South Indian Hindu Siddhar Tradition

வாசி யோகம்Vaasi Yogam

The breath-yoga of the சித்தர்கள், the Siddhars

A Tampa, Florida sangam devoted to the ancient Tamil yogic tradition — the science of breath, stillness, and inner awakening passed down by the Siddhar saints, under the grace of Lord Murugan, their divine leader.

Temple-mural style painting of Lord Murugan holding the vel, his divine spear, standing beside his peacock before a South Indian temple
முருகன் · Lord Murugan, leader of the 18 Siddhars
A siddhar sage meditating at dawn before Arunachala hill, mist rising in blue and orange light
Meditation before Arunachala — the sacred hill of Tiruvannamalai

Ancient Wisdom, Living Breath

வாசி (vasi) means breath — the subtle life-current the Siddhars mastered and made the very vehicle of liberation. Vaasi Yogam is their breath-centered sadhana: refining the breath to steady the mind, purify the body, and awaken the inner light.

The Siddhars were Tamil Nadu's mystic scientists — masters of yoga, alchemy, medicine, astronomy, and poetry. Their knowledge, preserved in thousands of palm-leaf verses, teaches that the divine is not far away: it breathes within you.

Here in Tampa, we gather to study, practice, and keep this flame alive — far from Tamil Nadu, yet rooted in its soil.

முருகன் — Divine Leader of the Siddhars

Lord Murugan, the eternal youth with the vel of wisdom and the peacock of mastery over desire, stands as the divine guru of the 18 Siddhars. Siddhar Bogar himself fashioned Murugan's famed idol at Palani — a living bond between the Siddhar lineage and the Lord.

Meet the 18 Siddhars

Vaalai Thaai — the Divine Mother

Vaalai Thaai holds a cherished place of devotion in the Siddhar tradition — the Divine Mother to whom seekers turn for compassion, protection, and grace. In Vaasi Yogam, her tender presence softens the rigors of sadhana, reminding the seeker that the path of breath is also a path of love.

A dedicated page on Vaalai Thaai is coming soon.

Devotional painting of Vaalai Thaai, the Divine Mother, seated on a white lotus, adorned in blue and red, against a radiant golden glow
Vaalai Thaai — the Divine Mother of the Siddhar tradition

Explore

The 18 Siddhars பதினெண் சித்தர்கள்

From Agathiyar, father of Tamil grammar and medicine, to Bogar the alchemist — the saints whose breath-yoga we follow, with Lord Murugan as their leader.

Read their stories →

The Practice சாதனை

What Vaasi Yogam is, what it aims at, and how a beginner may approach it — with patience, regularity, and respect for the tradition's depth.

Learn the sadhana →

Gatherings சங்கமம்

Satsang, group practice, and study here in the Tampa Bay area. Come sit with us — all sincere seekers are welcome.

See the schedule →
ஓம் சரவணபவ "Om Saravana Bhava"
— the six-syllabled mantra of Lord Murugan