Sivananda Yoga | Kripalu Yoga, Sivananda Yoga, and Nia classes and private lessons in Knoxville, TN
Sivananda Yoga is a form of classical yoga that emphasizes healthy living and regular practice. I practice Sivananda Yoga as a spiritual path toward self-realization, or simply put: being more awake.
From the Sivananda perspective, yoga encompasses all aspects of our life. While yoga is not a religion, it does offer a way of living that addresses universal human concerns. This philosphy is summed up in Sivananda’s 5 Points of Yoga: proper exercise, breathing, relaxation, diet, and meditation/positive thinking. To learn about these in depth, come and take a beginner’s series!
The basic Sivananda class begins with savasana (deep relaxation) and then pranayama (breath control). Beginners practice abdominal breathing and the full yogic breath. After regular practice of these breaths, kapalabhati (a deep cleansing breath) and anuloma viloma (alternate nostril breathing with retention) are added. After pranayama, 6-12 rounds of Surya Namaskar (sun salutation) are done to warm-up and prepare for the 12 basic asanas (steady poses.) As students begin to master the asanas, advanced variations and other poses are added. Frequent relaxations between poses allow the prana (life energy) that has been freed up to flow throughout the body, the lactic acid to release, and the heart rate to calm down.
The 12 basic asanas include:
1. Sirshasana - Headstand
2. Sarvangasana - Shoulderstand
3. Halasana - Plough
4. Matsyasana - Fish
5. Paschimothanasana - Seated Forward Bend
6. Bhujangasana - Cobra
7. Salabhasana - Locust
8. Dhanurasana - Bow
9. Ardha Matsyendrasana - Half Spinal Twist
10. Kakasana - Crow
11. Pada Hasthasana - Standing Forward Bend
12. Trikonasana - Triangle
Note: Although several of these poses are considered “advanced” in other styles of hatha yoga, they are considered foundational in Sivananda. There are modifications and preparatory stages available. It’s important never to force yourself into a pose. However, rather than telling yourself you can never do a headstand or a hand balance like the crow, Sivananda yoga teaches to replace “can’t” with “can.” Visualize yourself coming into the pose effortlessly. Focus, breathe, and think positively. If you believe you can, then you will. If you believe you can’t, then you won’t. Try it today! When you catch yourself saying “I can’t” or any other negative message, examine that. Try replacing it with a positive thought. See how your thoughts can shift your energy - the way your think, feel, look and act. You have the capacity to transform yourself through positive thinking and meditation.
History: Sivananda yoga comes from a lineage named for Swami Sivananda (b. 1867-1963.) Swami Sivananda was a medical doctor turned sannyasi (renunciate). He wrote over 200 books about yoga and yoga philosophy, mostly in English. His teachings are summed up in his motto “serve, love, give, purify, meditate, realize.”
In 1957, Swami Sivananda sent his student, Swami Vishnu-Devananda (b. 1927-1993), to found the first Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center in Montreal, Canada. There are now over 20 Vedanta Centers and 7 Ashrams across the world. Swami Vishnu-Devananda is known for flying peace missions over the Berlin Wall and into other war-torn areas. He also founded the Teacher Training Certification, which has trained over 8,000 teachers to date.
