Saraswati (who was given her name by Swami Vishnu Devananda), has been practicing Yoga in one form or another for thirty four years, since she was seventeen. She has, during that time, trained with several masters and leading organizations.

She teaches, and has trained mainly in Hatha Yoga, but also practises and teaches other forms, such as Raja, Jnana and Bhakti Yoga and particularily enjoys Nada Yoga (chanting and drumming). She has qualified to teach Yoga with The British School of Yoga, The Sivananda Yoga and Vedanta Ashrams, The Comprehensive Yoga Fellowship and the hatha and nada master Yogi Hari.

Saraswati is the owner and director of The Yoga Studio Sutton, Surrey, and also Chairperson and Education Co-ordinator of The Comprehensive Yoga Fellowship. She has also designed and runs the Yoga Studio's teacher's training programme. As well as teaching Yoga, she enjoys, and finds it a priviledge, training Yoga teachers to continue the important task of creating a more peaceful society.

Saraswati has been teaching Yoga for twenty years, and particularly enjoys running the yearly Yoga retreats, as she believes such opportunities allow us to really open our hearts to Yoga in a safe environment, without all the daily distractions that we encounter at home. Her own experience of retreats has given her a sense of solidity in her personal practice and she hopes to be able to share this experience with like-minded Yoga lovers.

About Hatha Yoga

Hatha Yoga works by releasing tension from the mind and body. The poses help stretch and tone muscles, joints and the spine, improving posture, which leads to a sense of self-confidence and improved physical health. Energy levels increase through the release of tension. The Yoga breathing exercises quieten the mind; calm the emotions, and through increased oxygen intake, nourishes all the cells of the body. Relaxation and meditation practice increase mental alertness and encourage a positive and peaceful frame of mind.

You can expect from your continued Yoga practice an improvement of your general well being, perhaps release from back pain, freedom from insomnia, indigestion or tension headaches, and more confidence and willpower. In time with regular practise, you will notice a change from deep within, a growing awareness of a state of inner peace. Yoga works slowly and gently, so you need to be patient. Yoga is very powerful, much like the way water gradually can change the shape of a rock or cliff, likewise Yoga gently changes our state, from negative or unwell to positive and vibrant.

The Cleansing Process

While the practice of Yoga improves health and releases tension, you may find to begin with that you feel more under the weather. Please don't be anxious and do discuss any problems with your teacher. Sometimes new students experience symptoms such as an increase in spots, headaches, and irritability. This is due to the cleansing process of Yoga and will pass, though it could take some weeks or even months.

Try not to give up your practice; years of tension needs time to be safely released. It certainly does not happen to every student, but is a positive sign that your practice is working. This cleansing process can also occur to a lesser degree when advancing postures. Yoga emphasizes a non-violent policy, so remember to treat your body with care and respect.

Of course, we have to practice, which requires a certain amount of discipline. It is difficult to persevere at anything, even if we know our perseverance will bring us a better quality of life. But if you do not care for your body, it will become weak and vulnerable to disease.


If you do not calm the emotions they will overwhelm you. If you do not still the mind it will have you running round in never ending circles, preventing you from resting at the place, which in yoga, is called your true nature, a relaxed state, your birthright.