YOGA FOR STRESS MANAGEMENT

The National Productivity Council, Guwahati (Under Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt of India), invited Vivekananda Kendra to conduct a class on Stress Management for the employees of OIL( Duliajan), during a five-day workshop held in Kochi from 9th to 14th July.

On 11th July Sushree Lalitha in charge of Vivekananda Kendra's Thiruvananthapuram branch and Su. Sutapa from VK Vedic Vision Foundation Kodungallur together conducted a Stress Mgt class for an hour and a half for 23 OIL employees from 11 a.m to 12.30 noon.

Su. Lalitha explained the main reason for stress and its remedy while Su.Sutapa conducted the practice session. The feedback after the class was very encouraging.All the OIL employees promised to contact the local branches of Vivekananda Kendra at Duliajan, Assam.

GURUPOORNOMA CELEBRATION

GURUPOORNIMA CELEBRATION

On 9th July, the auspicious day of Gurupurnima,  there was the usual Ganapathy Homam and Sreecakra puja, in the early hours of the morning as performed in all Purnima days.The inmates of Anandadham and a few well wishers were present.
At 10 a.m Pada Pooja of Mananneeya Lakshmi Didi by the tiny tots of Sandeepani Sishuvihar and their parents was arranged.The children came with their parents for the programme. Along with them, Samskarvarg children and SKIE students too took part in the programme.

In the evening on the same day at 3.30p.m,. the Yoga Varga and Yoga Satra participants and well wishers took part in chanting of Guru stotram lead by SKIE student Srilakshmi of class X. Ma.Didi explained the Guru Stotram and relevant stanzas from the Kendra Prarthana to clarify the idea of surrender or 'atmanivedanam'. Each of the participants offered flowers in front of  OM. Swami Vanishanandaji of  Ramakrishna Math Kayankulam was the Chief Speaker. He spoke on the importance of 'Guru' quoting from the Kathopanishad. A video of Sri Narayan Guru's Daivadashakam was shown after that.  75 people attended the evening programme.
                                                                                On 10th July, as a part of Gurupurnima celebration, inauguration of a yearlong certificate course on yoga for the degree students of SNM, College  Maliankara, was organised by the teachers of the college who are members of the Vivekananda Yoga club which was started five years ago by Vivekananda Kendra Vedic Vision. Sri Sudhakarji and Su. Sutapa along with two Yoga Varga karyakartas who will be handling the classes, were present for the inauguration session.
Fifty II and III-year Degree students, who showed interest in the course were present.
Classes are to start from 11th July-Tuesday.
Every Tuesday and Thursday there will be classes.  
                     

YOGA SANGAMAM FOR LADIES

YOGA SANGAMAM- 10TH JUNE 

At 10.30 a.m.Yoga Sangamam for ladies started at 10:30 a.m on June 10th and was conducted by Sri Sudhakarji.The topic was OM kar dhyana, its benefits, and method of practice.After a brief theory for a clear understanding of the word 'dhyana' or meditation which he termed as an unbroken flow of knowledge of the object on which one meditates and by constant practice leads to self-realization, the goal of every human being. The benefits of regular meditation are improved concentration, increased memory power, emotional equipoise, and higher creativity. Lastly, the method or steps of Omkar Dhyana was explained and demonstrated. After the theory, Sudhakarji conducted the dhyana class. Twelve ladies from 2016-17 Yoga Varga batches were present for the Sangamam. The class concluded at 12 noon with Shanti mantra.

INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY CELEBRATION

As a part of the commemoration of International Yoga Day, Vivekananda Kendra Vedic Vision Foundation held 1) two Awareness Workshops on 18th June (Sunday), based on the Benefits of Yoga on, i) Diabetes and ii) Asthma. 2) A yoga asana competition for three categories of students from 6 different schools of Kodungallur on 20th June, and 3) Mass yoga in the early morning of 21st June followed by the concluding function from 10 a.m to 12 noon.

18th June:

With the lighting of the lamp by Mananiya Lakshmi Didi, the first workshop began at 10.30 a.m. The topic was Diabetes, its cause and how yoga could help to control it. A popular Yoga practitioner from Chennai who had come on a visit to Anandadham was requested to conduct the workshop. It lasted for nearly two hours. He gave some important tips of how one should mold one's lifestyle in order to prevent such psychosomatic ailments like Diabetes.  20 people were benefited by the workshop. 

