Isha Foundation

Isha Foundation (ईशा फाउंडेशन) — founded by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev in 1992 — is a nonprofit spiritual organization based in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. The foundation offers yoga programs for inner transformation and operates numerous social and environmental initiatives, including the Cauvery Calling river revitalization project and the Project GreenHands afforestation campaign.

The Isha Foundation’s spiritual center, the Isha Yoga Center, is located at the foothills of the Velliangiri Mountains and houses the Dhyanalinga, a meditative space centered on a 13-foot mercury-based lingam described as the largest of its kind in the world. The organization’s programs, including Inner Engineering, have reached millions of people worldwide.

Origins

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev (born 1957) founded the Isha Foundation in 1992 after his spiritual experience on Chamundi Hill in 1982. He established the Isha Yoga Center near Coimbatore and developed a set of yoga programs based on traditional practices adapted for modern life. The Dhyanalinga, consecrated in 1999, became the spiritual centerpiece of the foundation.

The foundation expanded its activities to include large-scale environmental projects, educational institutions, and community service programs. Sadhguru’s charismatic teaching style and the foundation’s emphasis on practical yoga and meditation attracted a global following.

Core teachings

The Isha Foundation teaches that yoga is a comprehensive science for inner transformation, encompassing physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation. The organization’s philosophy emphasizes the importance of individual responsibility, environmental stewardship, and the pursuit of inner well-being as the foundation for a successful and meaningful life.

Sadhguru’s teachings draw from the yogic tradition while presenting universal principles accessible to people of all backgrounds. The organization teaches that self-realization is the ultimate goal of human life, and that the practice of yoga provides the tools for achieving this goal.

Key practices

The foundational practice is Upa Yoga (a simplified form of yoga suitable for beginners), which includes basic postures and breathing techniques. The more advanced practices include Angamardana (a series of vigorous exercises for body fitness), Surya Kriya (a powerful yoga practice for inner transformation), and Shambhavi Mahamudra (a 21-minute meditation technique).

The Inner Engineering program is the foundation’s signature offering, combining yoga postures, breathing techniques, and meditation into a structured curriculum. The program is offered both in-person and online and has been described as a comprehensive system for self-transformation.

Modern status

The Isha Foundation operates internationally, with the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore serving as its global headquarters. The foundation’s environmental initiatives, including Cauvery Calling (a project to revitalize the Cauvery River through tree planting) and Project GreenHands (a large-scale afforestation campaign), have received international recognition.

Sadhguru has become a prominent public figure, with a large social media following and appearances at international forums including the World Economic Forum. The foundation continues to expand its programs and social initiatives while maintaining its core emphasis on yoga and meditation.

Verification notes

• The Isha Foundation’s organizational structure and program statistics are documented by the foundation and independent sources.
• Sadhguru’s biographical information and the foundation’s history are documented in multiple published sources.
• The Cauvery Calling and Project GreenHands initiatives have been covered by major international media outlets.
• The Dhyanalinga at the Isha Yoga Center is documented as a major meditation space, with architectural and photographic documentation.
• Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).