News Archives

aa Yoga Newsletter Dec09

aa Yoga Newsletter F09

Newsletter Volume 1, Issue 2  November 2008

aa%20Yoga%20Newsletter%20Nov08

Newsletter Text:  Volume 1, Issue 1  September 2008

December 2007 News Article

Fire destroys the Yoga Centre

The Power of Sacred Images

Yoga Sivananda de l’Outaouais officially opened its doors on rue Principale in Aylmer, QC on September 1, 2006. The centre offered a beautiful and welcoming space in a heritage building on a cornerstone in Old Aylmer. It was founded by local residents Catherine Gillies and Arjuna J. Alfieri after four years of offering Classical Hatha Yoga classes in various local spaces.

In November, 2006 Ontario artist Diane Woodward (Uma) visited the centre and painted a large and colourful original work of art on site. The figure she chose was that of Lakshmi, an image representing the Divine Mother who takes care of the needs of her children. The painting was ceremoniously installed and celebrated at a special Satsang upon completion. It became the centrepiece of the centre’s meditation table.

On April 30, 2007 the building caught fire while undergoing repairs to the roof and the entire structure was destroyed. The yoga centre, housed under the eaves, was completely lost when the roof caved in and three of the four walls collapsed. Humour is helpful at times and jokes were made about now being able to offer ‘hot’ yoga, and ‘open-air’ yoga. But watching the flames flicker out of the windows it was impossible not to regret the loss of this beautiful and irreplacable painting (along with another piece of original art donated by a student of the centre).

The following day all that remained standing of the third floor studio was one wall – the wall that had held the painting. We entered the burnt out shell expecting nothing. Can you imagine our amazement, our delight and joy, to discover that the Lakshmi painting had somehow gracefully slid down the wall and was sitting leaning against the wall as though just waiting for us. Despite fire, smoke, intense heat, and streams of high pressure water, She had miraculously survived when virtually all else was lost.

We were reminded of the power of sacred images. Sacred images inspire us in our lives when we are in need of en-courage-ment and hope. Seeing this particular image, safe and unscathed despite the utter destruction of the rest of the centre reassured us that all was not lost. Physical structures and material goods come and go. But the spirit that filled our hearts and minds on that morning cannot be easily destroyed. We felt that if Lakshmi were still with us, then the spirit of the centre had survived and all would be well.

We do not know why the fire happened. It is not always possible to see the larger perspective and how it all fits together in the bigger picture of life. But we could certainly trust that that larger plan would see us through. So in the summer of 2007 we rebuilt the centre. We moved a few doors down and with the help of many friends and students the walls were beautifully painted, a new floor laid, items replaced And when the doors opened again on September 8, Lakshmi was also once again auspiciously installed. This blessed image continues to watch over and help all who come for renewal through their practice of yoga.