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- Mon-Fri 8:00AM – 5:00PM
Saturday By Appointment
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Phone: 1-413-446-9541
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Liberation Yoga

Liberation Yoga draws directly from the knowledge and teachings of the Sivananda Teachers.
Is Yoga for You?
The goal of these practice is to promote physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. The body stretching system is fairly fixed and so we practice slowly and methodically to fully master the poses. An interest in Indian philosophy is also a good indicator that you’ll enjoy a Liberation yoga class.
Philosophy
The Sivananda method is based on five principles for optimal health and spiritual growth, as described by Vishnudevananda. They are:
- Proper exercise (Asana)
- Proper breathing (Pranayama)
- Proper relaxation (Savasana)
- Proper diet (Vegetarian)
- Positive thinking (Vedanta) and meditation (Dhyana)
Sivananda Yoga is a classical and holistic approach to Hatha Yoga that stretches and tones the whole body. This style of yoga has not been modified or watered down. The teachings have survived intact and are practiced as originally presented in India by Swami Sivananda in 1936.
Sivananda (1887-1963) was well-known in India in the 1930s, when he founded an ashram in Rishikesh. He had previously been a practicing doctor. Because he spoke English well and wrote many treatises in English, he was sought after by western students who wished to study yoga and Vedanta. He founded the Divine Life Society in 1936 to organize and disseminate his teachings
Swami Vishnudevananda brought Sivananda Yoga to the West in the 1960s. Today there are Sivananda Vedanta Centers in major U.S. cities, western Europe, South America, and Asia, as well as nine ashram retreats.
Beginning with cleansing breath exercises followed by sun salutations we prepare the body mind for deep yogic relaxation.
After warming up with sun salutations, the focus is on mastery of the twelve basic poses in the following order:
Headstand
Shoulder Stand
Plow
Fish
Seated Forward Bend
Cobra
Locust
Bow
Seated Spinal Twist
Crow or Peacock
Standing Forward Bend
Triangle
Savasana closes the class.
The poses are ideally done slowly and with control to stretch and strengthen the body as well as open the chakras.
The 12 basic poses of Sivananda include a little of everything: inversions, backbends, forward bends, twists, balances, and hamstring stretches. As students become proficient in the 12 basic poses, variations may be introduced.
Note: All exercises are modified to suit all levels.