The sivananda style of yoga was founded by Swami Vishnu Devananda, a promoter of traditional hatha yoga. He studied various styles of yoga for ten years before he came to the West. In 1958 he authored a very thorough guide to yoga called The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga, which was published in 1960. It set the tone for many of the first yoga classes taught in this country.
During a ninety-minute class, sivananda yoga incorporates proper asana, breathing, and deep relaxation. Sivananda yoga works with the basic principles of asana, meditation, and deep relaxation. A vegetarian diet and positive thinking with meditation are encouraged for a healthy lifestyle.
Sivananda yoga classes are gentle in approach and usually follow the twelve postures found in the Sun Salutation. Classes are easy to follow and begin with short chants and conclude with deep relaxation and a closing chant. The environment is relaxed and gentle. There are six sivananda centers located in North America and India.
SMART SOURCES
Many yoga teachers incorporate components of viniyoga into their classes. The following are sources specifically for viniyoga.
Gary Kraftsow 1030 E. Kuiaha R.
Haiku, Maui, HI 96708 (808) 572-1414
New Dawn Yoga Therapy Dawn Summers P.O. Box 460395 San Francisco, CA 94146-0395 (415) 285-1831
Julie Rappaport (415) 263-3940 San Francisco, CA Julesr@slip.net www. slip. net/~julesr/
www. heartofVoga. org
Margaret and Martin Pierce Pierce Program 1164 N. Highland Ave. N.E. Atlanta, GA 30306
