Learn the essential teachings of the living Himalayan Tradition.

So far in the Peace in Your Life series, Rolf Sovik has led us through an exploration of the forces that bind us and those that free us. Now, in the final installment, he provides concrete ways we can apply this wisdom to our daily life. Learn the timeless principles of moksha shastra, the teachings that leads to liberation and upliftment. Format: Video with audio download Length: 6 mins

Knowledge is power: understanding our suffering empowers us to free ourselves from it. In the second session (sutras 2:3–2:9) of the Practice of the Yoga Sutra Book Club, Ishan Tigunait delves into the five fundamental afflictions (kleshas) that stand between us and true fulfillment. Learn what they are and what you can do to rise above them. To prepare for the next session, please read sutras 2:10–2:17 in Pandit Tigunait’s The Practice of the Yoga Sutra: Sadhana Pada. As you study, don’t forget to submit your questions to bookclub@yearlongmeditation.org. Ishan will be answering as many of them as possible in our capstone session. Format: .mp3 audio file with download Length: 1 hr 3 mins

The Valley of Flowers in the Himalayas is noted for its extraordinary natural beauty and spiritual vibrancy. Swami Rama relates his adventures as a young man traveling through this valley—how the intoxicating fragrance of its wild flowers disoriented his mind, and how he learned a valuable lesson from Gudari Baba, a sage with a mysterious healing blanket, who guided him on the journey.

Everything in nature undergoes change—our lives are no exception. Yet we often struggle against the flow, regarding the unknown with fear and confusion. Sarah Guglielmi encourages us to see the wisdom and beauty in the cycles of transformation within and all around us, so that we can greet the next chapter with peace and openness. Format: Video with audio download Length: 7 mins

In this never-before-released video lecture from 1987’s Path of Fire & Light seminar, Swami Rama shares timeless secrets of how we can begin to awaken this inner energy, or fire, in three stages: (1) understanding the flow of breath in our nostrils and learning to consciously direct it (sushumna application); (2) awakening kundalini and leading it to its highest dimension; and (3) attaining experiential knowledge of the absolute. Watch this fascinating video, and learn how you can start the inward journey by understanding the subtleties of the breath, the mind, and the first three chakras.

Meditation leads to the simple pleasure of knowing one’s self. In this engaging story, Rolf Sovik relates how his teacher, Swami Rama, first inspired him to meditate, and how over the next 30 years taught and guided him, and countless others, the systematic method of meditation that leads to deeper experience of inner life—the highest knowledge.

At our core we are a spark of divinity, limitless in our knowledge and power. So how do we come to identify with our limited body and perspective? In this talk Sandra Anderson addresses asmita, the process of creating an ego, which we then take great pains to defend. Learn how this afflicting tendency constricts us—and how we can use yoga to expand instead. Format: Video with audio download Length: 9 mins

Just what can we accomplish through a group meditation? In this installment of Spirituality & the Dynamic Force of Change, Pandit Tigunait expands our vision of group practice and its fruits by introducing precedents from the scriptures. Take a voyage to the distant past—starting before the formation of the Ganges or the invention of the wheel—with stories that will amaze, delight, and inspire you. Format: .mp3 audio file with download Length: 1 hr

The wisdom of the Mandukya Upanishad lies at the heart of every yogi’s journey. Condensed into just 12 mantras, this wisdom allows us to unveil the mystery of the four states of consciousness, including the pinnacle—turiya. Ishan Tigunait explains how to approach this sacred text so as to unlock our extraordinary inner potential.

In some situations we are in our element, while in others we may feel more like a fish out of water, depending on our natural gifts and challenges. According to ayurveda, our personal qualities stem from the unique proportion of the five elements in our constitution—earth, water, fire, air, and space. Join Sarah Guglielmi as she explains how each element shapes our vulnerabilities and strengths. Format: Video with audio download Length: 8 mins

We seek peace and freedom with a disturbed mind and limited body. How do we move ahead? In the first session (sutras 2:1-2:2) of the Practice of the Yoga Sutra Book Club, Ishan Tigunait explains how kriya yoga—the threefold force that unlocks the dynamic power of yoga—propels our practice forward, enabling us to transcend our limitations and experience our unbounded potential. To prepare for the next session, please read sutras 2:3-2:9 in Pandit Tigunait’s The Practice of the Yoga Sutra: Sadhana Pada. As you study, don’t forget to submit your questions to bookclub@yearlongmeditation.org. Ishan will be answering as many of them as possible in our capstone session. Format: .mp3 audio file with download Length: 57 mins

