Yoga Lifestyle & Practice

Yoga is the bridge from unwanted dependency to  healthy and happy attachment in moderation. In reality, we are the masters of our minds and our bodies. Yoga shows us the way to regaining control of our thoughts and actions.

The Family Yoga Holiday Program at Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat gives families a chance to take a break from their busy lives and come back to themselves. Children get to experience kid-friendly yogic activities during the times when parents participa …

The long use of Sanskrit mantras continues into the modern day; this ancient practice can bring incredible benefit to your own life and is easy to incorporate into the busiest of schedules. Read more to discover how to uplift yourself with mantra and how to use and incorporate mantra practices (such as kirtan, meditation with a japa mala, etc.) in your daily life so that you too can experience profound benefits for energy, concentration, and mental health. 

Hatha yoga involves gentle body postures and breathing techniques. Putting one’s body in these gentle postures helps to release tension and pain that could be holding you back from good sleep; breathing techniques center and calm the mind, helping to reduce the chatter that keeps you awake in bed.

Some people limit their fruit intake to just mornings or desserts. Yogis say, eat more fruit! This refreshing snack is filled with vitamins, antioxidants, and all the health-promoting properties of fruit.

Salads, among other raw, light, foods are especially well- received by the body during the warm, summer months. In Ayurveda, yoga’s sister science, you can use food to balance your own body. So when the temperature is hot outside, eating cooling meals brings balance.

If you’re looking to make digestion easier and simpler for your system, zucchini noodles are the perfect pasta substitution. You can use a handheld spiralizer to curl your zucchini into noodles. Beets and carrots are also great vegetables to spiralize!

When the gods and the demons churned the milky ocean in days of yore, nectar came out of it. Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Mohini, a charming lady, deluded the demons and distributed the nectar only among the gods. But Rahu had disguised himself as a …

There are many reasons why Master Sivananda is considered a veritable sage by those in India and abroad. Beyond his exemplary behavior, cheery attitude, and the uplifting impression he left on everyone that met him, there is the sheer volume of writing …

How do we honor planet Earth? By honoring ourselves, each other, every living creature and Mother Nature. What does honoring look like? Honoring entails understanding that we are all connected to each other, that unity is the reality and that separation is the illusion.

The 5 Yamas (social ethics) and the 5 Niyamas (personal observances) are thought of as the 10 commandments of the yogic way of life.  The Yamas and the Niyamas build character and ensure a sturdy foundation, without which the house of yogic practice (postures, breathwork) and benefits (peace of mind, joy, good health) would fall.

Ayurveda is a natural system of medicine that originated in India more than 3,000 years ago! Derived from the Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (science or knowledge), Ayurveda translates to the knowledge or science of life. Knowledge of Ayurveda helps one to maintain general health and wellbeing long-term by allowing one to treat imbalances as they occur and before they manifest as greater problems to worry about (such as serious illnesses).

Manifestation has been the buzzword in the spiritual community for the last decade. Described at length in the Law of Attraction and by Deepak Chopra, Oprah, and various other prominent figures, manifestation tells us that we can will the lives we truly want into existence. But how? By setting the right intention. Intention is the starting point of every dream you wish to come to fruition, every reality you are capable of manifesting.

Chanting mantra, whether done through kirtan (joyous chanting), japamala (repetition of mantra using prayer beads), or silent meditation is a practice. A practice has its ups and downs. Maintaining your own mantra practice requires discipline, determination, and concentration. When discipline, determination, and concentration wane, it helps to have a community that will uplift you.

And then the doctors say: Mona, if we go through with the surgery, you might have to wear a pacemaker for the rest of your life. That was when I decided: no more; that’s it. This is not my life. This is not my health, I know there’s a better way. And I knew that I had to get back home, home to my inner self, I had to return to the ashram.

A healer is essentially anyone who facilitates healing in another person. And honestly, it doesn’t necessarily just mean energy or spiritual healing. It is someone that believes in what they’re offering, that puts the patient first, that has a positive attitude. The healer isn’t actually doing any healing, it’s the person who is sick that is doing the healing, all the healer does is open up the pathways in the person’s body to facilitate that healing.

The workshop began with a dance of surrender to Durga. Shamini cleverly avoided inducing the anxiety of performance in our minds by bringing our awareness slowly into the interior: first, she asked us to move. The silence felt deafening, the eyes begged to remain open and the body felt awkward… finally, the music came.

