Sivananda
"Serve, love, give, purify, meditate, realise" - Swami Sivananda
The emphasis of his teaching was on the five main points of yoga (based on
the eight limbs). These five points are:
· Proper Exercise - Asanas
· Proper Breathing - Pranayama
· Proper Relaxation - Savasana
· Proper Diet - Vegetarian
· Positive thinking and Meditation - Vedanta and Dhyana
Each of these points are emphasised throughout the classes and in each class
the student will do Pranayama, Savasana, Asana and meditation
One of his foremost disciples, Swami Vishnu Devananda, was responsible for bringing Swami Sivananda's teachings in the west in the process forming many of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta centres around the world today. He travelled throughout North America, teaching yoga and observing the western lifestyle.
He established the first Sivananda Yoga Vedanta centre in Montreal in 1961. In february 1962 swamiji came to the site of the yoga camp in Val Morin, Quebec. In 1967 he established the Sivananda ashram yoga retreat in Nassau, Bahamas. And since many more sivananda ashrams have been set up worldwide.