This style is based on traditional Sivananda Yoga according to Vishnu Devananda, as described under Sivananda Yoga and Sivananda Yoga in the West.
But what are the differences? What makes Yoga Vidya an independent style?
After 12 years of training and as an ordained monk under Swami Vishnudevananda at the Sivananda Vedanta Ashram in Canada, Volker Bretz alias Sukadev made a conscious decision not to continue as a member of the Sivananda leadership team. He rejected the hierarchical leadership under Vishnudevananda and the subsequent Acharyas and wanted to promote a democratic basis for the leadership of a Sivananda ashram .
His vision was to spread yoga on a large scale and so, among other houses, the largest ashram in Europe with over 1000 beds was established in Bad Meinberg. The ashrams see themselves as a spiritual or religious community whose organization is well structured.
So what is characteristic of Yoga Vidya practice and how does it differ from the traditional Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers?
The Hatha Yoga classes (for the different levels) and the standard exercise series are comparable with the Sivananda Vedanta Centers. They are both standardized in the sequence of physical exercises and in the language. Here too, as in the Sivananda Vedanta Centers, great importance is attached to relaxation at the beginning, during and at the end of the Hatha Yoga class. Regular Yin Yoga classes have also become standard.
The pranayama practice as well as the chakra energy meditations in the sense of Kundalini and Tantra Yoga are well elaborated and instructed in a differentiated way. Special emphasis is placed on igniting and directing pranic energies.
Book recommendation: The Great Yoga Vidya Pranayama Book
Example of a guided chakra energy meditation with bija chanting:
In addition to the standardized Hatha Yoga classes, Yoga Vidya offers classes that deviate completely from the basic series and are freely designed by the teacher. They can, for example, be used as therapy sessions for various ailments in the yoga therapy department. An“Ayurveda Oasis” is also open to guests. (Both in Bad Meinberg)
The comprehensive elaborations of philosophical topics of yoga, are in Yogawiki can be viewed. Yoga Vidya wants to live up to its name with its own Wikipedia: “Vidya means wisdom, science. This means both worldly and scientific knowledge as well as spiritual knowledge and wisdom” (quote from Yogawiki). The Advaita philosophy of Shankara is an essential foundation of the philosophy at Yoga Vidya.
Throughout the year, there are training courses in various specialist areas, various festivals, events, congresses and much more. Individual vacation stays are possible at any time. Here is an example of a daily schedule .
The Yoga Vidya ashrams are characterized by their openness to related areas of yoga and new esoteric currents, which are incorporated and integrated into the practice. In fact, many esoteric currents such as shamanism, astrology, angel work, Course in Miracles, spiritual coaching, Reiki etc. are incorporated. – However, these tendencies naturally tend towards personal interpretation and dilution of the original idea.
The latter is probably the clearest difference to classical Sivananda Vedanta Yoga , which operates within a very traditionally conservative framework. The Vedanta Centers work in a strictly traditional, conservative way, which is also authentically successful – impressively so! However, this can almost be perceived as conservative, as there is hardly any noticeable readjustment to the present day.
Although the cultivation of Hindu-Indian culture takes up a lot of space at Yoga Vidya, it seems comparatively less authentic, sometimes it even seems like a nice accessory to the personal lifestyle of the guests.
Click here for Sivananda Yoga
This is the last yoga style description of the ABC, so let’s go back to the beginning
