About Satyananda Yoga
Satyananda Yoga is an internationally renowned system of yoga developed by Swami Satyananda Saraswati, a modern yoga master. Widely regarded as ‘integral’ yoga, Satyananda Yoga encompasses all the major branches of yoga, including hatha, karma, bhakti, jnana and raja yogas. Yoga is often understood as being synonymous with physical exercise, but this is only one aspect. The aim of an integral approach is to develop and balance all aspects of one’s being – body, mind, emotions and psyche – leading the practitioner towards a more harmonious state of being.
Firmly grounded in yogic tradition, the uniqueness of Satyananda Yoga is that it is an evolving yoga; it explores and draws out knowledge from the ancient yogic and tantric texts, and presents this in a practical form to the modern world. In this way the teachings are universal, progressive and inspiring.
Satyananda Yoga is suitable for all
Satyananda Yoga can be practised by anyone, regardless of age, ability or fitness level, and does not conflict with one’s social background or religious beliefs. The wide range of yoga practices and philosophies offered in the classroom environment can also be extended into daily life, providing useful tools that can easily be integrated into one’s lifestyle.
Yoga has been acknowledged for millennia as a means to improve health and increase vitality, and guided yoga sessions can help to manage illness and other ailments effectively. The regular practice of simple yogic meditation techniques is also a powerful aid to improve health, and reduces mental and emotional stress, providing an antidote to the pressures of modern life.
Taking Satyananda Yoga beyond the asana class
Practising yoga in the form of asana, pranamaya and meditation is important for the well being of body and mind however Satyananda Yoga goes much further than that. In order to evolve spiritually and develop a more balanced, harmonious nature, we also need to practise different forms of yoga in daily life. To directly experience what it means to live a yogic life, take the opportunity to spend some time at one of our retreat centres. As well as attending yoga classes, you will have the chance to experience other forms of yoga that are practiced within the Satyananda Yoga tradition, such as karma yoga, mantra yoga, kirtan, satsang, havan and mouna.
Satyananda Yoga within the community
Passionate about the uplifting of society from all angles, Swami Satyananda worked to extend the dimensions of yoga to include the wider community, and inspired Satyananda Yoga teachers to follow in his footsteps. In Australasia, classes and workshops are offered in specialised areas including pre-natal classes, yoga in the workplace, yoga for seniors and yoga in prisons.
