Integral Yoga is a flexible combination of specific methods designed to develop every aspect of the individual: physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. It is a scientific system that integrates the various branches of Yoga to bring about a complete and harmonious development of the individual.

Founder Swami Satchidananda

Sri Gurudev is the founder and guiding light for the Integral Yoga® Institutes and Centers, located throughout the world. Integral Yoga, as taught by Sri Gurudev, combines various methods of Yoga, including Hatha Yoga, selfless service, meditation, prayer, and a 5,000-year-old philosophy that helps one find the peace and joy within. The teachings of Swami Satchidananda have spread into the mainstream and thousands of people now teach Yoga. Integral Yoga is the foundation for Dr. Dean Ornish’s landmark work in reversing heart disease and Dr. Michael Lerner’s noted Commonweal Cancer Help Program (CCHP).

The Goal of Integral Yoga

The Goal of Integral Yoga, and the birthright of every individual, is to realize the spiritual unity behind all the diversity in the entire creation and to live harmoniously as members of one universal family.

This goal is achieved by returning to our natural condition of:

  • A Body of perfect health and strength
  • A Mind with all clarity, calmness, and control
  • An Intellect as sharp as a razor
  • A Will as pliable as steel
  • A Heart full of love and compassion
  • An ego as pure as crystal
  • A Life full of dedication and filled with Supreme Peace and Joy

By practicing Integral Yoga we develop an Easeful Body, a Peaceful Mind, and a Useful Life.

The Integral Yoga Yantra

Branches of Integral Yoga

Hatha Yoga

Bodily postures (asanas), deep relaxation breath control (pranayama), cleansing processes (kriyas) and mental concentration create a supple and relaxed body; increased vitality; radiant health; and help in curing physical illness. Through proper diet, the physical body undergoes a cleansing through which impurity’s and toxins are eliminated and at the same time vitamins and minerals are readily assimilated and utilized by the system. As the body and mind become purified and the practitioner gains matter over his mind, he finally attains the goal of Yoga, Self Realization.

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Karma Yoga

The path of action through selfless service. By performing duty without attachment or desire for the results of action, the Karma Yogi purifies his mind. when the mind and heart are purified, the Karma Yogi becomes an instrument thought which the Divine Plan or Work is performed. Thereby he transcends his individuality and experiences the Divine Consciousness.

Bhakti Yoga

This is the path of love and devotion to God, a Divine Incarnation or spiritual teacher. By constant love thought, and service of the Divine, the individual transcends his limits personality and attains Cosmic Consciousness. The path of Bhakti or devotion can be practiced by everyone. All that is needed is faith and constant loving remembrance of God.

 

Raja Yoga

This is the path of meditation and control of the mind. It is based on ethical and moral perfection and control of the senses which leads to concentration and meditation by which the mind can be stilled from its thoughts. Then all limitations are transcended and the state of Samadhi or Superconsciousness is experienced.

Japa Yoga

Japa Yoga is a part of Raja Yoga. Japa means repetition of a mantra. A mantra is a sound structure of one or more syllables which represents a particular aspect of the Divine Vibration. Concentrated mental repetition of the mantra produces vibrations within the individual’s entire system that are in tune with the Divine Vibration.

Jnana Yoga

This is the path of wisdom. It consists of self-analysis and awareness. The Jnana Yogi gains knowledge of the Self by ceasing to identify himself with the body, mind, and ego. He completely identifies with the divinity within him and everything and realizes the oneness.