Non-attachment is essential for gaining knowledge of our core being. How do we cultivate an attitude of non-attachment, and why is awareness of the transitory nature of worldly objects and achievements so important? Pandit Tigunait explains how the practice of pratyahara (withdrawing the senses) helps us to develop this awareness and bring the mind to joyful stillness, so that the mind can turn inward toward the true source of happiness.

Mantra is a sacred sound that leads us to pure, silent awareness. The universal mantra so’ham can be practiced freely by anyone—it’s the subtle sound of our own breath. In this guided meditation, Bill Ryan helps us rest our mind in the sound so’ham flowing with the breath. Let the flow of sound carry you to an inner space of peaceful stillness. Format: Audio streaming with audio download Length: 12 min

As a vehicle of vital energy, our breath is our chariot on the road inward. In this tutorial, Greg Capitolo guides us through a breath awareness practice that serves as the foundation of meditation. Cleanse with every exhale, nourish with every inhale, flowing toward the most expansive, subtle dimension of your being. Format: Video with audio download Length: 13 mins

A systematic practice of meditation is an opportunity for deep rest and nourishment. Leading us inward step-by-step, Rolf Sovik introduces techniques for releasing tension in our mind and body. Relax into a profound sense of well-being and awaken to the peace and joy already within you. Format: Audio streaming with audio download Length: 15 min

We may know that meditation involves various elements—such as breath and mantra—but not exactly how to coordinate them. In this guided meditation, Shari Friedrichsen weaves the strands together into a clear, concise process to purify and restore our inner world. Find a comfortable seat and reclaim your intrinsic luminosity. Format: .mp3 audio file with download Length: 15 mins

In meditation, we collect our energy and attention from the external world into the center of our being. Sandra Anderson leads a brief, guided practice on this journey inward with elements of posture, breath, subtle centers, and body awareness. Close your eyes and connect with the fountain of nourishment within. Format: Audio streaming with audio download Length: 6 min

Maintaining awareness on the effortless flow of breath allows the mind to be more present with the experience of the body. Sandra Anderson leads a meditation practice designed to help you follow the breath as it enters and leaves the body, naturally drawing your attention inward and bringing a sense of inner sanctuary to your entire being. Format: Audio streaming with audio download Length: 11 min

A personal mantra—a mantra uniquely attuned to our individual nature and needs, received from a qualified teacher—unlocks a rich, lifelong meditation practice. But how do we make best use of this mantra, and where does it fit into our practice? For students who already have a personal mantra, Bill Ryan guides a complete meditation session, beginning with a relaxation and culminating in a focus on the mantra. Find a comfortable seat and allow pure consciousness to reveal itself. Format: Audio streaming with audio download Length: 10 min

A mantra provides a focal point and a resting place in meditation. The universal mantra so’ham (pronounced “so-hum”), meaning “I am That which I am,” can be used by every meditator and leads to clarity, peace, and self-realization. In this guided meditation led by Rolf Sovik, use breath and mantra awareness to awaken your inner observer—wise, pure, and free—and emerge with a renewed sense of lasting joy and a true self within. Format: Audio streaming with audio download Length: 13 mins

Our breath is inherently both cleansing and nourishing. As we exhale, we release stale air and toxins, making room for fresh breath and new energy on the inhalation. Taking the concepts of cleansing and nourishing from theoretical to practical, Judy Moulton guides a brief breath awareness exercise that will leave you feeling refreshed and grounded. Format: Video with audio download Length: 4 mins

When our body is comfortable and stable, our mind can flow peacefully inward toward a deep state of meditation. In this workshop, Luke Ketterhagen shares ways that we can refine our posture and breath to increase the length and quality of our meditative practice. Move through an exploration of sitting styles, a sequence of supportive asanas, and techniques of yogic breathing.Then tie it all together with a guided meditation, and experience the difference. Format: Multiple videos with audio download Length: 1 hr 8 mins