May 7, 2020 The past few months of 2020 have been a trying time for the entire world. There isn’t one person who hasn’t been affected by this global pandemic, whether it’s physically, economically, mentally, or emotionally. The most important thing we …

“Unity in Diversity” is a hallmark of the Sivananda tradition, the phrase used by Swami Vishudevananda as he set out on his missions for world peace. But even before his historic flights to trouble spots around the world, Swami Vishnu launched his effo …

Karma Yoga (work-service) Positions Available   Add this unique experience to your C.V. whether you just graduated from culinary school or are an experienced cook. By expanding your expertise and expressing your creativity in healthy, nutritious m …

By Nora Benian (Sundari) Why is it so hard to fall asleep — and stay asleep? I’ve experienced several phases of my life when falling asleep and staying asleep was a challenge. These difficulties usually came along with growth spurts (physical, emotiona …

  Get the free PDF booklet now! Yogic Recipes for Busy Lives   Dear Friends,   We are happy to share with you our new (free!) recipe booklet, Yogic Recipes for Busy Lives. This little treasure was inspired by many interesting conversatio …

We all know that doing yoga has many benefits. But teaching yoga also has many benefits that are both spiritual and practical including: Sharing knowledge that transforms people’s lives Giving back to the community Practicing public speaking Enhancing …

“…the beginner will do well to take the opportunity that comes in his way to strengthen his own aspirations by communion with others who share them.” — Swami Sivananda, Bliss Divine Everyone is encouraged to attend both satsangs every day in the ashr …

By Bea Doyle Over time, our experience of yoga asanas evolves beyond the physical — the postures become our teachers and companions, showing us our relationship with ourselves and the world. Enjoy this collection of stories submitted by Sivananda Yoga …

By Sri Devi (Jennie Hastings) Over time, our experience of yoga asanas evolves beyond the physical — the postures become our teachers and companions, showing us our relationship with ourselves and the world. Enjoy this collection of stories submitted b …

By Ali Shevlin (Rukmini) Over time, our experience of yoga asanas evolves beyond the physical — the postures become our teachers and companions, showing us our relationship with ourselves and the world. Enjoy this collection of stories submitted by Siv …

By Mark Hanuman Geraghty Over time, our experience of yoga asanas evolves beyond the physical — the postures become our teachers and companions, showing us our relationship with ourselves and the world. Enjoy this collection of stories submitted by Siv …

By Nora Sundari Benian Over time, our experience of yoga asanas evolves beyond the physical — the postures become our teachers and companions, showing us our relationship with ourselves and the world. Enjoy this collection of stories submitted by Sivan …

By Daniel Rama Over time, our experience of yoga asanas evolves beyond the physical — the postures become our teachers and companions, showing us our relationship with ourselves and the world. Enjoy this collection of stories submitted by Sivananda Yog …

By Carolyn Uma Berry Over time, our experience of yoga asanas evolves beyond the physical — the postures become our teachers and companions, showing us our relationship with ourselves and the world. Enjoy this collection of stories submitted by Sivanan …

By Katie Ambika Papo Over time, our experience of yoga asanas evolves beyond the physical — the postures become our teachers and companions, showing us our relationship with ourselves and the world. Enjoy this collection of stories submitted by Sivanan …

By Mahadevi (Robyn Hennon) Over time, our experience of yoga asanas evolves beyond the physical — the postures become our teachers and companions, showing us our relationship with ourselves and the world. Enjoy this collection of stories submitted by S …

By Stacie Saraswati Dooreck Over time, our experience of yoga asanas evolves beyond the physical — the postures become our teachers and companions, showing us our relationship with ourselves and the world. Enjoy this collection of stories submitted by …

By Surya Over time, our experience of yoga asanas evolves beyond the physical — the postures become our teachers and companions, showing us our relationship with ourselves and the world. Enjoy this collection of stories submitted by Sivananda Yoga prac …

By Shahar Arjuna Kovetz Over time, our experience of yoga asanas evolves beyond the physical — the postures become our teachers and companions, showing us our relationship with ourselves and the world. Enjoy this collection of stories submitted by Siva …

By Annapurna Devi (Grace Welker) Over time, our experience of yoga asanas evolves beyond the physical — the postures become our teachers and companions, showing us our relationship with ourselves and the world. Enjoy this collection of stories submitte …

