Swami Sivananda
Saraswati (September 8,1887-July 14,1963) was a Hindu spiritual
teacher and a well known proponent of Yoga Sivananda and
Vedanta. Sivananda was born Kuppuswami in Pattamadai, in
the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. He studied medicine and
served in Malaya as a physician for several years before taking
up Monasticism. He lived most of the later part of his life near
Muni Ki Reti, Rishikesh. He is the founder of The Divine Life
Society(1936), Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy(1948) and author of
over 200 books on yoga, vedanta and a variety of other subjects.
He established Sivananda Ashram, the location of the
headquarters of The Divine Life Society (DLS), on the bank of
the Ganges at Shivanandanagar, at a distance of 3 kilometres
from Rishikesh.
What is Yoga Sivananda ? Yoga Sivananda is a classical and
holistic approach to Hatha Yoga that stretches and tones the
whole body. This style of yoga has not been modified or watered
down. The teachings have survived intact and are practiced as
originally presented in India by Swami Sivananda in 1936. Yoga
Sivananda is an international practice which follows the same
format worldwide.
Yoga Sivananda is a complete healing system designed to help the
body maintain a natural healthy state. It was developed by
Vishnu-Devananda who wrote one of the contemporary Yoga
classics, “The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga,” first
published in 1960 and still one of the best introductions to
yoga available. Sivananda training involves frequent relaxation
and emphasizes full, yogic breathing.
A typical Yoga Sivananda class involves 12 basic postures that
seek to increase strength, flexibility, proper breathing, and
ease in meditation. The 12-posture sequence is also called the
Rishikesh series as it originates in that region in the
foothills of the Himalayas. It also includes two breathing
exercises and a deep final relaxation.
Characteristics of Yoga Sivananda include the following:
• Mantra/prayers at the beginning and end of yoga classes.
• Longer holding of postures.
• Pranayamas at the beginning or end of class.
• An overall awareness and focus on breathing and the pranic
dimensions of the practice.
A session typically starts with every practitioner resting in
Savasana. This is then followed by Kapalabhati and Anuloma
Viloma, and then rounds of Surya Namaskara before the standard
program of the 12 basic asanas is practiced. A session averages
90 minutes and the traditional program may be loosely followed
by the instructor to allow for some variation.
The Sivananda practice establishes physiological balance in the
body and secures mental poise through its
scientifically-designed series of asanas (yoga postures) and
pranayama (yogic breathing techniques). Each asana is
practiced in the same order at each class with a relaxation pose
performed after every posture. The instructor adds variations
and postures as the skill level of the student increases.
The instructor closely monitors the students progress and
frequently assists them with postures. Students feel relaxed,
rested, and rejuvenated at the end of each class.
Yoga Sivananda training systems aim to maintain the vitality of
the body, slow the decaying process, and reduce the chance of
disease by simply and naturally cultivating the body.
Yoga Sivananda