About Us
Who We Are
Advaita Movement is a yoga sangam or assembly of spiritually inclined individuals. We currently run classes across Durham Region, including Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering, and the GTA.
Our Philosophy
The word Advaita means non-duality or oneness in Sanskrit. It is rooted in the belief that there is no good and bad, happiness and sorrow, you and I; the belief that these qualities actually all come from the same source of oneness, and are the same. In a similar light, we believe that although we may be at different stages on our spiritual journey, the journey itself is just as much communal as it is individual. Our aim is to create a community where we strive for spiritual upliftment together, encouraging one another towards our spiritual goals along the way. Advaita Movement follows the traditional teachings of Raja Yoga, and believes that we are one and live under one sun. We should embody the oneness, warmth and resilience of the sun, move together as one and radiate the sun's life-giving force to all those around us. We can just see it. The energy and positivity will be contagious. It’ll be epic!
Our Vision
Our dream is to one day start a holistic health centre, where anyone and everyone is welcome. The centre will serve as an urban get-away, where peace can be incorporated into daily living because it’ll be close to home and not so far away. We have so many ideas of all the services we can offer you and how it’ll all turn out. So please feel free to talk to us, if you want to learn more or help out in any little way.
Madura Siva-Nandakumar
Madura is a holistic health advocate and mother of three girls who comes from a deeply rooted background in science and health care. She has been practicing yoga from various renowned gurus since her early teens, and has both Traditional Hatha Yoga Training and Certification from the Annamalai University as well as 200 RYT Certification. Madura is also a practicing certified Siddha Marma Massage Therapist who enjoys helping her clients get back on the path to great health. Currently, she is pursuing further studies in Ayurveda, after having completed two years of fundamentals. Her strong foundation in the health sciences enables her to apply and explain the ancient Indian healing systems from a rigorous question-based approach. To her, these systems of health and healing are both science and art. Madura's life goal is to get as many people as possible to adopt a conscious lifestyle in line with the principles of nature. She believes that therein lies the secret to true happiness.
Sri Siva
Sri is a seasoned yogi, community leader and Madura’s father. He started learning Hatha Yoga at the age of 12 from Sri Swami Satchidananda, received direct instruction and training from Sri Swami Aadhyatmananda, and has been teaching yoga for a decade. In addition to being a lead instructor at Advaita Movement, Sri teaches yoga for the Senior Tamil Centre and the Hindu Cultural Society. He has been recognized for his outstanding contribution in the field of Yoga Instruction through various awards and accolades. Further areas of his expertise include acupressure, yoga mudra, and Reiki Healing Therapist (Level I and II). Sri has served as Centre President, Regional President, National Service Coordinator and member of the Board of Directors for the Sri Sathya Sai Spiritual Council of Canada. During his free time, he loves spending time with his grandchildren, enjoying a good cup of his wife’s tea and reading up on yoga and natural healing systems.
Our Services
Siddha Marma Massage
A marma or marmani (plural) are vital energy points situated on the surface of the body. These marma points are vital because they are infused with prana or the fundamental life force and consciousness. Marmani are situated at intersections where veins, arteries, tendons, bones and joints intersect, making them particularly vulnerable, but also enabling them to reflect possible areas of weakness and sensitivity. Through massage and the appropriate stimulation of marma points, the body’s natural healing capabilities are optimized. We would love to help you.
Yoga
We offer comprehensive classes incorporating yoga Asanas, Pranayama (breathing techniques), Yoga nidra (relaxation) and Dhyana (meditation) based in traditional Hatha yoga practice and philosophy. We would love to have you join our community. Try out a class with us today.
Ayurvedic Consults
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian health system based on the Pancha Mahabhoothas of five elements of earth, air, fire, water and space. It looks at the body, mind and soul as a whole, and how they work together in maintaining an equilibrium. The word Ayurveda means knowledge of life. It prescribes nutritional guidelines and lifestyle practices based on your natural constitution and the environment around you. When these guidelines are followed, you are typically in a balanced state of good health, which is your natural constitution. However, when in an imbalanced state different from your natural constitution, this leads to disease. Let’s get you back to feeling your optimal.