Sivananda Hatha Yoga Class - Fridays 9:15am

This new Hatha Yoga class is based on the teachings of Swami Sivananda and one of his direct disciples Swami Vishnu Devananda. 

The Sivananda approach is a set sequence, although variations will be given. Within this set sequence you can expect to practice:

  • Initial relaxation

  • Opening mantra: Gajananam. This will be taught in stages over the 5 week block. This helps to tune the mind to your higher consciousness. It transforms a dark, lethargic or over stimulated mind and ego and gives guidance for a successful practice.

  • Pranayama: Kapalabhati and Anuloma Violoma

  • Sun Salutations to warm the body

  • The set sequence of 12 basic postures (depending on ability variations can be given to suit)

  • Final Relaxation

  • Closing Mantra: Maha Mrityunjaya. This is a life giving mantra that will keep you safe from accidents and ill health and will help liberate you!!

This set sequence works on balancing the chakra system to develop steadiness of mind (dhyana) and positive thinking (Vedanta)

The benefits of having a set sequence:

  • When the sequence becomes familliar the body and mind can settle to calmness and feel at ease much quicker

  • With familiarness of sequence the mind can attach to flow of the breath much more quickly and let the movement, breath, mind and body merge to make the whole practice meditative

  • As a result of this the grounding effect (working from the crown chakra to the root chakra) can be much more profound

  • A set sequence allows you to easily see progression in your practice and can finely tune your awareness

  • This particular set sequence pays much attention on relaxation before during and after the postures

  • This sequence works on the subtle aspects of yoga too with much attention on opening and closing mantras and set pranayama sequences

Are you ready to go deep?

Pay in class/drop in rate also available £10

If you are new to practicing Yoga with me please register

 

A Little About Sivananda

Swami Sivananda's life (1887-1963) was a service to humanity, during his years as a doctor and later as a world renowned sage and jivanmukta (self realised while still living in the earthly body). He wanted to serve all, love all, mix with all and to see the divine in all and was devoted to the study and practice of Vedanta (one of the 6 major schools of philosophy). After he was initiated into sannyas he spent much of his time in meditation while still tending to the sick and then embarked on extensive travels stirring the hearts and souls of thousands with his spiritual magnetism. Disciples started to gather around him and wherever he went he conducted kirtan (chanting), lectures and taught people how to keep healthy with yoga asanas, pranayama and yoga kriyas (cleansing techniques). He strongly encouraged his audiences to strive for spiritual development.

With an increasing number of disciples growing around him he started the Sivananda Ashram: The Divine Life Society was born and the Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy was established with his aim to spread spiritual knowledge and train people in Yoga and Vedanta.

Swami Sivananda's teachings crystalised the beliefs of all religions, combining all Yoga paths into one - the Yoga of synthesis. This he summed up with 'Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realise' His own life was a shinning example of this ideal.

The new class is based on these teachings

Swami Vishnu Devananda, a close disciple and recognised world authority of hatha and raja yoga, came to the west to spread the teachings of Yoga and set up the Sivananda ashrams. At these ashrams the Yoga of synthesis was taught, designed to work on all aspects of the personality. He established the True World Order organisation aimed at promoting world peace and understanding and out came the Sivanada Sequence to be taught to help create this peace