What it is
Sivananda yoga is named for the Indian teacher Swami Sivananda, whose students went on to found centres around the world. It rests on a simple idea: body, breath and mind grow together, so a class mixes postures, breathing, relaxation, positive thinking and meditation.
At its heart are twelve basic asanas, or postures. Their order is known in advance, which gives the practice a clear, repeatable shape that anyone who has attended will recognise.
How a class goes
A class usually runs ninety minutes to two hours. It opens with relaxation lying down, followed by breathing exercises and several rounds of sun salutation to warm up.
The main part follows the twelve postures in order: headstand, shoulder stand, plough, fish, seated forward bend, cobra, locust, bow, seated twist, crow or peacock, standing forward bend and triangle. After each there is a pause in savasana, complete rest on your back. Pranayama, meaning breathing exercises, is done early in the class, and the session ends in full rest.
Who it is for
The practice works well if you want a clear framework and a blend of movement and rest. Frequent pauses give the breath time to settle, so effort is spread gently across the session.
Many postures have simple versions for newcomers, and experienced students can go further. A few, such as headstand and shoulder stand, call for care: with neck problems, blood pressure concerns or other special conditions, consult your doctor and inform the teacher.
What you feel when effort gives way to stillness
Alternating effort and stillness makes the contrast easy to see. Lying quietly after a pose, you can sense how the breath has calmed, the hands have warmed and where tension still lingers. It is a gentle lesson in listening to sensation.
The breathing exercises at the start gather the head into one place, and the rest of the class then flows more calmly. You learn to switch between doing and resting without losing touch with yourself, and leave with an even breath and softer shoulders.
How it differs from similar styles
Hatha is similar in its unhurried tempo, but its classes are not usually tied to the same twelve postures. Ashtanga also uses a fixed sequence, though it moves dynamically without rest pauses, whereas Sivananda keeps a deliberate, measured rhythm.
Restorative yoga is devoted entirely to rest, while in Sivananda rest simply alternates with active postures. Breathing exercises are part of every class here, though pranayama also stands on its own as a separate practice.
Class etiquette
The room is quiet from the first minute, so leave home with time to spare: a latecomer struggles to join the shared rhythm. Let a heavy lunch settle several hours beforehand.
Wear loose, warm clothes, since the body cools during relaxation, and bring a blanket or sweater. Sometimes a chant or quiet opening begins or closes the class; taking part is optional, and you may simply listen.
Finding a class on Aura
Aura is a Telegram Mini App: classes appear on a map and in a list, each with its style. A style filter helps you find Sivananda classes with their familiar structure.
A Sivananda teacher selects the direction on their profile and publishes classes.
That is how awareness forms: staying in touch with yourself in both action and rest.
