Holiday Greetings from New York!
The Sivananda Yoga Ranch is 90 miles northwest of New York City, making it an easy retreat center for urban residents. I arrived here in November for a 3 month work exchange program. In exchange for work in the kitchen, laundry, and housekeeping departments, I get room and board and the availability of 6 hours per day of Yoga Sadhana. Sadhana is the Sanskrit term for practices aimed at developing one’s spiritual potentials. It is valuable to me to live in a community that shares and supports my interests in yoga and Eastern philosophy. With the practice time and the work time, there is very little “free” time, thus blog posting becomes a bit problematic.
In these photos you meet some of the fellow residents with whom I share many hours of work and study. As most of them are in their early 20’s, I feel rather fortunate just to keep up! Living in close proximity with others is never easy, therefore the lifestyle provides a groundwork for the development of patience and allowing. I feel very blessed to have a lifestyle that can afford me such an opportunity.
As we have safely navigated the Mayan Calender and will soon be celebrating the New Year of 2013, I send to each and everyone blessings for a joyful and loving holiday. We have so very much for which to give thanks. As we bustle about in our celebrations, be sure to include a few deep breaths of thanksgiving.
Happy Happy Holidays! You can click back and forth on the photos for a better view.
Namaste
Anne Nowell 