Sivananda Yoga

Besides the schools that derive from the lineage of Krishnamacharya, probably the two next most influential are the Sivananda and Bihar schools of yoga.

Sivananda took initiation as a samnyasi in 1924 from Svami Vishvanadasarasvati, and subsequently founded the Divine Life Society in 1936 in Haridvar.

The organisation grew over the subsequent decades to become internationally established, with centres running training programmes in several countries. Besides the study of asana, pranayama, meditation and Hindu scriptures, a notable feature of Sivanada yoga courses is the singing and chanting of devotional, religious songs.

The Sivananda organization has published many books by Sivananda and has charitable and educational programmes in India.

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