Sivananda Yoga

Sivananda yoga was so named by Swami Vishnu-devananda after his master Swami Sivananda who in 1957 sent him to the west to teach, with the words "People are waiting" . Today there are more than 20 Yoga centers and 7 Ashrams + many Affiliated centers and teachers throughout the world. Swami Vishnu-devananda created the first Yoga Teachers Training Course outside India, which to date has trained more than 10,000 certified teachers in the field of Yoga and spirituality.

When most people talk about Sivananda Yoga they are referring to the typical yoga class involving rounds of sun salutation, 12 specific postures, two breathing exercises, and a deep final relaxation. The 12-posture sequence is also called the Rishikesh series as it originates in the region of that little town in the foothills of the Himalayas where Sivanada lived.

Traditionally, Sivananda Yoga classes last ninety minutes.  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- shirshasana
Shoulderstand- sarvangasana
Plough- halasana
Fish- matsyasana
Seated Forward Bend- paschimottanasana – followed by inclined plane
Cobra- bhujangasana
Locust- shalabhasana
Bow- dhanurasana
Spinal Twist – ardha-matsyendrasana
Crow Pose – kakasana or Peacock Pose- mayurasana
Standing Forward Bend- padahastasana
Triangle- trikonasana
Yoga relaxation commences and ends the class in Savasana, or Corpse Pose.

    •    Characteristics of Sivananda yoga also include:
    •    Mantra/prayers at 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
    
The practice of Sivananda Yoga is intended to tone and strengthen all of the muscle groups of the body. The objective of the class is to instruct students in the correct practice of yoga asanas, enabling the student to deepen his daily practice.

The philosophy of Sivanada Yoga is summarized in the following 5 principles:
    •    Proper breathing: Pranayama
    •    Exercise: Asanas
    •    Relaxation: Savasana
    •    Diet: Vegetarian. A yogic diet is encouraged, which is limited to sattvic foods and devoid of rajasic foods as well as tamasic foods
    •    Positive thinking and meditation: Vedanta and Dhyana

For those who are looking for a gentler pased class, Sivanda yoga may be a good place to look. Because the Sivananda yoga teacher training course is relatively short at 4 weeks, I would also suggest finding out how experienced the teacher is.

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