Statement by the Board of Directors of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres
January 11th, 2023 (Statement 12)

The Executive Board would like to clarify the current relationship of the International Sivananda Organization with the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta centres and ashrams in India.

We communicated in our statement dated September 13, 2022, that Prahlada is not authorized to participate in any teaching or administrative activities in any of the Organization’s premises. Such actions are contrary to Prahlada’s resignation and the end of his role in the Organization and are unsettling to many who are associated with the International Sivananda Organization.

Since then, it has been observed that Prahlada has further ignored the restrictions placed on his teaching and administrative role in the International Sivananda Organization, bypassing the directions of the Executive Board. He consequently has isolated the Indian centres and ashrams in opposition to the guidance from the Executive Board.

For this reason, it has been decided that for the time being and starting from February 1st, 2023, the International Sivananda Organization will not recognize nor take responsibility for any of the activities taught by any of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta centres and ashrams in India, under the banner sivananda.org.in. This includes all International Teacher Training Courses (TTC, ATTC, SI). Certificates for these and any other courses can no longer be issued in the name of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres and will not be recognized by the Headquarters of the International Sivananda Organization.

You can contact us via email at [email protected]

Executive Board members

Statement by the Board of Directors of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres
September 13^th, 2022 (Statement 11)

It has come to the attention of the Executive Board Members of the Sivananda Organization that the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Chennai has announced that it is offering a 7-day course on pranayama and meditation taught by Prahlada from 18 to 24 September, 2022. As already notified in the EBM’s Statement 10 dated 24 March 2022, Prahlada (Thamatam Reddy) had stepped down from the EBM on 18 February 2020. At that time, Prahlada resigned from all of his teaching and administrative duties towards Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, and from any and all other duties related to the Sivananda Yoga movement. His resignation was accepted by the EBM and he was not reinstated by them.

Any attempt by Prahlada to recommence teaching duties under the umbrella of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre organization, anywhere in the world, is contrary to the terms of his resignation.

The EBM would like to clarify that the above-mentioned course proposed to be conducted by Prahlada in Chennai is taking place contrary to the terms of his resignation and without the authorization of the EBM. It is also clarified that any centre or ashram which is part of the International Sivananda Organization cannot go against the stated intentions of the EBM with respect to Prahlada. The Executive Board does not approve of the course that is proposed to be conducted in the Chennai Centre, and it will not take any responsibility for, or endorse, any activity of that Centre or any other Centre in which Prahlada is involved in either in a teaching or administrative capacity. The EBM will take all steps necessary to preserve the good reputation and integrity of the Sivananda organization.

You can contact us via email at [email protected]

Executive Board members

Message from the EBM to the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers (ISYVC) Community
March 24th, 2022 (Statement 10)

The board members of the Sivananda Organization would like to inform all its students that Prahlada (Thamatam Reddy) is no longer part of the Executive Board Members of the international Sivananda Organisation. His service as part of the EBM, which commenced on December 2015, ended on 18 February 2020. At that time, Prahlada resigned from all of his teaching and administrative duties towards Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, the head office of the International Sivananda organisation, and from any and all other duties related to the Sivananda Yoga movement. His resignation has been accepted by the EBM, and he has not been reinstated in any of his functions within the organisation.

Prahlad is thus not authorised to act in any administrative and teaching capacity within the international Sivananda organisation or any entity of the Sivananda Yoga movement.

You can contact us via email at [email protected]

Executive Board members

Message from the EBM to the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers (ISYVC)
November 24th, 2020 (Statement 9)

Some of you may be aware of a report, recently published in social media, containing allegations against the Sivananda organization and its founder, Swami Vishnudevananda.

We are deeply affected by the descriptions it contains. The report is extensive and goes far back into the past. Be assured that we are taking it seriously and will review its contents. This will take time.

Swami Vishnudevananda is the main subject of the allegations presented in the report. We had no knowledge of such allegations during his lifetime. We respect the women as credible persons and acknowledge their hardship.

