Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center
About Us
A classical Sivananda yoga centre in Tây Hồ, Hanoi, near West Lake.
A centre in Tây Hồ
The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center in Hanoi is at 26, ngõ 12/2/5 Đặng Thai Mai, in Quảng An ward, Tây Hồ district — a few minutes from West Lake, in one of the quieter parts of the city, and within easy reach of central Hanoi.
The centre moved here from its earlier address on Yên Hoa.
What is taught
The centre teaches classical Sivananda yoga, built on five points set out by Swami Vishnudevananda: proper exercise (asana), proper breathing (pranayama), proper relaxation (savasana), proper diet, and positive thinking and meditation.
An open class follows a fixed order: an opening relaxation, breathing exercises, sun salutations, then twelve basic postures, with relaxation between them and at the end.
Who practises here
International visitors and local residents practise side by side, and beginners share the room with people who have practised for years. Graduates of the Sivananda Teacher Training Course practise here too, as do Karma Yogis — volunteers who help keep the centre running.
Joining a class
Classes are taught in English, except the gentle yoga class, the children's class and the 5:15 online class, which are taught in Vietnamese.
The first class is free, and drop-in, weekly and monthly options are available. Classes are practised on an empty stomach.
The centre's week
The centre opens at 05:00 every day with group meditation. Classes run in the early morning, mid-morning, at midday and in the evening, on different days; the full timetable is on the Courses page. On Monday the centre closes after the 07:00 class.
Satsang — meditation, chanting and a talk — is held on Wednesday and Sunday from 18:30 to 20:00. It is free and open to everyone, and taking part in the chanting is optional.
Part of an international organisation
The centre belongs to the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres. Swami Vishnudevananda (1927–1993) opened the first centre in Montreal in 1959 and named it after his teacher, Swami Sivananda (1887–1963).