Most often my nature is to sit back and mull over any decision I make for a long time. However, as a SVA founding Board Member, the decision to consolidate Master Yoga and the Ashram was a clear and quick decision.
From my perspective, the time had come to end the artificial separation of Master Yoga (MYF) and the Ashram (SVA). Guru’s Grace is the “magic potion” that flows freely through SVA, yet not so freely though MYF. However, the asana practice originated through Swamiji, by the Grace of her Guru Muktananda. The Svaroopa® yoga asana and Ujjayi Pranayama practice are supported through Grace. Just as you cannot take the heat and light out of the sunshine, you cannot take the Grace out of Master Yoga. It is an inherent part of it.
For me, the separation of MYF and SVA was awkward, both creating duplication and a sense of duality. Within the embrace of consolidated programs, we continue to train and support asana teachers and therapists. This will not change. With all the programs under one umbrella, the Grace will flow more easily.
We are all family and can live in the same house. As part of the family, asana teachers will have total choice around what Svaroopa® practices to pursue, support and/or receive training in. As your needs and interests (or not), you will be easily able to follow your interests all within in one organization. Day to day, month to month, year to year and decade to decade my practices have morphed and continue to grow and change. I have been on the path since 1999 when I entered Teacher Training. Today I have a large teaching practice and teach meditation, as well as serving as a Meditation Group Leader.
I practice asana every day. As well, my readiness for all the other practices available through SVA has grown over time, as my understanding expands. Over time meditation, japa and chanting have become key practices for me as I search for and find my own true Self.
In the end consolidation will simplify things. Importantly, in the end it will simplify things for Swamji so she can return to more writing and teaching. And for those of us who have been working with two organizations there will be ease in working with just one. This will be one website, one menu of offerings for training and retreats, and fewer requests for donations (but donating will continue to be very important!).
Even if you have no intention of moving from whatever your entry point into the Svaroopa® Sciences has been (perhaps asana, philosophy or meditation), the consolidation will not inhibit you from choosing what you want from the menu of practices and following your own path.
At the root level both organizations have always shared the same intention of uncovering the true essence of your being….your true Self. Both organizations simply offered different practices that give different access points to the Self. In hindsight it is easy to see that we never needed to be separate. Realigning to be one organization makes perfect sense to me. I hope it does to you too and that you will come into our joint organization as it develops, with your questions and ideas as well as an openness to your inner Bliss!
OM svaroopa svasvabhava.h namo nama.h
Svaroopa® Yoga 