Swami Vishnudevananda passed away 27 years ago and is not here to speak. The years of experience of the EBM with him were different. For all these reasons, it is essential to listen to each other. This deep and respectful listening can hopefully lead to mutual understanding and healing.

You can contact us via email at [email protected]

Executive Board members

Message from the EBM to the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers (ISYVC)
August 24th, 2020 (Statement 8)

The last 6 months have been a time of deep reflection and contemplation. The EBM has been meeting more frequently than before, discussing different topics relating to our global organization with its many centers, ashrams, staff and students.
These frequent meetings brought us together more than ever before. Our reflection led us to acknowledge the one thing which we all have in common, our commitment to carry on the mission received from our teachers : to serve humanity and the planet with enthusiasm and faith.

We feel that this time of reflection is a humbling time, as well as an opportunity for growth and a rediscovery of strength.

Our organization went through many phases since its very humble start. It all sprung from the energy, faith and vision of one man, Swami Vishnudevananda, determined to follow the instruction of his Guru, Swami Sivananda : « Go to the West, people are waiting ».
Swami Vishnudevananda went through intense hardships to be able to bring to us the authentic and powerful message of yoga in the context of a culture which was foreign to him and which was utterly unaware of these teachings.
This has been for him and for those who felt inspired to join his work, a constant adventure, with its unavoidable learning process of trial and errors, times of tremendous challenges and wonderful achievements all mixed.

The Acharyas of the Sivananda organization, who inherited the teachings of Adi Shankaracharya from their own teachers, feel very strongly that it is their dharma to continue the tradition they have been initiated into. They also feel that these teachings are highly relevant to the current time.

Humanity is experiencing a crisis in consciousness and at the same time, humanity is going through a profound spiritual transformation and awakening. This crisis will not be solved by material means nor by psychological means, but only by spiritual means. Human beings can transcend this crisis and ascend to a higher level of consciousness by freeing themselves from the dictates of the lower mind and boldly asserting their true nature. It really is a time of breaking free from limitations and walking into the unknown. It is a time where much courage, faith, creativity and prayer are needed.

Swami Vishnudevananda had this grand vision of planet earth engulfed by a global fire. He worked untiringly to prevent this possible future for humanity, using the tools of yoga and vedanta. Our task is to continue this mission and to walk in his footsteps.

So practically speaking, what do we want to do?

1. To learn from past mistakes and try our best to prevent them from happening again.Our misconduct policies are in place since the mid 2000’s and are being reviewed regularly to ensure that abuses of any types are handled promptly and efficiently and are never tolerated. We are training our staff in the understanding and practical applications of these policies.To anyone who was harmed in the past, we want to sincerely apologize. We pray that healing and reconciliation can come over time.
2. To continue to work with harmony, unity, love and friendship with each other, with our staff, students and the world.
3. To continue to honor our teachers, who took it upon themselves to share with the world the teachings of yoga and vedanta, and contributed in transforming individuals and humanity at large.
4. To continue to propagate the principles of unity in diversity, peace and upliftment of the mind.
5. To reinforce our mission of training yoga teachers, as well as training our own staff to become yogis, committed to sadhana and spiritual life, who inspire others through their example. Part of this training includes giving them time for rejuvenation, study and individual guidance.
6. To continue conducting interfaith symposia, unity in diversity conferences, bringing together scientists, artists, scholars and spiritual teachers from all walks of life.
7. To continue to share our teachings online to enable those who cannot travel to our ashrams and centers to benefit from the teachings.
8. To communicate with our students regularly in the form of meetings where we deeply listen to their concerns and positive ideas.
9. To continue training the young generation and prepare them for higher responsibilities.
10. To continue the peace missions of Swami Vishnudevananda through collective actions like global meditations and mantra chanting for peace and by working to overcome all kinds of man-made mental borders.

We would like to thank the staff, karma yogis and students of the Sivananda organization for their love, devotion and continued support. All are such an important part of this great mission that our teachers left for us to carry. Thank you all for carrying your duties selflessly and lovingly. « United we stand, divided we perish. »

May we daily become better and humbler instruments in the service of humanity.

