Namaste and Welcome

to Gwinnett and Walton County's premier

Yoga studio, since 2001

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The Purpose of Yoga is Yoga

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Hamsa Yoga Shala teaches the Traditional Yoga of the ancient sages, as opposed to the modern revisions so common today.

Traditional Yoga is a whole practice, one that includes Hatha, Raja (Buddhism/Tao), Jnana, Karma, Bhakti, Kriya, Kundalini, Tantra, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Samadhi (Contemplative Prayer), and Ayurveda.

"Most people in the West, and also many in India, confuse Yoga with Hatha Yoga, the system of bodily postures.  But Yoga is primarily a holistic discipline."

~Paramahamsa Yogananda

The modern revisions of Yoga have elevated the Hatha (“friction, physical” / poses) above all else, so that their goal is only physical fitness.

"Yoga is not mere aerobics.  Some people suppose that Yoga is primarily concerned with the manipulation of the body into various queer positions; standing on the head, for instance, or twisting about the spine, or assuming any of the odd poses shown in popular books on Yoga.  These techniques are correctly employed in one distinct type of Yoga practice, but they do not form an integral part of the most essential type.  Physical poses serve at best as an auxiliary, or a minor form of Yoga."

~Swami Chidananda Saraswati

Traditional Yoga is a holistic approach to living - and one of the six philosophies of ancient India.  Philosophy means, "love of knowledge, wisdom; system a person forms for conduct of life".

Traditional Yoga, then, is the journey one begins when they are ready to understand their own true nature.

"In spite of the immense popularity of postural yoga worldwide, there is little or no evidence that the physically exerting, 'hot' and 'power' yoga classes taught today has ever been part of any Indian yoga practice tradition.  The primacy of asana performance and competition in the modern revisions of yoga today is a new phenomenon that has no parallel in premodern times.  Contrary to popular belief, there is no evidence in the Indian tradition for the kind of health and fitness-oriented asana practice that dominates the global yoga scene today.  Yoga, as practiced today, owes a great debt to European bodybuilding and early 20th century gymnastic movements."

~Mark Singleton, from Yoga Body: The Origins of Modern Posture Practice (Oxford Press, 2010)

Today, many come to Yoga to lose weight, get in shape, or to be healthy, and though Traditional Yoga is an excellent means of achieving these things, it is not the primary goal.

When we strive to accomplish something, the body and mind must be in full agreement.  So if the mind is ready but the body is not, the body may resist and injury may occur.  The Hatha Yoga Pradipika explains this with, "Controls established over the physical body serve as a spark to the states of the subtle body and the energy channels.  The slow ones (not aware of their body or mind) especially need to establsh the controls."  Traditional Yoga begins with self-acceptance, so if one is fully present - observing the self without judgment - then the body and mind will open and release so that the goal becomes achievable.

When the student rushes to accomplish the poses - never feeling satisfied unless a Handstand or Forward Bend is 'perfected' - then they open themselves to injury.  It is the teacher’s responsibility to assist the student in expressing a pose within the scope of the student’s current condition.  This means the poses are modified into segments, allowing the student to progress naturally, at their own pace, injury free.

"Yoga has become the health and fitness system of choice.  This is odd because it is the entire being, not the body alone that is the main target of all genuine Yoga practices.  To regard Yoga only as a set of practices for increasing strength and flexibility while calming the nervous system is to mistake the husk for the kernel."

~Pandit Rajmani Tigunait

Traditional Yoga is a holistic practice - body, mind and spiritual - not an aerobic, 'kick-butt', purely physical one.

“The science of Hatha is taught only for the sake of Raja Yoga.”

~Hatha Yoga Pradipika, 1.2



Traditional Yoga is a holistic system with a physical component, not a physical system with a holistic component.

"In ancient times, Hatha Yoga was practiced for many years as a preparation for higher states of consciousness.  Now however, the real purpose of this great science is being altogether forgotten. The Hatha Yoga practices designed by the rishis and sages of old - for the evolution of mankind - are now being understood and utilized in a very limited sense."

~Swami Satyananda Saraswati

Yoga is a philosophy - an expression of self-knowing, of personal wisdom, of how to navigate the often chaotic waves of life.  The six philosophical schools of Indian are: Nyaya and Vaisesika, Samkhya and Yoga, Mimamsa and Vedanta.  Generally, the teachings of Buddha are considered the seventh school, in that his methods came from the original six.