Through a balanced, well-sequenced yoga class, we not only activate, but fully integrate, the prana (life force) stored deep within our body. Ransom Hare leads us through a series of practices that alternately generate and distribute energy. Move through prayer, asana, pranayama, and meditation to awaken and absorb the strength that radiates from the core of your being. Format: Video with audio download Length: 1 hr 2 mins

The mind is deeply entwined with prana, our vital energy. Shari Friedrichsen introduces two gentle pranayama practices to harness and balance our energy, so that we can focus and stabilize our mind. Bring home your scattered energies with aharana and equalize them with samikarana—for a profound experience of inner peace and wholeness. Format: Video with audio download Length: 27 mins

Ayurveda is a science of holistic health that has served humanity for thousands of years. How can we begin to apply it toward our own healing? In this workshop, Sarah Guglielmi guides us through identifying our unique elemental makeup (prakriti), the imbalances that disturb it (vikriti), and the measures we can take to restore inner equilibrium. With these foundational insights, you will be ready to dive deeper into self-exploration and the study of ayurveda, to emerge with a lifestyle that brings out your inherent gifts and addresses your inborn challenges. Format: Multiple videos with audio download Length: 30 mins

Prana is the vital force that nourishes—and ultimately makes up—this entire universe. When we cultivate awareness of this energy in ourselves, we gain firsthand experience of the divine compassion and love flowing through us. Shari Friedrichsen leads a class on how to infuse our whole body and mind with prana. Travel with your breath from the perineum to the head—awakening, integrating, and appreciating this benevolent, healing force. Format: Video with audio download Length: 47 mins

To feel secure in our mind and body, we often clench around our hips. Yet, it is actually by releasing and opening this root area that we build a true foundation for stability. In a compact yoga class, Luke Ketterhagen leads us through a series of asanas for gently unwinding our hips, so that we can feel grounded and supported in all of our activities. Format: Video with audio download Length: 35 mins

When we spend our days at a desk, using our hands and eyes to tackle what lies in front of us, the back of our body can get neglected. In this concise tutorial, Sandra Anderson introduces poses that activate, strengthen, and release all the regions of the back—so we can move forward with support and ease. Format: Video with audio download Length: 9 mins

When we are comfortable and stable in our physical and energetic body, we find it easy to direct our awareness inward. As our inner attention increases, we become even more firmly established in a luminous sense of ease. In this workshop, Judy Moulton leads us through practices that help us experience this relationship between releasing tension and increasing awareness. Join her in breath-connected movements and a systematic relaxation that serve as opportunities for deep self-exploration. Format: Multiple videos with audio download Length: 77 mins

By promoting diaphragmatic breathing, the crocodile pose relieves tension and reduces anxiety. Sandra Anderson guides us through a systematic relaxation in this key asana. Take a pause and slow down your mind, smooth out your breath, and nourish your body. Format: .mp3 audio file with download Length: 6 mins

Knowledge is power: understanding our suffering empowers us to free ourselves from it. In the second session (sutras 2:3–2:9) of the Practice of the Yoga Sutra Book Club, Ishan Tigunait delves into the five fundamental afflictions (kleshas) that stand between us and true fulfillment. Learn what they are and what you can do to rise above them. To prepare for the next session, please read sutras 2:10–2:17 in Pandit Tigunait’s The Practice of the Yoga Sutra: Sadhana Pada. As you study, don’t forget to submit your questions to bookclub@yearlongmeditation.org. Ishan will be answering as many of them as possible in our capstone session. Format: .mp3 audio file with download Length: 1 hr 3 mins

In this never-before-released video lecture from 1987’s Path of Fire & Light seminar, Swami Rama shares timeless secrets of how we can begin to awaken this inner energy, or fire, in three stages: (1) understanding the flow of breath in our nostrils and learning to consciously direct it (sushumna application); (2) awakening kundalini and leading it to its highest dimension; and (3) attaining experiential knowledge of the absolute. Watch this fascinating video, and learn how you can start the inward journey by understanding the subtleties of the breath, the mind, and the first three chakras.

