Labor Day Retreat at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm:

Vedic Astrology & Yoga Conference

Eleventh Annual

September 2–6, 2010Gain insights on how to �nd our purpose and meet our destiny! Join in the dialogue of how to be a Jyotishi, a truth teller, and a light giver in our modern troubled world. . .

w w w . s i v a n a n d a y o g a f a r m . o r g

For brochure and registration, contact: Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm 14651 Ballantree Lane, Grass Valley, CA 95949 yogafarm@sivananda.org • 530-272-9322

“Dharma and Freedom from Karma”

ABOUT THE CONFERENCEJoin in the dialogue of how to be a Jyotishi, a truth teller, and a light giver in ourmodern troubled world. Refresh your enthusiasm for Jyotish and the deep aspectof Yoga in company of like-minded souls. Keep spirit of Jyotish alive by sharingin satsanga with others who love this ancient wisdom. Your presence is aencouragement to both the Yogic community and also the VedicAstrology/Jyotish community as we all need to reach out and selflessly serve theKnowledge that will set us and the people we counsel free.

This is the Yoga Farm’s 11th annual vedic astrology conference. We have hadmany renowned Jyotishis presenters and teachers throughout the past 10 years.This year, we are happy to present for the first time Jeffrey Armstrong as akeynote speaker as well as the Master Class from Komilla on Friday and the 2main talks from Bill Levacy and Sadasiva. There will be two special Homa andpuja by Pandit Samavedula. Lord Krishna Birthday celebrations will be onThursday for those who can arrive early. We are also happy to announce that partof the proceeds of the conference will go to raise funds for ACVA. We arelooking to see you and discuss with you what is dear to our hearts and share withyou the beautiful energy of the ashram.

In the spirit of Dialogue, Understanding and Unity, we are, at your service,

Swami SitaramanandaOrganizer

The web site of our event isat: http://www.sivanandayogafarm.org/php_includes/course_page.php?id=230

Thursday, September 2

8:00 pm Krishna Jayanti Puja Swami Sitaramananda

Friday, September 3

6:45-7:45am Self Effort and Grace Swami Sitaramananda SwamiSitaramananda gives insights to the fundamental question of Karma, Self Effort,Remedials and Grace in this satsang, a most needed perspective for vedicastrologers, teachers, healers.

11:00 am Registration

12-4 pm MASTER WORKSHOP*** Past Life and the Divisional Charts-the Immediate Past Life and Deep Rooted Karmic Issues Komilla SuttonWhat we are today is a composite of many past lives. Yet the moment the soul isborn it forgets about these deep connections. The information of the past livesremains buried in our subconscious. In order to understand our past lives and

subconscious we study Rahu Ketu, but Jyotish has more tools to understand ourpast lives. Vargas or Divisional Charts show the inner working of an individual.Two Varga Charts Dwadashamsha (D12) and Shashtiamsha (D60) charts revealthe past life issues that we bring into this life and how we will experience themthrough dashas and transits. These need to be studied along with Rahu Ketu tofathom our inner secrets. Dwadashamsha is the immediate past life with which wecan connect with while Shastiamsha is the buried karma that can create blocks toour personal growth and search for the eternal happiness. What are these karmicblocks? First we must understand the Dwadashamsha chart and then move intothe deeper consciousness and open the blocks that are there. This workshop willdig deep into the psyche with the help of these divisional charts and their deities.It will also indicate how the path of Yoga, mantras and other vedic remedies canhelp to deal with the past karmic issues. ***This Master Workshop requiresseparate registration and a $60 fee.

2:30-4 pm INTRO TO JYOTISH FOR NEWCOMERS Spirit Takes Form -Foundations of Vedic Astrology – Basic Jyotish for Beginners Sadasiva Learn theimportant astronomical and astrological structures and patterns that bring spiritinto form on Earth. Planets, Signs and Houses will be discussed and Vedicastrology will be shown within the larger context of Yoga and Vedic Cosmologyand energetics.

