Lessons by Swami Paramahamasa Sivananda of Divine Life Society Hrikesh
The words Yo-ga denote Union-with God. It is from Him we come and it is unto Him we shall merge. This has been the aim of billions of believers for thousands of years. The agnostics have heckled them and the pseudo scientists have ridiculed them but faith goes on.
There are many forms and practices of Yoga. These have been mentioned in the Patanjali Yogasutras & Hathayoga Pradeepika (both these scriptures available on this site Free Vedic Library). The techniques have been taught by many great saints. Now a days a lot of self styled Gurus are teaching it with all kinds of sales pitch, using flowing and flowering jugglery of words and charging fancy prices. To teach yoga one must be a self realised Yogi. A webmaster can use nice words but to learn yoga you need the words of wisdom of a realised master.
What we are giving you in this section are the authentic yoga lessons given by the legendary Indian yogi – Paramahamsa Swami Sivananda, of Divine Life Society, Hrikesh. He was a God realised Paramahamsa and one of the greatest yogis of the 20th century. It is beyond us to judge his greatness but just one example is the three great disciples he has produced. They are:
Swami Paramahamsa Satyananda Saraswati of the Bihar School of Yoga.
Swami Paramahamsa Chinmayananda Saraswati of the Chinmaya Mission.
Swami Paramahamsa Chidananda Saraswati, the present chief of Divine Life Society.
You cant expect to get a better yoga guide than him. Welcome to Swami Sivananda’s divine guidance to Yoga – the path to union with God. Best of luck and God bless you.
Stage 1 Basic Lessons – Practical Lessons in yoga
Introduction
I. Yoga And Its Objects
II. Yoga Sadhana
III. Yogic Discipline
IV. Yogic Diet
V. Obstacles in Yoga
VI. Yoga-Asanas
VII. Pranayama
VIII. Concentration
IX. Meditation
X. Samadhi
XI. Kundalini – The Serpentine Powers
XII. Spiritual Vibrations And Aura
Daily Routine For Aspirants – Spiritual Diary
Stage 2 Advanced Lessons – The Science of Pranayama
Chapter One
Prana and Pranayama
What is Prana?
Seat of Prana
Sub-Pranas and Their Functions
The Colour of Pranas
The Length of the Air-Currents
The Centering of the Prana
The Lungs
Ida and Pingala
Sushumna
Kundalini
Shat-Chakras
Nadis
Purification of Nadis
Shat-Karmas (The Six Purificatory Processes)
Dhauti
Basti
Neti
Trataka (Gazing)
Nauli
Kapalabhati
Chapter Two
The Meditation Room
The Five Essentials
The Place
The Time
The Adhikari
Dietetic Discipline
Yogic Diet
Mitahara
Purity in Food
Charu
Milk Diet
Fruit Diet
Articles Allowed
Articles Forbidden
A Kutir For Sadhana
Matra
Three Bandhas
Arambha Avastha
Ghata Avastha
Parichaya Avastha
Nishpatti Avastha
Chapter Three
What is Pranayama
Pranayama (According to the Gita)
Pranayama (According To Sri Sankaracharya)
Pranayama (According to Yogi Bhusunda)
Control of Breath
Varieties of Pranayama
Three Types of Pranayama
The Vedantic Kumbhaka
Pranayama for Nadi-Suddhi
Mantra During Pranayama
Exercise No. 1
Exercise No. 2
Exercise No. 3
Exercise No. 4
Deep Breathing Exercise
Kapalabhati
The External Kumbhaka (Bahya)
Easy Comfortable Pranayama (Sukha Purvaka)
Pranayama for Awakening Kundalini
Pranayama During Meditation
Pranayama While Walking
Pranayama in Savasana
Rhythmical Breathing
Surya Bheda
Ujjayi
Sitkari
Sitali
Bhastrika
Bhramari
Murchha
Plavini
Kevala Kumbhaka
Pranic Healing
Distant Healing
Relaxation
Relaxation of Mind
Importance and Benefits of Pranayama
Special Instructions
Appendix
Concentration on Solar Plexus
Pancha Dharana
Story of Yogi Bhusunda
The Inner Factory
Yogic Diet
Sivananda’s Pranayama
Kundalini Pranayama
Questions and Answers
Stage 3 Advanced Lessons – Kundalini yoga
THE FOUR STAGES OF SOUND
PREFACE
PRAYER TO MOTHER KUNDALINI
EXPERIENCES ON AWAKENING OF KUNDALINI
THE GRADATIONAL ASCENT OF THE MIND
PRANAYAMA FOR AWAKENING KUNDALINI
KUNDALINI PRANAYAMA
KUNDALINI
INTRODUCTION
Chapter1
PRELIMINARY
Foundation—Vairagya
What Is Yoga?
The Importance Of Kundalini Yoga
Important Qualifications Of A Sadhaka
Yogic Diet
Sattvic Articles
Forbidden Articles
Mitahara
The Place For Yoga Sadhana
The Time
The Age
Necessity For A Yogic Guru
Who Is A Guru?