The second workshop started at 2.15p.m. The subject was Asthma, its preventions, and cure. Sri Sudhakarji conducted the class. An elaborate explanation of the yogic way of looking at the body, the reasons for 'vyadhi' or sickness and how yogic way of life and practice of some specific asanas and kriyas, could totally cure Asthma, was made clear through a power point presentation. The class concluded at 4 p.m. 

 

 20th June

75 students from 6 different schools viz, Amrita Vidyalaya, Gurushree Public School, HDPY Senior Sec.School, Shantiniketan International School and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan of Irinjalakuda and Kodungallur, participated in yoga asana competition held in three categories- group A from classes III to V, group B from classes VI to VIII and group C from classes IX and X. The event started as early as 7.30 a.m. and concluded at 12 noon. It was an exposure for the students to understand their capacities and learn from the performance of the better performers.

21st June

The International  Yoga Day started with Deepa prajwalan and a few words of blessing by Mananiya Didi. 27 ladies and 23 gents participated in the mass yoga asana demonstration from 6.30 a.m. to 7.30 a.m.All of them were either yoga varga or yoga satra participants. 

7 schools had invited karyakartas of VK Vedic Vision to talk on yoga and conduct a class for their students. 5 of our Yoga Varga lady karyakartas took the responsibility of visiting the schools. Su. Padmaja ( BSc Yoga from SVYASA) and Su. Pravitha(YIC from SVYASA) took classes in Phoenix Public School, Little Flower school, Seethi Sahib Memorial School and Sishu Vidya Poshini, Su. Sindhu (YIC  from SVYASA) along with Sri Sudhakaranji -a sthanik varistha karyakarta, went to St Anne's Higher Sec School, Su. Sakeena Basheer(YIC from SVYASA) and Sri Sudhakaranji went to Bala Bodhini Govt U.P. School , Su. Cini (YIC from SVYASA) went to Al-Ameen School and Sri Sudhakarji, (jeevanvrathi) was invited to deliver the message of yoga in Paravur panchayat and MIIT School at Anjankadi. Su.Ranjitha ( Bsc Yoga, SVYASA) and Su.Lajitha who are yoga teachers in Sri Sai Vidya Bhavan and HDPY schools, Smt Jaya Radhakrishnan and Sri Harinathji - yoga teachers in Gurushree School and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, all of them whose initial training in yoga was in VK Vedic Vision, conducted the IYD programmes in their respective schools.Thus more 2000 students, teachers and common masses were approached in the process.

The concluding function of Yoga Day was conducted at Anandadham on the 21st morning. The program started from 10.30 a.m and continued up to 12 noon. H.D.P.Y  school Principal  Sri M.V. Shaji was the Chief Guest of the program. H.D.P.Y.Senior Secondary school received the Ma. Eknathji Rolling Trophy this year since maximum points( 29 points)  were won by them in all categories. The second position was taken by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Kodungallur and Gurushree Public School with 17 points. The prize winners demonstrated the asanas on stage. Ma. Didi and Sri M.V.Shaji spoke to the audience about the importance of yoga in everyone's life 

Vishwabhanu

Vishwabhanu April - May  2017     

SCIENCE 7 MATHS WORKSHOP AT VKV KALLUBALU

  SCIENCE & MATHS WORKSHOP CONDUCTED AT VKV KALLUBALU

PDC GROUP

Four  Vidyarthi karyakartas Kum. Drishya, Kum. Anushree, Sri Sheshadri, and Sri Karthikeyan accompanied by Su Sutapa from VKVVF  Kodungallur center and guided by Adarineeya Lalita Didi of Thiruvananthapuram branch center were invited to conduct Science and Mathematics workshop for the students of U.P.section of classes VI and VII and H.S.section up to class X. For the former section it was PDC and the senior section had Science and maths workshop. Su Lalitha Didi was invited to guide all the three activities, the third being Primary school teachers orientation                                                                                        camp. 

