Saraswathi Devi (June 4, 1946- October 18, 2026) was the Director of Yogalayam / Prana Yoga Center from 2008 until her passing in 2026. She was affiliated with Prana Yoga Centre - Salem, India, Prana Yoga Zentrum - Dresden, Germany and Yogis on Wheels - Kerala, India. She taught Yoga and Meditation from 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 - 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. She was initiated by Swami Vignanananda in 1977 and given the name Saraswathi Devi. She was awarded the Prana Yoga Teacher Certificate in 1976, and her advanced studies continued until Swami’s passing in 2008. She served as Personal Assistant to Swami Vignanananda from 1976 until 2008, as Assistant Director of Prana Yoga Ashram, becoming Director in 2008, a role she held until her passing.

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Yoga Teacher - She taught asana, pranayama, meditation, and philosophy for all levels and ages. She offered 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. Her work included teacher training, counseling, special courses and workshops, kirtan, spiritual ceremonies, and attending to birth and death. Alongside standard adult yoga programs, she offered courses for specific groups - pre and postnatal yoga, yogic childbirth preparation, children’s and teen classes, programs for disability (adults & children), gentle & restorative yoga, and yoga for seniors, cancer, illness, and injury. She also offered Thai Yoga Massage and Usui Reiki.

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Workshops and Special Courses - She taught at 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, and Deaf Hope. She also taught in India.

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She founded and developed Adaptive Yoga Programs for people living with disabilities at UC Berkeley (CalStar Yoga) and in private settings. She 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, she was on the faculty of the Niroga Institute’s Yoga Therapy Teacher Training Program.

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Related Studies - Acupressure, Usui Reiki (certified), Chinese Medicine, Thai Yoga Massage, Shiatsu, Natural childbirth, Nutrition, and Western Herbs.