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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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Sanskrit: Divine Abode

Sanskrit: Divine Abode

Many of the universal chants sung in the Integral Yoga Institutes, as well as the ancient Yogic scriptures, are in the Sanskrit language. ''He who knows my grammar knows God," said Panini, the great Sanskrit grammarian and philosopher of ancient India. ''He who would...

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Sanskrit, Sattva and Purusha

Sanskrit, Sattva and Purusha

From Patanjali's perspective in his Yoga Sutras, there is ultimately one problem in life; not perceiving the difference between the transparent, luminous and reflective quality (guna) of the mind with its perceptual field known as sattva, and my true nature as "I"...

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Yoga Nidra and Visualizations

Yoga Nidra and Visualizations

One of the first visualizations to use could be the one of Sacred Space, finding the safe, secure place within oneself: “Close your eyes. Take in a few deep breaths. Today we all will go on a magic trip…We will have to cross the river to get to the other side…so, you...

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Walking Meditation for Kids

Walking Meditation for Kids

Walking with a child or group of children is a perfect time to teach them about walking meditation.

Begin by picking a path or trail your group already knows so the concentration need not be on finding your way. Begin by walking in single file or with kids alongside...

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Teaching School Age Kids Sitting Meditation

Teaching School Age Kids Sitting Meditation

This age group is used to sitting still at their desks for a determined period of time, which is a head start in teaching sitting meditation. For learning meditation the teacher and students sit in a circle on the carpet facing in, or the students can sit at their...

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Teaching Preschoolers Sitting Meditation

Teaching Preschoolers Sitting Meditation

Young kids love being outdoors and pretending, so images from nature for teaching beginning meditation fit this age group. In this lesson I've included the example of a puppy for the kids to visualize. Breathing lesson To introduce children to sitting meditation you...

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Teaching Kids a Relaxation Meditation

Teaching Kids a Relaxation Meditation

Everyone needs relaxation periods to refresh and rejuvenate; kids, too. Did you ever notice how easily a baby can relax into sleep? They naturally know how to and take it when needed. Here is how to teach kids relaxation meditation when they feel stressed and need a...

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Problem Solving with a Relaxation Meditation for Teens

Problem Solving with a Relaxation Meditation for Teens

Prayer, meditation, and study of virtues are useful in finding peace and abiding love within. These spiritual practices are a foundation for becoming caring teens and adults. We learn from a very young age about our innate spirituality underlying all religious...

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Visualizations with Animals for Kids

Visualizations with Animals for Kids

With our magic wings we fly to an old farmhouse. We smell freshly cut grass…going over the barn; we smell the fragrance of dry hay. We are a little tired and make ourselves a nest in the hay. We see the dust dance in the sun rays…A cat comes and sits down next to us,...

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Yoga Nidra, Sankalpa & Hypnosis

Yoga Nidra, Sankalpa & Hypnosis

Yoga Nidra is a highly powerful ancient meditation technique originated from the Tantras. It is the scientific way to eliminate the root cause of all the negativities. Yoga Nidra comprises of the secrets of total transformation which give a real positive direction to...

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