In Loving Memory
of
Saraswathi Devi
With profound sorrow, the Yogalayam community shares that our beloved director, teacher, and friend, Saraswathi Devi, passed away suddenly on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
A devoted disciple of Swami Vignanananda from 1974 until his passing in 2008, Saraswathi carried his teachings forward with grace and unwavering dedication. For more than five decades she offered classical yoga to people from all walks of life.
Through her pioneering work in Yoga Therapy and Adaptive Yoga, including founding CalStar Yoga at UC Berkeley, she opened the practice to many who might otherwise never have had access. Her devotion and deep love for her students will remain with us.
To Swami-ji’s and Saraswathi’s students around the world,
we hold you in our hearts.
Information about a memorial gathering will be shared here soon. If you would like to be notified, please contact us by email.
You are welcome to send cards and flowers in her honor in care of Yogalayam, 1717 Alcatraz Avenue, Berkeley CA 94703.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti. Om.
வரவேற்பு | Nnọọ | いらっしゃいませ | WELCOME | BIENVENIDO | ברוך הבא | مرحباً
At Yogalayam, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of our foundation as a Non-Profit organization. Our commitment to these values is unwavering across all of our work in the Bay Area and affiliated centers in India and Europe. Yogalayam welcomes students of all races, cultures, religions, ages, LBGTQIA gender expressions, and all physical and neurodiversity abilities.
Yogalayam was founded in 1975 by Swami Vignanananda (June 14, 1933 – March 2, 2008), a Master yogi born and raised in South India. The center offers classical Prana Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation, and Yoga Philosophy for students of all experience levels. Its Director, Saraswathi Devi, studied with Swami-ji from 1974 to 2008. A Senior-level Yoga teacher, she devoted her life to serving people from all walks of life through her teaching for over five decades, until her passing on October 18, 2026. Saraswathi Devi was an international leader in the field of Yoga Therapy and Adaptive Yoga for students with disabilities, and founded CalStar Yoga (1995–present) at the University of California at Berkeley.