8:45-9:45 pm Keynote Address: “Dharma & Freedom from Karma – Howthe Adherence to Dharma Removes Karmic Obstructions” JeffreyArmstrong The basis of Jyotish is the scientific study of moral cause and effectin the context of the invisible laws of Nature or the “ritam”. Dharma, in its manyforms, is the means by which distortions in a person’s nature can be re-aligned.This keynote talk will set the stage for the weekend programs by revealing thevarious kinds of karma and the principles of dharma that every Jyotish willemploy in their practice of Vedic Astrology.

Saturday, September 4

6 am Navagraha HOMA Pandit Samavedula A fire ritual to propitiate theplanets for health, peace, and success.

8-10 am What is Moksha? Who is the Seer that is Seeing the Unseen in theSeen Chart? Swami Sitaramananda Using Yogic and Vedantic literature todetermine what is and what is not Moksha, Swami Sitaramananda discusses howJyotish is a limited tool to ascertain Moksha, and how the Jyotishi's intuition isnecessary in reading the indications of heaven and be the instrument to guide theclients on their evolutionary path.

12-1:30 pm Kama and Moksha – Passion and Liberation KomillaSutton Kama and Moksha are two of the four aims of life of the incarnating soulaccording to the Vedic Philosophy. Kama means passions and Moksha is self-realisation or liberation. Kama leads to love, desires and attachments whereasMoksha brings detachment from desires, freedom and happiness. Not everyone isready to find moksha in life yet we all search for it through fulfillment of ourdesires and passions. It is important to understand both in order to have successfulrelationships. The opposite side of Kama and its attachments is detachment andthe opposite of moksha and liberation is attachment. The Kama houses are 3, 7and 11 and moksha houses are 4, 8 and 12. How these houses are inter-linked inthe search for love, eternal happiness and self-realization is the subject of thislecture.2:30-4:00 pm Jyotish Mati Pragya: Vedic astrology for the development ofconsciousness Bill Levacy This lecture will explore how the practice of Jyotishhelps develop the consciousness of the astrologer, leading to expanded mentalabilities such as Jyotish Mati Pragya, Trikala Gyana, and Divya Drishti. You willlearn not only how to “do” Jyotish, but how to “become” Jyotish.

8:45-9:45 pm How to Diagnose and Prescribe Remedies or “Upaya” forvarious Karmic Imbalances Jeffrey Armstrong A visit to any healer mustinclude certain diagnostic processes, culminating in the recommendations ofmethods for restoring health and balance. Since the remedy must be appliedaccording to the specific patient and each unique environment, Jyotishis outsideIndia are being challenged to adapt the Ancient Truths of Vedic Astrology to acomplex and vastly altered world. This talk will discuss the secrets and subtletiesof this process.

Sunday, September 4

6:00 am Ancestor's Worship PUJA Pandit Samavedula This is the worship andpropitiation of our ancestors as karmic remedial measure. This puja givesopportunity to individuals or small groups to perform the worship of their ownancestors to release deep seated samskaras in the subconscious mind that come

from family lineage. As per tradition, those actively doing the puja for theirancestors donate a dakshina for the worship of a minimum of : $27 (preregistration in advance).

8-10 am Shani Kala Raja—Saturn the Lord of Time Bill Levacy Jyotish iscentered on how behavior unfolds over time. Saturn or Shani is the Lord or Rulerover time. In this lecture, you will learn about the many ways that Saturncontributes to the karma of beings on earth through the control of Time. You willalso discover how the mastery of time through Jyotish, leads one to find theprosperity that lies hidden deep within the characteristics of Shani.

12-1:30 pm Separating the Ego and the The Soul Sadasiva Which actions aredharmic and which ones are egoistic, and how can we see this astrologically? Inthis class we will examine which astrological indicators lead to more ego(attachment) and which lead to greater truth and clarity (dharma). A specialemphasis will be placed on house rulerships and delineating / distinguishing thethree Self indicators. (Sun, Lagna Lord and Atma Karaka)

2:30-6:00 pm The New Psychology Emerging from Vedic Astrology andAyurveda Jeffrey Armstrong Mastering the many details of Jyotish that revealotherwise hidden information, is only the first step in a very subtle process. Bygiving both information and advice to a client, the Vedic Astrologer is implicatedin the karma of that client. This dilemma is leading to the development of a newschool of counseling and Depth Psychology. This seminar will explore manyaspects of this emerging field and will discuss the skills and methods needed toserve the client’s evolutionary choices as they progress toward Moksha.

