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A Life in Service: Remembering Fr. Christie A. Joachimpillai, OMI (1931–2025)

On August 30, 2025, the world lost a devoted priest, scholar, and bridge-builder between faiths. Fr. Christie A. Joachimpillai, OMI—affectionately known as Fr. Pillai to many in the Integral Yoga community—passed away peacefully in Toronto, surrounded by loved ones....

Swami Sivananda’s Sampoorna Yoga for Modern Seekers

If you asked Sri Swami Sivananda what a busy person in the West should actually do each day to grow spiritually, he would likely point you to a deceptively simple framework: do a little meditation, a little prayer, a little study, a little service—every day—with...

The Greatest Victory

Gurudev Sivanandaji used to say that we should watch our thoughts because they create habits. Once you develop a habit, it becomes your character. And then your character becomes your destiny. So, it all originates with your thinking. That is why it is so important to...
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The Calm Classroom

The Calm Classroom

Integral Yoga teacher Jai Luster developed a program that integrates concentration and breathing techniques for calmer more productive schools and classrooms. In this interview he discusses his innovative approach to changing the entire school culture. In this...

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Teaching an Integral Yoga Class

Teaching an Integral Yoga Class

When Sri Swami Satchidananda designed the Integral Yoga Hatha class, he formulated a clear methodology for his system. The Integral Yoga Hatha method was designed to draw the practitioner into a physical and mental stillness that leads to an experience of one’s true...

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Who Am I? A Guided Meditation

Who Am I? A Guided Meditation

Sri Swami Satchidananda recorded a self-inquiry process that he recommended as a meditation technique. Here is the process he gave: One wonderful meditation technique is self-analysis. It’s a process that leads you to identify with the inner Self, the Knower, rather...

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Try a Karma Yoga Week

Try a Karma Yoga Week

I often suggest this practice: try for just one week to be completely selfless. Do every action as a service. "For the whole week, let me be selfless. Let me always give, give, give and love, love, love." If you really don't get any benefit, if you don't enjoy that...

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What Does “OM” Really Mean?

What Does “OM” Really Mean?

To truly comprehend the depth and profundity of “OM,” we have to go back to the ancient Indic texts known as the Vedic literature, to the seed-mantra, Omkara. But before this, it might be worthwhile to know that OM is not a sectarian sound, nor is it peculiar to Hindu...

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Cultivating Japa as a Relationship

Cultivating Japa as a Relationship

In this interview, Prentiss Alter explains that japa (chanting or silent repetition of a mantra) essentially is a relationship. He explains four components of alignment that help guide the practitioner into relationship, communication and connection. That’s why, even...

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The Yoga of Kirtan

The Yoga of Kirtan

Steven J. Rosen’s book, The Yoga of Kirtan, offers interviews with 21 musicians—including Krishna Das, Jai Uttal, Deva Premal, Snatam Kaur, David Newman, Ragani—leading the kirtan revolution. The book focuses not only on kirtan but on the lives of those being...

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Integral Yoga Hatha Class For Children (ages 4-12)

Integral Yoga Hatha Class For Children (ages 4-12)

Integral Yoga Standard Class: The poses in this section form the basis of the Integral Yoga Hatha practice. They are recommended for daily practice as they offer the maximum health benefits in the minimum amount of poses. Having a basic sequence to follow gives a firm...

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Service in Satchidananda: Lifelights Network

Service in Satchidananda: Lifelights Network

Lifelights is part of the Service in Satchidananda (SIS) network of people around the world who have felt their lives enriched, inspired, and changed for the better by the teachings and service of one of the greatest peacemakers and humanitarians in the world, Sri...

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Cosmic vs. Cosmetic Beauty

Cosmic vs. Cosmetic Beauty

What makes the mind dirty? All the dirty thoughts. Because the mind is nothing but a bunch of thoughts. When the thoughts are clean, the mind is clean. When the thoughts are ugly with jealousy, hatred, or vengeance,  the mind becomes that.  And a dirty mind makes a...

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