Saraswathi Devi is the Director of Yogalayam / Prana Yoga Center. She is affiliated with Prana Yoga Centre - Salem, India, Prana Yoga Zentrum - Dresden, Germany and Yogis on Wheels - Kerala, India. She has been teaching Yoga and Meditation since 1976 under the guidance of her teacher, the late Grandmaster, Swami Vignanananda (1933-2008), Founder-Director of Prana Yoga Centres, International. Swami-ji was inspired by Swami Sivananda of the Divine Life Society, Rishikesh, and Kadappa Swami of Bangalore.

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Background - January 1974 to March 2008 and to the Present - Classical yoga studies & spiritual mentorship with Guru Swami Vignanananda, Fr-Dr of Prana Yoga Centres, Intl. Swami Vignanananda was initiated by two Gurus, HH Sri Swami Sivananda Saraswati of Rishikesh and Kadappa Sri Paramahamsa Sachidananda Yogeeshwarar of Bangalore. Initiated by Swami Vignanananda in 1977, given the name Saraswathi Devi. Awarded Prana Yoga Teacher Certificate in 1976. Advanced studies continued until Swami's passing in 2008. Personal Assistant to Swami Vignanananda from 1976 until 2008, as Assistant Director of Prana Yoga Ashram, becoming Director in 2008.

 

Yoga Teacher - asana, pranayama, meditation, and philosophy for all levels and ages. Group and private classes and yoga therapy as relevant to the life cycle - from preconception to childbirth, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, the elder years, and the end of life. Teacher training, counseling, special courses and workshops, kirtan, spiritual ceremonies, attending to birth and death. Standard adult yoga programs plus courses targeted to specific groups - pre and postnatal yoga, yogic childbirth preparation, children's and teen classes, programs for disability (adults & children), gentle & restorative yoga, yoga for seniors, cancer, illness, and injury. Also offering Thai Yoga Massage and Usui Reiki.

 

Workshops and Special Courses - Colleges and Universities, UC Berkeley, Berkeley Unified School District, California Department of Education, US Army, Jewish Community Center, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Subacute Saratoga Children's Hospital, Deaf Hope. Teaching in India.

 

Founded and continues to develop Adaptive Yoga Programs for people living with disabilities at UC Berkeley (CalStar Yoga) and in private settings.

 

Established Body-Mind Exercise for Head Start in Santa Clara, San Benito, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties.  Programs for underserved children, their teachers, parents, and administrators using yoga techniques for stress reduction, good health, and classroom management.  For years, on the faculty of the Niroga Institute’s Yoga Therapy Teacher Training Program.

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Related Studies in Acupressure, Certified in Usui Reiki, Chinese Medicine, Thai Yoga Massage, Shiatsu, Natural childbirth, Nutrition, and Western Herbs.