Spiritual Power
Chapter2
KUNDALINI YOGA—THEORY
Yoga Nadis
Spinal Column
Sukshma Sarira
Kanda
Spinal Cord
Sushumna Nadi
Para-Sympathetic And Sympathetic System
Ida And Pingala Nadis
Svara Sadhana
How To Change The Flow In Nadis
Other Nadis
Padmas Or Chakras
Petals On Chakras
Muladhara Chakra
Svadhishthana Chakra
Manipura Chakra
Anahata Chakra
Vishuddha Chakra
Ajna Chakra
The Brain
Brahmarandhra
Sahasrara Chakra
Lalana Chakra
Summary Of The Previous Lessons
The Mysterious Kundalini
Chapter3
YOGA SADHANA
How To Awaken The Kundalini
1. Dhauti
2. Basti
3. Neti
4. Nauli
5. Trataka
6. Kapalabhati
PRANAYAMA
What Is Prana?
Pranayama
Nadi Suddhi
1. Sukha Purvaka
2. Bhastrika
3. Suryabheda
4. Ujjayi
5. Plavini
6. Pranic Healing
7. Distant Healing
Importance Of Pranayama
Benefits Of Pranayama
Instructions On Pranayama
ASANAS
Importance Of Asanas
1. Padmasana (Lotus Pose)
2. Siddhasana (The Perfect Pose)
3. Svastikasana (Prosperous Pose)
4. Sukhasana
5. Sirshasana (Topsy Turvy Pose)
6. Sarvangasana (All-Members Pose)
7. Matsyasana (Fish Posture)
8. Paschimottanasana
9. Mayurasana (Peacock Pose)
10. Ardha Matsyendrasana
11. Vajrasana (The Adamantine Pose)
12. Urdhva Padmasana (Above Lotus Pose)
Instructions On Asanas
MUDRAS AND BANDHAS
Exercises
1. Mula Bandha
2. Jalandhara Bandha
3. Uddiyana Bandha
4. Maha Mudra
5. Maha Bandha
6. Maha Vedha
7. Yoga Mudra
8. Viparitakarani Mudra
9. Khechari Mudra
10. Vajroli Mudra
11. Shakti Chalana Mudra
12. Yoni Mudra
Other Mudras
Instructions On Mudras And Bandhas
MISCELLANEOUS EXERCISES
Laya Yoga
Anahata Sounds
Bhakti Yoga—Classes Of Worship
Mantras
Eight Major Siddhis
Minor Siddhis
Power Of A Yogi
Instructions On Siddhis
Dharana (Concentration)
Chapter4
YOGA ADDENDA
1. Sadasiva Brahman
2. Jnanadev
3. Trilinga Swami
4. Gorakhnath
5. Swami Krishna Ashram
6. Yogi Bhusunda
7. Tirumula Nayanar
8. Mansoor
9. Milarepa
10. Napoleon Bonaparte
11. Teachings Of Kabir
12. A Sham Latin Scholar
13. Story Of An Aspirant
14. Other Yogins
Mystic Experience—Visions Of Lights
Elementals
Life In The Astral Plane
Hints On Yoga
Some Practical Hints
The Spiritual Diary
YOGA-KUNDALINI UPANISHAD
Introduction
Chitta And The Control Of Prana
Mitahara, Asana And Shakti-Chalana
The Padma And Vajra Asanas
The Rousing Of The Kundalini
The Sarasvati Chalana
Varieties Of Pranayama
Suryabheda Kumbhaka
Ujjayi Kumbhaka
Sitali Kumbhaka
The Three Bandhas
How Many Times Kumbhaka Should Be Practised
The Obstacles To The Practice Of Yoga And How To Overcome Them
The Rousing Of The Kundalini
The Kundalini Reaches The Sahasrara By Piercing Through The Three Knots
The Dissolution Of Prana And Others
Experiencing Everything As Consciousness During Samadhi
The Samadhi Yoga
The Khechari Vidya
The Khechari Mantra
The Cutting Of Frenum Lingui
The Tongue Reaches The Brahmarandhra
The Urdhvakundalini Yoga
Melana Mantra
Sense-Objects, Manas And Bandhana
The Entry Into The Sukha-Mandala
The Six Chakras
Abhyasa And Brahma Jnana
The Four Kinds Of Vak
The Absorption In Paramatman
The Essential Nature Of Man
Videha Mukti
Non-Dual Brahman
Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini Pranayama
Lambika Yoga
Yoga—I
Yoga—II
Ideal Yoga
Ten Commandments For Yoga-Students
Yoga And Its Consummation
The Gradational Ascent Of The Mind
Experiences On Awakening Of Kundalini
The Quintessence Of Yoga
Practise Yoga To Prolong Life
Perfection In Yoga
Double Consciousness
Wise Guidance For Sure Success
Practice Of Yoga Asanas
