YOGA DAY - 13 SEPT 2009

A total of thirty participants had certainly made the Yoga Day a successful event, each and every by giving a wholehearted commitment and participated in the activities held on 13 September 2009. The weekend retreat at Sivananda Ashram, Batu Caves commenced at 7:15 am with the customary practice of Yoga Asanas graciously led by Mr Tan our Yoga Instructor at the garden adjacent to Swami Pranavananda Saraswati Maharaj’s Samadhi. Surrounded by greenery, beautiful scenery of the hills and fresh morning breeze unmistakably captivated the students, breaking from the routine of indoor yoga.

At about 8:00 am, the students adjourned to the ground floor of the Yoga Block for the launching ceremony by Sri Swami Guhabhaktananda Saraswati Maharaj, the President of The Divine Life Society Malaysia. Swamiji delivered a welcome speech in which he had expressed his heartfelt gratitude towards the instructors who are voluntary teaching Yoga Asanas on weekly basis.

Subsequently, Mrs Maheswaran our guest speaker from The Divine Life Society Petaling Jaya Branch gave a discourse on the significance of practising Yoga Asanas. Being 68, doesn’t seem a barrier and she has been practising Yoga for the past 22 years. She is also a Yoga Instructor. She advised the students not be dispirited even though if someone has to be in the same level for a few terms. This is because our body takes time to gain flexibility. She mentioned that even she was in the Beginners’ level for about three terms, when she first started practising Yoga Asanas. She had certainly inspired the students in many different ways and had made the discourse interactive where students inquisitively questioned on many aspects of Yoga. Towards the end of this session, delicious fruit yoghurt and fresh fruit juices were served as light refreshment.

The much awaited games session started at about 9:10 am, hosted by one of Yoga Instructors Ms. Harjit Kaur. Naturally being an organised and a person with great sense of humour, she had made this session interactive, with lots of fun and laughter. There were three games - “Who Am I”, “Spot the difference on your partner” and “Feel then Draw”. These activities certainly had break the silence and helped the students to get to know each other better because we have less interaction during our Saturday Yoga Classes due to limited time and placed in different levels.

Finally, the event was concluded with nutritious sattvic breakfast which included Indian and Western cuisine such as thosai, idli, sambar and chutney, also some freshly home baked wholemeal bread and tasty vegetarian sandwiches. Many students provided positive feedback and encouragement for more events in the future. Mrs Mages one of our students said that she is truly motivated by Yoga and there is no way she is giving up. She also mentioned that she is coaxing her husband to join our Yoga classes soon.

We wish to express our sincere appreciation to all who have participated and assisted in this Yoga Day and had certainly made it into a successful event. We look forward to have more interactive, joyous and fun activities, and seeing you all for our awaiting future events.

The Yoga Day photos can be viewed at http://picasaweb.google.com/DLSMalaysiaYoga/YogaDay130909.

Thank you.

Yours in the service of Lord and Gurudev,
Yoga Committee Members