Sivananda Yoga

Madras Moon Yoga follows the proper exercise practices from International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres. Sivananda Yoga Center was inspired by the teachings of Swami Sivananda and spread to the west under his directive by his disciple Swami Vishnudevananda, who founded the Center. Unlike the American conceptualization of yoga as exercise, physical exercise is one of five points of yoga within Sivananda Yoga Center beliefs: proper exercise, proper breathing, proper relaxation, proper diet, and positive thinking and meditation. There are nearly 30 centers or ashrams throughout the world, including two ashrams and four centers in the United States.

The exercise component of Sivananda Yoga focuses on extended and controlled execution of the poses, called asanas. This can be considered Hatha yoga; in contrast, Vinyassa yoga emphasizes motion and is more common in U.S. yoga studios. The asanas were developed by ancient yogis to strengthen the body and fill it with the elements needed to reduce the decaying effects of aging. In particular, the primary asanas focus on strengthening the body's core so your body can complete activities requiring mental and physical agility -- ranging from sitting in meditation, working in gardens, walking on long journeys, to scholarly work --- through one's whole, long, rich life.

Sivananda Yoga can increase the length of your life and the quality of your years if you adopt it as a regular practice throughout your life.