By Padmavati Over time, our experience of yoga asanas evolves beyond the physical — the postures become our teachers and companions, showing us our relationship with ourselves and the world. Enjoy this collection of stories submitted by Sivananda Yoga …

We created a series of blog posts that follow the sequence of the Sivananda Yoga practice. All are true stories from brave souls who were willing to share their inner workings and private relationship with a certain posture or practice. Read the storie …

When the weather gets colder, our bodies tend to crave heavier comfort foods. To help satisfy cravings and nurture the body at the same time, a hearty stew has the power to warm you from the inside out. Stews are an especially convenient winter go-to f …

Many of us have a foot in two different worlds. In the world of yoga, we learn about gratitude, selfless giving, and being grateful for what we have. We give to practice generosity, and to remind ourselves that we already have more than enough. Aspirin …

   “The first step in the spiritual path is selfless service to humanity.” —Swami Sivananda   Want to feel more spiritually fulfilled in your life? You may already have a wonderful meditation practice and a rewarding yoga routine. But what ab …

The upkeep of a healthy and pure body is a crucial part of the spiritual path, because a healthy body is important for spiritual practice. With a healthy body, meditation, yoga, and spiritual practice are possible. With a cleansed body, the mind become …

Many of us first turned to yoga whilst looking for change. It takes great courage and openness to heal our negative habits and create new healthy ones. No matter our habits, addictions, or cravings, yogic practices can transform them from the inside ou …

Please share what you do. I work with grieving individuals using a somatic psychotherapeutic protocol to address grief symptoms. It enables the re-identification process that follows an important loss. Why do you do what you do? I learned through my ow …

In 2014, Katie Papo (Ambika) wrote Three Hard Lessons I Learned from Karma Yoga, describing the culminating lessons of her experiences in the Karma Yoga/Residential Study Program at the ashram. After several more years in the karma yoga program, here s …

How many facets of yoga do you know? How many do you practice? At the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas, a destination for yogis from around the world, yoga is based on five points that are practiced regularly in order to achieve wholeness in your …

How many facets of yoga do you know? How many do you practice? At the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas, a destination for yogis from around the world, yoga is based on five points that are practiced regularly in order to achieve wholeness in your …

How many facets of yoga do you know? How many do you practice? At the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas, a destination for yogis from around the world, yoga is based on five points that are practiced regularly in order to achieve wholeness in your …

How many facets of yoga do you know? How many do you practice? At the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas, a destination for yogis from around the world, yoga is based on five points that are practiced regularly in order to achieve wholeness in your …

How many facets of yoga do you know? How many do you practice? At the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas, a destination for yogis from around the world, yoga is based on five points that are practiced regularly in order to achieve wholeness in your …

The Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training Course (TTC) was created not only to train people to become yoga teachers but to become ambassadors of peace in the world. Now more than ever, we need people committed to their own personal transformation through yog …

When the breath wanders, the mind is unsteady, but when the breath is still, so is the mind still.  —Hatha Yoga Pradipika   Benefits of the Full Yogic Breath Practitioners at all levels benefit from the Full Yogic Breath, which increases lung capa …

In these days of mindfulness, positive psychology and the science of happiness, the yogic lifestyle is the ideal approach to health and well-being. Why? Because much of what we may think of as new has actually been taught in the yoga tradition for mill …

Among the 32 graduates who spent a month in the ashram’s intensive Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training Course (TTC) are three students who shared their experience of a demanding and rewarding month on Paradise Island: Rocky Vega, Stuart Bishop, and Robin H …

  by Katie Papo (Ambika)   We all know how easy it is to fall out of balance — especially in winter, when we gravitate more toward heavy comfort foods and become less active. Although eating warmer, heavier foods and slowing down in the winte …

  What do a Google executive and a yoga teacher have in common? They are embodied in Sivananda Yoga Teacher Gopi Kallayil, whose job as Chief Evangelist for Brand Marketing at Google has sent him throughout the world delivering the company message …

  A comprehensive health-care science, Ayurveda emerged from the same Vedic culture as yoga, in northern India, and its foundations come from the Vedas, the oldest books in the world. Used for medical interventions and treatments, Ayurveda also em …

Ready for a healthy change? Periodic cleansing is highly recommended in a yogic lifestyle. In addition to the physical benefits, cleansing also helps to refresh the mind and the spirit. The end result is more clarity, energy, and joy. Enjoy this inspir …