"Unfortunately, Traditional Yoga in the West is virtually none existent at the most fundamental level, that of Hatha Yoga.  The push to make every student a teacher has left this venerable practice mentally bankrupt and spiritually bereft.  Styles such as ‘hot’ yoga or ‘power’ yoga, ‘yin’ yoga or dog yoga, have trivialized the fact that Yoga is a science – the Science of Life.  And this misappropriation is deliberate when every student with a 200 hour teaching certificate decides to ‘create’ their own form of Yoga.  In such hands, Yoga has become nothing more than a fancy stretch class – dolled up with Sanskrit words and half-understood metaphysical concepts.  Or, perhaps even worse, either passed off as a religion, or nothing more than yet another new age practice laid upon the alter of commercialism.  Its not surprising then to see those who teach Yoga unable to even explain what it is to their students.”

-Lalitanath Devi 

The body is not the goal in Yoga.  The human body is a beautiful instrument, fine-tuned by evolution, and should be taken care of.  Even so, it is not the primary goal of Traditional Yoga.  In Traditional Yoga the student works and endeavors on all levels of being - body, mind, breath, relationships, senses and spirit. 

~Through body our endeavor is to become more flexible, strong, healthy and steady.

~Through mind our endeavor is the exploration of self, and the understanding and application of experience.

~Through breath our endeavor is to make it deep and slow, smooth and serene.

~Through relationships our endeavor is towards non-harming, non-lying, non-jealousy, non-greed; through creative/universal-centricity, purity, contentment, frugality, study of sacred texts, surrender and gratitude; through understanding our existence, life force work, being still and focusing, concentration, meditation and freedom.

~Through sense we endeavor to consciously regulate them in functional, sensible and positive ways.

"Is is through Traditional Yoga that all our words and deeds become free from preconceived limitation and uncertainty, allowing us insight into our true self.  Once seen, we endeavor towards permanence of this condition, or the state of knowing called Samadhi, which means, "integration, true insight".  This is both the means and goal of the traditional teachings: that Yoga is Samadhi and Samadhi is Yoga."

~Yogesvari Nath Devi

The purpose of Yoga is Yoga, and 'yoga' is the realization of self through direct experience of the pre-existing union between Atman and Brahman / Self and Creativity; between Jivatman and Paramatman / the Immortal Self and the Absolute Self; between Shiva and Shakti / Auspiciousness and Empowerment.  So the idea that one is practicing Yoga by doing a few stretching poses with the physical body, is inaccurate and misleading. 

For example, one of the modern revisions of Traditional Yoga is "Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga", which is an aerobic system developed by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois.  In truth:

"The original propounder of Traditional Yoga was Hiranyagarbha ["Universal Creativity"].  It is Patanjali Maharishi who formulated this science into a definite system under the name of Ashtanga Yoga or Raja Yoga.  This forms one of the Shad Darsananas or 'Classical Systems of Philosophy'.  Patanjali's Raja Yoga is Ashtanga Yoga, or the 'Yoga of Eight Limbs', and is the true practice by which freedom is achieved."

~Swami Sivananda Saraswati, founder of the Divine Life Society

Hamsa Yoga Shala teaches Traditional Yoga.  For those whose only goal is physical fitness - who only seek to get a 'yoga butt', or 'be like Madonna', or do 'hot yoga' (which puts one at risk of overstretching and muscle/cartilage damage) - there will always be those who are willing to take advantage of you by selling you their exercise program, and charging you extra for calling it 'yoga'.

If you are ready for real, then you are the 1% who seek true Yoga, which means the Shala is right for you.

"Yoga means "union".   The modern revisions of Yoga tell their students that Hatha means "sun and moon", or they teach Yin and/or Yang Yoga, or that the 'union/yoking' of Yoga is between the "body and mind".  Traditional Yoga teaches that this union is between Jivatman and Paramatman, which are the "Immortal Self" and the "Absolute Self", or the individual consciousness and the Universal Consciousness.   Traditional Yoga then is a method that teaches us about the true nature of our being while providing methods for achieving that union.

The modern revisions of Yoga are but threads within a larger tapestry.  Today there are 'schools' of Hatha Yoga called:

-Ananda Yoga, with its "energization exercises".

-Anusura Yoga, with its "flowing with grace" approach.

-Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, with its "eight-limbed, internal cleansing".

-Bikram Yoga, with its "26 franchised poses".

-Hatha Yoga, the modern interpretation, claims to be the "foundation of all yoga styles".

-Integral Yoga, is a "synthesis of the various branches of Yoga" (Hatha, Raja, Bhakti, Karma, Jnana and Japa).

-ISHTA Yoga, a "blend of ancient and contemporary yoga teachings of Hatha, Tantra and Ayurveda."

-Iyengar Yoga, is meant to "integrate the body, mind and emotions".

-Jivamukti Yoga, is "a vigorously physical and intellectually stimulating practice".

-Kali Ray TriYoga, is "a full range of practices, including hatha, nada, karma, bhakti and jnana yoga".

-Kripalu Yoga, "many facets of yoga".

-Kundalini Yoga, is "a combination of meditation, mantra, physical exercises and breathing techniques."

-Power Yoga, aims for "working hard sensitively".

-Restorative Yoga, "using props to ease life".

-Svaroopa Yoga, focuses on "release of the tension in the core muscles and spine".

-Viniyoga, is an "adaptation of the various means and practices".

-Vinyasa Yoga, has a "focus on sequence of faster paced poses".

-White Lotus Yoga, is a "synthesis of classical and contemporary techniques drawn from the best major systems today."

Each of these is but a part of the whole; and most of these modern "schools / styles", did not exist a few decades ago, while Traditional Yoga is thousands of years old.  Additionally, these modern revisions use words and catch-phrases like: "energization","flowing with grace", "eight limbs", "internal cleansing", Tantra and Ayurveda, Karma, Bhakti, Jnana, "breathing techniques", as if they are the sum total of Traditional Yoga.  In trying to interpret the ancient Yoga science to a Western audience, it is a disservice to sacrifice Yoga terminology and its deeper definitions.  In all, these modern revisions represent only singular threads - watered down and isolated teachings, mere parts - within the whole of Traditional Yoga.

Where to find Traditional Yoga today:

-Sivananda Yoga, the "a non-proprietary form of Hatha Yoga in which the training focuses on preserving the health and wellness of the practitioner.  Sivananda training revolves around frequent relaxation, full yogic breathing, the Five Points, and the Four Paths of Yoga". 

-Abhyasa Ashram, “where Yoga still means union of the individual self and the Universal Self”.  School of self-awareness in the Himalayan meditation tradition.”   

-Traditional Yoga Studies, “dedicated to promoting authentic yogic teachings based on scriptural and oral transmission, as well as solid research, and to bringing out their relevance at the present time of severe environmental and social crisis.” 

-American Institute of Vedic Studies, “an educational center providing a broad range of training programs, resources and publications. It focuses on Ayurveda, Vedic astrology, Yoga and their interconnections. It provides in depth examinations of Veda, Vedanta and Tantra along with the background system of Hinduism and Sanatana Dharma. 

-Hamsa Yoga Shala, which aims to restore and explore the traditional limbs of Yoga, and to present them in their whole, original and beneficial form.  Hamsa Yoga Shala is rooted in the Nav Nath Sampradaya, and Raja Yoga teachings of Patanjali.

Here, at Hamsa Yoga Shala, we teach the ALL of Yoga, not just its singular parts.  Every class then, is an opportunity to learn not just Hatha Yoga, the ‘physical’ practice, but Karma and Bhakti Yoga, Kundalini and Tantra Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Mantra and Japa, Bandha, Dristi and Kriya, Laya and Nada - in short, you will learn Raja Yoga.

"The goal of Yoga is Yoga itself, union itself, of the little self and the True Self, a process of the awakening to the pre-existing union that is called Yoga.  Yoga has to do with the realization through direct experience of the pre-existing union between Atman and Brahman, Jivatman and Paramatman, and Shiva and Shakti, or the realization of Purusha standing alone as seperate from Prakriti."

-Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati

In the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, a 15th century text that is one of three Traditional Yoga texts, the final chapter - that all previous chapters lead up to - is entitled Samadhi.

Yoga is Samadhi, Samadhi is Yoga.

“The entire practice of Hatha Yoga is an act of worship, an act of ritual; it is an enactment of the cycle of creation and dissolution, an enactment of the cycle of birth and death.  You start with a deep breath, and end with a corpse; you die daily, and thereby you become immortal.”

