Landon offers 1, 3, 5 & 7 day private yoga intensives within colorado & nationwide

What style of yoga will I learn?

We extend the teachings of Swami Sivananda with classical yoga, hatha yoga. There is often confusion in people’s minds regarding this branch of yoga. Many people think that the term ‘hatha yoga’ refers to only asanas and pranayama. The goal of practicing asanas and pranayama is the same for all other forms of sadhana: God-realization. Asanas and pranayama are tools for gaining control of the mind, and prana to facilitate the attainment of this goal. Good health, peace of mind, flexible body, decreased stress levels are side effects. Students will learn variations of pranayama and expand on 12 point asana sequences.

The Pranava Massage & Wellness Retreat is dedicated to the late Swami Sivananda (1887-1963), and Swami Sitaramananda (still with us). Swami Sivananda’s life was a radiant example of service to humanity,  both during his years as a Doctor and later as a world-renowned sage. To serve all, to love all, to mix with all and to see God in all beings were the ideals that he taught in life. Born on September 8, 1887, to an illustrious family in Tamil Nadu, South India, he displayed spiritual tendencies even as a young boy. He had a natural flair for a life devoted to study and practice of vedanta, along with an inborn eagerness to serve, and an innate feeling of unity with all. Though born into an orthodox family, his piety was balanced by an unusual broadmindedness and lack of prejudice.

His driving force was the service of humanity. For this reason, he became a medical doctor. He served the poor in Malaysia for many years. He also edited a health journal and wrote extensively on many health issues, but felt that this was not enough. It was divine dispensation and God’s blessing that this doctor of body and mind gave up his medical career and took a life of renunciation. He returned to India and spent a year wandering before settling in Rishikesh, Himalayas in 1924. There he practiced intense austerities. The young man found his guru, Swami Vishwananda, and was initiated into sannyasa, with the name Swami Sivananda Saraswati.

For the next seven years, Swamiji spent most of his time in meditation. From the early 1930s onwards, Swamji embarked on frequent and extensive tours of India and Sri Lanka, stirring the hearts and souls of thousands with his spiritual magnetism, strong vibrant voice and great power of oratory. Wherever he went, he conducted chanting, delivered lector’s and taught people how to keep strong and healthy by practicing yoga asanas, pranayama, and kriyas. Above all, he exhorted his audiences to strive constantly for spiritual development.

In Rishikesh, meanwhile, an increasing number of disciples had begun to congregate and an ashram was built around him. With unrestrained generosity, spirit of service, deep devotion, and his constant good humor, Swami Sivananda set a supreme example to his students. In 1932, he started the Sivananda Ashram. In 1936 the Divine Life Society was born. The Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy was organized in 1948. Dissemination of spiritual knowledge and training of people in yoga and vedanta was the aim.

Swamiji’s teachings crystalised the basic tenets of all religions, all god identities, combining all yoga paths into one. This he summed up with, “Serve, Love, Gie, Purify, Meditate, Realize.” His own life was a shining example of the ideals of selfless service, karma yoga. To Swami Sivananda, all work was sacred, no task was too menial. Swamiji was the author of over two hundred books, which spread this message of love and service. He had disciples around the world, belonging to nationalities, religions, and creeds. His first dedicated disciple was Swami Vishnudevananda, who brought all of Swami Sivananda’s teachings to the West.

Swami Vishnudevananda’s first disciple was Swami Sitaramananda, who is Landon (Kameshwara) Gallant’s Guru. All of the teachings during your stay are an extension of a direct lineage from India. With direct lineage, there are authentic teachings.