Integral Yoga Institute

The Integral Yoga Institutes are the organization founded by Sri Swami Satchidananda (1966, New York), famous for opening the Woodstock festival (1969) and for synthesizing all major yogas in one curriculum; its headquarters is Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Virginia.

Overview

Satchidananda, a disciple of Swami Sivananda, arrived in New York at filmmaker Conrad Rooks’ and Peter Max’s invitation (1966); Integral Yoga Institutes spread through American cities; the Yogaville ashram (Buckingham, Virginia, founded 1979) with the interfaith LOTUS temple (Light Of Universal Truth, dedicated 1986) is its emblem.

Core teachings

Integral Yoga: the deliberate combination of hatha, raja, bhakti, karma, jnana, and japa yoga in one balanced program — “Truth is One, paths are many”; easeful body, peaceful mind, useful life as the practical aim.

Practice and work

Hatha teacher trainings (among the earliest American certifications), interfaith programs (Satchidananda a pioneer of the American interfaith movement), Integral Yoga Ministries, and the Yogaville community’s schools and retreats.

Modern status

Centers worldwide; Yogaville remains the flagship ashram; Satchidananda’s interfaith legacy continues through the LOTUS and allied bodies.

Verification notes

• Founding (1966), Woodstock (1969), and Yogaville (1979) are documented.
• Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).