Sivananda Yoga

Sivananda Yoga is the balanced practice of many yogic disciplines that elevates one's state of consciousness: bhakti yoga (the path of devotion), jnana yoga (the path of Self study), raja yoga (mastery of the mind), and karma yoga (selfless service).

However, in common parlance, when one speaks of Sivananda Yoga, one is generally talking about the style of hatha yoga (yoga postures and breathing exercises - asanas and pranayama) that is practiced within the internationally-renowned Sivananda organization founded by Swami Vishnudevananda, a disciple of Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh who was recognized as a Self-realized Master. Swami Vishnu was the hatha yoga instructor at Swami Sivananda's ashram and later travelled to America to bring yoga to the West in the 1950's.

Within all lineages of hatha yoga, the basic understanding is that each yoga posture is a geometric form that influences and directs the flow of subtle energy (prana) through energy channels (nadis) in the astral body. These nadis join together at various concentrated points called chakras. Each lineage has its own idea of how its system of postures affects the flow of prana in a way that brings about the awakening of an extraordinary energy of well-being, clarity, and serenity known as kundalini, but this idea is not principally based on intellectual reasoning; it's based on the direct experience of such an awakening by a Master.

In a Sivananda hatha yoga class, we start with an aerobic exercise called the sun salutation to warm up the body and awaken the energy. Then, we do a series of 12 basic postures: inverted postures where the legs are brought above the heart, forward bends, backward bends, rotation of the spine, strengthening postures, standing postures, and balancing postures. Between each posture, the student relaxes for a short time which allows for the prana to disperse through the body and be absorbed. A longer guided relaxation is also done at the end and brings about the overall sense of harmony and well-being one feels after class. Regardless of whether a student comes into class tired or agitated, the balanced nature of the Sivananda system renders the student calm and lucid with renewed energy. Breathing exercises, called pranayama (meaning the control of vital energy), are done at the very beginning of the class to set the tone and rhythm for the class and to develop the conscious attitude one takes into the physical asana practice and working with the body.

At the end of a group class of hatha yoga, there is usually not enough time for further yogic practices, like chanting or meditation, but when the mind is brought to a very heightened state through the hatha yoga practice, these other practices become very powerful, and so, we practice them too, time permitting.

Both the Sivananda and Ashtanga methods taught at the center are suitable for complete beginners to yoga. The difference between them is that the beginner choosing the Sivananda method has an inclination toward a soothing approach that brings inner tranquility and centeredness while the beginner choosing the Ashtanga method has an inclination toward an invigorating approach that purifies, energizes and vitalises.

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“I have so enjoyed the classes over the past years, Fredric, and would like to thank you for the wonderful introduction you have given me to the world of yoga as well as for all your teachings." - B.L.

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