Yoga >>  Sivananda Yoga

Sivananda Yoga

Sivananda Yoga, propagates the teachings of Swami Sivananda. This is no proprietary form of Hatha Yoga. In this, all training is based upon safeguarding one’s health and well-being. Every Sivananda Yoga instructor is a graduate of the Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training Course. The students range widely in age and scale of ability. As against Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga's more dynamic workouts that involve Bandhas, Sivananda training has a lot of recurrent relaxation, and stresses complete yogic breath.

The objective of the Sivananda training system is to keep hold of the body’s vitality for as long as possible and slow down the aging process while bringing down chances of illness. This is simply done by naturally developing one’s body.

The International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers were established by one Swami Vishnu-Devananda. Called the True World Order (TWO), it is a non-profit organization and its sole objective is to spread the teachings of Yoga and Vedanta. This is with a view to attain optimum physical, mental and spiritual health and, ultimately, Self-Realization.

In their mission to spread the teachings of Yoga and Vedanta, International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers have a number of publications as well. These give readers and devotees more information and matter about leading a life in consonance with Yoga. Unfortunately, such information is not available elsewhere on any site.

The philosophy of Sivananda Yoga is synopsized in five principles, called the five points of Yoga. The go as follows

  • Proper breathing: Pranayama
  • Exercise: Asanas
  • Relaxation: Savasana
  • Diet: Vegetarian. A yogic diet is encouraged, limited to sattvic foods, void of rajasic foods as well as tamasic foods
  • Positive thinking and meditation: Vedanta and Dhyana


A session of Sivananda Yoga training normally begins with every student lying in the corpse pose (Shavasana). Nest you proceed to Kapalabhati and Alternate Nostril Breathing (Anuloma Viloma). This is followed by a few rounds of Surya Namaskar and then the normal program of the twelve basic Yoga poses. A Sivananda Yoga session normally lasts for around an hour and a half. The customary schedule of asanas and pranayama might be followed by the instructor, allowing for some variation.

What Is Sivananda Yoga Postures?

Sivananda yoga, one of the first forms of yoga to gain popularity in the western world, is the style of yoga that is based on the teachings of Swami Sivananda. The Sivananda yoga poses and postures similar to a non-proprietary form of hatha yoga poses

Sivananda yoga poses are quite different from Ashtanga yoga poses and focus on retaining the vitality of the body and decreasing the chances of any disease. There are 5 principles that summarize the philosophies of this system, which include:

  • Pranayama (Correct Breathing Technique) 
  • Asanas (Exercises or Poses)
  • Savasana (Relaxation) 
  • Yogic Diet (Vegetarian diet, limited to Sattvic Foods)
  • Dhyana and Vedanta (Meditation and Postitive Thinking)

The Sivananda yoga poses that are included in a typical class include:

  • Surya Namaskar (The Sun Salutation) 
  • Bhujangasana (The Cobra Pose)
  • Trikonasana (The Triangle Pose) 
  • Dhanurasana (The Bow Pose)

What Is Sivananda Yoga Session?

Sivananda Yoga was one of the first disciplines of yoga to become popular in western countries. There are five clear ideas or principles that this system of yoga advocates. Sivananda yoga ideas include:

  • Asanas – Proper Exercises 
  • Pranayama – Appropriate Breathing 
  • Savasana – Good relaxation
  • Vegetarianism – Right Diet
  • Dhyana and Vedanta – Thinking positive and meditation

An average Sivananda yoga session is moderate or slow paced, with a lot of Breathing Practice, followed with the help of the Sun Salutation. There are also other poses that could be a part of a Sivananda yoga session. These are Sirshasana (The Headstand), Sarvangasana (The Shoulder Stand), Halasana (The Plow Pose), Matsyasana (The Fish Pose) and so on. It is important to have a yoga teacher when training for these poses.

Where I Can Learn Sivananda Yoga?

The practice of Sivananda yoga is quite common in the United States. In fact, this style of yoga was one of the first to make an entry into the western world. There are many yoga studios that conduct sivananda yoga sessions. Many books on the ideas and poses that are a part of Sivananda yoga are also easily available, for those who would like to learn this practice. It is also possible to view online instructional video clips on how Sivananda yoga can be practiced. However, to learn the details about the 5 principles of this yoga style, it is best to sign up at a specialized institution like a Center for Sivananda Yoga Vedanta, The Sivananda Yoga Ranch and The Sivananda Yoga Ashram to name a few.

Which Yoga Will Be Best? Pilates Or Sivananda Yoga?

Sivananda yoga is a style of yoga that is commonly followed in the United States. This practice is based on 5 principles, of breathing, relaxation, diet, positive thinking and meditation.
Sivananda yoga exercises are fairly moderate and slow paced. It usually begins with The Sun Salutation and includes:

  • Sirsha asana (The Headstand) 
  • Sarvanga asana (The Shoulder Stand)
  • Hala asana (The Plow Pose)
  • Matsya asana (The Fish Pose)
  • Paschimottana asana (The Seated Forward Bend)
  • Bhujanga asana (The Cobra Pose)
  • Salabha asana (The Locust Pose)
  • Dhanura asana (The Bow Pose)
  • Kaka asana (The Crow Pose)
  • Uttana asana (The Standing Forward Bend)
  • Trikona asana (The Triangle Pose

In order to learn and follow the right sivananda yoga conduct, it is best to join a proper certified sivananda yoga center, which primarily specializes in this form of yoga.

What Is Sivananda Yoga Classes? Do They Offer Cerfications?

Sivananda yoga training is widely conducted in specialized centers all across the United States.The training usually focuses on traditional yoga teaching and lifestyle, which means that it covers a lot more than just yoga poses.

Sivananda classes educates people that Sanskrit the language is not only a language made of sounds, but also that each sound has a certain vibration. Therefore, a typical sivananda yoga training session or class begins with chanting.

During the sivananda yoga class chanting Sanskrit words is a daily routine. Sivananda yoga certification would help you teach the art to many others besides helping you deal with various issues regarding your health.

Submitted on July 16, 2010
Related Articles
 
Features Archive
 
Related Topics
 
Newsletter Sign-up
 
Subscribe eBooks
 
Related Yoga Information
yoga after hip replacement
hatha yoga
how to yoga
back bend
yoga and erectile dysfunction
 
Get Current News
 
Sivananda Yoga
Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training
Sivananda Yoga Session Basic
Sivananda Yoga Postures
Practise of Sivananda Yoga
Sivananda Yoga Centers
Sivananda Yoga Classes