8:45-9:45 pm Yoga of Recovery: Case Studies of Counseling Durga Leela andSwami Sitaramananda Addictions can be a profound opportunity of redemption,for walking the 12 steps and applying Yogic sadhana techniques to changeconsciousness and also Jyotish remedial measures. Durga with the help of SwamiSitaramananda will present some cases and how the afflictions seen on the chartcan be turned around through "amending, service, remembrance, and selfsurrender".

Monday, September 6

6:45-7:45 am WEBINAR: The Sun and Moon in Jyotish and in YogaKrishna Darshan The Sun and moon play a very important role in Jyotish aswell as in Yoga. They are the "luminaries" the bringers of light. The placement ofthe Sun and the moon in the birth chart, as well as in transit has a deep effect inthe flow of prana in our nadis and astral body. Our disharmony with the universedue to past karmas is shown in the birth chart. There are specific practices in yogathat are prescribed in order to correct, balance and unblock the flow of the Sunand Moon energies and reestablish balance with the cosmos. That brings peace,joy and "enlightenment". Knowledge of Jyotish can be very useful to diagnoseour disharmonies and to understand what is needed to change in order toreestablish the balance, and also using muhurtha and panchanga to find the mosteffective times for specific yoga sadhanas.

8-10 am Panel of All Teachers Presenting the Topic of Dharma and Releasefrom Karma

12:00 NOON Conference Finishes

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Biographies

Jeffrey ArmstrongJeffrey Armstrong is a professional speaker, AyurVedic astrologer, award-winning author and frequent guest on radio and TV. He is a scholar of the Easternteachings and has spent the last 40 years committed to yogic practices includingVedanta, Raja Yoga, Tantra and Mantra practices, having been initiated into thesemysteries by Masters of these traditions. He has degrees in Psychology,Literature, and Comparative Religion. He is a member of the American Councilof Vedic Astrology and over the last 40 years has read the horoscopes of over30,000 clients. Armstrong was featured on FOX TV “Exploring the Unknown”for his incredible accuracy and sees it only as a credit to the great science ofVedic Astrology. He currently travels and lectures internationally on thePhilosophy and Lifestyle of Yoga and Vedanta. He is the author of The SpiritualTeachings of the Avatar, Karma The Ancient Science of Cause & Effect, TheVedic Astrology Learning Deck, God the Astrologer, Soul Karma andReincarnation, How We Continually Create Our Own Destiny and others. Seewww.JeffreyArmstrong.com. During our conference, Jeffrey will be discussingUpayas, Dharma and Freedom from Karma, and a New Psychology Emergingfrom Vedic Astrology and Ayurveda.

Komilla SuttonKomilla is the co-founder and Chair of the British Association for VedicAstrology. She is an internationally renowned consultant, teacher and lecturer.Indian born, Komilla Sutton is one of the pioneers in making this subject moreaccessible for the Western readers. She is the author of 'The Essentials of VedicAstrology', 'Vedic Astrology', 'Lunar nodes - Crisis and Redemption', and‘Personal Pachanga and the Five Sources of Light’. www.Komilla.com Komillawill present topics on kama and moksha as well as a master class on past life andthe divisional charts.

Bill LevacyBill Levacy holds a BA in Literature, a Masters in the Science of CreativeIntelligence, another Master's in Education with a specialization in e-Learning andis a PhD Candidate in Education at Capella University. Bill has published threebooks on Vedic astrology, including “Beneath a Vedic Sky.” Bill is also amanagement consultant for the aerospace industry. Bill has had a very busy VedicAstrology practice since 1983 with clients from around the world. He teachesworkshops on Vedic Astrology around the US, Europe and India and is Presidentof the American College of Vedic Astrology (ACVA), with its recent emphasis ononline learning. Bill will be speaking on the topics of Saturn, the lord of time andthe development of a higher state of consciousness through jyotish.

