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Sivananda Yoga Centres in Europe

Information about Yoga, Meditation, Teachers' Training, Further Trainings etc.

Sivananda Yoga Centres worldwide

Ashram de Yoga Sivananda
Loire Valley, France

Year-round yoga holidays only an hour from Paris.
s Yoga teacher trainings, seminars u.v.m.
Program: www.sivananda.org/orleans

Ashram Video

Yoga Video

Yoga vacation and relaxation in the Austrian Alps – the Sivananda Yoga Retreat House in Tyrol.
Watch the presentation video on You Tube / click CC for English subtitles

DeCember 2012
Programmes marked with * are also recommended for yoga teachers.

All topics are part of the daily schedule:

6:00 am Morning meditation, mantra chanting and spiritual reading.
8:00 am Yoga class with energising yoga poses and breathing exercises.
10:00 am Vegetarian brunch.
Afterwards, there is time for a sauna, a massage, a walk along one of the hiking trails or sit back and read a book on the sunny terrace.
2:00 pm Workshop or lecture.
4:00 pm Yoga class. Feel your body becoming more flexible, your breath calmer and your mind clearer.
6:00 pm Vegetarian dinner.
7:30 pm Silent evening meditation and mantra chanting followed by an interesting lecture. You may like to to drink some herbal tea and retire early to bed.

During the week and at weekends we offer two sets of topics. You can participate in both at no extra charge.
>> Rates

>> Special low season rate from November 11 – Dezember 14, 2012
Save up to 8 € per day.

Mon 3.12 / 3pm - Fri 7.12 / 3pm
Yoga-Lifestyle
Learn how to turn your yoga practice into a yoga lifestyle.

The harmonious processes of the classical asana sequence such as pose and counterpose, as well as posture, breathing and relaxation, bring harmony and rhythm to our daily lives. The yoga exercise plan for busy people gives new ideas for personal time management. The topics "Developing willpower" and "Inner strength through meditation" help to relate the psychological aspects of yoga to one’s own experiences in life. The cooking workshop teaches how to make healthy dishes and snacks suitable for people on the go.

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Mon 28.11 / 3pm - Fri 2.12 / 3pm *
FINDING THE SILENCE WITHIN
Study of yoga psychology based on the Raja Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

Explanation of how the mind works and practical techniques for controlling the thoughts. The functioning of thought waves, the effects of natural energies on the mind, the principles of ethical living, thought patterns and their transformation.
Human suffering and how to overcome it; practical methods for cultivating positive thoughts; gaining mastery over the mind through meditation.

Recommended reading: Meditation and Mantras by Swami Vishnudevananda and Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Swami Durgananda

Fri 7.12 / 3pm - Sun 9.12 / 3pm
SIVANANDA BEGINNERS' GUIDE TO YOGA
The proven basic guide from the Sivananda Yoga Centres

Theory:
• Basic principles of yoga for integral health.
• Overcoming stress.
• Step-by-step relaxation.

Practice:
• Abdominal breathing, deep breathing and pranayama.
• Better flexibility through the Sun Salutation.
• Basic postures with preliminary exercises and deep relaxation.
• Introduction to concentration and meditation.

Textbook: Sivananda Beginner's Guide to Yoga, Gaia Books

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Fri 7.12 / 3pm - Sun 9.12 / 3pm
YOGA RELAXATION DAYS
Take the time to experience moments of deep relaxation for body, mind and spirit.

Gentle yoga classes for all levels create the basis for health and strengthen the nervous system. The causes and effects of stress are discussed in a workshop. Using various meditation exercises, relaxation is slowly transformed into inner balance. Enjoy a peaceful yoga vacation in the mountains.

Mon 10.12 / 3pm - Fri 14.12 / 3pm
THE YOGA VITALITY WEEK
This yoga vacation week focuses on personal guidance and individual correction in the yoga postures.

Nature walks in the magnificent Tyrolean mountains and a gradual increase in the breathing exercises help strengthen the immune system. Yoga breathing exercises expand the capacity of the lungs, and they also stimulate the flow of the subtle life energy (Prana). The programme includes an introduction to the meditation techniques for mental relaxation as well as a cooking workshop on how to prepare easy-to-digest meals and on improving the acid/base balance. Daily silent walk.

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Mon 10.12 / 3pm - Fri 14.12 / 3pm
IN PEACE LIES STRENGTH
Confronting tension – this is stress management based on asanas (yoga postures).

The conscious flow of breathing relieves mental tension and promotes serenity of mind. A lecture on diet gives tips on detoxing the body by means of a vegetarian diet.
Mantra meditation – the sound experience of yoga – awakens the power of one’s own life energy. Talks and recommended reading on yoga psychology show how you can change your life through positive thoughts.

Fri 14.12 / 3pm - Sun 16.12 / 3pm
YOGA VACATION LIGHT
Two gentle yoga classes daily for all levels...

... as well as group meditation in the mornings and evenings, are the basis for this relaxing week at the Retreat House. Between 11 am and 4 pm you have more time for relaxation and leisure pursuits.

Mon 17.12 / 3pm - Fri 21.12 / 3pm
THE YOGA WORKSHOP SERIES
Daily workshops look at the main aspects of the yoga class in depth.

Muscle relaxation in the relaxation pose (Savasana) through autosuggestion; enhanced flexibility of the spine and limbs through targeted stretching in the asanas; strengthening of back and abdominal muscles for improved posture; specific asana cycles for making the pelvis and the hips more flexible and for strengthening the pectoral girdle.
Increased vital capacity through deep breathing: on the basis of abdominal breathing and full yogic breathing you will be introduced step by step to the classical pranayama techniques, which lead to improved energy resources for both body and mind.

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Mon 17.12 / 3pm - Fri 21.12 / 3pm *
MEDITATION – THE NEXT STEPS
This yoga vacation programme opens up new aspects of the meditation experience.

Gradual lengthening of the time of meditation. Explanation and practice of Mantras (cosmic energies in sound structures). Introduction to Saguna (concrete) and Nirguna (abstract) meditation techniques. Discussion of Pratipaksha Bhavana (sublimation and elevation of our thought world).

Fri 21.12 / 3pm - Sun 23.12 / 3pm *
Yoga Body Check
Often just little adjustments can lead to greater quality of life.

Workshops focussing on the shoulders, back and hips show us how we can systematically improve our flexibility in the yoga class. A test of the muscles and a posture analysis give the motivation you need to make a change. Yoga offers a broad palette of methods for strengthening the nervous and cardiovascular systems: from deep relaxation through to resistance training by holding the asana postures. The yogic breathing exercises help you increase your vital energy.
Yogic techniques for organ cleansing (Kriyas) make it easier to detox the body. Guidance in dietary questions.