Stillpoint LogoStillpoint
← Back to Yoga Styles Guide

Bihar School of Yoga

Bihar School of Yoga: An Integrated Yogic System

The Bihar School of Yoga, founded by Swami Satyananda Saraswati in 1964, is a highly respected and comprehensive system of yoga that aims to integrate all paths of yoga into a single, structured framework. It is deeply rooted in traditional yogic and tantric texts and presents these ancient practices in a modern, scientific manner.

Core Philosophy

The school teaches an "integral" yoga, meaning it addresses all aspects of a human being—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. It synthesizes the major branches of yoga:

  • Hatha Yoga: For the body.
  • Raja Yoga: For the mind and consciousness (based on Patanjali's Yoga Sutras).
  • Kriya Yoga: For awakening subtle energies.
  • Jnana Yoga: The path of knowledge.
  • Bhakti Yoga: The path of devotion and heart.
  • Karma Yoga: The path of selfless action.

The goal is to provide a complete system for personal development and spiritual growth that can be adapted to any individual's needs and temperament.

What to Expect in a Class

Practices taught by the Bihar School are systematic and progressive. A typical class might include:

  • Asanas: Postures are often practiced in specific sequences with a strong focus on internal awareness of the breath, chakras, and energy flow.
  • Pranayama: A wide variety of breathing techniques are taught systematically.
  • Shatkarmas: Traditional yogic cleansing techniques (like Neti and Kunjal) are an important part of the system for purifying the body.
  • Yoga Nidra: The Bihar School is perhaps most famous for popularizing Yoga Nidra, a powerful guided meditation and deep relaxation technique developed by Swami Satyananda.
  • Meditation: Techniques such as Ajapa Japa (constant awareness of mantra with breath) and Antar Mouna (Inner Silence) are taught.

Key Focus

The Bihar School of Yoga places a strong emphasis on applying yogic principles to daily life. It is not just about what happens on the mat, but about using yoga as a tool to live a more balanced, aware, and purposeful life.