The goal of Integral Yoga is to promote the harmonious development of every aspect of the individual. The six branches of Integral Yoga are powerful tools to encourage wellness and self-mastery. Its results are subtle, profound, and measurable.

Integral Yoga Hatha is a transformative experience. At once, it soothes the mind and focuses the thoughts; it deeply relaxes and energizes you. A seamless blend of the spiritual and physical, each Integral Yoga Hatha class begins with chanting OM to center the mind, series of postures (asana) that are essential for full-body health, and concludes with relaxation (yoga nidra), breath work (pranayama), and meditation. The class duration is usually 90 minutes.

Swami Satchidananda taught that all faiths share essential universal principles and he encouraged Integral Yogis to respect and honor the unity in diversity. This is summarized by his motto, “Truth is one, paths are many.”

“My motto has always been, ‘Truth is One, Paths are Many.’ The great sages and saints have experienced the same truth but only expressed it in different ways. It does not matter what name you give to the nameless Spirit—you are free to call it whatever you like. The only way to eternal peace and joy is to realize that Spirit. But when we miss that point, we fight in the name of Spirit.” ~Swami Satchidananda

Benefits of Integral Yoga

We all know that when our body is unhealthy, we cannot focus on anything else. Putting aside the concern for spiritual life, your personal life and business would be impacted. A healthy body can be achieved easily through Hatha Yoga.

There is no better health medicine for the body than Yoga practice. While physical exercises make us more muscular, when a little flu comes along, your body may tremble. Yoga helps your body develop strength, stamina, and immunity!

Human beings were never created weak or helpless. Through our own wrong habits we let ourselves become weak or fall sick. Yoga provides us with tools and ways to maintain our vibrant health and vitality no matter how old we are.

Yoga brings immunity to the body to resist all types of illnesses. Yoga postures are effective not only for prevention of disease, but also as an aid in curing existing diseases. Yoga is a cure for all illnesses, whether physical or mental. As one begins to practice it, the illnesses begin to disappear.

The symptoms of good health are proper pulsation, real hunger, good digestion, sound sleep, perfect functioning of the various organs of the body, timely elimination of wastes, interest in doing one’s duties and happiness of mind. Yoga gives you back your natural perfect health and longevity by eliminating toxins and stress from the organs, making your spine flexible, calming your nerves, and correcting any malfunctions in the inner organs and glands.

Yoga postures work mostly on the spine. Your spine is a column of several bones called vertebrae. Various nerves branch out from these vertebrae, connecting all the organs and systems to the brain. If the spine is stiff, nerve impulses cannot flow freely through the body. The internal organs become weakened and subject to disease. 

All the bodily’s functions are controlled by the prana. Prana is the subtle power at the basis of life. It is the energy of the mind, the CEO of the vast army of cells which make up the body. When the prana is healthy, the cells work in garmniously, resulting in physical and mental harmony throughout the entire system. This all-important regulation of prana occurs through the regular practice of Yoga and pranayama.

Yoga also tones the endocrine glands that have an important role in preserving the healthy functioning of the body. These include the thyroid, parathyroids, pineal, pituitary, thymus, adrenals, and gonads. These glands secrete the essential hormones and are stimulated not only by physical exercises, but by thoughts as well.