Sikh Community Takes a Deep Breath in Millis

September 30, 2005

Source: The Country Gazette

http://www2.townonline.com/bellingham/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=336566

On September 30, 2005 The Country Gazette reported, "Just before 4 a.m. during the week, the Sikh community from Guru Ram Das Ashram on Village Street [in Millis, Massachusetts] awakens to attend a yoga, meditation and chanting session to begin the day. Then most travel to their full-time jobs in the fields of medicine, the arts, education, architecture and real estate... Since 1981, the Sikh community, formerly from Dorchester, has called their sanctuary at 368 Village St. a home. About 50-60 people live around the Ashram in Millis, which makes it the largest Sikh community in New England. Now fit to house 25 families, the ashram is home to the Baba Siri Chand Yoga Center and New England's Annual Kundalini Yoga Fall Festival. This year's event on Oct. 10 celebrates its 10th year with an awakening session, Kundalini yoga sessions, a breathing and sound class and a Bhangra dance. The festival attracts about 400 people a year and yoga instructors from cities like Los Angeles, New York City, Washington D.C. and Anchorage, Alaska. The Sikh community in Millis values Kundalini yoga as a way to unite one's body and spirit."