Just what can we accomplish through a group meditation? In this installment of Spirituality & the Dynamic Force of Change, Pandit Tigunait expands our vision of group practice and its fruits by introducing precedents from the scriptures. Take a voyage to the distant past—starting before the formation of the Ganges or the invention of the wheel—with stories that will amaze, delight, and inspire you. Format: .mp3 audio file with download Length: 1 hr

We seek peace and freedom with a disturbed mind and limited body. How do we move ahead? In the first session (sutras 2:1-2:2) of the Practice of the Yoga Sutra Book Club, Ishan Tigunait explains how kriya yoga—the threefold force that unlocks the dynamic power of yoga—propels our practice forward, enabling us to transcend our limitations and experience our unbounded potential. To prepare for the next session, please read sutras 2:3-2:9 in Pandit Tigunait’s The Practice of the Yoga Sutra: Sadhana Pada. As you study, don’t forget to submit your questions to bookclub@yearlongmeditation.org. Ishan will be answering as many of them as possible in our capstone session. Format: .mp3 audio file with download Length: 57 mins

The Year Long Meditation is a large-scale group practice that aims to benefit collective consciousness. In this satsang, Pandit Rajmani Tigunait explains how a laser-focused purpose, a well-considered plan, and an inspired, unified body of participants are the indispensable ingredients of an effective group practice. Listen and discover what it means to take part in a collective, purpose-driven spiritual endeavor. Format: .mp3 audio file with download Length: 48 mins

To wrap up our Secret of the Yoga Sutra Book Club, Ishan Tigunait answers questions submitted by listeners as we moved through the sutras. How do we practice non-attachment and meditation to grow, expand, and feel embraced by higher reality? How did we lose our awareness of higher reality in the first place? From practical advice to philosophical insights, Ishan’s answers to seekers’ questions will guide you and inspire you to bring the Yoga Sutra into your daily life. For key terms and self-study questions, download the PDF Study Guide. Format: .mp3 audio file with download Length: 42 mins

Now at the last chapters of our Secret of the Yoga Sutra Book Club, Ishan Tigunait addresses the ultimate stages of our yoga practice. As we continue to unveil our core being and the intuitive wisdom pouring from it (prajna), our self-identity grows more and more expansive. Learn how rich, liberating, and deeply fulfilling the journey home can be. For key terms and self-study questions, download the PDF Study Guide. As you study, don’t forget to submit your questions to bookclub@yearlongmeditation.org. Ishan will be answering as many of them as possible in our capstone session. Format: .mp3 audio file with download Length: 1 hr 8 mins

Meditation is the way to unfold our true potential and discover ourselves on every level. It transforms us into better human beings and helps us change the world for the better. As we are all limited in our time and energy, how can we optimize our meditation so that we are getting the most of what it has to offer? And how can we take our practice to the next level? In this livestream with Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, learn time-tested, practical advice on how we can enhance our meditation, whether we are new practitioners or long-time meditators. Topics include: The tantric approach to meditation Signs that we are making progress in our meditation Specific practices that can intensify our meditation Practices for when our mind starts to rebel during meditation Strategy for moving forward when we feel our practice is stuck in a rut The best way to make our 10, 20, or 30 minutes of meditation really count Tune in to find inspiration and support for your meditation practice.

How can one limited individual hope to shape a complex, fast-changing world? In the fourth installation of Spirituality & the Dynamic Force of Change, Pandit Rajmani Tigunait explains how we can make true, lasting impact on those around us by first transforming ourselves through steadfast personal practice. Discover the simple yet profound ways to nurture your inner light—and share it with all who cross your path. Format: .mp3 audio file with download Length: 1 hr 13 mins

So far in the Peace in Your Life series, Rolf Sovik has led us through an exploration of the forces that bind us and those that free us. Now, in the final installment, he provides concrete ways we can apply this wisdom to our daily life. Learn the timeless principles of moksha shastra, the teachings that leads to liberation and upliftment. Format: Video with audio download Length: 6 mins

Everything in nature undergoes change—our lives are no exception. Yet we often struggle against the flow, regarding the unknown with fear and confusion. Sarah Guglielmi encourages us to see the wisdom and beauty in the cycles of transformation within and all around us, so that we can greet the next chapter with peace and openness. Format: Video with audio download Length: 7 mins

