Thoughts on Sivanada Yoga

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hello everyone,

I just began a Sivanada Yoga beginner’s course. So far, I’m enjoying it, but I’ve got a few concerns. First off, let me say that I am pleased that Sivanada Yoga actually recognizes that asana practice is not the only part of yoga. It has been hard for me to try and find classes that incorporate the philosophy of yoga into their lessons, and Sivanada Yoga seems to be doing a good job balancing asana practice as well and meditative yogic practices.

However, the teacher’s do not seem to be well-practiced in their asanas. As some of you may know, Sivanada yoga asana practice follows 12 posture sequence, with variations included for advanced students. However, my instructor can barely plant her palms on the ground in her forward bend. Her sun salutation sequence is stiff. The teacher herself isn’t my main issue. In fact, she’s a wonderful instructor and explains the asanas clearly and her corrections are extremely helpful. She knows her stuff, no doubt. What really bothers me is the Swami Vishnu-devanand’s own postures in his book The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga. Just taking a look at his downward facing dog really made me question his expertise and knowledge about asanas.

I just wanted to know what other people thought of Sivanada yoga. I’d really like to hear your opinions and experiences.

#2

I have not had good experiences of Sivananda yoga…the asanas were badly taught and I found the instructor very lacking in anatomy knowledge…the asansas were generally badly and unsafely done and could possibly be very dangerous to a beginner…

For your asana practice find a teacher with some Iyengar training or almost any other kind of yoga (except Bikram) a teacher who studied in the west and is insured…then do your meditation,pranayama and philosophy with another teacher.

#3

The standards of the Hatha teachers at Sivananda are very mixed. After the course, find a good teacher at the Centre/Ashram and stick with him/her.

Swami Vishnu was still young when those photos were taken. If you look at Iyengar practicing when he was young, it is obvious that despite his great skill his technique at the time was detrimental to his body. In fact he eventually suffered from back pain and went on to create his own revolutionary approach.

However, if you want a more detailed anatomical approach to asana practice, check the Iyengar way.

#4

[QUOTE=yogacambodia;63346]
For your asana practice find a teacher with some Iyengar training or almost any other kind of yoga (except Bikram) a teacher who studied in the west and is insured…[/QUOTE]

Best Iyengar training in the world is at Pune, India where it originated.

#5

[QUOTE=Terence;63357]The standards of the Hatha teachers at Sivananda are very mixed. After the course, find a good teacher at the Centre/Ashram and stick with him/her.

Swami Vishnu was still young when those photos were taken. If you look at Iyengar practicing when he was young, it is obvious that despite his great skill his technique at the time was detrimental to his body. In fact he eventually suffered from back pain and went on to create his own revolutionary approach.

However, if you want a more detailed anatomical approach to asana practice, check the Iyengar way.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for this. I have tried Iyengar, but it was a tad too anatomically oriented for my tastes.