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What is the purpose of the Bihar School of Yoga?

The Bihar School of Yoga, established by Swami Satyananda Saraswati, was created to present yoga as a complete way of life rather than a mere set of physical exercises. Its purpose is to revive yoga in its totality and make it accessible to all, regardless of age, religion, culture, or background. In this vision, yoga becomes a means for integrated physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual development, guiding practitioners toward inner balance while they continue to fulfill their worldly responsibilities. The school emphasizes that yoga is a practical tool for self-discipline and inner transformation, not an escape from life but a way of engaging with it more consciously.

A central aim of the institution is to systematically teach and preserve traditional yogic practices in a structured and methodical manner. It propagates a comprehensive system that includes asana, pranayama, meditation, karma yoga, and related disciplines, presenting them in a way that is relevant to contemporary needs. Through teacher training, literature, and ashram life, the school seeks to transmit authentic teachings while making them understandable and applicable for modern practitioners. In this way, it serves as both a guardian of spiritual heritage and a bridge between ancient wisdom and present-day seekers.

Another important purpose of the Bihar School of Yoga is to apply yogic methods in practical fields of life and society. Yoga is presented as a means to improve health, emotional balance, and character, and is brought into environments such as hospitals, schools, prisons, and similar institutions. By doing so, the school aims to demonstrate that yoga is not confined to secluded practice but can support human well-being in diverse circumstances. This outreach reflects the broader intention to integrate yoga into daily living, so that spiritual growth and social responsibility move hand in hand.

Underlying all these activities is the aspiration to establish yoga as a complete lifestyle and spiritual discipline. The school encourages an understanding of yoga as a “science” of life, one that can be explored, practiced, and refined through disciplined effort. Its work in preserving, systematizing, and researching yogic knowledge is directed toward making this science accessible, so that seekers from any walk of life can discover a path of inner evolution grounded in clarity, balance, and service.