At our core we are a spark of divinity, limitless in our knowledge and power. So how do we come to identify with our limited body and perspective? In this talk Sandra Anderson addresses asmita, the process of creating an ego, which we then take great pains to defend. Learn how this afflicting tendency constricts us—and how we can use yoga to expand instead. Format: Video with audio download Length: 9 mins

In some situations we are in our element, while in others we may feel more like a fish out of water, depending on our natural gifts and challenges. According to ayurveda, our personal qualities stem from the unique proportion of the five elements in our constitution—earth, water, fire, air, and space. Join Sarah Guglielmi as she explains how each element shapes our vulnerabilities and strengths. Format: Video with audio download Length: 8 mins

Is it really possible to be free of pain and sorrow? According to the sages, it is—through perseverance on the path of yoga. In this video, Rolf Sovik introduces the key components of yoga practice using the concept of a simple triangle. Let this memorable image help you build a strong foundation for your quest for lasting peace. Format: Video with audio download Length: 5 mins

How do we make progress in our yoga practice? According to the Yoga Sutra, the key lies in kriya yoga (yoga in action), which has three components, or pillars of practice—self-discipline, self-study, and trustful surrender to the divine. Join Greg Capitolo as he delves into these three vital aspects of practice and explains how they breathe life into our quest for radiance and joy. Format: Video with audio download Length: 16 mins

Kicking off her series of talks on the roots of suffering, Sandra Anderson explores avidya, or ignorance. This thick veil thrown over our knowledge of ultimate reality is the first and foremost source of our unhappiness. Yet it also allows us the wonderful adventure of being an individual soul. Tune in to establish a well-rounded understanding of our lack of understanding. Format: Video with audio download Length: 5 mins

Panchakarma, meaning “five actions (therapies)” is a cleansing and restorative practice that has traditionally required considerable time and stamina from the patient. Dr. Carrie Demers explains how a gentler, shorter, more affordable version—taking 3–4 days, rather than weeks—has evolved in the West that still offers remarkable healing benefits, helping to clear away toxins and other burdens from the body and mind and restore balance. Format: Video with audio download Length: 6 mins

Our neck takes a lot of strain from daily activities such as driving, reading, and working on the computer. The yogic practice of jalandhara bandha (chin lock) provides it with a much-needed alignment and stabilization. In this video, Sandra Anderson explains the technique’s benefits on our endocrine and nervous systems, as well as its role in restoring and integrating our subtle energies. Find out how you can incorporate this essential lock into your own asana and meditation routine. Format: Video with audio download Length: 8 mins

The Valley of Flowers in the Himalayas is noted for its extraordinary natural beauty and spiritual vibrancy. Swami Rama relates his adventures as a young man traveling through this valley—how the intoxicating fragrance of its wild flowers disoriented his mind, and how he learned a valuable lesson from Gudari Baba, a sage with a mysterious healing blanket, who guided him on the journey.

Meditation leads to the simple pleasure of knowing one’s self. In this engaging story, Rolf Sovik relates how his teacher, Swami Rama, first inspired him to meditate, and how over the next 30 years taught and guided him, and countless others, the systematic method of meditation that leads to deeper experience of inner life—the highest knowledge.

The wisdom of the Mandukya Upanishad lies at the heart of every yogi’s journey. Condensed into just 12 mantras, this wisdom allows us to unveil the mystery of the four states of consciousness, including the pinnacle—turiya. Ishan Tigunait explains how to approach this sacred text so as to unlock our extraordinary inner potential.

Non-attachment is essential for gaining knowledge of our core being. How do we cultivate an attitude of non-attachment, and why is awareness of the transitory nature of worldly objects and achievements so important? Pandit Tigunait explains how the practice of pratyahara (withdrawing the senses) helps us to develop this awareness and bring the mind to joyful stillness, so that the mind can turn inward toward the true source of happiness.

When we learn to control prana—cosmic energy—we learn to control all the energies of this universe, as well as our body and mind. We can learn to control prana by controlling the breath. This is the practice of pranayama. A story illustrates how pranayama leads to control of the nervous system, mind, and cosmic energy, and ultimately to freedom—the goal of yoga.

