• January2009, Newsletter, Issue 8, CONTENTS
  • Congratulations to AHYMS-Asia!
  • Swamiji's message
  • Lohri, Celebration of the New Year
  • Makara Sankranti Festival - From Darkness to Light
  • International conference on Meditation for Pain Management
  • TTP NEWS
  • Yoga Youth and Children!
  • Upcomming Events
• Ahymsin Newsletters Archive

Congratulations to AHYMS-Asia!

It is official – AHYMS-Asia has been formed into a regional organization! Representatives from several Asian countries, along with Swami Veda, met in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (Malaysia) the first week of December 2008. Accomplishments were many including the election of officers, the development of priorities and goals, and the creation of an action plan. Participants were able to learn about each other, learn from each other, and learn ways to support each other.

Extensive discussions culminated in the drafting of four resolutions.

1. To implement the two minute meditation, full moon meditation and the practice of silence. These practices are emphasized by Swami Veda and are part of what distinguishes AHYMSIN from other yoga organizations.
2. To hold one major AHYMSYN event in Asia every year. Importantly, the event will be designed so parents and children can attend the event together.
3. To translate works written by Swami Rama and Swami Veda into Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Thai.
4. To develop children’s activities and prepare materials for children so children are part of the programs held by the centers.  Centers will also coordinate to ensure the success of the 2011 Yoga Youth and Children’s Retreat, “So that the grace and the practices and teachings of meditation in our lineage may continue into the next generations and meditation may become a family-centered experience.” (Swami Veda)

AHYMS-Asia is seeking representation from all Centers within the Asian region. It is requested each center appoint Director(s) to assist in maintaining and disseminating the knowledge and teachings of yoga meditation within the Tradition of Himalayan Masters. Please contact [email protected] with contact information.

Congratulations to the newly elected officers:
Datuk Hiew Thien Choi (Sabah), President
Jenny Li (Taiwan), Vice-President
Jean Tan (Kuala Lumpur), Secretary
and Yvonne Sall (Hong Kong), Treasurer.

In addition to the business meetings, there was a 3-day retreat organized by the Keningau Center, Sabah, on Yoga and Meditation for Pain Management. There were 60 participants from Sabah, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea and Japan. Among the other teachers who taught on Yoga and Pain Management, Fuku Lida conducted several sessions to share many valuable techniques on Qi Massage and yoga manual therapeutics. 

Many thanks to Rajah Indran, Ahymsin Senior Vice President for Regions, who organized and provided the vision for the conference. Rajah also attend the meeting of AHYMS-NA (North America) meeting summer 2008 held in Minnesota. Rajah noted that movement is afoot to form AHYMS-Europe as well. Regional Ahymsins create personal connections and offer mutual support for those who have much in common, much like one’s own family and  neighbourhood within a city.

Congratulations to all involved in the formation of AHYMS-Asia. We all hope to support their continuing success.

Lohri, Celebration of the New Year

The evening of January 13th found everyone at SRSG gathered around a roaring bonfire. It was the night of Lohri, a popular harvest festival celebrated especially in the Northern parts of India. The festival marks the end of winter when the Sun changes its course. It ushers in the New Year calendar for Hindus. In addition to being a harvest and cultural festival, it prompts people to be thankful for God’s provisions. The festival is especially important to newlyweds and newborns. Young and old, rich and poor, all join in the fun.

Legend has many stories connected with the festival beginning with tales of Dulla Bhattis. These stories reflect the triumph of good over the bad and the benefit of positive thinking over negative. Families and friends celebrate together by the lighting of a bonfire, singing, dancing and the enjoyment of traditional treats.

Swami Vachananda and Swami Ram Charit lit the sacred fire. Everyone then threw offerings of corn, peanuts, and sesame seeds into the fire. Drums were played and traditional songs sung. In addition, music played over the loudspeakers inspiring everyone to take up the beat. Some celebrants raised their arms in the performance of traditional dances called bhangras. Others linked hands and danced around the sacred bonfire. Everyone helped themselves to popcorn, peanuts, and candy made with sesame seeds and raw sugar. Indeed, the celebration was full of fervour and gaiety and enjoyed by all.

Makara Sankranti Festival - From Darkness to Light

One day after Lohry, the Makara Sankranti Festival is celebrated. When the sun moves from one zodiac to another zodiac, it is known as Sankranti. During the solar year the Sun passes through twelve zodiacs. When the Sun enters into Capricorn from Sagittarius it is called “Makar Sankranti.” This festival celebrates the end of darkness and the advent of light. Symbolically, darkness and ignorance is replaced by light and knowledge. For this reason, it is considered to be a significant day to perform activities of japa-tapa, sadhana and charity.