~Pandit Usharbudh Arya



Modern revision Yoga has become a big business.  It sells itself as a "fitness program", as "physical therapy", as "medical treatment".  These are the distractions so often spoke of in Traditional Yoga, or those practices that draw our attention away from what is real.

-Those who seek to strengthen their body may find their way to Yoga. 

-Those that seek to strengthen their body and mind may find their way to Yoga. 

-But those that seek to strengthen their spirit may not find their way to Yoga, because they have been led to believe it is only for strengthening the body and mind. 

Ironically, the modern revision teachers recommend their practices for the physical body, while instructing their students to practice Buddhism for introspection and meditation.

As such, the modern revisions of Yoga are but scratching the surface.  Both their teachers and students are missing out on Traditional Yoga studies and applications.  But then, one cannot teach what one does not know.

"Yoga in the West has only scratched the surface of the greater Yoga tradition.  The Yoga community in the West is currently at a crossroads.  Its recent commercial success can be used to build the foundation for a more profound teaching, aimed at changing the consciousness of humanity.  Or, it can reduce Yoga to a mere business that has lost connection with its spiritual heart.  The choice that Yoga teachers make today will determine the future."

-David Frawley, American Hindu author, founder and director of the American Institute of Vedic Studies, and professor of Vedic Astrology and Ayurveda at the Hindu University of America.

Georg Feuerstein, Ph.D., a German-Canadian Indologist, author, and authority on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and the Bhagavad Gita, when asked, "How would you describe Yoga in the US today?", replied:

"It’s a mess.  And you can quote me on that.  Anything that comes to America or the West in general, immediately gets individualized and commercialized.  There has always been great diversity in traditional Yoga, and this diversity was based on the experience of masters.  Today however, even beginning teachers feel qualified to innovate and create their own trademarked Yoga system.  So looking at the Yoga movement today, part of me feels very saddened by it, but then I also see that it contains the seeds of something better.   So amazingly, Yoga can be beneficial even when it is reduced down to posture practice; but people only short change themselves when they strip Yoga of its spiritual side."

Without Traditional Yoga, is a 'yoga' practice still Yoga?

Many who take a Yoga classes at a studio or gym will affirm that this practice "helped" or benefitted them.  Certainly, any physical practice will benefit the body; so that stretching, kickboxing, aerobics, cycling, swimming, jazzercise, and the like are all beneficial.  But this is not at question.  The point of the matter is that simply calling something ‘yoga’ does not make it Traditional Yoga.  Exercise and physical therapy are helpful, but that does not make them Yoga.  Traditional Yoga asana / poses, stripped of their ancient and substantial meaning, is not Yoga.

If you are seeking Traditional or authentic Yoga, then you have come to the right place.   If you have read this far, then you already realize that progress begins with understanding, and in this case that means understanding that the modern revisions of Yoga are but parts of a greater whole.

"The authentic seeker of authentic Yoga will find an authentic path."

-Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati

It is said that, 'when the student is ready, the teacher will come'.  In truth, this depends on the seeker's level of understanding, equally as the aspirations within their heart.

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Salutations to the glorious primal guru, Sri Adinath, who instructed the knowledge of Hatha Yoga which shines forth as a stairway for those who wish to ascend to the highest stages of Yoga: Raja Yoga.

Now is set forth thanks to authoritative sources:

Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj, my Sat Guru (true one); and Sivananda Yoga and the Divine Life Society for being my first ashrama.

Ma Yoga Shakti, my Nadnidhi Guru (divine spiritual knowledge).  Aspiration was my heart, and there you were.

Sri Brahmananda Sarasvati, my Bodhak Guru (instructor); for your comprehensive knowledge and generous heart.

Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, whose lamp of wisdom illumined the path before me.

Traditional Yoga Studies and Georg Feuerstein, for being a source of steady history.

Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, my Prerak Guru (inspiration); for concentrating my search upon the Navanath Sampradaya.

American Institute of Vedic Studies, for the traditional studies you make available here in the West.

Anasuya Nath Devi, my Karanakhya Guru (Sanyasa Diksha Guru); who opened the path of the Navanath and showed me the ways of the sadhvi.

Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati and Abhyasa Ashram, for carrying the torch of Traditional Yoga in the United States.

Hamsa Yoga Shala, for the inner Antaratma, the spark of Paramatma, Visuddha Chakra and Ajapa Mantra - which are those things only Yogis know.



