{"id":18,"date":"2026-05-27T05:48:29","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T04:48:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sivananda.org.in\/chennainew\/?page_id=18"},"modified":"2026-10-12T12:23:47","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T11:23:47","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sivananda.org.in\/chennai\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"

About the Centre<\/h1><\/div>

Nestled near the beach in Kottivakkam, the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Chennai, has been a welcoming and supportive space for learning and practising classical yoga since October 1989. Whether you are stepping onto the mat for the first time or deepening an established practice, our classes invite you to build strength, improve flexibility, cultivate peace of mind and discover a deeper understanding of yoga, rooted in the teachings of Swami Sivananda and Swami Vishnudevananda.<\/p>\n

Part of the worldwide Sivananda Yoga Vedanta organisation founded by Swami Vishnudevananda, we continue a tradition of authentic yoga rooted in the teachings of Swami Sivananda. Every class is guided by the Five Points of Yoga, a practical system for healthy and balanced living.
\nOur teachers and staff serve in the spirit of Karma Yoga, offering their time with the intention of selfless service. This creates a warm, supportive community where everyone is welcome.<\/p>\n

Whether you are looking to improve your health, reduce stress or deepen your yoga practice, we invite you to begin your journey with us.
\nOur students also go on to deepen their practice and do the Teachers\u2019 Training Course, which then leads them to become part of the Centre in a very special way: They become teachers and continue the lineage.<\/p>\n

This is not just a yoga studio, when you practice with us you become a part of the Sivananda Family, where we support you through your physical, mental and spiritual journey. You become an ambassador of peace.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Swami<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Our Purpose<\/h2><\/div>

Our gurus, Swami Sivananda and Swami Vishnudevananda\u2019s teachings were to make authentic yoga accessible in a practical and structured way for all, while preserving the integrity of its traditional teachings.<\/span><\/p>\n

Based on the Five Points of Yoga of Swami Vishnudevananda, our classes and courses are a means to achieve physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing, and self-realisation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0We offer a clear pathway that supports:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

    \n
  • Physical health and vitality<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Mental clarity and emotional balance<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Long-term consistency in personal practice<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>

    Yoga here is taught as a complete system, not only as physical exercise<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    What We Teach<\/h2><\/div>

    The centre follows the classical Sivananda system of hatha yoga,
    \nwhich integrates practice, understanding, and lifestyle.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

    <\/span><\/div>
    <\/div>\n

    Classical Hatha Yoga practice<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

    <\/span><\/div>
    <\/div>\n

    Pranayama & meditation<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

    <\/span><\/div>
    <\/div>\n

    Guided relaxation<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

    <\/span><\/div>
    <\/div>\n

    Introduction to yoga philosophy & lifestyle principles<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

    <\/div>\n

    Classes are taught progressively, with clear guidance on prerequisites and suitability.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    Our Lineage<\/h2><\/div>
    <\/div><\/div>\n

    The centre follows the teachings of Swami Sivananda and Swami Vishnudevananda, whose work shaped the modern presentation of classical yoga worldwide.<\/p>\n

    This lineage emphasises:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

      \n
    • Discipline and regular practice<\/li>\n
    • Simplicity and clarity in teaching<\/li>\n
    • Yoga as a holistic system for daily life<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
      <\/span><\/div>
      <\/div>\n

      Swami Sivananda<\/h3><\/div>

      1887 – 1963<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

      <\/span><\/div>
      <\/div>\n

      Swami Vishnudevananda<\/h3><\/div>

      1927 – 1993<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

      Teachers at the centre are trained within this lineage and teach according to its established methodology.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

      Who Can Practise Here<\/h2><\/div>
      <\/div><\/div>\n

      The centre welcomes:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • Beginners with no prior yoga experience<\/li>\n
      • Regular practitioners seeking structured classes<\/li>\n
      • Children through age-appropriate programmes<\/li>\n
      • Students interested in deeper study through courses and workshops<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>

        Clear prerequisites are provided for each class or course to ensure safety and suitability.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

        Our Learning Environment<\/h2><\/div>
        <\/div><\/div>\n

        Located at the heart of Chennai, the centre provides a calm and focused space for practice within the hustle and bustle of city life.<\/p>\n<\/div>

        Key features include:<\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        • Dedicated practice halls<\/li>\n
        • Small to medium group sizes<\/li>\n
        • A quiet, disciplined atmosphere<\/li>\n
        • Teachers available for guidance and clarification<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>

          The environment supports attention, consistency, and personal growth.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

          <\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

          Accessibility and Inclusion<\/h2><\/div>
          <\/div><\/div>\n

          The centre aims to make yoga accessible while maintaining appropriate guidance and safety.<\/p>\n<\/div>

            \n
          • Students with injuries or health conditions are encouraged to speak with the teacher before class<\/li>\n
          • Clear instructions and demonstrations are provided<\/li>\n
          • Modifications are offered where suitable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>

            If you have specific access needs, please contact the centre in advance.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"100-width.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-18","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sivananda.org.in\/chennai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sivananda.org.in\/chennai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sivananda.org.in\/chennai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sivananda.org.in\/chennai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sivananda.org.in\/chennai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18"}],"version-history":[{"count":74,"href":"https:\/\/sivananda.org.in\/chennai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1072,"href":"https:\/\/sivananda.org.in\/chennai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18\/revisions\/1072"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sivananda.org.in\/chennai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}