Sign outside the entrance to the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center. The symbol in the center is Om and the words on top are principles that Swami Sivananda advocated.

 

History

            The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center of New York City was founded in 1959 by Swami Vishnu-devananda, a disciple of the renowned yoga teacher, Swami Sivananda.  Swami Vishnu-devananda came to the west to spread the teachings of Vedanta and yoga and started his first center in Montreal, Canada.  Now there are over eighty Sivananda Centers worldwide, all of which concentrate on preserving the authenticity of the hatha yoga tradition.  The center in New York emphasizes five points of yoga: proper exercise, proper breathing, proper relaxation, proper diet, and positive thinking with meditation.  The actual study of Sivananda Yoga consists of four paths that are incorporated into each class: The Yoga of Self Control, The Yoga of Devotion, The Yoga of Action, and The Yoga of Knowledge. The Sivananda center is one of New York’s most inexpensive and oldest yoga centers, currently celebrating 45 years of activity. 

The Durga Room at the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center. On the far wall is a picture of Swami Sivananda and on the right is a photo of Swami Sivananda with Swami Vishnu-Devananda. The mats and pillows on the ground are used during yoga classes. This room is also used for the daily satsangs.

Description

            The center is located in a multi-level brownstone building with a sign outside reading “Serve Love Mediate Realize,” a principle motto that is constantly reiterated by the Sivananda organization.  The reception area is located in the basement level, where students may check in for class and remove their shoes. There are two large photos, one of Swami Sivananda and one of Swami Vishnu-devananda, as well as a garlanded statue of the Lord Ganesh.  In this part of the center there are yoga books, yoga mats, spiritual CDs, and herbal products on sale.  Behind this section there is a kitchen and dining space, where vegetarian meals can be purchased for a very low cost.  Up the first set of stairs is the Sivananda room, used primarily for intermediate and advanced classes.  The room is decorated with massive pictures of asana (yogic posture) demonstrations by Swami Vishnu-devananda, and the wooden floor is covered with purple yoga mats and pillows.  On the next level up is the Durga room, a smaller space used for beginners’ class and daily satsangs.  The room also houses an altar on which appear deities from different faiths, surrounded by candles and incense. The hallways outside both yoga rooms are filled with posters of asanas and pictures from the Sivananda Ashram in upstate New York.  In the entrance to the center, students and visitors can pick up a pamphlet that highlights all the events for the current season and includes a drop-in class schedule and price list.  The Sivananda organization also publishes a magazine called Yoga Life, which is available at a nominal cost along with the information pamphlets. 

Yoga and Satsangs 

            The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center regards yoga as a discipline that strengthens the mind, body, and soul.  The center offers daily open yoga classes, a beginners’ yoga class, intermediate and advanced classes, gentle classes for seniors, prenatal classes, and meditation sessions.  The first open class taken at the Sivananda Center is free for all students.  Typically all classes are taught in the same general manner and teachers follow standard techniques.

The beginners’ class introduces students to the practice of yoga and focuses on breathing and basic asanas.  The teacher, Gauri, begins the class with the chanting of mantras and the threefold repetition of the syllable Om.  She urges new students not to worry about executing every position exactly but to concentrate on being present and keeping the mind aware.  Gauri first goes through a breathing exercise with the students, stressing that deep breathing is an integral part of practicing yoga.  She then shows the students various asanas and stretching exercises.  The students follow her movements and hold the poses as she goes around the room adjusting their positions and constantly reminding them to pay attention to breathing.  Gauri then teaches the sun salutation, which students repeat multiple times, steadily increasing their speed, taking full breaths, and holding the asana.  The class concludes with deep relaxation and freeing the mind and body of any pressure and strain. 

Demonstration of a variation on Sirshasan or head stance.

Aside from yoga classes, the center has a daily satsang, led by one of the Swamijis.  Satsang consists of silent group meditation followed by bhajans, or devotional singing, chanting, and prayer. The Swamiji then conducts a discussion on the philosophy of yoga and explains the teachings of Swami Sivananda.  These sessions are free, and both satsangs and yoga classes are open to all.

Characteristics

            The practice of yoga has gained international popularity and has become a type of trend in the western world.  Students at the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center attend classes for a variety of reasons, whether it be a desire to relax the mind and body or to engage in physical exercise. Yoga teachers at the center tell students to give themselves credit for taking time to care for their mind and body by practicing yoga.  This center attracts a range of students, many of whom attend classes and activities at the center on a regular basis. There is a mixture of age groups, but a large portion of the students consist of middle aged and older women.  Men—mostly middle aged or older—do attend classes, but in smaller numbers.  The students come from an assortment of backgrounds and ethnicities; very few are ethnically South Asian.  The center is run by volunteers and trained yoga instructors.  All identify themselves with their spiritual names. Many teach classes, while others handle administrative tasks and coordinate special functions.  The Sivananda center strives to be traditional in its teaching of yoga.  Not only does it provide an array of yoga classes but it also offers regular meditation sessions, holiday celebrations, lectures, concerts, and workshops for all to attend.