Swami Sivananda is recognised as one of the great Masters of modern times. Born in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu in 1887, he became a medical doctor to serve humanity. After serving the sick and poor in Malaysia with all of his heart and soul for over a decade, he discovered that healing physical ailments can only go so far, for true peace and happiness comes from the spirit.

Renouncing his successful career, he went empty handed to the Himalayas to start his spiritual quest. For more than a decade Swami Sivananda performed austerities and spiritual practices that were beyond human imagination. During that time he would nurse and serve other pilgrims, monks and mendicants. At the end of his penance period, he achieved enlightenment.

Swami Sivananda's many articles about his spiritual experiences and practices drew many aspirants who wanted guidance on their paths. In order to serve them as well as humanity at large, he founded Sivananda Ashram and the Divine Life Society in Rishikesh on the banks of the holy Ganga river. For the next thirty years he tirelessly trained many disciples, many who became great masters. He wrote nearly three hundred books on all aspects of spiritual life, yoga practice, and Vedanta philosophy. His writings are simple, practical, and speak directly to the heart of the reader.

Swami Sivananda taught the Yoga of Synthesis, in which all four paths of yoga - Bhakti (devotion), Karma (selfless service), Raja Yoga (mind control), and Jnana (introspection) are combined for balanced spiritual progress. He entered Maha-Samadhi (the departure of a realised master from the physical world) on July 14th, 1963.

Swami Vishnudevananda, born in November 1927, is one of Swami Sivananda's main disciples. At a young age, while serving in the Indian army, he came across one of Swami Sivananda’s many articles in the bin, a pamphlet titled Sadhana Tattva - 20 Spiritual Instructions by Swami Sivananda, which gave simple and practical instructions for aspirants. Inspired by these instructions, he desired to meet their author. Soon after his discharge from the army he joined the Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh and became a disciple of Swami Sivananda.

Swami Sivananda saw the great potential of this young aspirant and soon made him the Professor of Hatha and Raja Yoga in his institution. After ten years of intensive training, Swami Sivananda sent Swami Vishnudevananda to the West to spread the teachings of yoga and Vedanta for the good of mankind. Swami Vishnudevananda became one of the pioneers who brought yoga to the West. Swami Vishnudevananda taught classical yoga in five basic points

Swami Vishnudevananda is considered one of the most dynamic yogis of the twentieth century. He began the first Yoga Teachers Training Courses to spread the teachings of yoga and thereby help create inner - and outer peace in the world. He traveled and taught tirelessly throughout the world to help establish these ancient teachings in North and South America, Europe, and the Middle East. Swami Vishnu was also a daring peace activist, who used to fly his plane over conflict hot spots around the globe, showering people with flowers and peace pamphlets. Amongst his peace missions, he flew from Tel Aviv to Cairo in the early seventies and from East to West Berlin in an ultra-light aircraft in the early eighties. He held that the international borders we create are mental barriers that need to be transcended, as we are all one.

Swami Vishnudevananda entered Maha-Samadhi on November 9th, 1993.

Swami Vishnudevananda taught yoga in 5 points. They bring together the often complex philosophies and teachings of India's ancient yogis in a form that is easy to understand and simple to adapt to everyday life, wherever you live in the world. If you follow these points you will improve your physical and mental health and deepen your connection with the spiritual aspects of life.