Sivananda (Hatha) Yoga is a set of techniques - including Asanas (postures) - allowing you to control your mind through controlling the physical body and the prana or subtle psychic energy.

In the Sivananda cantres and Ashrams we teach Hatha Yoga in its traditional forms as it has been taught for many centuries in the Himalayas and Rishikesh.

Confusion arises when - in our modern days and in the west - many people think of Yoga as just being a set of exercises, the postures. Also many modern or post-modern schools of yoga hace appeared in the last years, many of then having little to do with the original Vedanta Yoga from India.

"HEALTH IS WEALTH, PEACE OF MIND IS HAPPINESS"
Yoga shows the way. Swami Vishnu-Devananda

Shyamala was initiated by Swami Vishnu in 1977
(Swami Vishnu was Sivananda's Hatha Yoga disciple)

The 5 Points of Yoga

In an effort to simplify and clarify the complex philosophies and teachings of Yoga, Swami Vishnu-Devananda summarized the wisdom of Yoga in 5 principles. These principles show the way to developing physical and mental health as well as spiritual growth. These 5 points or principles are:

1. Proper Exercise (Asanas)
2. Proper Breathing (Pranayama)
3. Proper Relaxation (Savasana)
4. Proper Diet (Vegetarian)
5. Positive Thinking (Vedanta) and Meditation (Dhyana)

The 4 Paths of Yoga

Another good way to begin your study of Yoga is by being acquainted with four paths of Yoga.

1. Jnana Yoga (The Yoga of wisdom or knowledge)
2. Raja Yoga (The Yoga of Self control)
3. Bhakti Yoga (The Yoga of Devotion)
4. Karma Yoga (The Yoga of Action)

Swami Sivananda's contribution to the world is to have revived the tradition of the Yoga of synthesis, intergrating the four paths of Yoga into a well balanced Sadhana (Spiritual discipline).