People have a tendency to over-simplify things and make the definitions fit into their parameters of thinking. Yoga too is a casualty of such thinking. In today's fast-paced world, with its quick-fix solutions for everything, yoga is being more and more branded as a solution for all weight problems or a health regime… "something exciting from the exotic east". In the over-zealous attempts to spread yoga, its centuries-old meaning is being diluted and it's becoming something of a fast-food in the fitness juggernaut - no nutrients, just calories! But, the essence of yoga is much more. It is considered even older than the Vedas (the ancient Indian texts, over 5000 years old) where this combination of physical, mental and spiritual practice finds a mention. It uses a system of physical exercises, including breathing exercises like pranayam, chanting, thought-control and lifestyle-control, to bring about complete harmony in man and lead him to a higher level of self-awareness and self-realization. Partly to dispel the existing misconceptions about yoga, and primarily to educate people across the world about the practice of yoga, Paramhamsa Satyananda founded the The Bihar School of Yoga in 1963. About Paramhamsa Satyananda Bihar Yoga Bharati Satyananda Yoga Campus life Ethos of Bihar School of Yoga How to get to Munger Courses available Where to stay Self-realization through work - Karma Yoga Upcoming programs Diversification - Yoga and the World How to reach Rikhia Swami Niranjanananda When to go

About Paramhamsa Satyananda Born in a small Himalayan town called Almora, near the famous hill station Nainital, in Uttaranchal (earlier part of Uttar Pradesh) in 1923, Paramhamsa Satyananda found his true calling at the very young age of just 19. This is when he met his guru Swami Sivananda. Even as a young boy, people around his birthplace saw in his demeanour something out of the ordinary. As a teenager he was introduced to a Tantric form of yoga, which involves the control of sexual power, by a wandering Yogini (female practitioner of yoga). She was the one who told him that he should seek the blessings of a true guru who would help him further in his quest for spirituality. On her insistence, he began his search for a guru, which ended at Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh. In 1947, he was initiated by his guru Swami Sivananda and he completed his training in sanyas in 1956. After this, he led the life of a wandering mendicant for nine years, where he travelled the length and breadth of the country extensively, meeting several gurus and sadhus (saints). It was in 1963, after the passing away of his guru, that Paramhamsa established the Bihar School of Yoga, a charitable and educational institution, in a place called Munger, in the eastern Indian state of Bihar.

Satyananda Yoga Satyananda Yoga is a system of yoga developed by Paramhamsa Satyananda and his Bihar School of Yoga, which incorporates traditional practices like asanas (postures) to balance the body and mind through the physical body, pranayam (breathing practices) to work on the internal energy, and meditation to calm and focus the mind. It also teaches and encourages a yogic lifestyle, not only for the sanyasis but also for householders and lay practitioners. To achieve this, Satyananda Yoga synthesizes the various aspects of yoga like Jnana Yoga (the path of knowledge), Bhakti Yoga (the path of heart and emotion), Karma Yoga (the path of service) and other yoga techniques that enable the practitioner to frame all aspect of his/her life in a manner that is conducive to spiritual growth.

Ethos of Bihar School of Yoga According to Paramhamsa Satyananda, a sanyasi should be "concerned with nothing in life except vidya (knowledge)". And, "vidya in this age is associated, not with physical or mental yoga, but with holistic yoga, combining the lifestyle with the physical, mental and spiritual aspects, thus leading to the development of a balanced personality, to harmony between body, mind and spirit, and restraint and wisdom in the management of the sensorial and sensual world." This being the main thrust of the yogic teachings, the Bihar School of Yoga prepares and conducts different courses, classes and activities.

Courses available Sivanandashram is the original school which offers short-term courses like yogic sadhana, yogic health managementand yogic stress management, apart from some other specialized courses. The new school, Ganga Darshan, was established in 1985. Located atop a hill, it offers a beautiful view of the Ganges flowing below, the town of Munger and the adjoining villages. The school is renowned for its excellent sanyas and yoga training. The techniques of yoga developed here are a combination of several approaches based on the ancient teachings of Tantra, Vedanta and Yoga and an assimilation of the current day methodologies of physical and mental health. The Bihar School of Yoga also works in conjunction with government aided yoga and medical projects. In fact, it provides trained sanyasis and teachers for building and conducting specific programs for the armed forces, prisons, educational institutes, medical colleges and rural areas, as well as for conducting seminars, conventions and lecture tours throughout the world. Programs developed by the school have also been conducted in leading Indian companies like the Indian Oil Corporation, National Thermal Power Corporation, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, etc.

