Bihar School of Yoga

Swami Satyananda Saraswati (1923-2009) was a renowned yoga master who founded the Bihar School of Yoga in 1963. Born in Almora, Uttarakhand, he was initiated into sannyasa (monastic life) by his guru Swami Śivananda in 1947. After years of training and practice, Satyananda was instructed by Śivananda to "spread yoga from shore to shore and door to door."

For that mission, in 1963, he established the Bihar School of Yoga in Munger,¹ a historic city in Bihar, India. The ashram, known as Garuda Bihar, spans approximately 25 acres on the banks of the Ganges River.

Bihar school of yoga. Credit: Vika Singh, Wikipedia[

The ashram offers various accommodation options for students and practitioners:

• Basic dormitory-style rooms
• Private rooms for advanced practitioners
• Meditation halls
• Yoga practice spaces
• Library with extensive yoga literature
• Vegetarian dining

Teaching Programs

The Bihar School of Yoga (BSY) offers a wide range of teaching programs for yoga practitioners, from beginners to advanced seekers. These programs are based on traditional yogic principles, but also adapted to contemporary lifestyles. Below is a list of the various programs offered:

Yoga Teacher Training Courses (YTTC)

The Yoga Teacher Training Courses at BSY are designed to train individuals to become yoga teachers. These programs cover yoga practices and theory, including:

• Asanas (Postures). Participants learn proper techniques and the significance of each posture.
• Pranayama (Breathing Techniques) such as Nadi Shodhana, Kapalabhati, and Bhastrika.
• Meditation Practices. Introduction to various meditation techniques, including Antar Mouna (Inner Silence), Ajapa Japa, and Trataka (concentration).
• Yogic Philosophy. discussions on yogic texts like the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Bhagavad Gita, and Upanishads.
• Practical Teaching Skills. instruction on how to structure and lead yoga classes, ensuring participants feel confident in teaching others.

YTTC programs take several weeks and are immersive, requiring dedication, discipline, and active participation. Graduates receive certifications recognized globally.

Health Management Programs

These programs are designed to address modern-day health challenges using therapeutic yoga. The approach focuses on managing and sometimes reversing lifestyle-related conditions through yogic techniques. Some of the common conditions addressed include:

• Stress Management. Combining asanas, pranayama, and Yoga Nidra to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
• Diabetes Management. Practices aimed at improving metabolism and overall health.
• Cardiovascular Health. Yoga techniques to calm the nervous system, lower blood pressure.
• Back Pain and Joint Problems. Yoga practices to relieve pain and improve mobility.

These programs are often conducted as workshops or short courses, enabling participants to integrate the practices into their daily routines.

Specialized Programs

• Kundalini Yoga. Aimed at awakening dormant energy (Kundalini Shakti) through practices such as kriyas, meditation, and mantra chanting.
• Kriya Yoga Techniques for purifying the mind and body, promoting higher states of consciousness.
• Tantra Yoga Exploring the spiritual essence of tantra.

Participants are selected for these programs based on their prior experience and readiness, as they require a higher level of commitment and discipline.

Sannyasa Training Programs

For renunciates seeking a deeper spiritual journey, the Bihar School of Yoga offers sannyasa training programs:

• Simplicity and detachment.
• Selfless service (seva).
• Meditation and self-reflection.

Short-Term Retreats and Workshops

For those unable to commit to long-term programs, the Bihar School of Yoga offers short-term retreats and workshops that typically last from a few days to a week:

• Relaxation and rejuvenation techniques.
• Foundations of yoga for beginners.
• Managing modern-day challenges like digital detox and work-life balance through yogic practices.

Yoga Nidra Training

Developed and popularized by Swami Satyananda, Yoga Nidra is a guided meditation technique that induces a state of deep relaxation while maintaining conscious awareness:

• Understanding the theory and practice of Yoga Nidra.
• Learning how to guide others through Yoga Nidra sessions.
• Applying Yoga Nidra for stress relief, creativity enhancement, and improved sleep.

Advanced Studies in Yogic Philosophy and Scriptures

For those interested in the intellectual and spiritual depth of yoga, BSY offers advanced courses in yogic philosophy and ancient scriptures:

• Bhagavad Gita.
• Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
• The Upanishads and other Vedic texts.

Outreach and Community Programs

The Bihar School of Yoga actively engages in social outreach programs, teaching yoga to diverse groups, that underscore the inclusive and transformative potential of yoga in real-world contexts:

• Prison inmates, to help them find inner peace and rehabilitation.
• Soldiers and police personnel, to manage stress and improve focus.
• Healthcare professionals, to help them maintain emotional balance while caring for others.

Sources

• https://www.biharyoga.net/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bihar_School_of_Yoga

Footnotes

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