Opening Together – Newsletter Issue 3, 2017

Swami Lalitananda describes the advancing work on the Temple of Light, set for completion in the summer of 2017. Click here to watch. 

My intuition led me to the Ashram at a time when I didn’t know what the next step could be, but I knew I had to immerse myself in yoga. Originally my intention for being here was healing, and then I realized it was about joy and wholeness. In one early workshop I reflected on how I felt like a star that had exploded into different pieces and I needed to bring them all back together.

I can feel that wholeness now – I’ve grown up or become wiser. Part of that wisdom is acceptance of what happens in life. When I first came here I had the illusion that when you choose a spiritual path everything will be light and lovely and wonderful. My father passed away at the beginning of the year and I’ve found there’s a tremendous gift when I access my sense of faith within the process of dipping up and down with life’s waves.

I look back at the steps that brought me here and the changes I’ve made. They weren’t easy and I felt like I was being pushed into the void, but I just knew it was what I needed. Even if it feels hard, I understand how important it is to muster up the courage to follow my intuitive voice.

I’m in such a place of awe and gratitude to the residents and swamis. If they hadn’t taken their steps and kept their promises, this space wouldn’t have been here for me when I needed it.

Seeing people discover how life-changing the Ashram can be is like witnessing a miracle, and part of that is knowing there are teachers all over the world introducing people to Yasodhara Yoga. Having a role in that web of interconnection is really beautiful.

Coming to the Ashram is a huge learning opportunity for us teachers and students alike. “Ashram” is a word that most of the students from Nunavut had probably never heard before. Being able to actually come here solidifies the learning in a way that being up North and talking about an Ashram never could.

We’ve been having conversations about incorporating yoga and mindfulness into our school. Having some of the students here experiencing it means they can spread the word of what it’s like with their friends since most of them had never done hatha before.

As well as coming to the Ashram, during our week in Nelson we visited the Sinixt people, had a scavenger hunt around Nelson and experienced a day in the life of a Waldorf student, including a sleepover at the school.

Amidst minus 58 degree weather, about 15 students from the Nelson School came up to us in February and got to experience igloo building, animal skinning, Inuit stories, sledding and Inuit arctic games. Unfortunately it was too cold to take them ice fishing.

Teaching in Nunavut has been an incredibly rich experience. With 24 hours of darkness and then 24 hours of light, the Northern Lights and minus 65 degree weather, it’s a different world. For the students to experience an exchange with such completely different backgrounds and cultures is quite something. They’ve made friendships that I can see lasting for years. That in itself is a powerful thing.

Esther, who first came to the Ashram in May 2016 and is preparing to move into semi-retirement, says taking the YDC at this stage was life-changing. “The YDC helped me to gain such a sense of wholeness and a new perspective on my next phase of life. I was missing the spiritual aspect and getting caught up in distractions and the busyness of life. Having completed the course, I feel such a sense of self-acceptance and inner strength. I’m more able to control my mind, which had been keeping me prisoner by my thoughts.”

Chuck McNab has lived at the Ashram since 2014. He says “Taking the YDC and certifying as a Hatha Yoga instructor was my next step. Becoming a teacher is something I wanted to do for my future. I want to be able to give back to other people in my position. I have found, as a recovering addict, that yoga and the practices we do here have really helped me and I know they will help other people, too.” Chuck recently completed his Adult Graduation Diploma and was named Rookie Firefighter of the Year by the Riondel volunteer Fire Department. He plans on continuing his training as a volunteer firefighter and is considering more training at Selkirk College.

Patricia says, “I first took the YDC in 1994. Now, I’m in a different place in my life. Things like my career and other attachments are behind me. I’m much more relaxed about letting go and more willing to look at myself. I was more honest in this YDC because I can see myself more clearly than I could 20 years ago. When I left then, I knew it was just the beginning. I highly recommend taking the YDC more than once.” Patricia is staying on for five months at the Ashram to offer Karma Yoga, an option available to all YDC graduates.  

Swami Sukhananda spent the winter months travelling Europe with workshops and classes in Germany, England, Portugal and Hungary. She says, “Some feedback I received quite consistently was how amazing it was for students to talk to other people – strangers even – about their personal reflections. One woman said she’s never spoken that personally ever. Full stop. When I look at the yoga scene in Europe, I see how we’re coming along with something that’s very distinct. We’re not trying to earn a living or take students away from other types of yoga. We’re offering something quite different – very real, devotional and grounded.”

Swami Samayananda recently spent three weeks in Australia visiting Adelaide and Wollongong offering classes, workshops and retreats. She says, “Going out and sharing the teachings is a direct link back to the Ashram for people who might not frequently – or ever – have the opportunity to travel here. People are looking for ways to connect with themselves and to connect with others – Outreach offers that opportunity. Even these one-time workshops are very meaningful to participants. I went to a girls’ school and had 45 minutes with a room of seniors during lunch to help them find ways to deal with stress. The next day one of the mothers called and said, ‘My daughter loved it – it was so helpful. Could we do that each week?’ Even just one class can have an impact.”

Our spring Outreach wraps up in the Okanagan and Vancouver Island this month. Watch for our Eastern Outreach this fall to Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Halifax, Toronto, Ottawa plus a weekend retreat in Brighton. 

When I first applied I really didn’t know what I was getting into, but I’m so glad listened to my intuition and took that leap of faith. I feel how much I love this place in every cell of my being – how much it’s become home.

Before coming to the Ashram my relationship with cleaning was not so pleasant. I’d had different work environments that left me with a lot of resentment, so I was a little nervous coming since I knew that as a Hospitality Learning Resident I would be cleaning and taking care of the spaces in the Ashram.

As I worked with my resistance, I started to see how every action contributes to the broader scope of making sacred space, whether it’s preparing the tissue boxes just right, or placing the towels perfectly.