The camps started from 22nd May and concluded on 26th.The PDC was conducted from  9.30a.m  to 3.30 p.m daily, Science and Maths workshop was from 10 a.m to 12.30 noon and the teachers camp was kept from 2 pm to 4 pm.  

It was an unforgettable experience for the student resource persons! The student karyakartas were given the responsibilities of conducting games and teaching Science/Maths working models for the PDC students during the afternoon sessions. For the senior students, they demonstrated explaining the concept of each of the  Science and Mathematics models they had brought with them and then helped the students make their own in groups.

On the last days, both the junior and senior groups put up a beautiful exhibition.  A model exhibition was also put up by the student karyakartas.Prizes were announced for the best among the junior and senior groups to boost them further.

KENDRA PARICHAY SHIBIR

KENDRA PARICHAY SHIBIR

The ladies Yoga Varga team of 11 members participated in a 2 day Kendra Parichaya Shibir from 12th May to 14th May at the headquarters of Vivekananda Kendra at Kanyakumari. The uniqueness of the team was that all the members were simple housewives.The others included one from the Samskar Varga team and the 3 others who were the children of the participants.So a total of 15 members took part.Su Sutapa accompanied them.

For the first time, they were exposed to such an environment and some were even traveling for the first time. For all, it was their first visit to Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari. Fortunately, Yoga Shiksha Shibir was being conducted during that time in the campus, hence it was an opportunity for them to interact with the YSS group and attend along with them the morning prayers, bhojan and evening bhajan. Dakshin Pranth Sanghatak Su.Radha Didi was with the group giving them all the support required.

On the first day, it was only Ramayana Darshanam and then rest. On the second day, they followed the daily schedule of the YSS participants up to breakfast. A one-hour morning session was by the Office Secretary Sri Raghuji.He spoke on Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Vivekananda Kendra. After a short tea break, they were taken for the campus visit. They visited Gramodaya Park where Sri Ramakrishnanji, office -in -charge, briefed them about the multiferous activities of NARDEP, a quick visit to ARISE AWAKE exhibition and then back to PRASAD, for bhojan. After noon, they were taken to the Rock Memorial. After return from Rock and in the Night assembly they put up a beautiful yoga demonstration with music. The YSS participants, other members of Kendra, were all present to witness and appreciated their performance.

On the third day, after attending morning prayer, they were taken to the beach to enjoy the sunrise.After breakfast, there were two sessions, one by Su.Radha Didi on 'the need to associate with an organization for self-unfoldment' and the second session by Ma. Balakrishnanji. The value of yagna as part of life was the topic on which he stressed. An introduction with Ma.Nivedita Didi and Ma.Bhanuji and lastly a concluding session was kept, by Su.Radha Didi, where each of them expressed their opinions about the camp.In the evening they were taken to Gangotri and Wandering Monk exhibitions and finally to Bhagavathi Amma's temple to watch the 1008 Deepa Puja conducted by the workers of RDP.Five of them took part in the Deepa Puja too.

On 15th May, when all of them boarded the train for their return journey, all of them had no words to describe this unique shibir except for uttering that these were the most memorable days of their lives, thanks to the Vivekananda Kendra members!

                                                                               

ATMAVIKAS SHIBIR II ANANDADHAM,KODUNGALLUR, 29TH APRIL TO 3RD MAY

ATMA VIKAS SHIBIR II-ANANDADHAM

The five-day non- residential  Shibir for the small children, started from 29th April and continued until 3rd May.56 participants from the age group of 6 years to 13 years were enrolled. Children were divided into three groups after three rivers of Kerala - Periyar (classes UKG to III), Pamba (classes IV and V) and Nila ( classes VI and VII).Seven kayakartas formed the organizing team The youngest amongst the groups Kum.Avyaya lit the lamp and inaugurated the Shibir.
Vedic chants, Hindi and Sanskrit group songs taught by the members of the organizing team, stories and action songs by Sri Murali Master, creativity and making of science and Mathematics models by the young resource team of karyakartas of Anandadham, formed part of their camp schedule. Apart from that, Krida Yoga, Surya Namaskar, and Asanas, enacting in skits and understanding the science behind some very interesting science models of their level explained by the youngsters of the resource team made the Shibir a very interesting one.
It was a blessing to have  Ma.Balakrishnanji, all India Vice President of Vivekananda Kendra,  as Chief Guest for the concluding programme.

