Yogic Education and Training

BIHAR SCHOOL OF YOGA

The Bihar School of Yoga was originally founded in Munger in 1963 by Swami Satyananda to train people in the science of yoga. Specialised courses in different aspects of yoga are offered year-round. It is well-known for its sannyasa training and its progressiveness in accepting both women and foreign nationals for sannyasa initiation.

BIHAR YOGA BHARATI

The Bihar School of Yoga created the foundations for the more recent establishment of the Bihar Yoga Bharati (BYB), a yoga institute and spiritual centre. This fulfilment of Swami Sivananda’s vision, as transmitted through Swami Satyananda and Swami Niranjanananda combines academic study and research with the personal experience of living in an ashram environment. The goal of BYB is the holistic growth of the student within a rapidly changing world. Equal emphasis is placed on physical, mental and spiritual development. With Swami Niranjanananda as Chancellor, there is a strong continuity of tradition combined with academic and yogic training. People from all walks of life from all over the world come to BYB both for in-depth training.

SIVANANDA ASHRAM RIKHIA PEETH

Sivananda Ashram Rikhia Peeth is the residence of Paramahamsa Satyananda. When he withdrew from Bihar School of Yoga in search of a further mission in 1988, he had a vision, which led him to Rikhia to do sadhana and help uplift the villagers surrounding him. It is a place of tremendous power, which has been charged by the activities of Paramahamsa Satyananda.

For five years in the hot summer, he performed the Panchagni (five fires) practice, an ancient austerity that can only be performed by an accomplished Sadhaka. He sat surrounded by 4 fires and the hot sun above, meditating on mantra. Between sittings, he organised community work for his neighbours.

Until recently, Sivananda Ashram was only open to the public for a few weeks a year, during Sita Kalyanam. Retreats such as Anahata’s Chakra Sadhana Retreat are a new addition, during which Paramahamsa Satyananda has extended his home and place of Sadhana to us in order to deepen our own experience of yoga and purify our bodies and minds in this powerful energy. It is also a chance to participate in the incredible activities of Sivananda Math.

SATYANANDA YOGA® AUSTRALIA

The Satyananda Yoga Academy in New South Wales and the Yoga Association of Victoria at Rocklyn in Australia both provide short courses as well as comprehensive training in Satyananda Yoga. They are the official training academies for Australasia and offer a three-year Diploma of Satyananda Yoga Teaching. The diploma comprises 2 years of Yogic Studies and 1 year of Teacher Training, completed partly through residential segments and partly through correspondence. This course is a recognized government accredited course that complies with the Australian Qualifications Training Framework and brings the student through a personal process of transformation in preparation to share yoga from a very strong foundation.

The Rocklyn campus focuses on Living Consciously courses and Sannyasa training.

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