Sw Jyotihananda presented a workshop at Banyen Books and Sound on Sunday June 17th, bringing the practice of the Divine Light invocation and introducing Sw Radhananda’s new book Living the Practice to a small gathering of eight women.

Some of the participants were familiar with the ashram and others were not, but all were coming to connect with the Light.  Despite the varying levels of familiarity, the group was able to engage wholeheartedly with the practices and the reflections.  It was evident that the universal Light was able to speak to all of us, uniting us in the work.

Thank you to Sw Jyotihananda for the care and attention she took into leading us through the workshop, to Sw Radhananda for her words of wisdom, to the people at Banyen for lending us their beautiful space, to the participants of the workshop for sharing their insights, and to the Light!

~Francesca Cogorno

 

People gathered intimately around the piano at Radha on Saturday June 9th listening to the beautiful voice of Naomi Narvey.  In its simplicity, the evening was beautiful.  The audience was treated to a performance of Edith Piaf music, as Naomi’s voice invited us into the richness of the songs.  The atmosphere at Radha complemented the mood brought forth by the music.  There was warmth and lightness all around.

Thank you to Naomi for treating us to a wonderful evening, and to all the guests who came and helped make the space feel intimate and warm.  It was a wonderful way of sharing the space at Radha.

 

 

Our 108 Minutes of Yoga event at RADHA went very well.  The space felt Light and open.  It was a small group of us, all quite dedicated yogis, who gathered yesterday in the sunlit and spacious room at RADHA.

We invited Brahma the creator, Visnu the preserver, and Siva the destroyer into our practice and into the event. We started by practicing the Divine Light Invocation and going into a round of Sun Salutations together.  We then moved into our own practice of the salutations, listening to our bodies and taking the moment to visualize once in a while.  Before concluding, we gathered to do a final round and followed this with a Divine Light Invocation.  Gordon then led us through a marvelous end relaxation.

After the event, we gathered around the couches, enjoying each other’s company and the tasty treats we’d all brought. Thank you to all who participated.  So far, we’ve raised around $700 for the Young Adult Program at Yasodhara Ashram.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lisa Chase held an art show at RADHA on Friday March 10. The night was calm and the space inside was warm and inviting.

There was brightness and lightness all around the space. From the plates and tablecloths, to the flowers and lights, the space was lit up in white. Even the artist herself was clothed in all white.

The artwork hung neatly along the walls, inviting the eyes to engage with it. It was accompanied by appetizing treats, and soothing melodies, inviting the other senses to participate. Guests and artists completed the night feeling uplifted by the experience.

It was a pleasure to hold the art show at RADHA. We look forward to offering the space at RADHA for future works of Lisa Chase.

We each hold a candle in our hands as we chant in gratitude to Swami Radha and the teachings.  The candle is symbolic for the inner Light within, and the commitment we’ve each made to this Light. We each have an opportunity to express in words how the teachings have touched us in our lives.  Whether the connection with the teachings has been for years or for months, it’s apparent that the impact has been significant in everyone’s 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 is a time when we gather as a community at the end of each week to chant for the people on our prayer list and to reflect on the teachings.  Gathering around the altar in prayer this January has felt like coming home again.  It’s been a time of both reconnecting with past and present Radha Vancouver yogis and of making new connections with first time visitors.  Join us as we celebrate each week.

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

Both of our weekly Kundalini Classes are ongoing sessions of 10 weeks. Based on Swami Radha’s book Kundalini Yoga for the West, the classes offer an opportunity to enter into this ancient system, often described as a “roadmap” of the levels of consciousness.

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!