The Bihar School of Yoga was founded in 1964 by Swami Satyananda Saraswati in Munger, Bihar. Swami Satyananda Saraswati, also known as Sri Swami Satyananda Saraswati, was a renowned yoga master and spiritual leader who dedicated his life to the propagation of yoga and its benefits.

Born on December 25, 1923, in Almora, Uttarakhand, Swami Satyananda Saraswati was initiated into the spiritual path at a young age. He spent many years studying under his guru, Swami Sivananda Saraswati, at the Divine Life Society in Rishikesh. In 1956, he left the society and embarked on a journey across India, spreading the teachings of yoga and meditation.

It was during this journey that Swami Satyananda Saraswati met his guru, Swami Amritananda Saraswati, who initiated him into the ancient and powerful tantric tradition. Swami Satyananda Saraswati spent the next seven years under the guidance of Swami Amritananda Saraswati, learning and practicing various aspects of yoga, tantra, and vedanta.

In 1963, Swami Satyananda Saraswati returned to Munger, Bihar, and founded the Bihar School of Yoga. He established the school with the aim of preserving and disseminating the traditional teachings of yoga in its purest form. The school was initially located in a small thatched hut, but it soon gained popularity, and a larger ashram was built to accommodate the growing number of students.

The Bihar School of Yoga became a hub for yoga enthusiasts from all over the world, who came to learn and experience the authentic teachings of yoga. Swami Satyananda Saraswati introduced a holistic approach to yoga, incorporating various elements such as asanas, pranayama, meditation, karma yoga, and bhakti yoga. He also emphasized the importance of karma yoga, or selfless service, as a means to spiritual growth and inner transformation.

Under the guidance of Swami Satyananda Saraswati, the Bihar School of Yoga became a pioneer in the field of yoga education. In addition to regular yoga courses, the school also offered specialized programs in areas such as yoga therapy, yoga psychology, and yoga research. It also published numerous books and journals on yoga, which have been translated into several languages and have reached millions of people worldwide.

Today, the Bihar School of Yoga continues to thrive and carry forward the legacy of Swami Satyananda Saraswati. It has trained thousands of yoga teachers and has established centers in various parts of the world, spreading the message of yoga and its benefits. Swami Satyananda Saraswati's teachings and the Bihar School of Yoga have played a crucial role in popularizing yoga and making it accessible to people from all walks of life.