Celebrate Yoga and Spirituality in Montreal

Celebrate Yoga and Spirituality With Us!

On Sunday, July 9th in Montreal-Dorval, people of all ages, cultures, religions and professions are invited to come together in a private home overlooking the St. Lawrence River with one simple goal in mind: to celebrate yoga and spirituality during an Indian festival called “Guru Purnima.”

Please note that only registered attendees will receive the event address. Because this event takes place in a private home, places are limited. Only registered and confirmed participants will be able to attend. Registration closes at Friday July 7th. Thank you for your understanding. 

Over the last few years, a small spiritual community, guided by Gurumatha Amma – one of only a few female gurus and who is considered a saint in her native India – gathers every month to practice advanced yogic breathing techniques, mantras for opening chakras and other powerful yoga techniques in their pursuit of spiritual self-realization and enlightenment.

“Guru Purnima” is traditionally celebrated each year by Buddhists and Hindus, to celebrate Yoga and pay their respects to their spiritual teachers. The festival is celebrated on the full-moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Ashadha (June–July) and marks the first peak of the lunar cycle after the peak of the solar cycle. This is a most auspicious day to receive the blessings of spiritual teachers for your own spiritual practice.

This year, Guru Purnima falls on Sunday, July 9, 2017, and Gurumatha Amma’s small but vibrant Montreal community invites you and your family to celebrate your respective spiritual teachers, guides and gurus together with us.

For any inquiries, please call :

Meera (English): 514-633-9193
Stephan (English & Français): 514-505-4490

Program:

• 8:45 - 9:00 Welcome and silent meditation
• 9:00 - 9:15 Opening Mantra “Gurur Brahma, Gurur Vishnu” (translation will be provided)
• 9:15 - 9:45 Hatha Yoga (a few Hatha Yoga postures designed for beginners. No previous knowledge of Hatha Yoga is required).
• 9:45 - 10:00 Sukkha Pranayama (an introduction into yogic breathing techniques, designed to increase the flow of pranic energy or “life energy”)
• 10:00-10:10 small bathroom pause.
• 10:10 - 10:30 Anganyasa (an introduction into an ancient Hindu and hitherto “secret” technique designed to open the seven “chakras”, or energy centers that are distributed along our spine)
• 10:30 - 10h45 Q&A
• 11:45 - 11:00 Guided Meditation (a short, guided meditation designed to increase the awareness of your mind)
• 11:00 - 12:15 Bindu Darshana (a sacred ritual or “puja” performed during Guru Purnima in honor of our spiritual teachers. The puja will be guided by the voice of Gurumatha Amma from India, Bangalore. You will take part in the ceremony when flower petals are bestowed upon your spiritual teachers, guides and gurus )
• 12:15 - 12:30 Arati (a closing ceremony involving light that each of the participants will bestow upon his spiritual teachers, guides and gurus)
Please note that while we strive to maintain the timetable of the planned Guru Purnima ceremonies, the number of participants and the time required for the Questions and Answer period may afford some delay.
• 12:30 onward: potluck

Please not that Amma will NOT be present in person during this Gurupurnima. For Amma travel dates and venues, please visit this page.

THE FAQ - What to bring?

• Flowers: Please purchase a few flowers and bring a handful of petals per person participating in the flower petals offering. You may want to prepare flower petals the night before. To do so, keep the petals fresh in a zip-loc pouch to which you add a few drops of water, then leave the pouch in the fridge over night at ideally around 30 to 35 degrees Fahrenheit (-1.0 to 1.5 degrees Celsius), up to a maximum of 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degree Celsius)

• A picture : Although this is not a must, you can bring a picture or object representing your spiritual teacher(s). You may add these to a dedicated place for inclusion during the Sri Chakra Puja ceremony

• Potluck: Please bring a vegetarian dish, accompanied by a note indicating the ingredients (this is important for allergies!)

• Kids: Kids of all ages welcome, under supervision of their parents. Your children will love the flower petal ceremony!

• Your donation of 20$ towards the proceedings will be appreciated (a basket will be made available to receive your donation)

For any inquiries, please call :

Meera (English): 514-633-9193

Stephan (English & Français): 514-505-4490