Om Namoh Bhagavate Satchidanandaya!
Hari Om!
After the wonderful European Reunion in Portugal in May this year we have all felt a new sense of energy and family and a reconnection to all our Integral Yoga sangha throughout Europe.
Everyone had so much fun and experienced a deep connection to each other and to the Divine as Swami Asokanandaji and Nalanieji and Rev. Padma led the retreat. If you'd like to see what it was like click on this link for photos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPOtopjUzbw.
At the final Satsang, there was only one question written down and this is what it said - "I have never experienced so much unconditional love, or had the ability to give and receive it myself. It has been a life-changing experience which I will always treasure. Thank you all so much. You are all in my heart forever." It summed it up beautifully for everyone! If you missed it, make sure you come to the next one.
It was decided to have a Euro Reunion retreat every three years - so that we can all come together, teachers and students, newcomers, as one big family. So make a date in your diary for 2011! The first one will be at Quinta da Calma in Portugal and then will move to all the different countries in Europe so that we all get the chance to see each others centres, homes, students, cultures and to bring everyone together in the beautiful teachings of our beloved Sri Gurudev.
There will also be a Teachers Retreat on alternate years - this would be similar to the one held at the Ashram in the US with many giving simultaneous workshops and classes on many different subjects so that we all share our knowledge, experience and enthusiasm. It was suggesgted that the first one would be held at Quinta da Calma in Portugal and then rotated to different countries.
Swami Asokananda suggested that it was time to form a European Council. It was decided to ask each country to nominate one representative to sit on the council. The council would meet once a year. Please send your nominations for your country representative to Rev. Padma Priya (European Co-ordinator) on revpadma@gmail.com. Where the annual meeting co-incides with the European Reunion or the Teachers Retreat, the Euro Rep meeting can be combined.
Some people expressed a great hunger for Intermediate Teacher Training within the European teachers that was not being fulfilled. To that end, Raghavan and Siva from the UK and Parvathi from Italy have just been to take training at the Ashram and are now accredited to be able to offer ITT courses in their home countries. This is a great step forward and a blessing for our teacher training in Europe.
It is also hoped at some point to be able to offer an ITT in Portugal with Swami Asokananda. If you are interested in this course, please contact Rev. Padma Priya as above. There will be an ITT in Guatemala next year with Swamiji (see http://www.yogaville.org/ for details).
Plans were also made to expand ongoing teacher training in Europe, including an Extra Gentle TT, Yoga for the Special Child, Yoga for the Heart, etc.. Details of all courses that are currently available can be found on http://www.quintadacalma.com/.
Many teachers said they had experienced problems in their home countries getting accredited by the regulating bodies or Government departments. The Ashram would like to support everyone in this and is willing to contact each relevant regulating body in support of our teachers. If you are an Integral Yoga teacher in Europe who has had this kind of problem or have overcome it, please could you send the details to Rev. Padma (as before) and, she will liaise with the Ashram to find the most suitable support. If we all work together, we can find a solution.
More news to follow ... all the up and coming events at our European Teaching Centre in Portugal at Quinta da Calma and more about the exploits of SUPER SWAMI !!
Lokah Samastah Sukhi No Bhavantu
May the entire Universe be filled with Peace and Joy, Love and Light
Jai Sri Satguru Maharajki! JAI!
