H H swami sivananda

1887-1963

serve. love. give. purify. meditate. realize.

- swami sivananda

swami sivaananda is one of the most important figures in the development of yoga in the modern world. this great Indian sage, master and yogi trained and worked as a medical doctor before renouncing the world for the spiritual path. a man of prodigious energy and strength, he not only published over 300 books, pamphlets and periodicals, but also initiated hundreds and thousands of people directly into the path of yoga. swami sivananda brought the authority of his medical background to bear upon the teachings of yoga while explaining the most complex philosophical subjects in a simple, straightforward manner. besides establishing an ashram and a yoga academy in Rishikesh in north india, swami sivananda founded the divine life society in 1935 dedicated to the ideals of truth, purity, non-violence and self-realization. at his ashram in rishikesh he trained many exceptional disciples, among them swami vishnudevananda.

H H swami vishnudevananda

1927-1993

health is wealth. peace of mind is happiness. yoga shows the way.

- swami vishnudevananda

swami vishnudevananda is the founder of the international sivananda yoga vedanta centres and ashrams worldwide, headquartered in canada. one of the foremost exponents of hatha yoga in the world, he was sent to the west in 1957 by his master, swami sivananda to spread the teachings of yoga and vedanta. swami vishnudevananda traveled throughout north america, lecturing and demonstrating asanas before establishing the centres and ashrams. a teacher of great personal dynamism, swami vishnudevananda inspired thousands of people all over the world by his presence and changed the lives of countless others by his writings. by closely observing the lifestyles and needs of people, he synthesized the ancient wisdom of yoga into five basic principles of proper exercise, proper breathing, proper relaxation, proper diet and positive thinking and meditation.

swami vishnudevananda is the author of best selling, world famous book, the complete illustrated book of yoga.

sri swami mahadevananda

swami mahadevananda is a senior disciple of swami vishnudevananda and acharya, sivananda yoga vedanta centres and ashrams. a gentle, intuitive and deeply perceptive teacher, swami mahadvenanda has trained thousands of people in the yoga way of life, and reflects the universal appeal and application of yoga, which knows no boundaries of religion or nationality. born in rome, italy, swami mahadveananda was in the united states to pursue his higher studies and career when a chance meeting with

swami vishnudevananda in canada completely altered the course of his life. swami mahadevananda stayed on with his teacher and was initiated into the practices and teachings of yoga. he headed the sivananda yoga vedanta centre in montreal for nearly 10 years before he was asked by swami vishnudevananda in 1978 to move to the sivananda ashram in neyyar dam, kerala, india. since then swami mahadevananda has made India, and the world his home, sharing nearly 40 years of experience in vedanta, yoga, and universal principles of peace and brotherhood to thousands of people every day.