Most people complain about neck and shoulder tension. Why? Because most of us carry our head forward, straining the neck, shoulders, and upper back. While a good massage provides short-term relief, the deeper solution is to realign our posture. In this post, Nema Nyar discusses how a forward head impacts the rest of the body, and how to work toward better alignment.

Mantra is a sacred sound, word, or set of words that lead us to a higher state of consciousness. In this delightful story from his youth, Swami Rama tells how he eagerly collected mantras, always hoping for a better one, and how a sage taught him the most important and practical mantra of all—a mantra that can help us in every circumstance of life.

Yoga is part of the Vedic tradition—the teachings and experiences of lineages of sages who lived on the Indian subcontinent in ancient times. Learn how this tradition was born and has continued; how its vast body of revealed wisdom, in the form of mantras, was organized in scriptures known as the Vedas; and what this wisdom says about the nature of God.

Daily ayurvedic habits add up to make us healthy and vibrant! Take 10 minutes each morning to support yourself before you go into the world. Check out these 10 ayurvedic tips by Kathryn Templeton to develop a simple, nourishing, self-care routine that you can do each and every day.

Have you studied meditation but need a review of the fundamentals of practice? Are you striving to bring meditation practice into your daily life? Or do you meditate daily yet remain uncertain about the effectiveness of your practice? This workshop will reinforce your meditation skills and give you confidence in your ability to meditate at home.

The four-part Yoga Sutra Master Course, taught online by Pandit Tigunait, uses the blueprint of sadhana defined in the Yoga Sutra to give the modern yogi all the tools needed to build a life of freedom and fulfillment. Each of the four segments includes approximately eight hours of content, accompanied by a downloadable guidebook and lecture notes.

This seminar will provide the tools and means to temper our internal weather. Our practice is a means of bringing the cooling balm of compassion and the warmth of kindness where it is needed, and of allowing us to recognize and open to the places within where we are frozen or inflamed. A core principle of yoga is that the external world is a reflection of our internal state. As we heal ourselves, our sense of well-being reflects outward into the world through our discernment, compassion, attitudes, and relationships. Our personal healing is the first step toward healing the world around us.

Discover how your yoga practice is related to the esoteric, exotic, and comprehensive world of tantra, and take your practice to the next level. In lecture and practice sessions, we’ll explore the key concepts and practices of Living Tantra, including the pivotal role of prana shakti in tantra and in yoga practice.

The Tripura Rahasya is a dialogue between two great masters, Dattatreya and Parashurama. These two masters embody a vast range of human experience, and their dialogue answers such compelling questions as: Why do some of us succeed in life while others struggle in vain? Why do some of our intentions bear fruit and others remain barren? Why do some of us meet a teacher and receive guidance while others don’t? Why do some of us have a clear mind, sharp intellect, indomitable will, and unwavering conviction in Divine Providence, while others lack these essential tools?

Learn how to face your problems calmly and how to give your health the appropriate amount of attention. Meditation and its companion practices constitute a healing art. They restore internal balance, remind us of our spiritual priorities, and offer a wide variety of techniques to help us regain our innate sense of hope and optimism. In this seminar, we will explore the fundamental concepts of sickness and health, and employ basic strategies that are meant to lead you back to the path of healing.

Saundaryalahari is one of the most profound tantric texts of the Himalayan Tradition. Despite the fact that this scripture has dozens of commentaries, the deep meaning of the mantras, and especially their application, requires direct interpretation and guidance from a teacher ordained in the tradition

Living Tantra™ is designed to ensure that distance does not come between the student and the teacher. Why is Tantra so important in the 21st century? How can Tantra compliment the study and practice of Yoga, Ayurveda, and other forms of health and healing? Why are promises made by texts and teachers of all traditions not being fulfilled? Tantra has answers to these questions, and can provide the tools and means necessary to ensure these promises are fulfilled.

In the course of our spiritual journey, it is helpful for each of us to pause from time to time and ask ourselves: Where do I stand in my personal quest? Am I satisfied with my progress? What is preventing me from overcoming my current limitations? The answers to these questions will serve as a guide to a meaningful and fulfilling future. The masters of the lineage have mapped out the entire path, established clear milestones, and offered techniques to help us reach our goal in a timely fashion. Some of these teachings and techniques are shared only after formal initiation.