Ah, my darling Sivananda, the style I was taught many moons ago by the lovely Carrie-Anne Fields, founder of the amazing worldwide organization “My Health Yoga”.
This style of yoga is a form of Hatha, founded by Swami Sivananda and brought to the West a class that oozes relaxation, that you never really feel like you did a class till the next day..
That is my friend, my style, my love and I could talk about it all day.
However, as you are here to read about the actual style I will keep the personal feelings out and share what Sivananda is all about.
What is Sivananda about and why haven’t we heard of it?
A class that starts off in Savasana is rarely talked about in the West, why would it be, it doesn’t sound like something that is going to work if you do it!!
Well, Sivananda does start just like that, relaxed and with a few follow-ups of sun salutations “Surya Nanaskara ” following into the 12 asanas.
How does Sivananda work?
The 12 core asanas move at a slower than vinyasa pace but faster the Yin yoga style helps to increase flexibility of the spine, and strength of all muscle groups, and the meditation at the end brings about mental clarity, peace, and harmony.
Sivananda is what I class as a unity style of yoga.
The 12 asanas that are the main poses along with doing the quicker Surya namaskar sequences, bring the body temperature to a comfortable increase creating the release of toxins through sweat, raising the heart rate enough to increase cardio, but holding the poses just the right amount to form tension, extension, and relaxation in every muscle, tendon, and anatomy group.
This is why I coin the phrase “Unity style” because the effort and effect of this style works in with every aspect of a person’s life.
What are the principles?
As there isn’t alt about Sivananda yoga out there I will share the principles, which aren’t that different from all other styles.
The five main principles are as follows.
- Proper Exercise (The Asanas in Yoga)
- Proper Breathing (The Pranayama in Yoga)
- Proper Relaxation (Without knowing the body and how to relax into poses you can’t achieve proper relaxation)
- Proper Diet (This is said to be Vegetarian, NOT VEGAN as the body needs the protein that is shared without harm to anything)
- Positive Thinking (In today’s world this can be increasingly hard, especially in a world of so-called “social” media which divides more, harms more, and confuses more than ever before)
- Meditation (relax, breathe, breathe, relax)
Who is Sivananda good for?
Sivananda yoga is a style that is suitable for EVERYONE with all different fitness levels, It focuses on physical, mental, and spiritual well-being and is an adaptable style depending on class feelings on the day.
The yoga that Sivananda sequences is methodical and helps to slowly achieve the benefits of every yoga pose over time.
Sivananda yoga is more relaxing than other faster more vigorous styles due to the slower pace and focus on breathing throughout.
This breathing helps to activate the Parasympathetic nervous system which in turn creates or induces a physiological relaxation response within the mind and body.
This is what sets Sivananda yoga apart from other styles, it approaches things in a light that is unique to it.
This is not the type of yoga prescribed for those wanting the bikini body in 6-12 weeks, this is a lifetime flow that will build the mind, body, and soul in every aspect for greater happiness, appreciation, and respect of self and others.
YoZenQi Holistic - Megen Hibbins 