Every human longs for true and lasting happiness. The path or mean to this happiness will vary according to the individual. Yoga teaches us that true and lasting happiness can only be attained through the knowledge of that which is permanent or divine. It has been give such names as Self, Nature, God, Brahman, Infinity, Jehovah, Allah the Infinite Hooray, Cosmic Consciousness... the list is endless. For many of us, manifesting the presence of the divine in our daily lives is often elusive or fleeting at best. The science of yoga offers us a set of tools with which we can begin the inspirational work of manifesting and sustaining our divine consciousness of immortality, peace and bliss today. 

Swami Satchidananda was once such an aspirant. His personal pursuit of spirituality began at the age of twenty-eight. After many years of study he met the teacher who would help enlighten him to the greatness of being, His Holiness Sri Swami Sivananda Maharaj, the founder of The Divine Life Society. Swami Satchidananda quickly rose in prominence at the Yoga Vedanta Forest University in Rishikesh, becoming a Professor c Raja and Hatha Yoga. His work led him to organize and serve branches of the Divine Life Society Branch and Thapovanm (Yoga Seminary) at Kandy, Ceylon. 

In 1966 Swami Satchidananda came to New York City at the invitation of artist Peter Max for an intended two-day visit. His teaching that Absolute-Existence-Knowledge-Bliss is the essential nature of us all rang true to those who heard his words. It was not long before students who wanted to study under his guidance surrounded him. It was the dedication, zeal and inspiration of these first students that helped to found the first Integral Yoga Institute in August of 1966. By July of 1968 Swami Satchidananda was granted a permanent residence visa under the category of "Minister of Divine Words." Although Swami Satchidananda is the much loved, spiritual director and founder of Integral Yoga, he is the first to remind his students "the real teacher is the teachings." 

Living the Teachings 

What are the teachings of Integral yoga? What makes it "integral"? These are the questions so often asked of Integral yogis. Swami Satchidananda describes the goal of Integral yoga as having "a body of perfect health and strength, mind with all clarity and calmness, intellect as sharp as a razor, will as pliable as steel, heart full of love and compassion, life full of dedication and realization of the true Self... " This goal is obtained through a combination of methods that are designed to develop every aspect of the individual: physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual. Each individual is completely and beautifully unique. Not only will our paths to understanding our divine nature vary, but our manifestation of this divine state will vary as well. To suit the eclectic needs of its yoga students, Integral yoga offers instruction in the five main branches of yoga: karma yoga, bhakti yoga, raja yoga, japa yoga, jnana yoga and hatha yoga. 

Karma yoga is the path of action through selfless service (seva). Karma means "action." It is the total of all of our works, both good, bad and mixed which an individual performs. It is these actions that will determine our future existence, both in this life and the next. On the path of karma yoga the student treats everyone they meet during their daily life as a manifestation of God and seeks the best way to serve and learn from them. By performing one's work without attachment or desire for the results of one's actions, karma yoga purifies the mind. When the mind and heart are purified the karma yogi becomes an instrument through which their divinity is expressed daily. 

Bhakti yoga is the path of love and devotion to God, a divine incarnation or a spiritual teacher. With constant love, thought and service to the Divine, the individual transcends the limited personality and attains cosmic consciousness. Kirtans (devotional singing to God) and pujas (devotional ceremonies) are elements of the bhakti yoga path. 

Raja yoga is the path of meditation and control of the mind. It is based on ethical perfection and control of the five senses, which leads to concentration and meditation. The basis of raja yoga is the study and practice of Patanjali's yoga sutras. The sutras are precepts that succinctly describe both the actions to be undertaken by a yogi and the results that he or she can expect. Sutra 28 explains that "by the practice of the limbs of yoga, the impurities dwindle away and there dawns the light of wisdom, leading to discriminative discernment." 

There are eight limbs of yoga known as asthangha. The eight limbs of yoga are:

1. yama (abstinence): non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, non-greed, and continence.

2. niyama (observance): purity, contentment, accepting but not causing pain, study of spiritual books and worship of God, self surrender.

3. asana (posture).

4. pranayama (breath control). 

5. pratyahara (sense withdrawal).

6. dharana (concentration).

7. dhyana (meditation).

8. samadhi (contemplation, absorption or super conscious state). 

Developing firmness in the yamas and niyamas builds the foundation of yoga. Living these truths allows the individual to become more firmly centered in the Self. The other branches of yoga easily come to the individual who is balanced by observance of the yamas and niyamas. 

Japa yoga is part of raja yoga. Japa means "repetition of a mantra." A mantra is a sound structure of one or more syllables which represents a particular aspect of the divine vibration. Concentrated mental repetition of the mantra produces vibrations within the individual's entire system that are tuned to the divine vibration. Japa can be performed throughout the day to remind us of our true nature and to calm and steady the mind. 

Jnana yoga is the path of wisdom. It consists of self-analysis and awareness. The jnana yogi gains knowledge of the Self by ceasing to identify with the body, mind and ego. Identification with the divinity within assists in the realization of the oneness of all creation. The practice of jnana yoga takes constant vigilance, encountering each situation (both positive and negative) with the reminder "neti, neti" ("I am not this, I am not this.") 

Hatha yoga relates to anything that cleanses and purifies the physical body. This includes the bodily postures or asanas (designed to tone the endocrine and nervous system as well as all the internal organs); yoga nidra (deep relaxation); pranayama (breathing exercises designed to bring greater vitality to the physical and mental bodies); kriyas (cleansing practices such as water neti and bhasti) and mental concentration. Hatha yoga removes impurities and toxins from the physical body, helping it to stay supple and relaxed. The practice of hatha yoga endows the practitioner with increased vitality, radiance and health. As the body becomes purified, the practitioner gains mastery over the mind and attains the goal of yoga—Self-realization. 

What makes Integral yoga hatha classes unique is the attempt to integrate awareness of the different branches of yoga into each and every class. Classes begin with centering on the Self (jnana yoga), followed by chanting (japa and bhakti yoga), asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing practices) and yoga nidra (deep relaxation). Classes end with a meditation and a closing chant that sends the positive energy created into the universe (karma yoga). 

The Integral Essence 

Webster's dictionary defines integral as "essential to completeness; composed of integral parts and lacking nothing essential." It is exactly this which makes Integral yoga "integral." Integral yoga is composed of the individuals who study and practice its precepts—with all of us "lacking nothing essential." Each of us has all we need to unfold and express the infinite beauty within.

It is the dedication to the principle that "Truth is One, Paths are Many" that is the cornerstone of Integral yoga. Respect for all paths and the realization of the common spirit and the universality of all spiritual goals are what have helped build Integral yoga centers and institutes around the world. Integral yoga students and teachers come from all faiths, creeds and ethnic groups to celebrate how William Law so eloquently described our condition: "Perpetual inspiration is as necessary to the life of goodness, holiness and happiness as perpetual respiration is necessary to animal life." Or maybe Kabir said it best: "Benares is to the East, Mecca to the West, but explore your own heart, for there are both Rama and Allah." Or the Bible "The kingdom of God is within you." But perhaps it was Yoda who said it best after all: "Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter."

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Laura Lee Douglass is a student of Swami Satchidananda and is certified to teach beginning, intermediate and advanced Hatha Yoga as well as Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga. She spent a year studying Ayurveda with Dr. Vasant Lad, and has a teaching certificate from the Ayurvedic Insitute in New Mexico. She enjoys writing, listening, learning, conceptual physics, and painting . Visit her website: www.integralyogaofma.com.