• Table of Contents
  • Brain Damage in Modernity by Swami Veda Bharati
  • Conscience by Swami Rama
  • Navaratri, Autumn 2014 by Joanne Sullivan (Divya)
  • Workshop in Pune by Dr Shirin Venkat
  • Pilgrimage to Kailash Mountain by Susan Kuang
  • Silence Retreat in Italy by Sabina Cesaroni
  • From Mind to Consciousness by Trix Dekkers- Heezius
  • Yoga from My Experience by Cynthia Gran
  • Forests & Trees by Gary Gran CYT, DAy.
  • Hazel Diaries VIII by Roxanne Currie
  • Activities at Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama
  • 2014 Yoga Youth and Children's Retreat
  • Wish List
  • 13th Gathering of Grandmothers
  • 2014 Events and Beyond
  • Full Moon Meditation Dates
  • Location of our SRSG ashram
• AHYMSIN Newsletter Archive

Workshop in Pune

by Dr Shirin Venkat

Himalayan Yoga and Meditation Workshop 2014 organised by the Swami Rama HYM Center.

A spontaneous decision was taken by the core group of the Pune Center, in late August at one of the Sunday morning practice sessions to have another workshop on 11th and 12th October 2014. The core group consists of Dr. V. Venkat, Dr. Kedar Munshi, Mrs. Vinita Mohoni and Mr. Nathan, along with Dr. Shirin Venkat. It was decided to use the same venue which is a really comfortable Hall in a centrally located part of town and also once again to invite Shri Raghavendra Adigaji, who is an initiator in our tradition. Posters were prepared and pasted at temples and in supermarkets, chemists, etc! But strangely, perhaps not so strangely, those that registered were those who had been personally motivated by the core group. So perhaps it is not worth advertising. We had 34 registrations including some for one of the two days. We were happy as the hall could comfortably house only 35 – 40. We had 28-30 persons on each of the days. What was most touching this time was to have an 87 year old Smt.Rashmi Kedar, mother of Dr. Kedar Munshi, register and take part most enthusiastically. At the other end of the age spectrum, we had a17 year old girl Saumya Karia also very interested and sincere.

As is usual, we started with morning prayers at 6 am sharp and followed this with the joints and glands exercises. A break of 10-15 minutes. And then followed Pranayama and Meditation till 9.15 am. Breakfast was enjoyed by all and once again we were back to an interesting session of digestive breathing, alert relaxation in Shavasana (everyone’s favourite), and the Swami Rama and SRSG documentary. The session concluded after an interactive session during which Dr. Shirin gave a presentation on ‘Why we are here...’ and Shri Raghavendraji discussed the importance of Mantra. One of the participants Shri Govind Thakker, was moved to tears when he saw the documentary on Swami Rama and said “that he was so touched because his Guru had recently left his body and that this was the system which was all inclusive so total and wholesome it embraced every system. It is truly Himalayan!”

Two of the core group, Dr. Kedar Munshi and Smt. Vinita Mohoni, took their initiation during Shri Raghavendraji’s stay.

Thus ended a small festival and we look forward to the next one!

GREETINGS OF THE SEASON. May the Guru always guide and inspire us and fill us with love and joy!

Ours is only to be empty channels. He will do the rest!

Dr. Shirin Venkat.