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Integral Psychology of Yoga
Introduction The art and science of Yoga, one of the greatest treasures of India's unique cultural heritage, has much to offer in terms of understanding the human mind. Yoga treats the human being as a multi-layered conscious being, possessing three bodies (sthula,...
Embarking on a Spiritual Odyssey, Part 8: Surrender and Grace–The Mystical Poetry that Transformed a Seeker
In Part 7 of this series, Ramaswamy (Swami Satchidananda’s birth name) had expressed his deepening spiritual yearnings to his parents and they agreed to not pressure him into remarriage. Instead, they gave him time to devote himself to religious study and meditation...
Humility: Access to Deeper Wisdom
While humility is the hallmark of a sincere spiritual aspirant, we may rarely think of practicing it. In an age where self-empowerment is synonymous with personal growth, the idea of humbling oneself is decidedly unpopular. It can easily be dismissed as a sign of...
How God Came Into My Life
It would be easy to dismiss the question by saying: "Yes, after a prolonged period of intense austerities and meditation while I was living in Swarg Ashram, during which I had the darshan of a number of maharishis and their blessings, the Lord appeared before me in...
The Grateful Life Is a Liberated Life
When I feel defeated by all of the distractions and information I consume on a daily basis, I go to the river near my home. On the shore, my senses are inundated with beauty — the light in the trees, a heron passing by, the roar of water over stones that drowns out...
Announcing the Fall Silent Yoga Retreat: October 24-27, 2024
We live in an era of rapid technological advances, unexpected changes, and overwhelming stimulus. How do we navigate through it all with comfort? Learn to be more accepting of any situation, trying not to resist it, but instead, embracing each moment while maintaining...
Relax into the Holidays with Restorative Yoga
Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville will host "Relax into the Holidays with Restorative Yoga" with Satya Greenstone, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT from November 29 - December 1, 2024. In this workshop, experience deep relaxation and rejuvenation during a time period when it’s needed...
Experiential Raja Yoga Retreat
Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville will host an "Experiential Raja Yoga Retreat" with Swami Karunananda, E-RYT 500 from November 1 - 3, 2024. Daily sessions for meditation, Hatha Yoga and pranayama will energize and relax you. Guided experiential exercises will help you...
H. H. Sri Swami Sivananda: 137th Jayanthi and 100th Sannyas Anniversary
September 8th 2024 marks the 137th Jayanthi (birth anniversary), as well as the 100th Sannyas (monkhood) anniversary of H. H. Sri Swami Sivananda, the Guru of Sri Swami Satchidananda. Swami Satchidananda humbly said of his Guru, " I feel very fortunate to have sat at...
What It Really Means to “Practice” The Yoga Sutras
In this episode of the Integral Yoga Podcast, Avi Gordon (director of the Integral Yoga Teachers Association) is in conversation with Carroll Ann (Prashanti) Friedmann. She shares her personal journey with the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and the sankalpa (vow or...
Documentary: “Divine Harmony”
On August 27, 2024 a special kirtan service in celebration of the anniversary of the birth of Swamini Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda was held at the Integral Yoga Institute of New York. Special highlights of the program included special guest, Sita Michelle...
Meditation Teacher Training – November 2024 Online
The Integral Yoga Institute of San Francisco is offering a Meditation Teacher Training (Yoga Alliance Hours: 105 and Integral Yoga® 300-hour Program) starting November 14, 2024 taught by Swami Ramananda and Diana Meltsner and guest teacher Rich Panico M.D. The IYI is...
VedantaWorks: The Teachings of Swami Vivekananda
VedantaWorks recently released their third podcast series: The Raja Yoga classes of Swami Vivekananda. VedantaWorks is dedicated to the teachings of Vedanta, the basic philosophy of Hinduism as expressed through Swami Vivekananda. Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902) was an...
Harvest Full Moon Retreat: Purnima Sadhana October 17-20, 2024
Harvest Full Moon Retreat: Purnima Sadhana October 17 - 20, 2024 with Satya Greenstone, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT. Join us at Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville to experience a Harvest Full Moon Retreat under the guidance of Satya Greenstone, senior disciple of Sri Swami...
Integral Yoga San Francisco Announces Ongoing Personal Retreat Offerings
Experience a profound rejuvenation of body, mind and spirit by immersing yourself in a personal retreat at Integral Yoga Institute. Relax and unwind at our urban Ashram, where you will find space for self-reflection and intentional self-care, in the heart of San...
The TMJ Handbook: Relieve Jaw Pain with Yoga
In The TMJ Handbook: A Therapeutic Guide to Relieving Jaw Tension and Pain with Yoga and Mindfulness, Cator Shachoy explains the anatomy and physiology of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD)—what we commonly refer to as "TMJ." She unpacks the physical,...
Integral Yoga Podcast: Mataji
In this episode of the Integral Yoga Podcast, senior Integral Yoga monk Swami Gurucharanananda (Mataji) shares insights into her life journey and spiritual path, first as a Catholic nun and later meeting her Guru, Swami Satchidananda. Born in Washington DC on April...
Who Are You? Who Are You Being? Svadhyaya – “Self-Study”
Who am I really? Who am I being? These are two queries and discoveries to be made while practicing svadhyaya (self-study)—Yoga’s fourth niyama, as well as the second practice in the Kriya Yoga of Sri Patanjali. Svadhyaya includes the study of sacred texts and the...
Heaven on Earth: My Vision of Yogaville
Swami Satchidananda, the revered founder of Yogaville and a world-renowned spiritual teacher, presents a transformative vision in his book, Heaven on Earth: My Vision of Yogaville. This compelling vision encapsulates his dream of creating a haven of peace, love, and...
Staying Balanced in the Midst of Pain
Someone once asked me the following question: “In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says, ‘The yogi who perceives the essential oneness everywhere naturally feels the pleasure or pain of others as their own.’ Is it possible to feel the pain of others without losing...
Spiritual Media Blog Podcast: Practicing the Yoga Sutras in Daily Life
Matthew Welsh, JD, PhD, (founder of Spiritual Media Blog and his podcast of the same name) recently invited Carroll Ann (Prashanti) Friedmann to be a podcast guest and talk about her new book (Practicing the Yoga Sutras, from Integral Yoga Publications). The book...
Reflections on a Journey: Unity Under the Desert Sky
I set out on a journey to the 2024 Integral Yoga European Reunion held in Spain not knowing what to expect. It’s been more than six years now of serving as director of the Integral Yoga Teachers Association (IYTA) at Yogaville, and during that time, I’ve gotten to...
Embarking on a Spiritual Odyssey, Part 7: Turning Point–The Premonition
During the time Ramaswamy (Swami Satchidananda’s birthname was Ramaswamy) served as the manager of the Perur Temple in 1937, he had become well-acquainted with one of the families who was very active and helpful in the management. In fact, the head of the family had...
The Guru Poornima + Awakening Issue – IY eMagazine 302
New Interactive Website: Ask Swami
Ever have questions about Yoga? The meaning of life? What is maya? Other burning questions? Now there’s a new website, Ask Swami (askswami.org), where you can ask those questions in real time and get your questions answered! The answers are sourced from the Integral...