Month: January 2009

The Meditation Research Institute at Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama was created by Swami Veda Bharati in 2005 to bring together the ancient wisdom of the Himalayan Tradition and contemporary science. Following in the footsteps of his Master, Swami Rama, Swami Veda has maintained a keen interest in the scientific, medical and therapeutic studies of yoga meditation. Using some of the most sophisticated equipment currently available, the lab was opened for the purpose of documenting the various meditative techniques of the Himalayan Tradition and to test their effectiveness with scientific tools and methods.

During the summer, the Lab moved to its new location in Cottage 2. Construction was completed by October and the Lab again opened its doors to guests, sadhakas, gurukulam students, staff, and visitors. All are welcomed by Manuel Fernandez, the Lab Director, and his two new assistants, Meena Bhatt and Sharada Panigrahi. Manuel, Meena and Sharada are now implementing the Lab’s programs of research, education, and community outreach and services.

All guests and visitors to SRSG are able to take advantage of the various types of testing offered at the MRI. Comprehensive tests measure the effects of meditation on one’s body and mind, how deeply one can relax, or check diaphragmatic breathing. Guests may also receive biofeedback training to learn how to lower blood pressure, breathe more effectively for meditation, reduce migraines, reduce muscle tension or manage stress. There is a nominal fee for testing and biofeedback training.

The MRI helps people work toward good health, enjoy an overall sense of well being, and live more efficiently and fully through clinically proven methods and the use of cutting edge technology. Manuel, Meena and Sharada await your visit.

For further reading about the scientific investigation of states of consciousness and experiments with Swami Veda, read ” Yogi in the Lab; Future Directions of Scientific Research in Meditation” by Swami Veda Bharati.

Swami Veda would like to gather all of the children in our community for a world wide “International Children’s/Youth Yoga Retreat.” Any of you who have children or youth in the family or among friends, please write to vedayouthcensus@gmail.com to send us your child’s contact information to receive further updates. The main event will take place in December 2011(around Christmas time) at the SRSG ashram in Rishikesh. We are taking bookings now.

“Save for it now, travel later. Make me feel flooded with children’s love.”
— SVB 

Namaste and Hola to Everyone,

The Teacher Training Program (TTP) retreat last August at Rancho La Puerta (RLP) was an amazing experience. The resort was transformed into an ashram for the month. In many ways it was as if we were in the ashram at Rishikesh. The presence of Swami Veda in the realm of Mt. Kuchumaa was truly a special sacred experience for everyone. The peace was felt by all.

We feel we were blessed to have Rancho La Puerta host us this year. We were grateful to the staff of RLP for their hospitality, wonderful food, accommodations, and impeccable service.
Our 2 week TTP was a total success with 14  students. Several CEU (Continuing Education) students joined us as well, making their way from Trinidad, Holland, UK, Canada ,USA , Mexico and Korea. Our senior teachers and other honored speakers came from around the world. They shared with us their decades of experience of studying and practice with Swami Veda and Swami Rama. Swami Ritavan, Maya Balog, Ahsutosh Sharma, Peter Fabian, Stoma (Dr. Stephen Parker), Jim Nelson, Ma Radha, Ma Nityamuktananda, Dr. Beugle, Ragani, Dr. Dinesh Sharma, and Salvatore Zambito kept the lectures stimulating throughout.

Below you will find the list of participants in the August 2008 TTP Level I retreat at RLP. After the retreat they are catapulted into the age of online homework. The “homework” is designed to be completed throughout year along with support from a mentor. After completing the retreat and homework requirements, students complete their program with exams and interviews.  Please join us in congratulations and support for their journey to becoming teachers in the Himalayan Tradition.

Sitting Front Row : Phyllis Newmark, Tejaswini, Swami Veda Bharati, Janie Vlahos, Donna Anderson, Miryang Key,
Sitting Back Row : Dr. Beugel, Adel Enderson, Lynda Sharp, Dr. Varsha Morar, Seval Askoy, Stephan Brown, Dr. Nazari, Maya Balog, Barb Bowie, Peter Fabian,
Standing Row : Stoma Parker, Ma Nityamuktanada Swamiji, Ragani, Michael James, Murray Kwachuk, Ashley Gandisch, Maryon Maass, Lisa Murray, Kelvin Ramprasad,

Pranams Everyone,

Hello! This is Maryon Maass writing to you from Rishikesh. It is my privilege to present you with my first HYT-TTP (Himalayan Yoga Tradition-Teacher Training Program) news report since becoming the TTP office manager in Rishikesh last August. I will do my best to follow in Pierre’s formidable footsteps. Pierre has now returned to the Gurukulm as both student and faculty. Thank you Pierre for the stellar job that you did.

Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama hosted a training session of the HYT-TTP October 5th -19th, 2008.  It was a lovely time of year and the ashram was busy with guests from all over the world.

Maya Balog, Ahsutosh Sharma, and Peter Fabian were present to lead the training. We also thank Gurukulum faculty Ma Radha and Ma Nityamuktananda for their invaluable contributions to our training.

Nine students, coming from six countries, received a certificate of participation in TTP Level 1. Please congratulate the new teachers-in-training and provide them with your support! They are:

Abha Dabral (India), Diane Teh (Malaysia), Dora Wong (Hong Kong), Giancarlo Colombo (Italy), Katherine Stueve (USA), Lenny Wong (Hong Kong), Madhavi Wessendorp (Italy), Dr. Sivanasen Sivananthan (Malaysia), and Yvonne Dekker (Holland).

Swami Veda Bharati in the center

Sitting : Katherine Stueve, Maryon Maass, Diane Teh, Madhavi Wessenndorp
Back row : Swami Ma Radha, Dr. Sivanasen Sivananthan, Prof. Jagadananda Das, Margo “Maya” Balog, Giancarlo Colombo, Yvonne Dekker , Dora Wong, Peter Fabian, Lenny Wong, Ashutosh Sharma, Abha Dabral, Swami Ma Nityamuktananda

The certificate ceremony for the students was inspiring as Swami Veda blessed us with a heartfelt lecture, leaving everyone understanding what a Himalayan Tradition Yoga Teacher is and is not. Thank you, Swamiji.

Yvonne Dekker’s husband, Adi, beautifully closed the ceremony with a lovely and sacred mantra chant. Saying goodbye was, and always is, a moving experience for us all.

March 1st-15th, 2009, we will be hosting a TTP Level 1 training at SRSG immediately after the Meditation and Pain Management Conference (24-28 February). We hope this will be a convenient date for those who are traveling great distances as it provides a unique opportunity to have two programs in a row. Swamiji will be in residence for the Conference, but not during the March TTP. Nonetheless, everyone present will experience Swamiji’s very strong spiritual energy throughout the training.

Please refer to the HYT-TTP website, www.himalayanyogatradition.com , for more information about our program and upcoming retreats.
You may also email me in the TTP office at hyt.ttp@gmail.com

Wishing you continuing success in your practice and in your sadhana.

Yours in Service,
Maryon Maass