Bathing in the Deva-nadi (river of Gods) Ganga is of special significance on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. On this day, devotees gather in large crowds to bathe on the different banks and confluences of Ganges as well as on Ganga-Sagar (the place where Ganges meets the ocean).

The Makar Sankranti of the Sun has always stood to welcome joy, prosperity and life-spirit. For spiritual aspirants and sadhakas, this is a golden occasion and they wait for the arrival of this festival all througout the year.

Submitted by Adhikari Bhoi

“All of the body is in the mind, but not all of mind is in the body.” – H.H. Sri Swami Rama
“Body is cured by the body.” – Rg-Veda
“Let not body conditions become mind conditions.” – Swami Veda Bharati

International Conference on
Meditation for Pain Management
February 24-28, 2009
Rishikesh, India

Final preparations are underway for The international Meditation and Pain Management Conference  to be held 24th – 28th February 2009 at Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama. The Conference program will give those attending new understandings and tools in managing their own pain as well as those of their patients and others.

We have included a tentative schedule of the Conference in this newsletter in order for you to get a glimpse of the broad-spectrum program.

Highlights include:

Swami Veda Bharati leading guided meditations and speaking from his own experiences with meditation and with pain management;

Yoga practices, such as meditation, relaxation, breathing, biofeedback, mudras, Yoga Nidra, 61 points, and hatha asana, that are useful in controlling pain and reducing stress;

A full day at the Himalayan Hospital Institute Trust with lectures by the faculty of HIHT, the Combined Therapy Program, the Pancha Karma Center and a visit to the Swami Rama Center;

Lectures at Seema Dental College, including a lecture on dental pain management;

A lecture on integrative therapy in clinical psychology;

A panel discussion on the views of eastern and western philosophy on the nature of pain and its management;

A scientific research poster session;

Evening entertainment with traditional Indian dance and music;

Small group discussions; and

Publication of conference proceedings.

Meeting Schedule:

Day 1- Tuesday, February 24, 2009:

Day 2- Wednesday, February 25, 2009:

Day 3- Thursday, February 26, 2009:

Day 4- Friday, February 27, 2009:

Day 5- Saturday, February 28, 2009:

TTP NEWS 

Time is flying by, and before you know it the next Teacher Training Program will begin in Rishikesh.

March 1st to 15th, we are offering the next LEVEL ONE. This training can lead to Yoga Alliance certification at the 200 hour level or can be taken as the first of three levels toward earning the Himalayan Yoga Tradition 600 hour program certification. If you have been thinking of becoming a certified Yoga Alliance Teacher in the Himalayan Yoga Tradition, now is the time to register online at www.himalayanyogatradition.com .

You may begin your teacher training online with your first lessons. These are available in an updated and systematic form that will help you to feel efficient in your home studies and prepare you to delve deeply in to the Himalayan Yoga Tradition. ALL the materials you will need for your program are easily accessed online.  Please scout out our new and improved website for more details. The site is in continuous construction so look often for updated information. You may also call our Rishikesh office, or email [email protected] for inquiries.

HYT-TTP trainings schedule:
March 1 – 15, 2009, Rishikesh, Level One
July 18 – August 1, 2009, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN
October 18th – November 1st, 2009, Rishikesh, Levels One, Two and Three

You may register on line at anytime for any of the programmes above.

Don’t miss another opportunity to participate in a life changing opportunity to teach in the most ancient of traditions. Swami Veda has said about teaching, “The student teachers are taught to reduce suffering of humans everywhere, by teaching others the principles that have reduced their own suffering.”

YOGA YOUTH AND CHILDREN!

Swami Veda wants to pinch your cheeks!

Please come over for a GIANT family reunion and play with all of your cousins from around the globe! Join us at SRSG ashram in Rishikesh,  India, December 22-31, 2011

Save now, plan some, travel later, and worry not! Visit www.grin4me.com for more info and view the new video invitation posted from Swami Veda himself! Also please write to [email protected] to tentatively reserve a “definitely interested” place and request more information.

Coming soon: Web broadcasting of Swami Veda LIVE from SRSG
If you have Internet, soon you will be able to see and hear Swami Veda speak live from Rishikesh. With our new Dimdim service and expanded bandwidth, expect to see the first broadcast soon. Thank you to Sadhana Mishra and Pawan Mishra for their vital efforts to make this possible.

At the SRSG ashram:

Contact:  [email protected]

Himalayan Yoga Tradition – Teacher Training Program (HYT-TTP)

Contact:  [email protected]  www.himalayanyogatradition.com

Where in the world is Swami Veda January – April 2009?

Full Moon Meditation Dates
February 9, 2009
March 10, 2009
April 9, 2009