Sam Geppi (Sadasiva)Sam Geppi is a Vedic Astrologer, Yoga and Meditation Instructor. Hehas the onlyVedic Astrology Column at Astrology.com and writes the annual Vedic AstrologyReports for MSN Worldwide. He has written “The Ascendant-108 Planets ofVedic Astrology” - a book that transcends systems, teaching the power ofclassical planetary rulerships. He also publishes articles about astrology in Yogaand Astrology magazines and speak at conferences all over the country. He has 25years of Vedic Study and experience. He is a Certified Vedic Astrologer andTeacher through the American College of Vedic Astrology (level 2).. He hascontributed to various Astrology and Yoga publications. He is also a certifiedHatha yoga and Raja Yoga Instructor since 2001 through the Sivanada YogaVedanta Center lineage. Sadasiva will be giving a Fundamentals workshop aswell as an advanced talk on the Sun, Lagna Lord and Atma Karaka.

Krishna DarshanKrishna Darshan, who hails from Uruguay, is a direct disciple of SwamiVishnudevananda and has been a yoga and meditation teacher for more than 24years in South America, Europe and USA. He has been the main Hatha Yogainstructor in numerous International Yoga Teachers Training Courses and has anin depth knowledge of the practice of Hatha and Raja Yoga and Vedantaphilosophy. He is an able yogic sadhana counselor and he is Jyotish teacher andconsultant, certified by the American College of Vedic Astrology(ACVA). Krishna will join us via the Internet to present on the topic of the Sunand Moon in Jyotish and Yoga. www.9graha.com

Pandit SamavedulaPandit Samavedula is a 6th generation Sama Veda pandit who was trained in theVedas at age 7. He received his Master’s Degree in Vedic Studies (GanapatiPandit) from Shri Sarva Raya Veda Patha Shala school in South India. Panditjiwill perform the Ancestor’s Workship Puja and Navagraha Homa during theconference.

Swami SitaramanandaSwami Sitaramananda is a Yoga and meditation teacher for more than 25 years inthe International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers and a supporter of Jyotish andYoga for many years, hosting the Jyotish Conference at the ashram for 11 years.She is a spiritual guide to many, is a graduate from ACVA and has been using

Jyotish in her spiritual counseling work for more than 15 years. She is a directdisciple of Swami Vishnu-devananda and is the main teacher of the YogaTeachers Training Courses offered at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm, GrassValley, CA where she is serving as the director. She also teaches at otherSivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashrams & Centers worldwide, including her birthcountry, Vietnam. Swamiji will be talking on topics of Grace and Self Effort aswell as Moksha.

Durga Leela (Catherine O'Neill)Catherine O'Neill (Durga) is the founder of Yoga of Recovery, a comprehensiveprogram that integrates Ayurveda and Yoga with recovery tools for a holisticmind, body and spirit approach for all those affected by addiction and self-destructive behaviors. Yoga of Recovery is currently offered as workshops,retreats and certificate courses. Durga holds the RYT-500 qualification, havingcompleted both the Sivananda Yoga teachers Training Course and an AdvancedYoga Training. She is also extensively trained in Meditation and Vedanta. She isa Clinical Ayurvedic and Pancha Karma Specialist, trained at the CaliforniaCollege of Ayurveda and also in Kerala, India. She is the Director of theAyurveda Programs at the Yoga Farm in California and a professional member ofthe National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA). She is also a member ofYoga Alliance and International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT). Durgawill be presenting case studies on the charts of people who have faced and are inrecovery from addictive/self destructive behaviors.

