Principles
The Sanskrit word ‘svastha’ literally means “to stay in one’s own abode”. In yoga and ayurveda, it refers to our inner balance. It is a state in which we remain balanced physically and mentally.
Svastha offers a comprehensive health management system by incorporating two ancient complementary sciences – yoga and ayurveda. Together, they provide the means to arrive at a balance in one's relationship with the world and with one's own mind. Ayurveda is primarily concerned with diet and environment, while yoga primarily deals with the body, breath and mind.
Our authentic and personal approach is guided by an underlying set of principles which include:
- proper breathing and its effect on the mind and body;
- the relationship between breathing and conscious movement;
- intelligent sequencing for postures, breathing and meditation;
- personalization of practice to the individual.
These essential principles can be applied to any “style” of yoga practice – from active and physically challenging to relaxing and restorative. Given the skills involved, the guidance of a well–trained and experienced teacher is essential so that your practice is a beneficial experience.
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Sri A.G. Mohan and Indra Mohan started the Svastha organisation to teach yoga and ayurveda based on the teachings of the legendary Sri T. Krishnamacharya. This renowned scholar, yoga master and healer is acknowledged as one of the greatest influences on the field of yoga in modern times.
Sri A. G. Mohan was a personal student of Sri T. Krishnamacharya for 18 years, from 1971 to 1989. In 1976, Sri A. G. Mohan co–founded the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram in Chennai and was its Honorary Secretary until 1989. Indra Mohan has been teaching and practising yoga for over 30 years. She is one of the few people to have received a post–graduate diploma in Yoga from Sri T. Krishnamacharya.
The Mohans are the leading authorities on the therapeutic applications of yoga and ayurveda. They impart authentic knowledge in a rational and systematic way but with a personal approach. Their teachings are clear, practical and applicable for today while still maintaining the integrity of the ancient message. The Mohans run a therapy centre in Chennai and teach courses in Chennai and elsewhere. For more details please visit: Svastha India
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Vina Shah and Giles Hooper are personal students of Sri A. G. Mohan and Indra Mohan. They have been visiting Chennai every year since 1998 to continue their intensive studies with the Mohans who awarded them an Advanced Diploma in yoga and ayurveda. Since 2001, they have received training from the Mohans in yoga therapy.
Vina and Giles have studied Sanskrit at Pune University, India and are the founding and principal teachers of Svastha Sydney. Their commitment is to teach an authentic, systematic and personal approach to the practice of yoga and ayurveda. They have been teaching Svastha general and personal classes since 1998, and running Svastha teacher training and other Svastha courses since 2001. Vina has also taught Svastha courses in Singapore and Chennai.
Leaving the practice of law to teach yoga was a natural transition for Vina who grew up with yoga and ayurveda as part of her lifestyle. Vina specialises in Yoga therapy, women’s health and teaches Sanskrit to yoga teachers. In 2005, Vina spent eight months in Chennai studying yoga therapy, women’s health and Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras with the Mohans. Currently Vina is pursuing further studies in Sanskrit and Indian Philosophy at the University of Sydney.
Giles, also a lawyer, had practiced with different schools of yoga for several years before being introduced to the Mohans’ teachings during a year’s sabbatical in India in 1998. His particular interests are in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and chanting; he is currently pursuing further studies in Sanskrit at the University of Sydney.
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The teachers associated with Svastha Yoga Ayurveda Centre have completed teacher training in Sydney with Vina Shah and Giles Hooper and/or completed Svastha Programs in Chennai with Sri A. G. Mohan and Indra Mohan. All the courses are accredited by the Mohans.
Svastha teachers are encouraged to continue their studies for their personal transformation and teaching/professional development by attending continuing education, group yoga programs and personal classes. This ensures our teachers receive ongoing support and that their teaching skills are current with Svastha Sydney or Chennai.
Please contact the Svastha teacher in your area for information about classes.
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Megan was first introduced to the Svastha approach while training with the International Yoga Teachers Association. This inspired her to complete a comprehensive teacher training over two years with Svastha in Sydney.
Megan has continued to study with Svastha for her own health and personal growth as well as for teaching. This has involved philosophy courses and ongoing personal classes with her teachers Vina Shah and Giles Hooper. Megan has also travelled to Chennai several times for study programs including Yoga Therapy and Sound as Meditation with Sri A. G. Mohan and Indra Mohan.
Megan has taught Svastha classes since 2001. She also practices Bowen Therapy, a holistic remedial technique, and draws on her training in counselling to support the therapeutic process.
Location: Turramurra, NSW
Mobile: 0437 048 076
Website: Natural Therapy Pages
Pretoria completed Svastha teacher training in 2004 and is continuing personal studies in Sanskrit and yoga. She has also attended all the Sydney workshops conducted by Sri A. G. Mohan and Indra Mohan since 1999 in Sydney as well as their 2003 Yoga Therapy Conference.
Her great interest is in being able to create real and lasting change in one’s own life through the relationship between the body, breath and mind.
Location: Lower Hunter, NSW
Mobile: 0421 375 551
Email: mcgee@hotkey.net.au
Viki has a background in art photography and has had a deep interest in yoga for several years. Having also trained in the Okinawan martial art of Uechi Ryu, she originally incorporated yoga postures into teaching sessions to help students maintain agility and avoid injury.
As her focus changed, Viki travelled to India to learn more about the yoga of Sri T. Krishnamacharya. She subsequently began her teacher training with Svastha Yoga Ayurveda, Sydney in 2004. She holds a diploma in The Art & Science of Yoga and certification in Yoga Therapy with Svastha Yoga Ayurveda, Sydney and is an accredited teacher with YTTA.
Viki returned to Chennai in 2004, 2005 and 2011 for further intensive study programs in yoga therapy and Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras with Sri A.G. Mohan and Indra Mohan. Viki’s interests in all aspects of ayurveda and yoga, including Sanskrit, have continued to develop through further training and ongoing personal classes with her teachers in Sydney.
Since 2003 Viki has taught Svastha workshops, regular group programs and personal classes in the opal mining town of Lightning Ridge, North West NSW. She periodically holds classes on isolated, pastoral/outback stations as well as presentations and programs on Yoga for Women’s Health in surrounding indigenous communities.
Location: Lightning Ridge, NSW
Mobile: 0400 240 088
Email: vikmarty@gmail.com
Anji has been practising yoga for over thirty years and teaching group classes to adults and teenagers for over ten years. She holds Yoga teaching qualifications from, among others, the British Wheel of Yoga, IYTA and, most recently, Svastha Yoga Ayurveda.
Anji initially became interested in yoga as a way of easing spinal pain. Over time, she has learnt that yoga is more about exploring the subtle connections between the body, breath and mind. As a High School teacher, she recognises the need for a yoga practise that can be scheduled into a busy day to maintain one’s internal steadiness.
Anji’s main goal is to continue to develop her knowledge and understanding of yoga, particularly the personalisation of postures and sequences to suit each individual’s needs. She is also pursuing further studies in Sanskrit and Patanjali's Yogasutras with the Svastha teachers in Sydney.
Location: Canberra, ACT
Phone: (02) 6291 7862