The Integral Yoga Virtual Studio (IYVS), sponsored by the Integral Yoga Teachers Association, has been able to offer donation-based Hatha classes over the past few months as a way of providing support to the community during this challenging time. Now, in order to...
Challenge, Purification and Heroism
Sri Swami Sivananda (the Guru of Integral Yoga founder Sri Swami Satchidananda) said that our suffering brings out the essence in us, just as an herb releases its fragrance when crushed. Gold is exposed only by removing a mountain of soil. Diamonds are formed through...
The Monkey Mind
Some of the great Yoga Masters have compared the mind to a drunken monkey that has been bitten by a scorpion! You have such a mind, but when you allow the mind to do whatever it wants, you don’t really notice how mischievous it is. It is only when you try to keep it...
A Spiritual Conversation with Swami Satchidananda and Ram Dass
In this enlightening 1976 interview, American TV host and journalist Bill Boggs spoke with Swami Satchidananda and Ram Dass in New York City. They discussed a range of topics from many paths to our goal, happiness, suffering, enlightenment, prison Yoga, and more....
Reflections on Aging and Yoga
It was 1968 and I was in my 20s in New York City. I started practicing Yoga at the Integral Yoga Institute. I am now in my 70s, it is 2020, and I live in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I am still practicing Yoga. I’m sure you can do the math. Since my 20s, I have been...
Why Practice Hatha Yoga?
Many people think that anything involving poses and stretches is Yoga, but Hatha Yoga is a far deeper practice with very specific goals. These goals include bringing health, wellbeing, ease and steadiness to the body so that we can function happily in the world and...
Mahasamadhi: Faith and Transition
Swami Karunananda (senior Integral Yoga monk and master teacher) writes about the Guru-disciple relationship and shares some of the inspiring experiences she had with her Guru, Sri Swami Satchidananda. This talk was recently given on the 18th anniversary of the...
This Is What We Call Integral Yoga
In order to be attuned to the Cosmic Consciousness, you have to be tuned in. If you haven’t tuned yourself in, then nothing will come. And if you tune to a wrong station, horrible things will come. But when you are tuned well, when you are at ease, everything comes to...
Sacred Mantra: Free Download
Kirtan/musical artists and Integral Yogis Sam Rossitto and Meera Kerr each created a musical track of the sacred mantra for meditation given by Sri Swami Satchidananda. In his honor, we are sharing a mash-up of their songs, done with their blessings. Enjoy this new...
Just Be As You Are
I often quote Avvaiyar, a very great saintly female poet from South India. She was clever with her use of words and never wasted any. Just a few words were enough to give you a great message. Somebody asked her, “How can I arrive at my home?” or in other words, “How...
Mahasamadhi Anniversary of Sri Swami Satchidananda Observed
The 18th Mahasamadhi Anniversary of Integral Yoga Founder Sri Swami Satchidananda is August 19, 2020. It will be observed globally at all Integral Yoga centers. Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville's Livestream program in honor of the anniversary will be streamed on...
Guru Tattva: The Guru Principle
Through venerating our Guru, our lineage and traditions, we are connecting with the principle of Guru-tattva. This is summarized in Śrīgurustotram: akhaṇḍamaṇḍalākāraṁ vyāptaṁ yena carācaram tatpadaṁ darśitaṁ yena tasmai śrīgurave namaḥ Salutations to that Guru, who...
Global Yoga Therapy Day: Aug. 13 – 14
The Yoga Therapy: Beyond the Studio summit is a free event hosted by the Global Yoga Therapy Day. The summit was created to educate the public, healthcare and Yoga communities about the profound work of Yoga therapists around the world. The summit features two...
Creating a Just World: A Spiritual Perspective
Avi Gordon (Integral Yoga Teachers Association director) is joined by Rev. Kamala Itzel Hayward (Integral Yoga teacher, Yoga therapist, Integral Yoga minister) for this conversation on spirituality and social justice. For 13 years, Rev. Kamala practiced law full time,...
Anxiety Buster & Hatha Teaching of the Month
Here we are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and anxiety is through the roof. We’re surrounded by it in the media and in family and friends. It’s hard not to pick it up. And if we are anxious, our kids will pick it up too. Luckily, Yoga can help us understand...
Setting Aside Selfishness
My spiritual master, Swami Sivananda used to say, “The sannyas (swami/renunciate) ego is the worst kind of ego. You have renounced everything, but you have not renounced the egoism of renunciation itself.” That’s what you see when someone demands: “Do you know who I...