25 October, 2006
Dear yogis near and far, Namaste!

Namaste! We hope that whether you are near or far, this greeting finds you inspired, healthy, spiritually focused, and happy in your practice.

It's the middle of autumn, and there is much wonderful news to share. Our First Month Intensive Course is ongoing at our Thailand headquarters with energetic and devoted teachers Harry and Ingrid, who report that an incredible group of students is diligently studying and practicing there by the sea. For the first time, we intend to hold this course all year, bridging the seasons.

Also, dedicated teachers Debora and Khushru are again now teaching in Rishikesh, in Swargashram, Ram Jhula. Monday they began teaching both 1st and 2nd month levels to two enthusiastic groups of students. If you are passing through North India, be sure to stop by!

Mihaiela just taught two workshops in Switzerland: a beautiful Complete Femininity Workshop in Basel and a Tantra Weekend in Zurich. Also, just announced, she expects to be teaching at least one or both of these workshops in Tel Aviv in November, alongside advanced teachings for students there. Stay tuned to http://www.agamayoga.com/calendar/ for more details as they become available.

The biggest news is the successful story of Swami Vivekananda's first tour of North America. He has thus far spent a month teaching in Canada - three weeks in Ontario, 10 days in Vancouver - plus five days in Portland, Oregon, and just wrapped up 12 days in San Francisco. The events have been going well, and Swami has been busy draining the bookshops of America of their rare and antiquarian titles to build up the school library. :-) The tour has been a huge learning experience for everyone involved - for the students, of course, but also for all of us organizing the events and for Swami himself. We are all learning a lot! For in-depth details see our tour journal and photos, coming soon.

For those of you who might find yourselves in Greece in December, a 1st Congress of Yoga and Alternative Science will be held 1-3 December in Athens, and Swami will be presenting three short workshops over this weekend: an Introduction to Metaphysics (free); a seminar on Agama's Hatha Yoga with Energy; and an Introduction to Tantra and the Sublimation of the Sexual Energy. Contact for more information.

Looking farther down the road, Agama is also very excited to present internationally renowned speaker and spiritual authority Jasmuheen to Koh Phangan! She will teach at least one and possibly two day-long workshops within her Prana Program and Immortality teachings, from our center at Ananda Yoga Resort. Learn more about her at www.jasmuheen.com. We invite you to plan your studies this winter to coincide with these great programs. We will announce more details as they become available. Also check back to http://www.agamayoga.com/news/ for announcements of Swami Vivekananda's 2007 workshop schedule, due out shortly.

A reminder: If you wish to join our third annual Class of 2007 Teacher Training Course, please make your final decisions soon. The course enrollment is strictly limited, and spaces have been filling up since June. While most spaces are already reserved, a few spots are still available. We anticipate another superb program this year with what is so far an ambitious and enthusiastic group!

Lastly, we hope to see you at either Introduction to Kashmir Shaivism (17-21 December) or our annual New Year's 10-day silent meditation retreat (23 December-1 January). Details are available at http://www.agamayoga.com/workshops/. We look forward to meeting you again in the coming season!

Love and blessings,

Lori for Agama Yoga