Sivananda

What it is

    An unhurried yoga practice typically of the same 12 basic asanas or variations therof every time, bookended by sun salutations and savasana (corpse pose). The system is based on a five-point philosophy that proper breathing, relaxation, diet, exercise, and positive thinking work together to form a healthy yogic lifestyle. One of the world's largest schools of yoga, Sivananda was brought to the West by Swami Vishnu-devananda in 1957 and now boasts nine ashrams, 17 centers, and more than 10,000 teachers worldwide. 

 

Best For     Spiritual boosting. Each class opens and closes with chanting and meditation.

Who's gotta have it     Serious devotees looking for an intensive, ashram experience. Also, older yogis, who will find Sivananda is a fresh approach to boosting vitality, preventing disease, and restoring the body.

Need to know     Meat lovers are probably better off avoiding Sivananda (that's SHI-VAH-NON-DAH by the way) retreats for their vacation - the system highly encourages a vegetarian lifestyle to better digestion and promote health. And even though each class throughout the world is based on the same 12 asanas, "the classes are never routine because each teacher brings his own spirit to the class," says Rukmini, one of the teachers at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Ranch in New York.

Trends and trivia
    This style is known for bringing old-school ashrams to the     West. These non-secular communes often operate on a suggested-donation basis and incorporate hours of bhakti (devotional) yoga chanting into the