we will explore Prana and Sraddha from a philosophical and practical perspective and experience how they enhance each other through yogic practices that can transform our lives.


Commences Thursday, 5 June 2025 and continues each Thursday in June

11.30 am - 1.30 pm IST, 4.00 - 6.00 pm AEST (Sydney, Brisbane, AEST)


On Zoom, recordings will be available for 3 months.


For more information & registration

Saturday, 28 December 2024

Registrations for Sangama 2025 closes on January 5th!

Registrations for Sangama 2025 closes on January 5th!

If you have not registered yet, please do so at the earliest!

We are thrilled to announce that Sangama 2025 is just 20 days away! This heartfelt celebration of YogaVahini's 15+ years of service to yoga and yoga therapy will be held from January 16–19, 2025, at the serene Babuji Memorial Ashram, Manapakkam.


The event begins with an inaugural ceremony on January 16 at 4 PM, graced by esteemed guests Dr. Latha Rajendran, Dr. Meera Sudheer, and Sri Prashanth Vasu.


Highlights of Sangama 2025


Each day comes to you with rich learning experiences and great fellowship.


Workshops by Senior Teachers:

  • Introduction to Citta Vidya by Raghu Ananthanarayanan  

  • The Future of Yoga Therapy by Dr. Latha Satish  

  • Mounam and Abhyasam in Our Practice by Mrs. Lakshmi Ranganathan  

  • Yoga and Emotions by Angelika Sriram and R. Sriram  

  • Special Yoga Session for Alumni by Saraswathi Vasudevan


Panel Discussion 'Role of Yoga Therapy in Integrative Medicine' with panelists:

  • Dr. Kannan Pugazhendi (Sports Physician)

  • Dr. Sudheer Ayyappan (Ayurvedic Physician)

  • Dr. Susan George (Psychologist)

  • Dr. Rama Hariharan (Naturopath cum Homeopath)

  • Smt Saraswathi Vasudevan (Yoga Therapist)

Moderated by Ms. Lekha Parameswaran. This will be held on Saturday, 18th January 2025 from 9.30 to 11 AM.


Masterclass with Sri Srivatsa Ramaswami, a senior yoga teacher and long-time student of Sri T. Krishnamacharya will be held on Sunday, January 19th 2025 from 8 to 10 AM. His class will include Arunam chanting and Surya Namaskara practice. Prepare for an invigorating yet deeply calming session.


Cultural Performances and Chanting: Enchanting Dhrupad recital by Ashlesha, special performance by the acclaimed Bharata Kalanjali dance troupe and chanting by YV alumni.


Graduation Ceremony: Be there to cheer the Yoga Instructors, Acharyas, and Vaidyas who graduate that evening.


To ensure we can accommodate all attendees and their guests, please confirm your participation on or before January 5, 2025. 


To have a quick glance of the key offerings and sessions at Sangama 2025, please click the below link:



RSVP Details: If you're bringing guests, please share their names and meal preferences using the below Google Form:


Feel free to share this invite with friends and family who may be interested in attending this enriching celebration.  


We look forward to reconnecting with you and celebrating together!  




Warmly,

The Sangama 2025 Organising team

Monday, 16 December 2024

Sangama - 30 Days Countdown

30 Day Countdown

Dear Sangha,


Just one month to go for Sangama 2025!


As we get closer to the New Year and the Sangama event, we can feel the excitement in the air! While the core team is caught up with preparations, chanting groups are coming together to practice, articles are pouring in for the Souvenir, and registrations are mounting. We are so grateful for the help and support we are receiving from all quarters to make this event memorable. 


As of date, we have 130 people registered, of which only 70 have confirmed by making the payment. We have allocated accommodation in the ashram venue itself for those who asked for it until now.


If you've registered for Sangama 2025, we urge you to take the next logical step and make your payment as well. 



Why pay right away? 


Without a clear idea of numbers, everything is up in the air, for us, as organisers!!


As a not-for-profit event, your contribution will enable us to go the extra mile and make Sangama 2025 unforgettable. Your registration and payment will help with every aspect of Sangama, such as:

  • Accommodation and transfers for senior teachers

  • Allotting rooms for registrants (this is crucial) 

  • Workshops and events

  • Logistics and amenities

  • Cultural events

  • Welcome Kit for all 


Register and make your payment to secure your spot and help us plan ahead.


Even if you are attending partially, you will need to register.  Some of you have questions on payment, stay, etc. we urge you to please reach out to Namrata (+91 98200 08046) or Aarthi J (+91 98405 96785) to clarify your questions and complete the registration process - ASAP, please!


Click the button for the latest updates in the schedule


We have added more to it - a Panel discussion on Saturday, 18th morning, will bring together leading healthcare practitioners from diverse fields to share their valuable perspectives on Yoga Therapy in Integrated Healthcare. This session will be open to all!


We are planning the Graduation event for January 18th meticulously. If you are graduating, please ensure you have submitted the certificate-related information form, otherwise do it right away to ensure you get your certificate, completion or provisional! Certificate Information


We need to know your schedule of arrival and departure date AND time to plan for the meals. If you haven't done so yet, please fill out the form below to ensure there is enough food for all and no wastage! Sangama 2025 Logistics



If you have signed up as a volunteer to help with preparation for the event online/or on the ground during the event, please reach out to Namrata if you are not already in the Volunteers WhatsApp group! We need your help and pro-active participation all through! 


Lastly, there seems to have been some issues with the link to the YV Graduates Survey Form as shared in the previous countdown email. We request you to please use the new link given below and fill out the form in case you have not already:

New link to the YV Graduates survey form


On the lighter side… 

Some of our Alumni are plotting behind the scenes, so be ready to join in some "flash mob" fun activities :) 


Thank you for all the enthusiasm and support towards Sangama 2025!





Warmly,

The Sangama 2025 Organising team