About Us
A Haven of Peace
Welcome to a haven of peace – a spiritual oasis among the pressures of city life. The London Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre is a place where you can recharge, reconnect with yourself and develop your yoga practice in beautiful, serene surroundings.
Here you will discover the benefits of classical yoga, whether you are a beginner or an experienced yogi, young or old, fit or struggling with health problems. The centre teaches yoga as a complete system for physical, mental and spiritual well-being and shares techniques to cope better with the stresses that life brings, find increased health and connect to inner peace.
We are part of a global organisation that brought authentic yoga to the West 60 years ago. Our teachers are fully committed to the yogic way of life, blending the practice of yoga postures, meditation, mantra chanting and selfless service.
The centre in London started in 1970. Over the last 47 years, it has become a source of inspiration and a spiritual home for many generations of yoga practitioners in the UK. For us, it is more a way of life than a form of exercise. We would be happy to share it with you.
International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres
The International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers is a not-for-profit organization named after Swami Sivananda – one of the most influential spiritual teachers of the 20th century. It was established in 1957 by Swami Vishnudevananda, a close disciple of Swami Sivananda, to practice and teach the ancient yogic knowledge for health, peace, unity in diversity and Self-realization.
(1887 – 1963)
One of the great saints of India, Swami Sivananda is the inspiration behind the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres.
He served for many years as a medical doctor before renouncing worldly life and establishing the Sivananda Ashram and Divine Life Society in Rishikesh, Himalayas.
A prolific writer, he authored more than 200 books that offer knowledge and spiritual guidance to millions around the world. His mission can be summarized by his saying:
“Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realize.”
(1927 – 1993)
Recognized worldwide as an authority on hatha and raja yoga, Swami Vishnudevananda founded the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres in 1959.
After spending 10 years with his guru, Swami Sivananda, Swamiji was sent to the West to disseminate the teachings of Yoga and Vedanta.
He was a visionary, dynamic leader for world peace, and he wrote the practical classics Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga and Meditation and Mantras.
Swami Vishnudevananda‘s Peace Missions
Throughout his life, Swami Vishnudevananda was deeply concerned about the well-being of the world and the constant disaster of wars. This led him to learn to fly and then personally pilot a small plane over several troubled areas of the world.
Not only did he create discussion and awareness in the news media, but he also “bombarded” these war-torn areas with flowers and peace pamphlets.
“Overcome man-made boundaries not with bombs and guns but with love and flowers”.
In 1983 he flew an ultra-light aircraft over the Berlin Wall from West to East.
Sivananda Europe Acharyas
Our mission at the London Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre is to spread peace, health and joy through yoga. All are welcome to come to our centre to learn not only about how yoga can help maintain a healthy body but also how Yogic philosophy, applied in daily life, can help maintain a peaceful mind and spirit. The goal of yoga is inner and outer peace and the realization of unity in diversity.
Swami Durgananda
Swami Kailasananda
Swami Sivadasananda