Yoga at Hamsa Yoga Shala is Traditional Yoga.  We are a Shala / ‘school’ (as opposed to a studio business).  The roots of our practice are found in: the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the Gheranda Samhita, the Shiva Samhita, the Raja Yoga Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita, the Mahabharata, the Bhagavata Purana and the Bhairava Sastras.

Asana classes here are non-stressful, non-competitive and non-judgmental.  Each is an opportunity to build strength, flexibility and endurance - the three way combination at the center of Traditional Hatha Yoga.  Likewise, they are the same three criteria doctors and sports therapists recommend for overall health and fitness.

Every class is an introduction to the Five Principles of Yoga, namely:

-Proper Exercise (Asanas)

-Proper Breathing (Pranayama)

-Proper Relaxation (Pratyahara)

-Proper Diet (Ayurveda, eat right for your body type)

-Positive Thinking (Dhyana / Peace and Non-Harming)

If you are interested in:

-Toning muscle, developing strength, controlling weight, eliminating toxins, improve memory, cultivate flexibility, and build self-esteem (Exercise / Asana).

-Reducing stress and tension, soothing the central nervous system, release toxins, ease pain, increase oxygen in the blood, improve cellular regeneration, improve stamina, and elevate mood (Breathing / Pranayama).

-Giving the heart a rest, reducing blood pressure, increasing blood flow to the muscles, decreasing muscle tension, increasing energy, sleeping better, enhancing immunity, developing problem solving abilities, greater efficiency, smoother emotions, less headaches and pains (Relaxation / Pratyahara)

-Protect against cancer, strengthen immune system, improve bone vitality, regulate weight, increased fiber, lowered risk of chronic disease, lower risk for obesity / cardiovascular disease / hypertension / type 2 diabetes / diverticulosis / renal disease and some cancers (including lung and breast), and improve muscle mass (Diet / Ayurveda).

-Constructive and creative thinking, optimism, motivation and inspiration, overall happiness and contentment, increased opportunities, help in achieving goals, more energy, greater inner power and strength, the ability to surmount difficulty, increased life-span, lower rate of depression and distress, resistance to the common cold, better psychological and physical wellbeing, reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, improved coping skills (Dhyana / Peace-of-Mind, Non-Harming).

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Hamsa Yoga Shala

2916 Valley Court

Loganville, GA  30052

(in Forest Ridge subdivision)

Central to Loganville, Grayson, Snellville and Lawrenceville

Three miles from 20

On Hwy 81 (north, heading towards Winder)

Minutes from 78

Convenient central Gwinnett location

Traditional Yoga - All The Time

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"You dont need anything to start a Yoga practice.  Not a mat, special clothes, straps, blocks, or any other bunk someone tries to sell you.  And ‘no’, you dont need to be a vegetarian.  All you need is a way to get here."

~Yogesvari Nath Devi



Yoga is the union of body, mind and spirit (awareness).  On a day-in and day-out level, this means a wisdom tradition that helps us find peace and harmony while gaining overall health and fitness.  All through physical movement, breath work, meditation, self-exploration, chanting and relaxation.

Yoga is a vast and sometimes complex discipline.  Here at Hamsa Yogashala we offer the full teachings and practice of Traditional Yoga - for every part is integral to the whole.

Our Classes 

We have classes from morning to night.  Start your day early, or have an afternoon or evening class!

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Auburn, Berkeley Lake, Braselton, Centerville, Dacula, Duluth, Five Forks, Grayson, Harbins, Hog Mountain, Lawrenceville, Lenora, Lilburn, Loganville, Mountain Park, Norcross, Peachtree Corners, Rest Haven, Rosebud, Snellville, Stone Mountain, Sugar Hill and Suwannee, Gwinnett Georgia since 2001.

Kundalini Yoga. Sivananda Yoga. Vinyasa Yoga. Alignment. Classic Yoga. Hot Yoga. Vigorous Yoga. Detox Yoga. Cardio Yoga. Weight Loss Yoga. Ujjayi Breathing. Nadi. Bandha. Kriya. Chikitsa. Healing. Ayurveda. Prana. Chi. Chi Gong. Qigong. Chakra Yoga. Breath of Fire. Power Yoga. Healing Yoga. Laughter Yoga. 

Gwinnett County Yoga  Walton County Yoga