What is Satyananda Yoga
Satyananda Yoga is a traditional form of Yoga which includes Asanas, Pranayama, Tantric practices, Cleansing practices, Mind focusing practices, Pratyahara and Meditation.
It differs from Asthanga and Iyengar yoga in that it does not place the main focus on Asana, but rather works on the multi layered aspects of our being right from the beginning.
So what appears to be a gentle form of yoga, is in fact a very deep transformational yoga, that works on all levels of our being.
Some of the underlying power and strength of the Satyananda Yoga system is that it is taught in a very systematic way which is accessible to all, but works to gradually bring one deeper in touch with ones inner being, to let go of thoughts and to get in touch with the light within oneself.
Introduction to Satyananda yoga
When one is introduced to Satyananda Yoga, the first 12 weeks of classes include pranayama, asana, and a tantric technique of Yoga Nidra which is used to systematically relax the body and the mind, and eventually helps our consciousness to move beyond the mind.
This deepening of awareness is carried out through the practice of asanas which are physically gentle at the beginning and by keeping the attention inside noticing any sensations within.
This is different to the asana classes in many other forms of yoga where the main focus is often to try to make sure the body is in 100% correct alignment, and the focus is on how the body looks or appears from the outside.
Effects of Satyananda yoga
One’s initial experience of Satyananda yoga is usually that one notices the deep relaxation experienced during the classes and the calmness and peace of mind which slowly develops. At the same time the asanas begin to work with any tensions which may be held in the body and ones awareness of bodily tension and how to release tensions improves with ones experience.
Who it is suitable for
The Satyananda yoga classes begin quite gently and these classes are suitable for all ages, whether fit or unfit, large or small.
The instruction is given in such a way that experienced practitioners can practice at a deeper level of awareness, while the classes are also suitable for beginners to Yoga.
Salutation to the sun
Although many of the postures can be more gentle than ashtanga or iyengar yoga classes, Salutation to the Sun is an excellent flowing set of asanas that include forward bends, back bends, hip openers, semi inverted postures and are also coordinated with the breath and eventually with awareness of inner energy.
The practice begins with standing with the hands in prayer position in front of the heart.
The sequence also includes forward bends which are only practiced to one’s own ability.
There is no competition and the emphasis is on ‘letting go’.
The Equestrian pose is a reasonably strong hip opener, and although beginners can do this posture in a reasonably gentle way, more experienced practitioners can go quite deep, and extend the leg further and sink down lower if they feel so inclined.
Mountain pose is sometimes called ‘downward dog’ in other schools of yoga and is a semi inverted posture.
Knees chest and chin.
Cobra is a good back bend in the sequence.
To see more photos of ‘Salutation to the Sun’ please see
Salutation to the Sun Satyananda
Working with oneself
As one progresses practicing Satyananda Yoga one proceeds to unravel or become aware of the conditioning of our mind and the patterns of our mind and thought patterns. This ‘self knowledge’ allows one to step outside the ‘reaction mode’ that many of us reside in, and begin to work towards our higher potential.
Health improves and body becomes leaner
A side effect of the Satyananda classes is that ones body becomes stronger and leaner and one’s general health usually improves as a result of the physical asanas and also the awareness of our body and breath and other internal energies. However, this is considered a side effect and is not the central goal of the practice.
Inner awareness
The main emphasis of Satyananda Yoga is on inner awareness. Breathing techniques are taught from the beginning and most of the postures are practiced with the eyes closed and the awareness directed inwards.
Satyananda yoga in Ireland
What better way to learn Satyananda yoga than to treat yourself to a weekend or week’s retreat at the Burren Yoga and Mediation Centre, Ireland
Try a weekend Satyananda yoga retreat?
20th – 22nd March 2015 Satyananda yoga and meditation with Dave Brocklebank
22nd – 24th May 2015 Satyananda yoga and meditation with Tadhg Ferriter
More yoga retreats all listed at Yoga Retreats at Burren Yoga Centre
Satyananda yoga is different to most physical based forms of yoga
Most of the types of yoga we come across in the Western world have all developed from the more physically based yoga of the last century which have all stemmed from Krishnamacharya….. and include Ashtanga and Iyengar yoga, and more recently to Vinyasa Flow, and their influences can also be seen in Anusara yoga.
Satyananda yoga is very different from these ‘physically orientated yogas’, and deals more with one’s whole being.
Swami Satyananda was a disciple of Swami Sivananda and his main ashram lies in Bihar in the North East of India. It is sometimes known as the Bihar School of Yoga.
He is about 86 years old and now does not teach anymore, but spends his time doing his own spiritaul practice. He has passed on the direction of Satyananda yoga to his successor Swami Niranjananda.
It is an ideal form of yoga for beginners, as it begins very gently, but utilizes awareness of the breath from the start, and works with many layers of one’s being, and one feels the relaxation benefits almost immediately, followed by the stronger physical benefits as the postures gradually get stronger as one adjusts to the practice.
It is also an excellent form of yoga, for those who may be practicing ‘physical yoga’ for years, but now realize there is much more to yoga than the physical practice. It is an ideal way to go more deeply inwards, get in touch with energy inside, prepare the mind for deeper meditation…. and journey more deeply inwards.
