Mission of the New York Integral Yoga® Institute

Our Mission

Integral Yoga Institute is a spiritual oasis of peace, and an Ashram, in the heart of the West Village. As a non-profit organization, we exist to serve our community through sharing the practice and teachings of yoga as taught by Sri Swami Satchidananda—whether someone comes for one class or chooses to join our residential ashram. These teachings help one to realize their full potential by facilitating an easeful body, a peaceful mind, a useful life, and ultimately, the realization of one’s true Self. We promote equity by offering a welcoming environment for people of all races, faiths, ages, gender identities, and sexual orientations to enjoy the benefits of a yoga practice. Our goal is to promote peace in the individual, as well as harmony and understanding in the world.

Goal of Integral Yoga®

Our Goal

The goal of Integral Yoga, and the birthright of every individual, is to realize the true self, to recognize the unity within all the diversity, and to contribute to a peaceful world. 

Integral Yoga® Yantra

Symbolizing all world faiths, known and unknown,
evolving from the same cosmic consciousness.

Learn More about the Integral Yoga Yantra

The goals of Integral Yoga® Practice

A body of optimal health and strength

senses under total control

a mind well disciplined, clear, and calm

an intellect as sharp as a razor

a will as strong and pliable as steel

a heart full of unconditional love

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an ego as pure as crystal

a life filled with supreme peace and joy

The origin of the New York Integral Yoga® Institute

Our History

Integral Yoga® Institute was founded in New York City in a large apartment on the Upper West Side on October 7, 1966, after Sri Swami Satchidananda, a spiritual teacher from India, came to America at the invitation of the artist Peter Max. The guru’s wise and practical teachings inspired many New Yorkers, mostly hippies and flower children, to take Hatha Yoga classes and attend weekly discussions on attaining peace and love without the use of psychedelic drugs. The apartment also became an ashram where students lived the principles of Yoga as taught by Sri Gurudev, as he was affectionately called by his disciples.

Founder & Lineage of Integral Yoga®

Our Founder

Sri Swami Satchidananda (1914–2002) was one of the first Yoga masters to bring the classical Yoga tradition to the West, and he was welcomed as a truly universal spiritual teacher. The distinctive teachings he brought with him blend the physical discipline of Yoga, the spiritual philosophy of India, and the interfaith ideals he pioneered.

Sri Swamiji founded the global Integral Yoga® organization, Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville®, and the Light Of Truth Universal Shrine. He is the author of Integral Yoga Hatha, To Know Your Self, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Beyond Words, The Living Gita, and The Golden Present, among other titles. He is also the subject of the documentary, Living Yoga.

He received many honors for his humanitarian service including the Juliet Hollister Interfaith Award presented at the United Nations, the U Thant Peace Award and in honor of his centenary in 2014, the James P. Morton Interfaith Award. In addition, he served on the advisory boards of many world peace and interfaith organizations.

Links to additional Integral Yoga Locations

Integral® Yoga Family

Headquarters of Integral Yoga

San Francisco Integral Yoga Institute

New Jersey Integral Yoga Institute

Links to additional Integral Yoga websites

More Integral Yoga Resources

Integral Yoga International Official Website

Light of Truth Universal Shrine, Buckingham VA

Integral Yoga Magazine

Integral Yoga Teachers Association

End-of-Life Project

Retail Yoga Supplies

Global Community Support