Bihar School of Yoga
Bihar School of Yoga
Bihar School of Yoga was founded by Paramhamsa Satyananda, in India, in the
year 1963. A charitable and educational institution, Satyananda Yoga School
is situated in the state of Bihar, at a place called Munger/ Monghyr. The
original school, started by Paramhamsa in 1963, is known as Sivanandashram.
While, the new one established in 1985, is known as Ganga Darshan. Later, in
1995, Swami Niranjanananda established the Bihar Yoga Bharati, the academic
wing of the Bihar School of Yoga.
The Mission
Bihar School of Yoga aims at educating people throughout the world about the
practice of Yoga as well as to remove the various false impressions about
Yoga. As per this school, yoga does not merely relate to physical or mental
aspects, rather, it is the holistic yoga that is more important. Along with
the physical, mental and spiritual aspects, holistic Yoga also emphasizes
the lifestyle aspect. The development of a balanced personality is the
ultimate aim of holistic yoga. It attempts at creating synchronization
between body, mind and spirit.
Paramhamsa Satyananda
Paramhamsa Satyananda was born in Almora town, near the Nainital hill
station in the year 1923. In his teenage years, a wandering Yogini
introduced him to a Tantric form of yoga. At the young age of 19, he met his
guru Swami Sivananda at Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh. In the year 1963,
after Swami Sivananda passed away, Paramhamsa established the Bihar School
of Yoga.
Satyananda Yoga
The form of yoga that is taught at the Bihar School of Yoga in India is
known as the Satyananda Yoga. Developed by Paramhamsa Satyananda, the yoga
uses a combination of the traditional practices to ensure the holistic
development of an individual. For example, asanas (postures) are used to
create a balanced between the body and mind. Pranayama (breathing practices)
infuse energy into an individual and meditation to calms the mind as well as
strengthens concentration.
Techniques of Satyananda Yoga
Satyananda Yoga makes use of the following aspects of yoga…
- Bhakti Yoga (the path of heart and
emotion)
- Jnana Yoga (the path of knowledge)
- Karma Yoga (the path of service)
- Other yogic techniques
The Courses
Sivanandashram offers short-term courses like yogic sadhana, yogic health
management, yogic stress management and a number of specialized courses.
Ganga Darshan offers sanyas and yoga training. The yogic techniques taught
here are a combination of Tantra, Vedanta and Yoga and also incorporate the
present methodologies of physical and mental health.
Use of Gurukul system and Karma Yoga
Satyananda Yoga School of Bihar is based on the Gurukul system, which was
prevalent in the ancient India. The students of the school live with their
Gurus (teachers) and acquire knowledge. The adherence to the principles of
Karma Yoga is also a unique feature of the Satyananda Yoga School of India.
Karma Yoga aims at self-realization or communion with god, through the
performance of their karma (work).
Swami Niranjanananda
Paramhamsa Satyananda moved away from the main stage to a life of
asceticism, in 1988. In his place, he appointed his closest disciple, Swami
Niranjanananda. One of the youngest gurus in India, Niranjanananda performs
the administrative and spiritual duties at the ashram.
Bihar Yoga Bharati
Bihar Yoga Bharati is the academic wing of the Bihar School of Yoga. Swami
Niranjanananda founded the wing on 8th September 1995, the 108th birth
anniversary of Swami Sivananda. Affiliated to University of Bhagalpur, Bihar
Yoga Bharati is the first government-accredited university of the world,
which is totally devoted to the education of yoga.
Courses by Bihar Yoga Bharati
- 4 month Certificate Course in Yogic
Studies:
From February to May (in Hindi)
From October to January (in English)
- One-year Undergraduate Diploma Course in
Yogic Studies (in English)
- One-year Postgraduate Diploma Course in
Yogic Studies (in English)
- MA Degree Course in Yoga Philosophy (in
English)
- MA/MSc. Degree Course in Yoga Psychology
(in English)
- MSc. Degree Course in Applied Yogic
Science (in English)
How to Reach
By Air
Patna airport is the nearest to Munger. It has regular flights to all the
key cities in India.
By Rail
The Munger railway station is well connected with the capital city of Patna.
By Road
One can easily reach Munger from Patna, by bus or by a taxi. |