In 1993, a pivotal shift occurred in Shivaji’s spiritual journey when he met his Sadguru, Swami Chidananda Saraswati—renowned as the closest and most senior disciple of Swami Sivananda Saraswati, and the former president of The Divine Life Society, founded by Swami Sivananda in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand (Himalayas). Under his guidance, Shivaji was formally initiated into the Hindu Vedic monastic order and received the spiritual name Brahmachari Shiva Shankara Chaitanya.
Swamiji guided Shivaji along the Bhakti Marga (the path of devotion), deepening his inner journey. As a devoted disciple in the Sivananda lineage, Shivaji was trained in the foundational teachings of Swami Sivananda: Serve, Love, Meditate, Realize. He further enriched his knowledge and practice under the tutelage of world-renowned yoga masters, including Swami Adhyatmananda, Swami Yogaswarupananda, Swami Vishwarupananda, and Rudradev Gauda. In addition, he completed a short-term intensive yoga course at the Sivananda Dhanwantari Ashram, founded by Swami Vishnudevananda, in Neyyar Dam, Trivandrum, Kerala.
Embodying the spirit of selfless service, Shivaji traveled extensively across towns, villages, various charitable platforms, and welfare communities throughout India. He spread Swami Sivananda’s divine message through a variety of spiritual activities—teaching yoga, inspiring youth through uplifting discourses, and engaging in compassionate service to humanity.
By following the advice of his Sadguru, Shiva ji later moved to the revered Kailas Ashram in Rishikesh, to study the classical philosophies and the Sanskrit scriptures such as Bhagavad Gita, Vedanta, Upanishads, Samkhya, Yoga Sutra, Smriti and other foundational texts of the Indian Vedic tradition in the monastic order of Maharshi Veda Vyasa and Adishankaracharya.
Shivaji was deeply inspired to master the practice of Hatha Yoga, a goal he successfully achieved under the guidance of several esteemed teachers. In 1997, he joined the prestigious Iyengar Yoga Institute in Pune, Maharashtra, to further deepen his experience in Yoga—focusing on Asanas, Pranayama, and Yoga Therapy with precision and dedication.
To expand his understanding within the traditional yogic lineage, Shivaji enrolled in a four-month teacher training program at the Bihar School of Yoga in Munger, Bihar—founded by Swami Satyananda Saraswati. In 1999, he underwent intensive training under the direct guidance of Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati, gaining profound insights into the integrated approach of classical Yoga.
To deepen his spiritual practice and advance further in the art of meditation, Shivaji undertook the Kriya Yoga course offered by the Yogoda Satsang Society in Ranchi, Bihar—founded by the great spiritual master Paramahansa Yogananda, author of Autobiography of a Yogi.
Driven by an inner longing for truth, Shivaji journeyed into the sacred Himalayas in search of the most revered sages and enlightened yogis. There, living as a solitary and ascetic monk for an extended period, he immersed himself in silent contemplation and intense spiritual discipline. In the presence of these mysterious Himalayan masters, he received profound divine inspirations and soul-stirring spiritual experiences—blessings that would shape the course of his spiritual path forever.
Shivaji subsequently met internationally renowned Yoga and meditation expert and great Vedic Scholar; the late Swami Veda Bharati, (a direct disciple of Swami Rama and successor of Swami Rama’s mission, who served as Spiritual Director of Swami Rama’s Ashram). Swami Veda initiated Shivaji into the Himalayan tradition. The Himalayan tradition is distinguished as the first meditative tradition: the most comprehensive, integral and all-encompassing, which has given birth to many of the world’s major traditions, continuing to nourish and enrich them without requiring adherence to any specific belief system. Instead, it emphasizes direct inner experience and personal realization, offering a path to verify metaphysical truths through deep meditation and disciplined practice. Rooted in an unbroken lineage sustained by the transmission of Shakti, it is also known as a mantra-based meditation tradition, where sacred sound becomes a gateway to the inner Self.
Shivaji also completed advanced teacher training programs at two of India’s most esteemed Yoga institutions—SVYASA (Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana) in Bangalore and Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute in Lonavala, Maharashtra. Throughout his journey, he regularly visited various spiritual organizations, ashrams, and yoga institutes, living and learning with experienced yogis to continuously expand his knowledge and deepen his experiential understanding of the yogic path.
Over the years, Shivaji has been profoundly blessed and inspired by the presence and guidance of many divine personalities, including Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, Swami Ganapathi Sachchidananda, Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Anandmurti Gurumaa, Baba Sarvadasji Maharaj, and Swami Veda Bharati—each leaving an indelible mark on his spiritual evolution.
Imparting education is, without a doubt, an art—one that requires deep understanding, sensitivity, and intuition. From the very beginning of his teaching journey, Shivaji recognized the importance of meeting each student where they are. He has always prioritized cultivating the competence of his students, carefully selecting subjects and practices based on their individual needs, interests, experience levels, capacity, and inner intensity. His personalized and thoughtful approach allows each student to grow organically, with clarity, confidence, and purpose on their Yoga path.
Shivaji is distinctly recognised for his deep expertise across multiple yogic disciplines, including Raja Yoga (Ashtanga – the eight-limbed path), Mantra Yoga (with its sixteen limbs), Laya Yoga (nine limbs), Hatha Yoga (four limbs), as well as Kundalini Yoga, Tantra, and Kriya Yoga. His foundational curriculum encompasses an integrated study of Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Laya Yoga. In addition, other dimensions of Yoga are thoughtfully incorporated, always aligned with the wisdom of the sacred Vedic scriptures and classical Yogic texts.
Shivaji has taught extensively across a wide range of teacher training programs, retreats, workshops, and yoga festivals throughout India and internationally. His teachings have been shared in numerous yoga schools and spiritual organizations across Europe, UK, Thailand, Singapore, Russia, China, Indonesia, Nepal, and Japan. In addition, he continues to lead regular trainings in Rishikesh and Southern India, particularly during the winter season, offering seekers an immersive and authentic yogic experience.
