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Frequently Asked Questions

 

Sivananda F.A.Q.

I know that one should not change one's Mantra, but I have been initiated into a Mantra and since then, I have developed more devotion to a different deity and I feel the vibration of its corresponding Mantra more powerfully. Should I switch anyway? (Part 2)
The essence of last week's answer is NO. However, it should be noted that, in addition to one's main meditation Mantra - which should be used everyday, additional Mantras can also be practiced for a specific purpose.

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I know that one should not change one's Mantra, but I have been initiated into a Mantra and since then, I have developed more devotion to a different deity and I feel the vibration of its corresponding Mantra more powerfully. Should I switch anyway?
You are right. One should not switch Mantras. Many meditators share the experience described above. And yet it would be a major mistake to switch Mantras. It is a common mental pattern to get bored with something we have been doing over a long period of time. Everything else seems very new and refreshing in comparison. However, regularity is essential in order to go deeper and deeper in meditation. Switching Mantras every few years or months has been compared to the man who wanted to dig a well in his backyard and kept on digging a new hole, every time it became too hard. At the end the backyard was full of holes and none of the "wells" were deep enough to reach the water.

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I have been a Sivananda student/teacher for quite a few years now. How do I keep learning and improving? (Part 2)
Last week we discussed the importance of intensifying our Sadhana, Karma Yoga and Swadhyaya. All this is very good but often difficult to apply by oneself.
This is why Satsang is so important. Satsang means the company of Saints and Masters. This tradition teaches that to be in the company of highly evolved spiritual beings, or like-minded spiritual aspirants, strengthens to a high degree one's spiritual aspirations.
This is why the majority of Yoga students and teachers needs to visit periodically the Sivananda Ashrams in order to receive the energy provided by the powerful spiritual atmosphere available in the Ashrams. The complete immersion in a Yoga environment will be conducive to a more vigorous discipline and practice and to enhance the relationship with the Guru.
For complete rejuvenation, Swami Vishnu-devananda recommended stays of at least two weeks, but a few days here and there will go a long way towards recharging your Pranic batteries.

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I have been a Sivananda student/teacher for quite a few years now. How do I keep learning and improving?
Some students feel a bit bored after the first few years of classes and practice. In fact, now comes the most rewarding time to deepen their practice and knowledge. In order to achieve this, there are three main avenues: Sadhana; Svadhyaya; Karma Yoga.
Sadhana: spiritual practice. Intensify your practice with more Asanas, Pranayama, meditation, Japa etc. Svadhyaya: once you are familiar with the Yoga philosophy and these teachings, study seriously the Yogic scriptures, such as the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, Viveka Chudamani, Ramayana etc. Karma Yoga: serve. Selfless service helps remove inner blocks and impurities - mainly selfishness - which are obstacles to our spiritual evolution.

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I understand Yogis are vegetarians: where do you get your proteins?
In food items such as peas, lentils, tofu etc. It is actually a common mistakes for newly "converted vegetarians" to not eat enough of these. There are a very important part of a Yogic, Ayurvedic based diet. More details on the Yogic system of diet, please visit our Proper Diet page.

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I am Christian (or Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, Atheist etc.). Can I practice Yoga and meditation?
Yes, most definitely. Yoga is a spiritual science which is very universal in it approach. It can be practiced by individuals of all creeds and with any set of beliefs. In many instances, Yoga practitioners have found that after a few years of practice there were becoming better Christians, Jews, Muslims etc.. There is absolutely no contradiction whatsoever.

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Why did not you made a Mac version of your sound utilities and Yoga screen saver?
So far, all these utilities and programs have been created by ourselves in our spare time and, at this point, we have neither the hardware nor the software to develop Mac versions. However we are very open to the idea and if some of you, Karma Yogis out there, would like to volunteer your time and skills to develop Mac versions, please contact us.

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Do you share e-mail addresses for the Gurugram list?
Absolutely not. The E-gurugram's e-mailing list is kept very confidential. It is used only for the e-gurugram and no other purpose. Furthermore, one's address is completely deleted as soon as one unsubscribes. We are very adamantly opposed to spaming and will not contribute to it in any way.