Om shanti,
The Acharyas of the Sivananda organization

Message to the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers (ISYVC) Community from EBM
June 16th, 2020 (Statement 7)

With all its centers and Ashrams closed due to the pandemic, the board members took the decision, in the midst of this unprecedented global crisis, to suspend the investigation on Swami Vishnudevananda and pursue a different avenue to reach out to the complainants directly. Our desire remains to find a peaceful resolution of the situation where all feel heard, understood and move forward.
As for Prahlad’s investigation, the board members have decided to limit the independent investigation to the complainants who have come forward until recently for the same reasons and with the same intention.
We ask anyone with a new complaint to refer to our harassment policy, and send an email to [email protected]. All complaints received will be dealt fairly and confidentially, as per our current policy.

Message to the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers (ISYVC) Community from EBM
February 24, 2020 (Statement 6)

The EBM recently announced that it has asked Marianne Plamondon to investigate allegations of misconduct by Prahlada.  Prahlada was relieved of his teaching and administrative duties as EBM a week ago pending the results of this independent, third-party investigation.

In the interim, the directors of our Canadian and Indian centers and ashrams will report to Srinivasan and Prakash Chandra Kapoor respectively. The latter, in turn, will report to the EBM.

Message to the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers (ISYVC) Community from EBM
February 15, 2020 (Statement 5)

The EBM has been advised in writing of allegations of misconduct by Prahlada. In keeping with our policies and our commitment to providing a safe environment, we have expanded Marianne Plamondon’s mandate and asked her to investigate these allegations. In the interim, Prahlada is recusing
himself from any discussions related to Ms. Plamondon’s investigation.

Message to the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers (ISYVC) Community from EBM
February 8, 2020 (Statment 4)

As we recently announced, the EBM has engaged Ms. Marianne Plamondon as an independent third party investigator to investigate allegations made by three women about Swami Vishnudevananda. A number of issues and concerns have been raised with us since her appointment, and we thought that it would be helpful to provide you with additional information about her background, her mandate and her approach.

Engaging Ms. Plamondon

Engaging Ms. Plamondon is in keeping with best practices in situations of this nature. It is standard practice for the leadership of an organization to engage an outside expert to investigate when it has a real or perceived conflict of interest and to do so without prior consultation with the complainants. It is also standard practice that the organization is paying for the investigator’s fees which has no impact on the independence of the investigation and gives no right to the organization to intervene in her findings.

Ms. Plamondon is professionally accredited and will be conducting her investigation in accordance with the best practices and the two codes of ethics to which she is subject as a lawyer and a member (and former president) of the Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés (CHRP). Ms. Plamondon has demonstrated through her experience with both public and private sector organizations that she has the capacity to conduct impartial and comprehensive investigations involving psychological and sexual harassment, abuse or misconduct allegations. We encourage the complainants as well as the witnesses involved to ask her to provide them with background on her relevant experience and approach at their first meeting with her.

Prior to this mandate Ms. Plamondon has had no affiliation with ISYVC.

Ms. Plamondon is a lawyer who has training in the conducting of investigations and has in the past looked into many cases of alleged sexual abuse. She is not a trauma specialist, but has the freedom to seek this type of expertise if required.

Ms. Plamondon’s Mandate and Approach

Ms. Plamondon’s mandate is to investigate the allegations and make findings of fact. In addition, the EBM broadened her mandate to include a review of our existing policies and practices and make recommendations for improvements. Ms. Plamondon will also make recommendations with respect to preventive measures and training the ISYVC could implement. While meeting with Ms. Plamondon, the complainants shall feel free to share their views and to make suggestions on possible recommendations to be made to the EBM. In light of the facts gathered during the investigation, Ms. Plamondon’s mandate will also include advising the EBM with respect to possible ways to bring closure and potentially reconciliation with the complainants. This approach is in line with our determination to provide a safe and healthy environment in all our establishments.

