StephanSivaYoga

General information

The lives of the spiritual Masters, the saints and the sages inspired me since my teens. Subsequently, yoga and its philosophy captured me from my very first class, and they continue to open my eyes and heart to many of life's insights. I have had the great fortune to have received, and continue to receive, the guidance of many inspirational teachers and masters. This process has gradually undone so many personally held believe structures, so that today I don't consider yoga and religion as 'have to follow and behave' doctrines, but as a tool to become who you really are. Stillness is within and after over 23 years of practice, the practice takes care of everything. One just has to learn to be still. In the words of the great master Sri Swami Satchidananda: "Have Faith and the Trust in the practice and everything will come".
All this enables me to bring all aspects of yoga and philosophy into my classes.

I was was born and raised in Switzerland and began my ‘informal’ practice about 1984 and started the ‘formal’ practice of yoga in 1992.
My training has come through the Integral Yoga® School as taught by Sri Swami Satchidananda.
I graduated as an Integral Yoga® Teacher at the Satchidananda Ashram and Headquarters of Integral Yoga® Institutes in Buckingham, Virginia, USA and have completed over 730 hours of teacher training. The training was styled in the traditional ancient model of ‘Gurukula’, living and working with fellow students under the instruction of yogic masters in a spiritual community. I am fully qualified to teach Hatha Yoga for Beginners, Intermediates and Advanced students, Pranayama (breath control) and Meditation and in addition to this I have also completed the qualification to teach Raja Yoga (Science of the mind/Yoga philosophy). Two of my main passions happen to be Raja and Jnana Yoga.

I have the privilege of continuing my development with Integral Yoga's senior teachers (monastic and direct disciples of Swami Satchidananda) and I continue my studies with my own personal practice, retreats, workshops and satsangs. Since 2005 I also have been studying regularly with Satyananda, a Self-realised master from the Ramana Maharshi lineage. I have also studied mantra with Muz Murray and enjoyed being in the company of many other very inspiring beings.

Since 2001 I have been teaching internationally as well as in a variety of UK settings like sports centres, local schools and prisons, and for drug and homeless organisations.
I have been teaching autistic children, special needs young adults, Olymipic medal winners and I have also taught the England woman’s rugby team.

I have had the great blessing to have received my spiritual name 'Siva' by Sri Swami Satchidananda (Gurudev) directly. Upon my last meeting with Gurudev in July 2002, I received his blessings to open an Integral Yoga® Centre. The Swindon Centre is dedicated to honour and continue the teachings.

In addition to Yoga teaching, I work as a Massage Therapist and also do Sports Massage and Injury Treatments. Together with my sporting background and my long study and practice of movement, and Hatha Yoga, this has lead me to do general body work, posture alignment and rehabilitation work.

I also worked as a Lead Back Pain, RSI and Ergonomics Consultant.

I have designed and founded the new Sunburst Meditation Cushions.

My comprehensive book about my practice is available via my website.