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Which type of yoga do you teach?
Short answer: The Yoga of synthesis as taught by Swami Sivananda
Longer answer. The Yoga body of teachings includes numerous methods all called Yogas. These many Yogas are traditionally classified under four headings which are called the four paths of Yoga. These four paths are Jnana (the Yoga of knowledge or wisdom); Bhakti (the path of devotion); Karma (the path of action); and Raja (the Yoga of self control). The Yoga of synthesis encourages the spiritual aspirant to practice some techniques from each of the four paths while putting extra emphasis on his/her favorite path.
One of the many Yogas is called Hatha Yoga which is a set of techniques - including Asanas (postures) - allowing to control your mind through controlling the physical body and the Prana or subtle psychic energy. In the Sivananda centers and Ashrams we teach Hatha Yoga in its pure traditional form as it has been done for many centuries in the Himalayas around Rishikesh.
Confusion arises when - in our modern days and in the West - many people think of Yoga as just being a set of exercises, the postures. Also many modern or post modern schools of Yoga have appeared in the last few years, many of them having little to do with the original Yoga from India.

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Where do you put the weight in the headstand?
It is important to establish a solid tripod with the elbows and the head. Most of the weight should then go onto the elbows with the shoulders pushing up and away from the ears. In this fashion, the neck will receive very little pressure. Practice under the guidance of a qualified Sivananda teacher is recommended.

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What is the difference between a Yogi, a Guru and a Swami
All these terms define different concepts.
A Yogi is one who practices Yoga. It can be referred to occasional practitioners or sometimes full-time aspirants
Having reached a certain degree of realization on the path the Yogi can become a Guru and have disciples. The Gurus of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers are Sri Swami Vishnu-devananda and his own Guru Sri Swami Sivananda.
The Yogis traditionally embrace either the householder path after their training or sometime the monastic life by renouncing the world and becoming a Swami or renounciate.

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Why do Yogis breathe through the nose both when inhaling and exhaling
Because it is more natural and because the nose in an integral part of the respiratory system, allowing the air to be heated, moistened and filtered.

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I love the E-gurugram. Can I get back issues?
No, unfortunately, it is not possible for us to do that. But some of the sections have corresponding web pages which let you access some of the prior information

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Do I have to be vegetarian in order to do Yoga?
No, but it would help a lot. Besides making you much healthier, you would derive a lot more benefits from your practice of Asanas (postures) and Pranayama (breathing exercises).
Yoga is a gradual process and most practitioners introduce themselves to its different aspects little by little.

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In which order should I practice Asanas, Pranayama & Meditation?
It depends on your schedule and your preferences. Although the most logical order is as above, any order is OK. If you practice early morning, we recommend to start with meditation; your mind will be more quiet right after waking up and your body is still too stiff for doing Asanas (postures) right away.
Traditionally, the Asanas are practiced before the breathing techniques (Pranayama) but we found that doing Pranayama before Asanas in the Yoga classes in our Ashrams and Centers helps the students be more focused and aware.
Remember the most important thing is to actually practice. Don't just keep sitting in front of your computer. Breathe and stretch once in a while :-)

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How come the Divine Life Society in Rishikesh is not listed on your site?
When Swami Sivananda sent Swami Vishnu-devananda to the West to teach Yoga, Swami Vishnu-devanandaji founded the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers organization which is technically separate from the Divine Life Society. The Sivananda Yoga "Om" page being the official Web site of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers, other Ashrams and centers are not covered in these pages.

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My teacher teaches Sivananda Yoga but I don't see his/her listing. Can you put it up?
Please see answer to question above. Ask your teacher to contact our Headquarters Ashram regarding getting affiliated with the organization.

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Can I do Yoga even if my body is very stiff?
Of course you can. Yoga is not just about being flexible. Practicing the Asanas brings countless benefits physically, psychically, energetically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually.
If your body is out of shape you should practice gently at first taking care not to create any injuries. You will already receive many of the benefits available to the more advanced practitioner. Do the Asanas as well as you can and remember to breathe deeply and rhythmically, keep yourself relaxed and concentrated.
And remember, by practicing YOU will become flexible.

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Om Namo Narayanaya