We expect that the investigation will likely involve multiple steps, which may be adjusted in accordance with what she uncovers. We will let her conduct the investigation in accordance with the best practices, but we understand that usually, the first step is to review all relevant materials and interview the complainants. She has already reached out to them, and our hope is that she will meet with them as soon as possible. We then expect that she will want to interview others with knowledge of the situation including third-party witnesses. Before finalizing her work, she may choose to interview the complainants again in order to obtain precisions on certain facts. Ms. Plamondon will have the independence to meet with anyone she believes would help in her findings, and we will not interfere in any way during her investigation.

We should also point out that the complainants can choose to be accompanied by one other person when meeting with Ms. Plamondon as long as that witness agrees to keep the information related to the investigation confidential.

Once the interviews are completed, Ms. Plamondon will determine her findings, which will be shared with the EBM and the three complainants involved. We should be clear that each of the women will only be briefed on their individual cases in order to comply with rules governing privacy and confidentiality. Our hope is that we will be in a position to implement Ms. Plamondon’s recommendations on steps we should be taking to improve our harassment policies and procedures, preventive measures and training. This is vital as we are committed to providing our community with a safe and supportive environment. Furthermore, the EBM anticipates sharing its response to the investigation and its action plan with the ISYVC community.

No Legal Recourse

The EBM wants to ensure that the three complainants do not fear legal action which would discourage their participation in the investigation. With this mind, be assured that the ISYVC undertakes not to institute legal actions against the complainants based on their participation in the investigation process.

Access to Confidential Account
As provided in the Statement by the Board of Directors of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres dated December 13, 2019, an email account was created for anyone to share allegations in a confidential manner. Ms. Plamondon was recently given access to the content of this account. As such, she will follow-up with the individuals that may have information relevant to her mandate. Information that was submitted to that email account and that is not within the scope of Ms. Plamondon’s mandate will be transferred by Ms. Plamondon to ISYVC’s outside counsel currently in charge of the enforcement of the policies, Ms. Lanny Alexandre.

ISYVC Approach to Sexual Harassment

Providing a safe and secure environment is a critical part of our value system. We recently updated our policies and posted them in prominent locations on our various web sites. We also now include a special session in our teacher training program on sexual harassment, and we will be distributing a brochure at all of our facilities. But we want to ensure that we are best in class. That is why providing us with advice and counsel on our harassment policy and procedures, the handling of complaints and preventative measures represents such a crucial part of Ms. Plamondon’s mandate.

We view this investigation as a critical step forward and an important part of the healing process. We appreciate that it has to be conducted in a transparent and fair manner, and we are confident that Ms. Plamondon will fulfill her mandate in this manner. We urge all members of the ISYVC community to be supportive of this initiative and to participate if they have information to contribute.

We at The International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre have recently become aware of a posting on Facebook which contained very serious claims made by Julie Salter, a former member of our organization, who served as Swami Vishnudevananda’s personal assistant from 1982 to 1993.  We also have seen that others have come forward with their own of allegations. We are deeply troubled and saddened by these allegations.

We can feel the pain, confusion and distress.  As long-time disciples of the late Swami Vishnudevananda, it is a very big challenge for us to reconcile these descriptions with our personal experience of living with him for many years.  But whatever our personal feelings may be, we need to act and address this situation as best we can.

We are committed to the safety and security of all members of the Sivananda community and for some time have had clear policies and procedures in place, which we will continue to strictly apply.  In keeping with our policies and procedures, we want to give all who wish to be heard a safe and confidential space in which to provide what we understand to be sensitive and at times difficult information to disclose.  Therefore, we have created a confidential account, which can be accessed at [email protected]. Anyone who comes forward will have their allegations reviewed by outside counsel and a confidential report of the information will then be provided to the organization’s board.

We have entered a time of deep reflection.  During this period, we will review the messages received as well as the confidential reports.  We will then take actions wherever necessary. We are aware of the deep confusion and anguish generated by this post throughout the Sivananda community and will keep our staff, students and members informed.