Swāmī Satyānanda Sarasvatī
Swāmī Satyānanda Sarasvatī was a renowned yoga master and founder of the Bihar School of Yoga. He systematized Yoga Nidra and other practices into comprehensive techniques accessible to modern practitioners.
Life/History
Born on 25 December 1923 in Almora, Uttarakhand, he met Swami Sivananda Saraswati (founder of the Divine Life Society) in Rishikesh as a young man and became his disciple, receiving sannyāsa initiation from him. In 1964 he founded the Bihar School of Yoga in Munger, Bihar, and later handed over his institutional responsibilities there, spending his final years in the ashram at Rikhiapeeth, where he died on 5 December 2009.
Teachings/Contributions
Satyananda developed the Yoga Nidra system—a systematic method of inducing complete physical, mental, and emotional relaxation. He also contributed to the revival of Kundalini Yoga, Tantra, and other esoteric practices. He wrote over 80 books, including the widely used manual Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha (1969), and his Bihar School of Yoga trained thousands of teachers who continue to spread his teachings worldwide.
Legacy
The Bihar School of Yoga and its global network of affiliated centers continue to propagate his teachings. His books and recordings are widely used in yoga training programs worldwide. He helped demystify tantric practices and made yoga accessible to people of all backgrounds.
Verification notes
- Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).