SKIE Camp at Anandadham - May 2017

 

The second SKIE camp for the academic session 2016-2017, was held from 4th to 7th May 2017 at

Anandadham. The children were asked to report on 4th evening by 4 pm which they did. When the children arrived the Swantanam program for the month was just about to begin so the children were asked to join the same. Man. Balakrishnan Ji, Vice President of Vivekananda Kendra addressed this session of Swantanam and the children were taken through a small talk on the Vivekananda Kendra’s Bharata Parikrama. Man. Balakrishnan Ji also recalled about his journey in life of serving in the challenging environment of IAF(Indian Air force) and then responding to Mananeeya Eknathji’s call and joining the Kendra as a Jeevanvrati.

Later the children settled down, refreshed and joined for the sandhya bhajan, followed by dinner. Post dinner the children were briefed on the schedule for the next 3 days. The focus of this camp was on creating working Science models and understanding the principles and functioning of the same. Some, time would also be devoted to building Math models and there will also be an outing.

 

Day 2, 5th May started at around 5 in the morning. At 5:30 everyone assembled for pratha smaran, followed by yoga that included couple of rounds of Surya Namaskar. A short break ensued for personal chores. By 8:30 everyone finished their breakfast and was ready to begin. Sushree Lalitha Didi had the first session explaining to the children the plan for the day. By 10:00 am.  Mananeeya

Balakrishnan Ji addressed the children; The power of discrimination resides in human’s only, and it helps us humans to decided what should be done and what not, it is important that in this wheel of birth and death, it is important for each of us to know the purposee of life. Use our knowledge to do good. What is good and bad, good is what is done keeping in mind the welfare of one and all, whereas bad deeds or where there is the selfish motive. The purpose of life is sevanam or service. So then the question that comes to mind is, don't animals  also do service; some animals give us milk, some help us in doing our chores, then how are humans different? Human’s have the power to differentiate between right and wrong, good and bad.

 

Day 3,  May 6th, was the day of outing. As usaul the day started at 5:00 am and after pratha smaran and short yoga session, everyone was ready to board the bus at 7:00 am.  Breakfast was picked on the way and had on the bus. Reached Archaeological Museum, Hill Palace, Thripunithura quite early much before the Museum had opened. Kerala's first heritage museum, is also the largest archaeological museum in Kerala. Once upon a time it was the Imperial Administrative offices and official residence of Cochin Maharaja, built in 1865, spread across 54 acres of land, and with 49 buildings. Photography is not allowed in the Museum, however the photographs that get recorded within each of us would not be erased for a very long time. There are 14 different categories of exhibits, including the crown and ornaments of the royal family. All found the exhibits extremely interesting, attractive, and some kindled the curiosity within. From the Hill Palace our next destination was Sri. Raghu Ji's house, where we had a sumptuous lunch. We thank Sri. Raghu Ji and Family for their kind hospitality, and wish them the very Best. We then visited the Museum of Kerala History, and went through the light and sound show on Kerala History. We also visited the Doll exhibition there.

By then it was time to return, so started our journey back to Anandadham. Black clouds were building and we reached just in time before the huge downpour started. The day was long and tiring. The  sandhya bhajan was rejuvenating and post dinner it was time for review. The children could not control their excitement from their trip to the Hill Palace Museum and went on sharing their experiences of the day. And then it was time for lights out.
 

On 7th morning after the usual prayers, yoga and breakfast, Sushree Lalitha Didi briefed the children. Post this Adarneeya Lakshmi Didi addressed the children. She emphasized upon Swami Vivekananda's words "Each Soul is Potentially Divine,  The goal is to manifest this divinity by controlling nature, external and internal." She also stressed on the need for the goal in Life, and to ascertain the same very early in life. Didi related few key incidents from the life of Swamiji, incidents that paved the way and strengthened the focus to the Goal. Later the children went through the math modelling till lunch time. After lunch it was time to finish the science models and be ready for the demonstration during the closing session when the parents would also be present.