Check here regularly for reflections, yoga and green initiatives at Radha — your guide to an integrated, inspired life!

We chant mantras today sitting at the altar, Francesca and I taking turns at the altar througout the day leading the chanting.  It is an opportunity to thank Swami Radha.  What an amazing gift she has given, the gift of her promise to her guru Swami Sivananda to carry the teachings forward and how that promise continues to flower and flower drawing more and more people to her and to the Light. What a wonderful feeling it is to sit here at Radha and chant for her, people come and go, taking a sip of the the mantra and the time and space to be still. The vibration of the mantra flows out, fills us and fills the space, until it is everywhere.  Swami Jyotihananda

The sun shines warmly into the space as we chant to Hari, to Krishna, to Siva, and to Tara-all aspects of the Light.  There is gratitude for the healing, for the wisdom, for the strength, and for the compassion that is promised by the mantras. Special days such as these feel light and lifted.  We flow with the rhythm of the Divine sound as we celebrate Sw Radha’s inititiation into sanyas.  The vibration of the Light sustains us throughout the day.  Francesca Cogorno

Today after chanting the mantras with Francesca, I was filled with a deep gratitude for all of the work Swami Radha has done and the sweetness of her spirit seemed to fill me.  The Light of her teachings touched me as I walked around the neighbourhood putting posters up for the centre.  Sunlight poured down from the heavens, sparking up the colors of the houses around me, the people I met and spoke with were delightful and full of joy.  And I can’t help but think they must have felt the essence of the mantras and the beauty of the teachings, flowing through me.  Giggling child, snuggling dog, laughing people. Namaste.  Lisa Sars

Came to chant mantras for Swami Radha today, what an amazing experience, I feel so much gratitude for what she created, and for this center, a place to learn and grow to  connect with people who have so much knowledge and share so freely of their time. Namaste Rena Lall

Satsang takes place on Sundays from 7:30-8:30pm at Radha Vancouver.  It is open to all and free of charge.

Self enquiry is a fundamental part of the yogic path and in our study of Kundalini, asking ourselves questions and looking at the system for answers is the foundation of this approach.

Incorporating spiritual practices such as the Divine Light Invocation, Mantra Yoga, Hatha Yoga and concentration exercises, the process allows each person to penetrate their own understandings and deepen their inner connection.

Taking place on Monday and Tuesday nights from 7 -9, the classes attract a wide range of ages from young to old.  The fee is $150 for 10 sessions or $20 drop-in (there is a sliding scale for those in need).

We had a great day at our Open House at RADHA on Sunday, January 8th.  In spite of it being a rainy day, we had a grand turn-out of over 150 people throughout the day!  From the first hatha class at 9:00 until Satsang in the evening, RADHA was full of appreciative and interested people.

RADHA is unique in offering reflection classes in Hidden Language Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga and the Divine Light Invocation.  These classes were well attended. For many the approach was new and unique yet those who took part found that they were able to quickly access a place of inner knowing within.

Andrea Potter of ROOTED NUTRITION offered a demo at noon on making dahl and afterward everyone here had a bowl of dahl, very delicious and hearty – the 40 people here at that time enjoyed the rich taste, the opportunity to learn and buy some unusual spices. 

There was lots of time between classes for people to sit down and visit and the warm atmosphere generated made the day friendly and inviting for all who came. All of us at RADHA were delighted with the day and the opportunity to meet so many new friends.

WE HAVE THREE HAPPY WINNERS FROM OUR PRIZE DRAW!

Amanda Gutmanis – Halfmoon Yoga mat & spray.

Marie Hock – Rooted Nutrition cooking class.

Paul Bartela – RADHA 1 month pass

THANKS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED!

To celebrate the new Radha, we enjoyed a light-filled day of classes and workshops during our Open House Day on September 17th.  The day started with a Hidden Language Hatha class focusing on the shoulder stand, and moved into chanting, and Kundalini and Divine Light Invocation Workshops.  The guided reflections allowed participants to make more aware decisions surrounding relevant concerns in their lives.   It was wonderful to engage with the teachings and practices in community.

Recently, on October 22^nd and 23^rd, Radha hosted a weekend of Light with Sw Lalitananda and Sw Radhananda.  Saturday was devoted to guided reflection through a Hidden Language Hatha class.  Participants entered into the poses and explored the messages laying within.  There was great opportunity to reflect inwardly and to later share the rich experiences and insights with other class members.  The next day was dedicated to a deep and thorough exploration of the Divine Light Invocation.  This powerful meditation opened everyone to a deeper understanding of the Light.  Many were able to express their experience through poetic inspiration, ending the day quite lit up!

A renovation project started on Aug 2nd, furthering the closing down of the Eatery. We are removing the bar area, and creating space for something new to enter in.  In this process of change, we are learning to start small, keep things simple, and take one step at a time.

The project is progressing faster than we expected – thanks to the generous and enthusiastic help from all our karma yogis. The synergy is evident in the way we cooperate and co-create. Enlivening laughter and rich reflections are filling in the space between dusts, trash, and sweats. All the movements are injecting new energy into this more than 100 old building, and we never fail to find rainbow dancing around us – thanks to the wonders of the skylights. Personally, I am finding the physical strength in me that I never knew existed before. What else is ought to be discovered in the waves of change?

It is a project of collaboration and balance, between the old and the young, the static and the dynamic, the intuitive and the logical.

We’d love to hear your thoughts and comments as we go along. Let us know what you want to see Radha offer in the new space, the new season, the new year.

Namaste.

Emma

P.S. Want a visual of the before and after? Here is a preview:

rose ceremony at radha

We had a beautiful Rose Ceremony at Radha on Sunday, June 20th.

The Rose Ceremony, created by Swami Radha, is a time to reflect on what has been happening, to remember why we are here in this lifetime, and a time to offer all of our opposites (generosity, selfishness; patience, impatience…) and to receive Divine Love in return.

The chanting filled the room, adding to the special light-filled atmosphere at Radha as we made our offerings of rose petals. Then we  burned our grudges while dancing, clapping and chanting Om Namah Sivaya.

It was a wonderful way to end my time here at Radha. Thank you to all who have contributed to Radha during this year and a half. I have made many new Radha friends and I hope to see you soon at the ashram. (Maybe you can make a group journey this summer to celebrate swami radha’s centennial!)

Light & Om Tara!

deborah

Radha teachers and karma yogis brought yoga to the Fundraising Walk for Juvenile Diabetes at Stanley Park on June 18.  Children and adults were attracted to our enthusiastic ongoing classes. We had a lot fun with the kids making lots of animal sounds, roaring, barking and hissing to a background of the local radio station playing rock n roll.  Our youngest participant was two years old and had the focus of an old yogi.

~Joy holding pictures of the asanas

Wearing special RADHA “super capes” we dove into the morning with a lot of laughter.  Many people signed up for our newsletter and we drew their names at the end of the morning giving the prize of one month of yoga classes to the winner. We were all inspired and energized by the morning and pleased to be part of a positive experience of offering  back to our larger community in Vancouver.

~Getting ready for Yoga

~Swami Jyotihananda hissing like a cat with Christy holding the poster