• Table of Contents
  • October 2013 E-Mail
  • Lecture #7 by Swami Veda Bharati
  • Ahimsa and Truth by Swami Rama
  • AHYMSIN Taiwan Center
  • A Venture in Spiritual Communication
  • Open House Pilot Session
  • Packets of Pain and Pleasure
  • The Hazel Diaries, Part II
  • Travelling Teacher in East and South Asia
  • "Spaces"
  • “Song of the Lord, Gita in Yoga-Vasishtha”
  • Official Photos of Swami Veda Bharati
  • Navaratri, Autumn 2013
  • 2012 Events and Beyond
  • Full Moon Meditation Dates
  • Location of our SRSG ashram
• AHYMSIN Newsletter Archive

AHYMSIN Taiwan Center

by Joanna Siauw

AHYMSIN Taiwan was established on 24th of May, 2009.  Since then, the members of the association worked from their own homes and offices and put together nearly 10 major workshops that were guided by teachers of our tradition, and numerous smaller workshop lectures by members of the association with different specialties that were associated with yoga practice.  We've also lead over 8 groups of people visiting Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama (SRSG) and Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust (HIHT) in India, and altogether have over 30 TTP students that are still in their training process.

While more and more people are made aware of the Himalayan Yoga Meditation Tradition, AHYMSIN Taiwan had yet been able to have an official center that could serve both as the association office and as the space for classes in sharing the teaching of the tradition.  Since we are not a profit making organization, we have been content with making sufficient fund in offering to our teachers that travel from afar, as well as expenses involved in the operation of the association.  Many of our members and friends also have been lovingly offering their yoga studio for our weekend workshops, full moon meditation, and other gathering functions.

With the increasing voices inquiring about our local center and yoga classes, the president of AHYMSIN Taiwan, Tinyu Chen, has been working towards establishing a local center for the purpose.  Her strong will, and the equally strong execution capacity, led her to a 50 year old town house that was finally transformed into the AHYMSIN Taiwan center. Tinyu was introduced to the house by a designer friend of hers.

Before that, she and a few association members/staff have been searching within the city for a place that could house a person or two and with space sufficient to hold a class of 10 people – and with an affordable monthly rental. However, the search had been quite disappointing since housing prices in Taipei City remain high even under the recession.  But that was never an obstacle for the strong willed lady of ours.

She made a resolution, and she saw to it to make it happen. 

One day as she was talking to this designer friend of hers, she received the answer she has been asking for.  A 50 year old town house right next to the designer’s house had just been vacant for new tenant.

It was at the end of July.  Once the lease was secured, she instantly began with the renovation.  There had been turmoil over how to renovate the house into an appropriate center.  Under the limited budget, the idea was to first made the place available for all and renovate when sufficient funds was raised.  After consulting our own entrepreneurs, Ms. Vicky Jen and Mr. Shi Hong, a moderate scale of the renovation plan was adopted and to be performed by the very designer friend who led Tinyu to the house.  Finally, within one month’s time, the second floor of the house was leveled into a spacious classroom with fine wooden floor; the ground floor housed the office of the association, but mostly serves as the gathering space of the local members and friends.

On the new moon day in September, the same time when Swami Nitya finally had her Yoga and Five Elements Workshop, the center was inaugurated.  Swami Nitya offered her blessings and the ceremony was witnessed by nearly 20 friends.  A house warming gathering was held on Sunday, 8th of September, from 2pm to 5pm.  Our center was then officially in use. 

We had our first full moon meditation in the center led by Stomaji; a first small workshop in Yoga Nidra by Stomaji as well; and a first monthly workshop led by Shi Hong in sharing the story of our tradition. Tinyu also planned a World Café dialogue for a dozen of stakeholders so that people could also make use of our center for activities that work with our goals.

It was a difficult task miraculously accomplished by a person who was very determined to make things happen.  It was well assisted by a group of equally dedicated and talented people. The establishment of the center once again reflects the strength of the local members.

The center is not a big place, not enough to host bigger event such as our annual major workshops.  However, with the dedication and will of our beloved president Tinyu, as well as the group effort she leads, we are sure this center is only the beginning of a bigger and better tomorrow.

We’d like to express the appreciation to the following people for making things happen: Tinyu Chen, Vicky Jen, Jenny Ou, Shi Hong, Reo Wu (the designer), Josey Sun, Kai-Fang Chen, Hsiu-Ning Su, Paige Chung and Yue-Xing Chen.  Without you, none of this will happen.

When you visit Taiwan, you are welcome to visit us at
No.6, Aly 4, Mingquan East Road Section 3, Taipei, TAIWAN.

Namaste.

Editor’s Note:

We also invite you to visit their website: http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/hymt_taiwan , the AHYMSIN Taiwan Facebook page , and the AHYMSIN Taiwan Group Page.