Swananda Yoga Vedanta Ctr

Welcome to the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center in San Francisco, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has been dedicated to disseminating the pure, classical teachings of yoga to the ever-expanding population of practitioners in the West for over 50 years.

Our Lineage

Our lineage has been passed down by two prominent twentieth-century Yogis, Swami Sivananda and Swami Vishnudevananda. Their shared teachings live on in our organization and in the Yoga community. Our teachings are rooted in an ancient and living tradition, with a rich history dating back thousands of years to India.

Mission Statement

Practicing and teaching the ancient yogic knowledge of health, peace, unity in diversity, and Self-realization.

International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers

The International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers organization was founded by Swami Vishnudevananda in 1957. It is dedicated to the teaching of classical Yoga and Vedanta to promote physical, mental, and spiritual health. The organization is recognized internationally as one of the most important and authentic yoga institutions in the world.

Our Tradition

Our tradition is built on the principles of classical Yoga and Vedanta, which have been practiced for thousands of years in India. Our teachings are rooted in the wisdom of ancient Indian scriptures, such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads.

Swami Sivananda

Swami Sivananda (1887-1963) was one of the greatest sages of modern India. After a successful career as a medical doctor, he renounced the world, practiced intense meditation, and attained Self-realization. As a prodigious author, he published more than 300 books and pamphlets, thus spreading all aspects of Yoga and philosophy in simple yet profound words. In his ashram, the Divine Life Society in Rishikesh, Himalayas, he trained many outstanding disciples.

Swami Vishnudevananda

Swami Vishnudevananda (1927-1993) lived with his master, Swami Sivananda, for 12 years. In 1957, he traveled to America, and in the early '70s came to Europe, founding international Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers.

Our Services

We offer a range of services designed to promote physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Our services include:

• Yoga Classes: Weekly yoga classes in San Francisco and Los Angeles, teaching classical Yoga and Vedanta principles.
• Yoga Teacher Training: Our 800-hour Yoga Teacher Training course is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge to teach yoga.
• Yoga Therapy: Our Yoga Therapy program is designed to help individuals overcome physical and mental health challenges using the principles of Yoga and Vedanta.
• Workshops and Retreats: We offer workshops and retreats on various aspects of Yoga and Vedanta, including meditation, pranayama, and yoga philosophy.
• Online Courses and Workshops: We offer online courses and workshops on Yoga and Vedanta, accessible to students around the world.

Get Involved

We are a volunteer-run organization, and we rely on the support of our community to continue our mission. There are many ways to get involved, including:

• Volunteering: Join our volunteer team and help us with events, administrative tasks, and more.
• Donating: Your financial support helps us to continue our mission and offer our services to the community.
• Spreading the Word: Share our content on social media and with your friends and family.

Join Us

Join us on this journey of self-discovery and growth. Our mission is to share the wisdom of classical Yoga and Vedanta with the world, and we invite you to join us.