Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy
Encyclopedia
The Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy was founded by Swami Rama of the Himalayas
in 1971. The headquarters and main campus is located on 400 acres (1.6 km²) in the Pocono Mountains
of northeastern Pennsylvania, with branches distributed around the globe including Cameroon
, India
, Great Britain
, Malaysia, and Mexico
.
The Himalayan Institute describes its mission as "to discover and embrace the sacred link—the spirit of human heritage that unites East and West, spirituality and science, and ancient wisdom and modern technology." The institute uses techniques of yoga
, Ayurveda
, integrative medicine
, principles of spirituality
, and holistic health
. The current spiritual leader of the Himalayan Institute of the USA is Pandit Rajmani Tigunait.
A range of education programs for yoga teachers are offered by the Himalayan Institute including training programs, seminars, and certifications. In addition the Himalayan Institute publishes a variety media through the Himalayan Institute Press, including the magazine Yoga International, and sells health products such as the Varcho Veda line of herbal extract
s, and the Neti Pot
.
The Himalayan Institute has a number of humanitarian projects
underway in many different areas of the world. Their website states: "Our humanitarian projects serve impoverished communities through rural empowerment and environmental regeneration. By putting yoga philosophy into practice, our programs are empowering communities globally with the knowledge and tools needed for a lasting social transformation at the grassroots level." Projects range from energy farming in Tibet to sustainable agriculture
in Mexico to vocational education
in Cameroon.
Swami Rama
Swāmī Rāma was born Brij Kiśore Dhasmana or Brij Kiśore Kumar, to a northern Indian Brahmin family in a small village called Toli in the Garhwal Himalayas. He became the lineage holder of the Sankya Yoga tradition of the Himalayan Masters...
in 1971. The headquarters and main campus is located on 400 acres (1.6 km²) in the Pocono Mountains
The Poconos
The Pocono Mountains is a region located in northeastern Pennsylvania, United States. The Poconos, located chiefly in Monroe and Pike counties , are an upland of the larger Allegheny Plateau...
of northeastern Pennsylvania, with branches distributed around the globe including Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, Malaysia, and Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
The Himalayan Institute describes its mission as "to discover and embrace the sacred link—the spirit of human heritage that unites East and West, spirituality and science, and ancient wisdom and modern technology." The institute uses techniques of yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
, Ayurveda
Ayurveda
Ayurveda or ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to India and a form of alternative medicine. In Sanskrit, words , meaning "longevity", and , meaning "knowledge" or "science". The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared during the Vedic period in India,...
, integrative medicine
Integrative medicine
Integrative medicine or integrative health is the combination of the practices and methods of alternative medicine with conventional medicine. The term is relatively recent, and is mainly promoted by proponents of alternative therapies in the west...
, principles of spirituality
Spirituality
Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.” Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop...
, and holistic health
Holistic health
Holistic health is a concept in medical practice upholding that all aspects of people's needs, psychological, physical and social should be taken into account and seen as a whole. As defined above, the holistic view on treatment is widely accepted in medicine...
. The current spiritual leader of the Himalayan Institute of the USA is Pandit Rajmani Tigunait.
A range of education programs for yoga teachers are offered by the Himalayan Institute including training programs, seminars, and certifications. In addition the Himalayan Institute publishes a variety media through the Himalayan Institute Press, including the magazine Yoga International, and sells health products such as the Varcho Veda line of herbal extract
Herbal extract
Tincture is a liquid solution of herbs and a fluid menstruum, usually ethanol. The dried or fresh herbs are combined with alcohol, then the solid matter is removed leaving only the oils of the herbs mixed with the alcohol...
s, and the Neti Pot
Neti pot
A neti pot is a device used for irrigating the nasal passages. Typically it has a spout attached near the bottom, sometimes with a handle on the opposite side.-Function:...
.
The Himalayan Institute has a number of humanitarian projects
Development aid
Development aid or development cooperation is aid given by governments and other agencies to support the economic, environmental, social and political development of developing countries.It is distinguished...
underway in many different areas of the world. Their website states: "Our humanitarian projects serve impoverished communities through rural empowerment and environmental regeneration. By putting yoga philosophy into practice, our programs are empowering communities globally with the knowledge and tools needed for a lasting social transformation at the grassroots level." Projects range from energy farming in Tibet to sustainable agriculture
Sustainable agriculture
Sustainable agriculture is the practice of farming using principles of ecology, the study of relationships between organisms and their environment...
in Mexico to vocational education
Vocational education
Vocational education or vocational education and training is an education that prepares trainees for jobs that are based on manual or practical activities, traditionally non-academic, and totally related to a specific trade, occupation, or vocation...
in Cameroon.
Select Branches
- Himalayan Institute, UK
- Himalayan Institute, Canada
- Himalayan Institute, Pittsburgh, PA
- Himalayan Institute, Buffalo, NY