Our beginning in North Fremantle

In 1971 it was thought that Perth needed a Centre or Ashram where yoga students and like-minded people could go to further their interest and practice of yoga.

June 1972 a house was found at 46 John Street, North Fremantle. It was in a state of disrepair—windows broken, wiring pulled out, taps missing and lots of broken glass and general mess. A group of us were given use of the premises, rent-free, for twelve months. But, we had to make it habitable. For fourteen weekends there were working bees, and it started taking shape. Electricity was fixed at cost price and other friends fixed the plumbing, for which we were very grateful.

From the joyful atmosphere at the Working Bee each weekend one could easily see that those involved were practising Karma Yoga (working without thought of reward, but for the joy of it).

In our magazine in June 1972 we wrote:

“It is harder to repair a broken window than to break the glass,
It is harder to create than destroy but, infinitely more rewarding.”

The house, on a half-acre block, was delightful, with a very peaceful atmosphere. When the lawn was mowed the garden was very pleasant. A volunteer teacher went there almost every afternoon, 1 to 3 pm, to supervise any one who wanted to practise with others. No fees were charged, but donations were freely given.

The Integral Yoga Association is formed

An Association, called the Integral Yoga Association, was formed to run the Integral Yoga Centre. We chose the word ‘Integral’ for several reasons:

1. The word ‘yoga’ itself means integration.
2. So that all Yoga students in Perth will feel that they are part of an integral whole. At the Centre we hoped to practice and integrate Karma Yoga, Hatha Yoga, and bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga, and Jnana Yoga.
3. The symbol on the front cover of the magazine at that time is a design which integrates the symbols of the major religions.

A peaceful atmosphere

By July most of the heavy work was done by many wonderful people with a great spirit of joy and interest, which added to the peaceful atmosphere. The upstairs rooms were all being used, and the downstairs bedroom and meditation room were made ready for use. A hot water system was installed and the bathroom cheered up. Several keen gardeners started a herb garden, a vegetable garden flourished, a compost heap was scientifically started, and the lawns were mown and generally cleaned up. A donation of books became the core of our library. It was incredible how much was accomplished in such a short space of time!

Each Friday night a Satsang was held, and a guest speaker spoke each Saturday night after the Yoga Day on subjects connected with the various branches of Yoga. Many came on Saturday afternoons for a yoga class, evening meal and the talk.

In 1974 we were given permission to take out 2 passage walls so that 2 rooms and the passageway became one large room for yoga classes, talks, et cetera. A band of willing workers knocked down the walls, and the bricks and rubble went down through the trapdoor to the void beneath the building. After painting and carpeting a grand room came into being.

Moving to Beaconsfield

In early 1976 we were told that the owners of the building wanted to sell it, so we were given until the end of the year to find somewhere else. After much looking and discussion we found a somewhat derelict building standing on an acre and a quarter of land on the corner of South and Field Streets, Beaconsfield. This building was almost 100 years old, having started life as the residence of a prominent family, with property reaching from South Street to Lefroy Road and Wood Street to the east side of the Bruce Lee Oval. It was then called Mulberry Tree Farm. Later much of the land was sold and the building became the Grosvenor Hospital under the care of Matron Field.

Over the years it was neglected. When we were the lucky tenderers we joyfully went to inspect it and found the gardens covered in wild oats and the inside sad and neglected feel. However, with many willing hands the rooms were painted and the garden tidied up.

Our inauguration in 1977

The Inauguration of the building was very beautifully performed by the Hon. Mr D.H. O’Neil, Deputy Premier, in the presence of Swami Venkatesananda, Swami Sangitananda, Mr H. Fletcher MLA, the Deputy Mayor and some members of the Fremantle City Council, Father O’Donovan and the president, Dr Colin Douglas-Smith. It took place under a marquee on the front lawn.

A guest from Sydney, Mrs Eve Peti described the Inauguration Ceremony:

“A glorious day, magnificent vistas, flood-lights of cameras, banana leaves, flower garlands, guests, a kiss of sunshine, hospitality, a ‘gentle’ hug, a smile from the heart and a warm welcome provided and welcomed the hearts of the many officials who gathered under a shady marquee provided the basic ingredients for the inauguration of the Sivananda ashram—the first one in Australia—on the sunny fourteenth day of January at Beaconsfield.”

“The programme started after a brief ceremonial flag-hoisting by Swami Sangitananda, followed by a blessing by Father Donovan. It was hard for moment to imagine that this Centre of Life, Yoga and activity had been a hospital. But, as dedicated yogis we buried the past quickly as the present echoed into our ears with the sweet sounds of the Buddhist chanting, a speech by Swami Venkatesananda and for the finale, a thanksgivng by Bill Hughes and a recitation of the Universal Prayer of Swami Sivananda by Swami Sangitananda.”

Swami Venkatesananda’s address

Swami Venkatesananda came especially early this year to be here on this day. In his address he said:

“The Yoga Centre is the fruit of the concerted efforts of people of all faiths, all walks of life and different age groups. Doctors, architects, businessmen and politicians young and old have contributed in one way or another to its creation.

“That is indeed the spirit of yoga. My Gurudev Swami Sivananda often remarked that the spirit of yoga does not interfere with one’s religious faith, life-style or profession. It makes you a ‘better person’ by introducing you to your constant companion who yet somehow remains a stranger to you—yourself.

In the absence of self-knowledge people put on different masks and their life as different and conflicting personalities becomes artificial and superficial.

By introducing you to yourself it enables you to discover for yourself the true meaning of life and thus enrich every moment of it. Such self-discovery can lead to greater understanding of fellow-beings and therefore to true love. Yoga enthusiasts may proclaim that all this would instantly transform the earth into paradise; a more modest and justifiable aspiration would be—it will enable us to leave the earth a better place than it was before we were born into it.

Such an aspiration was reflected in the plaque that the Hon. Deputy Premier unveiled, with the words “The Beacon Yoga Centre (Sivananda Ashram)” written on it. The Ashram is located in Beaconsfield, hence the name. Yet it could also be a beacon-light that is literally set on a hill, not so much to attract attention as to announce its presence. They who enter its portals to practise yoga will discover the centre of their own being—the self.

If, by the grace of God and Gurudev this spirit prevails it will continue to be a blessing to all, and will flourish like the banana trees that adorned the entrance.”