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Tuition For GuestsDay Rate (Saturday 4th or Sunday 5th)Includes 2 meals, no accommodations

$150/day

Complete Conference (Fri. Noon to Mon. Noon) – excludes Fri. Master ClassIncludes 2 meals a day, no accommodations

$295

Early Bird Complete Conference Register by 8/20/2010 $250Friday 3rd Half Day Master Class (no meals) $60Navagraha Home FreeAncestor’s Worship Puja $27

People with financial hardship requesting partial scholarship, please apply toswamisitaoffice@gmail.com

Accommodations For GuestsAll accommodations are separate from tuition. Daily rates include two vegetarian mealsbuffet style, two Yoga asana classes, meditation sessions, and use of the ashram facilities.

Tent $50/nightDorm (4 person) $65/nightDouble (2 person) $85/nightPrivate (1 person) ** $140/nightDeluxe Cabin (2 person) With Private Bathroom ** $120/night

**= Limited Availability

Local HotelsThere are hotels in the Auburn and Grass Valley areas but they are a 30 minute drive away fromthe Ashram.

Best Western Golden Key - AUBURN3450 Lincoln Way, Auburn, California 95603-3238Phone: 530/885-8611 | Fax: 530/888-031http://www.bestwesterncalifornia.com/hotels/best-western-golden-key

Holiday Inn Express Gold Miners - GRASS VALLEY121 Bank Street, Grass Valley, CA 95945, (530) 477-1700www.holidayinnexpress.com

How to Get HereBy Air to San Francisco or Sacramento airport:From San Francisco carpools may be available; call Sivananda San FranciscoCenter (415) 681-2731. Or take Amtrak to Auburn, where someone from theashram can pick you up. (You must arrange for pick-up ahead of time.)

>From Sacramento: Take Amtrak to Auburn, then call the ashram at (530) 272-9322 for pick up. (You must arrange for pick-up ahead of time). The SuperShuttle can drive you from the airport to the Ashram. www.supershuttle.com orCall 1-800-BLUE-VAN

By CarTake I-80 to Auburn and exit Hwy. 49 North towards Grass Valley. Go 11 milesto Wolf Rd. (signal light) and turn left. Go 1.8 miles and turn right on DuggansRd. Go 2 miles to the end of the road and turn left on Lime Kiln Rd. Go 2.4 miles- the road becomes McCourtney (continue straight - do not turn left). Continue on1.2 miles and turn left on Ballantree Ln. at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farmsign. Go .9 miles to the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm driveway, marked by a bigsign. Please drive 10 MPH ONLY on Ballantree Lane.

How to RegisterTo register, either call 530-272-9322 or go online towww.sivanandayogafarm.org. Select the Jyotish Conference from the calendar.Course registrations require a $50 minimum deposit, which can be made throughPayPal at the end of the registration process, by mailing a check, or by calling theashram with credit card information. For registation assistance and questions,please call 530-272-9322. Direct link to web site is:http://www.sivanandayogafarm.org/php_includes/course_page.php?id=230

About the AshramFounded in 1971 by Swami Vishnu-devananda, the Sivananda Ashram YogaFarm has attracted serious seekers of peace, health, and enlightenment from allover the world for more than 30 years. The Ashram has offered vedic studyprograms for over a decade, including Ayurveda and Jyotish programs along withclassical Yoga and Vedanta. It is part of the International Sivananda YogaVedanta Centers and is a charitable non-profit organization of 501(c)(3) status.

On 80 acres of rolling hills and meadows in the Sierra Foothills, the Yoga Farmoffers a gorgeous secluded location. The traditional vedic and yogic principlesunderlying the life of the ashram offers a unique immersion in meditation, mantrapractice, yoga, and breathing exercises while studying. The yogic life is theremedial measure par excellence to all karmic situations! Astrologers will get aglimpse of what to prescribe to their clients to improve their health, mental,emotional, and spiritual outlook.

Visitors to the ashram need to respect the basic guidelines such as nosmoking, no meat, no drugs, attendance to meditation. For more informationabout the ashram guidelines, details about your stay and directions, please visit usonline at www.sivanandayogafarm.org.

Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm14651 Ballantree LaneGrass Valley, CA 95949www.sivanandayogafarm.orgyogafarm@sivananda.org(530) 272-9322 & (800)469-9642

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