Sri Matha Yoganandamayi Ashram is located at No. 14/17, in Sringeri Mutt Road, in R.K. Nagar, in the capital city of Chennai, in the state of Tamil Nadu, in South India. It was established by Matha Yoganandamayi during the early 1990's. This saint is affectionately called as Amma. The ashram teaches and practices, the traditional yoga like Kundalini yoga, Bhakthi Yoga and Vedanta. It is a main center for Bhakthi yoga in several aspects. According to the local legends, in Hinduism, four paths have been prescribed in a successful manner; they are Bhakti, Karma, Gnana and Yoga. In order to largely advocate each and every given path, Saints or Rishis or Guru have successfully incarnate in different periods of time in the Indian history and its been largely repeating to a great extend.

The actual mission of such souls who are guiding is that the whole humanity rightly understands the real practical truth and actual meaning in the process of God realization. This is achieved through not a theoretical study but stems from their practical experience. On the other hand, in the year 1991, Sri Matha Yoganandamayi, who is affectionately called as "Amma", is one such among humble and kind Saints in South India, particularly Chennai who successfully began her spiritual service. It is to be remembered that the method and technique prescribed by this Saint is named as "Bhakthi Yoga". An individual can get the practical experiences of Bhakthi Yoga in Amma's satsang sessions. This is in the form of controlled and gentle breath, mind filled with full concentration, chillness in the entire body and peace etc.

As per Amma, "Yoga is a technique to rejuvenate the mind. The stress and pressure which the physical body undergoes over a span of life ultimately results in polluted mind and abnormal breathing system. As a result, human being is likely to get depression. Bhakthi Yoga also aids in spiritual development".

Regarding Amma

The Guru of Amma is Sadguru Sri Sadasiva Brahmendrar. It was this Guru who conferred her name of "Yoganandamayi". She is regarded is more a mother than a Guru. On the other hand Amma never in any situations, circumstances and condition consider herself as Guru. During satsang sessions, one can directly observe the spontaneous state of bliss of Amma, which is a live example to really experience the Bhakthi Yoga. Since 1991, Amma has been blessed wholeheartedly with this natural state of Bhakti Yoga. The techniques and methods for imparting are special in the right sense even Amma herself doesn't know in advance. The inner prompting Amma gets as the satsang session commences. Then Amma would largely decide the day's program. All are practical sessions, there is no theory. In a thoughtless state, a person has to sit in order to extent possible. It is to be highly noted that the rest largely automatically happens as described elsewhere in this site.

Bhakti Yoga

In the path of bhakti yoga, in all there are nine modes of devotion which largely assist the devotee feel closer to God. The Nine modes of devotion are Sravanam, Kirtanam, Smaranam, Padasevanam, Archanam, Vandanam, Dasyam, Sakhyam and Atmanivedanam.

• Sravanam is the act of listening to stories of the Lord's plays such as Devi mahatmya - the divine mother, Goddess Durga, Srimad bhagavatam or Vishnu purana - Lord Vishnu and Siva purana - Lord Siva. On the other hand, the mythological scriptures of sanatana or yoga dharma are known as puranas.
• Kirtanam is repeatedly chanting of God's glories. Yogis have written and spontaneously composed devotional songs. In the Sanskrit language are Bhajan and Kirtans are composed and written. This ancient sacred language takes full advantage of the inherant spiritual power.
• Smaranam comprises in remembering the presence of the Lord. It is the process of repeating the name of Lord in the form of Mantra. It will largely change a person's mental attitude. They will mentally automatically his/her faces, feel good and mentally say his/her name. It is to be remembered that largely practicing remembrance of the Lord will in a successful manner bring about complete love.
• Padasevanam is a form of service. Pada largely means Feet. This happens when a person get to blend practice of karma yoga with bhakti. It is an act of serving humanity, doing your duty and develops the bhava that a person is worshiping and serving the Lord's Feet.
• Archanam is wholehearted worship of Lord that is done through homams, havan and puja. It is a form of fulfilling one's psychological needs and requirements. In this methods and techniques, certain aspects of Vedic rules and regulations are very strictly followed with a lot of perfection.
• Vandanam is largely considered as prostration. On the other hand, the Yogi or saint expresses his love and respect to Lord by blending physically to the ground.
• Dasyam means the act of adherent devotees developing a great feeling of being God's servant. On the other hand, this will really weed out egoism, arrogance, selflessness and pride.
• Sakhyam is the best feel of friendship. This bhava assists the adherent devotees in order to establish a relationship of personal nature.
• Atmanivedanam is the process of complete surrender of self. This is the highest aspect of bhakti.

Bhathi yoga is practiced under the guidance and suggestion of Amma at Sri Matha Yoganandamayi Ashram with a lot of perfection. A large number of devotees and participants come forward to experience it in the best form at this place. Things are carried out in a systematic manner with much care.

Facilities at Sri Matha Yoganandamayi Ashram

There are arrangements done for practicing Yoga on demand. The basic asanas that are taught are This course teach you all the basic plus advanced yoga postures such as Sarvaa~Ngaasana or Shoulder Stand posture, Navasana or Boat Pose posture, Pashchimottaanaasana or Full Forward Bend posture, Balasana or Child Pose posture, Utkatasana or Chair Pose posture, Ushtrasna or Camel Pose posture, Utthitaparshvakonasana or Side Angle Pose posture, Gomukhasana or Cow face posture, JaanushirShaasana or Head-to-knee posture and Shalabhaasana or Locust posture, Dhanuraasana or Bow posture, Matsyaasana or Fish posture, Yogamudraa or Yoga Seal posture, Paarshvottanasana or Intense Side Stretch posture, Setubandhasana or Bridge Pose posture, Chaturaa~NgadanDaasana or Four-limbed staff posture, Prasaritapadottana or Standing Straddled Forward Bend posture, Halaasana or Plough posture, Jathaparivrittasana or Reclining Stomach Twist posture, Viparitakarani or Legs up the Wall Pose posture, Virabhadraasana 2 or Warrior 2 posture, Shavaasana or Corpse posture, Virabhadraasana or Warrior 1 posture, Vrikshasana or Tree Pose posture, Vajrasana or Thunderbolt (Diamond) Pose posture, Pavanamuktaasana or Supine knees to chest pose posture, Urdhvamukhashvanasana or Upward Facing Dog Pose posture, Marjarasana or Cat and cow stretch posture, Rajakapotasana or King Pigeon Pose posture, TrikoNaasana or Triangle posture, Suryanamaskaara or Sun Salutation posture, Ardhamatsyendraasana or Spinal Twist posture and Bhuja~Ngaasana or Cobra posture.

Sri Matha Yoganandamayi Ashram makes arrangement for boarding and lodging for the students, participants, guest and visitors near its ashram with single rooms, double rooms, sharing rooms and dormitory with basic furniture and furnishing. The rent comes at affordable and reasonable charges. The rooms are well ventilated with broad doors and windows. Room service is also provided.

There is a small library with books related to Bhakthi Yoga, Kundalini yoga and Vedanta. There are many spiritual and religious textbooks, journals, magazines, etc.

The Ashram is well planned and well organized keeping in mind the outmost preference to the teaching, environment as well as considering the comfort level of the practitioner. Learning yoga in this very institute is somewhat like blessing in disguise.