SIVANANDA YOGA

In the first half of the 20th century, many great Indian gurus, inspired by teachings of swami Vivekananda, established their own schools of yoga. One of them was Swami Sivananda. The style of yoga he created was named after him. Sri Swami Sivananda (1887-1963) had been a doctor of the poor and an ascetic monk before he decided to devote his life to yoga. He established an ashram (spiritual centre) in Rishikesh in northern India and founded yogic organisation called Divine Life Society. Swami Sivananda was a very prolific teacher- he has written 200 books still finding time for an intense daily Sandhana (spiritual practice).

His disciple, Swami Vishnudevanda (1927-1993), was encouraged by his guru to move to the West in order to promote yoga there. However, he was equally involved in bringing peace message to the world. He used to fly in a little plane over troubled areas (Palestine, East & West Germany, Ireland) and ‘bombard’ them with flowers and peace pamphlets. Therefore, he will be remembered as the ‘flying swami’. Swami Vishnu- devananda created the first Yoga Teachers Training Course which to date has trained more than 8,000 certified teachers all over the world and established over 20 centres of Sivananda yoga.

Sivananda yoga is based on 5 principles:
1. proper exercise (asana)
2. proper breathing (pranayama)
3. proper relaxation (savasana)
4. proper diet (vegetarian)
5. positive thinking and meditation

Usually, the beginners concentrate on three initial points, slowly realising how important the remaining two are. Yoga can easily become a lifestyle and a life philosophy, useful in everyday life situations, especially in stress- managing. However, yoga as a relaxation method is most effective while combined with regular meditation and specific attitude to life.