The main characteristics is that it
- begins very slowly teaching the practices in a very systematic but gentle way
- teaches the importance of breath work and relaxation right from day 1
- emphasizes the importance of not straining and practicing in a reasonably effortless way without over exertion,
- places the focus on the development of awareness and one’s whole being rather than on the physical
- utilizes techniques such as yoga nidra which work to transform one’s mind, releasing deep down unconscious conflicts, letting go of mental tension
- deals with the full 8 limbs of Asana, Pranayama, Yamas, Niyamas, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dyana, Samadhi
- keeps alive the 6 shatkarmas and sometimes teaches jala neti to beginners
- as one becomes more aware, it introduces the chakras and main nadis such as Ida, Pingala and Sushuma
- as one becomes more proficient the Pranayama techniques include Ujjai breath sometimes known as the psychic breath, Nadi Shodana which helps bring about balance between Ida and Piungala, Bhastrika sometimes know as bellows breath or breath of fire, Kapa Bati which is known to cleanse the fore brain and also other forms of Pranayama
- The teaching of Pranayama is gradual and systematic and includes clear deepening of the practices including ratios and khumbaka
- Formal cross legged meditation is introduced when the practitioner is ready and a systematic path to meditation is available.
- Karma yoga is emphasized in order to help reduce the ego, and offer opportunities to identify and let go of inner issues which can inhibit letting go of identification with the ego tendencies
And keeps meditation as the corner stone of yoga, as it has been for over 6,000 years.
The Sun Salutations which are taught within Satyananda yoga are more traditional and offer a more balanced amount of forward and backward bends.
Photos of the Sun Salutations can be seen at Salutation to the Sun Satyananda
With practice these are performed as flowing movements synchronized with the breath, and at a later stage with awareness on the chakras associate with each of the individual postures.
There is more information and photos of Satyananda yoga classes on the website at Satyananda Yoga
What is Satyananda yoga
Most of the types of yoga we come across in the Western world have all developed from the more physically based yoga of the last century which have all stemmed from Krishnamacharya….. and include Ashtanga and Iyengar yoga, and more recently to Vinyasa Flow, and their influences can also be seen in Anusara yoga.
Satyananda yoga is very different from these ‘physically orientated yogas’, and deals more with one’s whole being.
Swami Satyananda was a disciple of Swami Sivananda and his main ashram lies in Bihar in the North East of India. It is sometimes known as the Bihar School of Yoga.
He is about 86 years old and now does not teach anymore, but spends his time doing his own spiritaul practice. He has passed on the direction of Satyananda yoga to his successor Swami Niranjananda.
Ideal for beginners or those who wish to go deeper
It is an ideal form of yoga for beginners, as it begins very gently, but utilizes awareness of the breath from the start, and works with many layers of one’s being, and one feels the relaxation benefits almost immediately, followed by the stronger physical benefits as the postures gradually get stronger as one adjusts to the practice.
It is also an excellent form of yoga, for those who may be practicing ‘physical yoga’ for years, but now realize there is much more to yoga than the physical practice. It is an ideal way to go more deeply inwards, get in touch with energy inside, prepare the mind for deeper meditation…. and journey more deeply inwards.
Characteristics of Satyanada yoga
The main characteristics is that it
- begins very slowly teaching the practices in a very systematic but gentle way
- teaches the importance of breath work and relaxation right from day 1
- emphasizes the importance of not straining and practicing in a reasonably effortless way without over exertion,
- places the focus on the development of awareness and one’s whole being rather than on the physical
- utilizes techniques such as yoga nidra which work to transform one’s mind, releasing deep down unconscious conflicts, letting go of mental tension
- deals with the full 8 limbs of Asana, Pranayama, Yamas, Niyamas, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dyana, Samadhi
- keeps alive the 6 shatkarmas and sometimes teaches jala neti to beginners
- as one becomes more aware, it introduces the chakras and main nadis such as Ida, Pingala and Sushuma
- as one becomes more proficient the Pranayama techniques include Ujjai breath sometimes known as the psychic breath, Nadi Shodana which helps bring about balance between Ida and Piungala, Bhastrika sometimes know as bellows breath or breath of fire, Kapa Bati which is known to cleanse the fore brain and also other forms of Pranayama
- The teaching of Pranayama is gradual and systematic and includes clear deepening of the practices including ratios and khumbaka
- Formal cross legged meditation is introduced when the practitioner is ready and a systematic path to meditation is available.
- Karma yoga is emphasized in order to help reduce the ego, and offer opportunities to identify and let go of inner issues which can inhibit letting go of identification with the ego tendencies
And keeps meditation as the corner stone of yoga, as it has been for over 6,000 years.
Sun Salutations
The Sun Salutations which are taught within Satyananda yoga are more traditional and offer a more balanced amount of forward and backward bends.
Photos of the Sun Salutations can be seen at
With practice these are performed as flowing movements synchronized with the breath, and at a later stage with awareness on the chakras associate with each of the individual postures.
Reviewed 9th March 2018
