Thursday, 1 January 2026

New Year message from Saraswathi, YogaVahini


Dear Karthik,


Warm greetings from the unusually cool (almost cold) Chennai :). I hope you are having a smooth transition into the New year and able to make some time for renewal and silence…


When we give ourselves some space to reflect on the year that has passed and the dreams that lay ahead, it is possible that we can bring to light, resolve and leave behind what is no more relevant and step into the field of fresh possibilities.


The Yogavahini team is eagerly looking forward to a more active community engagement that can foster a sustained, meaningful connection with yoga for all of us through 2026.


After a hiatus of three years, I am starting another online Yoga Sūtra study program, this time from the perspective of healing, beginning with the Sādhana Pāda. We will explore the Sutras, practices to deepen the understanding and of course, chanting the Sūtras to stay with the thread of inquiry.

We begin the New Year with Meditations from Yoga and Sāṁkhya, in association with Yoga Therapy Australia, our much looked forward to annual offering. It is a 4-part series with recordings available to access and practise later. 

The much awaited in-person workshop with R Sriram and Anjali on Breathing Balance into Emotions comes to Chennai in January (21-24) 2026, an immersive experience into the understanding of emotions through Yoga and classical dance.

We started with the 16-week online Yoga Sadhana program, module 1: Tapas based on my book 'Yoga Sadhana - a daily practice companion' that will conclude in January 2026. We are offering an in-person retreat in March for the participants, also open to anyone seeking to immerse in the experience of Tapas, the fire of inner discipline and transformation. The retreat will also be the beginning of our Yoga Acharya (teacher training program) that is being offered in a new format this year. 

For those who missed the opportunity to immerse in the 16-week online course, we are offering an abridged version: Tapas Intensive in April-May 2026. This course will be an essential prerequisite if you would like to join our Yoga Sadhana module 2: Svādhyāya.

We have had to reprint the Volume 1: Tapas, copies are available at the YogaVahini Chennai centre and Amazon in India.

Bringing a certain quality of intensity and rigour into our daily practice, study and self-inquiry has been the path of Tapas, in preparation for Svādhyāya. Welcome to this exciting journey that we can walk together, supporting and inspiring each other…

Much love and best wishes for a New year, with conscious actions that are meaningful, enlivening and transformative…

Saraswathi V

Please note: Our website has all the information on these courses. Reach me for any further information or assistance.



Friday, 19 September 2025

Free Introductory webinar - Last offering

Dear Sangha,

We would like to invite you to our Free Introductory Webinar happening on the Yoga Sadhana 2025-26 online course.

This is a completely new version of Yoga Sadhana, a product of 15 years of exploration and experimentation with this special offering from YogaVahini!

Being the first program based on Saraswathi's recently published workbook "Yoga Sadhana: Module 1—Tapas", it combines the fundamental aspects of yoga practice and philosophy that can bring lasting change to the way we live our life.

This is the first part of the 3-module series spanning practices designed for a year-long journey of  experiential learning through Yoga.

Introductory Webinar Details:

Free introductory webinar: Sunday, September 21st (6:30 - 7:30 pm IST online).

Even if the timings of this webinar don't suit you, do register to receive the recording.

Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday!
With love,

Yoga Sadhana team

PS: Since the webinar is just around the corner, please reply to this email as soon as possible for the registration link so that you don't miss it. 


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