Sitting looks easy, but it’s not. With so many people at work or school being required to sit for great lengths of time — not to mention practicing yogis who sit for meditation — no wonder so many of us struggle with what should be a simple task. Angel …

We’re all conditioned to look on the outside for happiness, whether it’s relaxing in a hammock or indulging in a slice of chocolate cake. But how long can you lie in a hammock? And think about the cake: one slice is great, maybe two, even three. But fi …

When she graduated from the Teacher Training Course (TTC) as a Sivananda Yoga teacher four years ago, Amelia Travis had no idea that a business concept formed during that training would lead back to Sivananda, this time to the Advanced Teacher Training …

About half of all people over age 50 have low bone mass, says yoga teacher and wellness practitioner Beata Barnard (Savitri-Devi). Bone loss is in such high proportion that an estimated 70 percent of hip fractures are related to osteoporosis. This epid …

  Silvia San Miguel (Surya) is an example of how to age beautifully. At 71, she has a straight back, a calm demeanor, a slender figure. All of this, she says, is the result of a lifestyle that focuses on health and is deeply rooted in the culture …

Healthy foods can change the physiology of the body, says Marc Halpern, DC, but often our senses are so inundated with junk that we ignore what’s best for us. Bad food, violent TV, stress-inducing noise — “we’re so distracted by the party that the sens …

by Karma Yogi Barbara Clarke It may sound daunting to show up for kitchen duty as a Karma Yogi at 6.30 am on your first day, but the smell of homemade bread, freshly mixed cinnamon granola and ginger-infused sauces is enough to lift anyone’s spirits. T …

By Katie Papo (Ambika) I started off the New Year of 2011 pretty weak. Not sick. Just weak — little discipline, a few nagging addictions, and a hard time staying with my yoga practice, or any kind of healthful exercise for that matter. A friend told me …

Take some deeply nourishing time to connect within during this guided Yoga Nidra meditative relaxation practice. These 30 minutes of self-care can be done seated or lying down, eyes open or closed. Save this page and use as often as possible! Why not . …

  Chant with us! Please enjoy this video of the Sivananda Daily Chant, led by Swami Hridyananda and filmed during satsang at the Yoga Retreat in March 2014. We hope you find inspiration and return often. Here is the translation:   Jaya Gaṇeśa …

by Stacie Dooreck (Saraswati) Have you ever been at the airport, on a plane or a bus and felt like you really needed to stretch? You start wishing you could just get where you’re going to do some yoga to ease that stiff back or those tight shoulders. W …

by Katie Papo (Ambika) Crunches and leg lifts were my go-to boredom fighter while everyone else laid in savasana (corpse pose) at the end of yoga class. I first started practicing yoga for the workout, so the last thing I wanted was to imitate a dead p …

Question: I feel discouraged when I look out at the experience of yoga as it is called in the world today. It seems that it has become an exercise class and lost its true meaning. I am wondering if you have any words of encouragement. Answer: In my vie …

by Katie Papo (Ambika) When I think back to my teenage glory days, mindlessly shoving pizza nuggets into my face while watching TV, “art” is not the first word to come to mind. Yet, as my yoga practice evolved, so did my eating. Here’s why: when we pra …

By Katie Papo (Ambika) Just because you’re breaking free from your regular routine doesn’t mean you need to leave your yoga at home. Try these tips the next time you travel. 1. Create an intention. Remember why you practice yoga. To cultivate good heal …

by Nicole Vahlkamp (Nirmala) It is 6 o’clock in the morning and 200 people are sitting cross-legged on a large wooden platform surrounded by palm trees made slightly iridescent by the contrast between the slowly rising sun and the shadows of the dissol …

Making flight arrangements for your next trip to the Bahamas? Plan ahead so you can travel smart and stay balanced. Holistic health specialist Julie Lusk shares this excerpt from her e-book on Travel Yoga to help make your air travel more peaceful and …

By Silvia San Miguel (Surya). Reposted here with the authors’ permission. We all know the negative impact of stress on our physical, mental and emotional health. Another thing is to know what to do to live stress-free. A moderate level of stress is a n …

By Silvia San Miguel (Surya). Reposted here with the authors’ permission. In De-Stressing 101, I looked at the signs of a state of chronic agitation, a precursor of a stress breakdown and proposed a change in lifestyle based on the 5 Points of Yoga tau …

Download the PDF of this article written by Swami Swaroopananda published in Parabola Magazine, Feb 2012