Sivananda Yoga

Sivananda Yoga was made popular by Swami Sivananda and emphasizes complete yoga breathing and relaxation techniques as yoga therapy. Incorporating the Five Principles of Yoga: Proper Breath, Proper Asana (Exercise), Proper Relaxation (Savasana), Proper Diet (Vegetarianism), and Proper Meditation, Sivananda Yoga focuses on the complete being and living yoga. This does not mean that a practicioner needs to adhere to all of the principles strictly to practice Sivananda, but these are the guidelines to strive towards.

Sivananda Yoga offers Yoga Teacher Training in the Sivananda style. This was the first school in the West to offer such training. Relying on personal experience, teachers develop skills of discipline and become messengers of peace. Began in 1957, there are now over thirty International centers and ashrams of the Sivananda type of yoga.

What to Expect from a Sivananda Yoga Class

Traditionally, Sivananda Yoga classes last ninety minutes with flexibility. Emphasis is placed on Savasana, the Corpse Pose, and this is how a class begins. Breathing techniques, such as Kapalabhati are implemented using the Lotus posture and are accompanied with rounds of the Sun Salutation, Surya Namaskar. Twelve yoga postures, called asana, are generally used and include:

Headstand
Shoulderstand
Plough
Fish
Seated Forward Bend
Cobra
Locust
Bow
Spinal Twist
Crow Pose or Peacock Pose
Standing Forward Bend
Triangle

Final yoga relaxation commences the class in Savasana, or Corpse Pose.

"Yoga is a life of self-discipline. Yoga balances, harmonizes, purifies and strengthens the body, mind and soul. It shows the way to perfect health, perfect mind control and perfect peace with one's own Self, the world, nature and God."

- Swami Vishnu-devananda