Institutions
International Yoga Fellowship Movement (IYFM)
The
International Yoga Fellowship Movement is a charitable and philosophical
movement founded by Swami Satyananda at Rajnandgaon in 1956 to disseminate
the yogic tradition throughout the world. It forms the medium to convey
the teachings of Swami Satyananda through its affiliated centres around
the world. Swami Niranjanananda is the first Paramacharya of the International
Yoga Fellowship Movement.
The lYFM provides guidance, systematized yoga training programs and sets teaching standards for all the affiliated yoga teachers, centres and ashrams. A Yoga Charter to consolidate and unify the humanitarian efforts of all sannyasin disciples, yoga teachers, spiritual seekers and well-wishers was introduced during the World Yoga Convention in 1993. Affiliation to this Yoga Charter enables the person to become a messenger of goodwill and peace in the world, through active involvement in various far-reaching yoga-related projects.
Bihar School of Yoga (BSY)
The
Bihar School of Yoga is a charitable and educational institution founded
by Swami Satyananda at Munger in 1963, with the aim of imparting yogic
training to all nationalities and to provide a focal point for a mass
return to the ancient science of yoga. The Chief Patron of Bihar School
of Yoga is Swami Niranjanananda. The original school, Sivanandashram,
is the centre for the Munger locality. Ganga Darshan, the new school
established in 1981, is situated on a historic hill with panoramic views
of the river Ganges.
Yoga Health Management, Teacher Training, Sadhana, Kriya Yoga and other specialized courses are held throughout the year. BSY is also renowned for its sannyasa training and the initiation of female and foreign sannyasins.
BSY provides trained sannyasins and teachers for conducting yoga conventions, seminars and lecture tours around the world. It also contains a comprehensive research library and scientific research centre.
Bihar Yoga Bharati (BYB)
Bihar
Yoga Bharati was founded by Swami Niranjanananda in 1994 as an educational
and charitable institution for advanced studies in yogic sciences. It
is the culmination of the vision of Swami Sivananda and Swami Satyananda.
BYB is the world's first accredited institution wholly devoted to teaching
yoga. A comprehensive yogic education is imparted with provision to
grant certificates, diplomas and degrees in yogic studies. BYB offers
a complete scientific and yogic education according to the needs of
today, through the areas of Yoga Philosophy, Yoga Psychology, Applied
Yogic Science and Yogic Ecology. At present, residential courses of
four months are conducted in a gurukul environment, so that along with
yoga education, the spirit of seva (selfless service), samarpan (dedication)
and karuna (compassion) for humankind is also imbibed by the students.
Sivananda Math (SM)
Sivananda
Math is a social and charitable institution founded by Swami Satyananda
at Munger in 1984, in memory of his guru, Swami Sivananda Saraswati
of Rishikesh. The Head Office is now situated at Rikhia in Deoghar district,
Jharkhand. Swami Niranjanananda is the Chief Patron.
Sivananda Math aims to facilitate the growth of the weaker and underprivileged sections of society, especially rural communities. Its activities include: distribution of free scholarships, clothing, farm animals and food, the digging of tube-wells and construction of houses for the needy, assistance to farmers in ploughing and watering their fields. The Rikhia complex also houses a satellite dish system for providing global information to the villagers.
A medical clinic has been established for the provision of medical treatment, advice and education. Veterinary services are also provided. All services are provided free and universally to everyone, regardless of caste and creed.
Sivananda Ashram (SA)
Sivananda
Ashram is a social and charitable institution founded by Swami Satyasangananda
in 2004, under the inspiration of Swami Satyananda. The ashram's centre
of activities is at Rikhia, in Deoghar district, Jharkhand.
The aim of Sivananda Ashram is to provide spiritual education and knowledge through the medium of yogic science and culture, as originally inspired by Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh. At present, the children (kanyas and batuks) of the Rikhia Panchayat are being educated in kirtan and bhajan, Ramayana Path, English and computers. In this way, these children are imbibing the glorious culture of India as well as receiving modern education, thus creating the outline for an evolved society.
Yoga Research Foundation (YRF)
The
Yoga Research Foundation is a scientific, research-oriented institution
founded by Swami Satyananda at Munger in 1984.
The Yoga Research Foundation aims to provide an accurate assessment of the practices of different branches of yoga within a scientific framework, and to establish yoga as an essential science for the development of mankind. At present the foundation is working on projects in the areas of fundamental research and clinical research. It is also studying the effects of yoga on proficiency improvement in various social projects, e.g. army, prisoners, children. These projects are being carried out in affiliated centres world-wide.
YRF's future plans include literary, scriptural, medical and scientific investigations into other little-known aspects of yoga for physical health, mental well-being and spiritual upliftment.
Yoga Publications Trust (YPT)
Yoga
Publications Trust (YPT) was established by Swami Niranjanananda in
2000. It is an organization devoted to the dissemination and promotion
of yogic and allied knowledge - psychology (ancient and modern), ecology,
medicine, vedic, upanishadic, tantric darshanas, philosophies (Eastern
and Western), mysticism and spirituality -nationally and internationally
through the distribution of books, magazines, audio and video cassettes
and multimedia.
YPT is primarily concerned with publishing textbooks in the areas of yoga philosophy, psychology and applied yogic science, research materials, practice texts and the inspiring talks of eminent spiritual personalities and authors aimed at the upliftment of humanity by means of the eternal yogic knowledge, lifestyle and practice.
Sri Panchdashnam Paramahamsa Alakh Bara (PPAB.)
Sri
Panchdashnam Paramahamsa Alakh Bara was established in 1990 by Swami
Satyananda at Rikhia, Deoghar, Jharkhand. It is a charitable, educational
and non-profit making institution aiming to uphold and propagate the
highest tradition of sannyasa, namely vairagya (dispassion), tyaga (renunciation)
and tapasya (austerity). It propounds the tapovan style of living adopted
by the rishis and munis of the vedic era and is intended only for sannyasins,
renunciates, ascetics, tapasvis and Paramahamsas. The Alakh Bara does
not conduct any activities such as yoga teaching or preaching of any
religion or religious concepts. The guidelines set down for the Alakh
Bara are based on the classical vedic tradition of sadhana, tapasya
and swadhyaya, or atma chintan.
Swami Satyananda, who resides permanently at the Alakh Bara, has performed the Panchagni Vidya and other vedic sadhanas, thus paving the way for future Paramahamsas to uphold their tradition.
[top]