About Yoga
Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga is a classical form of yoga rooted in ancient India, it was developed as a system to prepare the body and mind for stillness. Haṭha (हठ) means “sun” (ha — ह) and “moon” (ṭha — ठ), symbolising balance — strength and softness, effort and ease. Unlike modern, fast-paced yoga styles, Hatha is slow, steady, and led by the breath, emphasising awareness over performance. A complete practice designed to restore harmony in body and mind.
Prāṇāyāma
Prāṇāyāma (प्राणायाम) is the yogic practice of working with the breath. The word comes from Sanskrit: prāṇa means life-force (or vital energy), and āyāma means to regulate (or extend).
Specific breathing techniques such as abdominal breathing, full yogic breath, kapālabhāti, and alternate nostril breathing (nāḍī śodhana) — are for regulating the nervous system, calming the mind, and preparing the body for meditation. Prāṇāyāma is a central part of Haṭha Yoga, taught for centuries as a bridge between the body and mind.
Āsana
Āsana (आसन) refers to the physical postures practised in yoga. The word comes from Sanskrit, meaning “steady position.”
In Haṭha Yoga, āsanas are more than physical exercise — they are postures designed to cultivate stability, balance, and stillness. When practised with attention and alignment, āsanas build strength, flexibility, and awareness, supporting both physical health and mental wellbeing.
Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra (योग निद्रा) is a guided practice of deep rest and rejuvenation. The term means “yogic sleep” in Sanskrit, though the practitioner can remain in a state of relaxed awareness.
In Yoga Nidra, you lie down comfortably while being led through a systematic sequence — relaxing the body, following the senses, and visualisation. This state between waking and sleeping activates the parasympathetic nervous system, allowing the body to shift into ‘rest-and-digest’ mode. In this state, tension is released, the nervous system can reset, and a calm, meditative awareness emerges. It is a technique for healing, restoration, and insight.
Mantra & Chanting
Mantra (मन्त्र) means “mind tool” in Sanskrit — a sacred sound, word, or phrase used to focus the mind and connect with deeper states of awareness. In yoga, mantras are repeated aloud, whispered, or internally, helping to steady the breath, quiet mental chatter, and cultivate presence. Chanting in a group generates shared energy and devotion (bhakti), lifting the heart and grounding the mind. This practice has been part of the yogic tradition for centuries, supporting both meditation and daily life.
Āyurveda
Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद) is India’s ancient science of life, a holistic system of health that works to balance body, mind, and spirit in harmony with nature. It offers guidance on diet, lifestyle, seasonal routines, and natural remedies to promote wellbeing and prevent illness. In yoga, Āyurveda informs how practices can be adapted to an individual’s constitution (doṣa) and to the rhythms of the seasons, ensuring that each practice supports balance and vitality.
Vedānta
Vedānta (वेदान्त) is one of the six classical schools of Indian philosophy, rooted in the teachings of the Upaniṣads — the concluding portion of the Vedas. The word means “end of the Vedas” and points to the highest knowledge: the realisation of the unity between the individual self (Ātman) and the universal reality (Brahman).
In the yogic tradition, Vedānta offers a framework for self-inquiry, reflection, and inner freedom, guiding practitioners beyond the physical aspects of yoga towards its ultimate aim — liberation (mokṣa).
Adi Yogi
Adi Yogi (आदि योगी) means “the first yogi” in Sanskrit and refers to Shiva as the originator of yoga. According to yogic tradition, Adi Yogi was the first being to realise the full potential of the human system through yoga, and he shared this knowledge with seven disciples known as the Saptarishis.
This transmission is regarded as the foundation of the yogic sciences — encompassing not only physical postures, but also breath, energy, and inner transformation. Adi Yogi symbolises the source of all yogic knowledge, representing stillness, wisdom, and the path inward.
Patañjali
Patañjali (पतञ्जलि) is regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of yoga. He is traditionally credited with compiling the Yoga Sūtras, a foundational text that systematises the philosophy and practice of classical yoga.
Written around 200 BCE, the Yoga Sūtras outline an eight-limbed path (Aṣṭāṅga Yoga) — yama (ethical restraints), niyama (personal observances), āsana (posture), prāṇāyāma (breath control), pratyāhāra (withdrawal of the senses), dhāraṇā (concentration), dhyāna (meditation), and samādhi (absorption).
Patañjali’s work focuses less on physical movement and more on the mind, offering clear guidance on reducing suffering and cultivating inner stillness.
Swami Sivananda
Swami Sivananda (1887–1963) was a renowned Indian yoga master, spiritual teacher, and doctor of medicine. He is remembered for making the ancient practices of yoga and Vedānta accessible to modern students, emphasising health, service, devotion, and self-realisation.
In 1936, he founded the Divine Life Society in Rishikesh, India, which became a global centre for yogic study and practice. His teachings integrate classical Haṭha Yoga, karma yoga (selfless service), bhakti yoga (devotion), and jñāna yoga (wisdom).
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