In 1972, the Integral Yoga Institute of New York was growing rapidly under Sri Swami Satchidananda’s guidance. Many people had become students of Hatha Yoga and, with so much interest in following a vegetarian diet, there came a real need for a store that would, supply fresh whole foods at reasonable prices. On March 26, 1972 Sri Swami Satchidananda opened the first Integral Yoga Natural Food store.
Forty-five years later, an independent group of Integral Yoga community members has come together to create Sangha Natural Food Store*. These members are heartbroken that the Integral Yoga Natural Foods store of New York City has closed its doors. They want to turn that heartbreak into a new grocery store/apothecary/vegan cafe and need help to succeed. A small test run was done last week to ensure everything worked, and they are appealing to a larger base of supporters. Based on the initial response, they are now optimistic about reaching (and exceeding) their $400,000 goal quickly. You can make a donation here. All GoFundMe partners who donate $500.00, or more, will get a 15% discount on all purchases for the first year. Donations will go towards stocking the store, renovations, hiring staff, etc. If they are not successful in opening the store, donors will receive a full refund.
Thanks to the outpouring of love that has been expressed in response to the surprising news of the store’s closure, the community members look forward to bringing a new vegetarian venture to the space. The new business will have the same mission, same philosophy, of ahimsa (nonviolence) and service, as Swami Satchidananda said, “Food as an offering of love.”
The initiative for the Sangha (Community) Natural Food Store/Apothecary/Vegan Cafe is spearheaded by Kurt Mahoney. A former finance executive and a student of Swami Satchidananda, he has been meditating and taking classes at the Integral Yoga Institute in New York City for the past ten years.
The community members are calling on the extended Integral Yoga family, old-timers and newcomers and everyone in between, to support this worthy cause.
For further inquiries please email us at: [email protected]
*Special Note: Integral Yoga Institute of New York makes no representations as to the efficacy of this project, which is not affiliated with, or backed by, Integral Yoga Institute of New York or, its Board of Directors
