ABOUT US

The Vishnu-devananda Yoga Vedanta Center is affiliated with the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers, which was founded by Swami Vishnu-devananda, has Yoga centers and Ashrams (retreats) around the world, offers Yoga Teacher Training courses as well as work-study and staff programs.
The nearest Sivananda Center locations are the San Francisco Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center and the Sivananda Ashram Vrindavan Yoga Farm in Grass Valley, CA.

Our center was founded in May, 2001, for Sivananda Yoga and Meditation classes in the San Francisco East Bay for enhancing physical and mental balance and getting in touch with the inner peace. The classes follow a traditional approach, as taught by the late Yoga Master Swami Vishnu-devananda, a world-authority on Hatha and Raja Yoga.

Our Free Open Houses offer a introductions to the practice of yoga and meditation. The Beginner Course offers a step-by-step introduction to the theory and practice of Yoga. It is recommended for those who are new to the practice and covers all of the basics necessary for participating in the drop-in classes. The ongoing drop-in Yoga classes are offered most days of the week and are open to all levels.

All classes are taught in the spirit of Karma Yoga or selfless service. Funds received are used for running the center and propagating the practice. 

Founder/director of our center is Gajananam, a direct disciple of Swami Vishnu-devananda who has been practicing yoga for 20 years and teaching since 1989.

No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Swami Vishnu's 5 Points for Health and Happiness

Proper Exercise
Yoga Asanas (Postures) increase our bodily circulation, tone our muscles, ligaments, spinal column and internal organs.

Proper Breathing
Pranayama (breathing exercises) increase the oxygen and Prana (energy) within our system, as well as balance the energy system.

Proper Relaxation
Increases awareness, while soothing and calming the bubbling mind and emotions within us and decreasing the physical and mental tensions.

Proper Diet
A Sattvic (balanced and pure) vegetarian diet renders the body healthy and aids in calming and controlling the mind.

Positive Thinking and Meditation
Cultivation of a positive outlook removes many obstacles along our paths, and practice of meditation helps us transcend our limitations and get in touch with our inner peace.

The Four Paths of Yoga

Swami Vishnu-devananda's master, Swami Sivananda, emphasized the practice of the Yoga of Synthesis by incorporating all four paths of Yoga. By spiritually developing the hand, heart, mind and intellect, one creates a broad and solid foundation for the spiritual quest.

Raja Yoga - The "Royal" path of concentration and meditation. By studying the nature of our mind, developing concentration and learning how to "thin out our thoughts," we eventually approach a peaceful and thoughtless state.

Karma Yoga - The path of action and selfless service. Incorporating Yoga into all activities of our daily lives, by absorbing ourselves completely in the current task being performed, deeming all actions as offerings to the Divine, or observing oneself as the witness of that which is being performed.

Bhakti Yoga - The path of devotion. The emotions, which at times pull us down or create confusion, are sublimated through devotion, which uplifts our souls, centers our awareness and floods us with inspiration. In this process we expand our hearts to include all and of offer everything to the Divine.

Jnana Yoga - The path of introspection and inquiry. Delving deep within and observing who is looking out at this world through this body, mind and senses. We put aside all limited ideas and notions and inquire "who am I?"