Self-realization through work - Karma Yoga One of the unique features of the Bihar School of Yoga is that it follows the ancient Indian Gurukul system, wherein a student comes and lives with his/her guru to acquire knowledge. At the ashram, the principles of Karma Yoga - an attempt of self-realization or communion with god by means of work - are followed. The word Karma stands for work and Yoga means a joining together or yoking of the human spirit with the ultimate reality for the final attainment of moksha. And, it is due to this practise of Karma Yoga that trained sanyasis from the ashram are sent to conduct yoga training to various parts of the world. The Bihar School of Yoga does not close its doors to women, so along with male (a large number of them being foreigners) sanyasis, it also has a substantial number of women sanyasinis. Donned in saffron robes, professionals like doctors, teachers, lawyers and even journalists live and work on the campus as sanyasis. Also present on the campus are the Jigyasus. These are the people who are still contemplating taking up sanyas and are here to observe what their lives would be if and when they take the final plunge.

Diversification - Yoga and the World Since the time of its inception, the Bihar School of Yoga has diversified into several world-recognized institutions. All these impart yoga training for personal and spiritual upliftment. In 1984, Paramhamsa Satyananda founded the Sivananda Math, a charitable institution, followed by the Yoga Research Foundation, a medical and scientific institute. He toured the world extensively and formed several organizations across the globe including the Research of Yoga in Education in France, which was instrumental for introducing yoga in that country's school curriculum. Presently, Research of Yoga in Education has chapters in Italy, Germany, England and even Australia.

Swami Niranjanananda It was in 1988 that Paramhamsa Satyananda decided to withdraw from the main stage and move to Rikhia in Deogarh district of Jharkhand and lead a life of isolation. He chose his closest disciple, Swami Niranjanananda, to take over the administrative and spiritual duties of the ashram. Born in 1960, he is probably one of the youngest gurus in India. Swami Niranjanananda was acknowledged as someone special since the time of his birth in a village called Rajnandgaon in Madhya Pradesh. He was just about four, when he was sent to the Bihar School of Yoga, and by 11 years he was initiated into his guru's order and was traveling across the world with the latter, spreading the word of yoga.

Bihar Yoga Bharati On 8th September 1995, Swami Niranjanananda established the Bihar Yoga Bharati, the academic wing of the Bihar School of Yoga. This day also marked the 108th birth anniversary of his guru's guru, Swami Sivananda. This is the world's first government accredited university that is entirely dedicated to the education of yoga. It is affiliated to the University of Bhagalpur in India. Bihar Yoga Bharati's logo is the Garuda, a giant-sized eagle which is the mythological vehicle of Vishnu, one of the trio that form the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The logo has two Sanskrit mantras encrypted on it which read "Na'asti Yogaataparam Balam" and "Na'asti Gyaanataparo Bandhu". These mean that "there is no power greater than yoga" and "there is no friend greater than knowledge", respectively.

Campus life Life on campus here is slightly different than other campuses. While there is emphasis on pure academics, one also needs to contribute by doing Karma Yoga, which could involve working in the library, kitchen or garden. The assessment of students is based on the discipline maintained in the ashram, participation in karma yoga, kirtan and satsang and academic performance. A typical day here begins in the early hours, around 4 am. Breakfast time is 6.30 am; lunch at 10.30 and dinner time is 5.30 pm. After studying and practising yoga in the day time, the evenings are generally devoted to kirtan and satsang. The Bihar Yoga Bharati offers the following residential courses: 4 month Certificate Course in Yogic Studies From February to May (in Hindi) From October to January (in English) 1-year Undergraduate Diploma Course in Yogic Studies From August to May (in English) 1-year Postgraduate Diploma Course in Yogic Studies From August to May (in English) MA Degree Course in Yoga Philosophy (in English) MA/MSc Degree Course in Yoga Psychology (in English) MSc Degree Course in Applied Yogic Science (in English) For detailed information, prospectus and application forms contact: Registrar Bihar Yoga Bharati Ganga Darshan Fort Munger Bihar 811 201 India Tel: +91-6344 222430 Fax: +91-6344 220169 Website: www.biharyogabharati.net or www.yogavision.net

How to get to Munger Munger can be reached via Bihar's capital Patna, which is air-linked with all the major cities of India including the metros - Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. Patna is also connected by rail and road with all the big cities in the country. From Patna to reach Munger you can take the intrastate buses or a train or a taxi. The distance between the two cities is 173 kms.

Where to stay Any visiting devotee can stay at the ashram. But, it is a good idea to enquire beforehand for availability of accommodation in the ashram.

Upcoming programs On and off various programs are organised at Rikhidham in Deogarh (Jharkhand), the place where Paramhamsa Satyananda lives a life of isolation. Once or twice a year he does meet and interact with people at the Bihar School of Yoga's Rikhidham ashram. In 2004 two important programs are being organized there in which anyone can participate. You can join the Ashram Life Satra at Rikhia from 1st August 2004 to 15 February 2005. This is the first time that this program is being organized here with the purpose of acquainting people and helping them experience ashram life. Sat Chandi Mahayajna and Sita Kalyanam will be held from 12-16 December 2004. Anyone can join this event with their family and friends.

How to reach Rikhia Rikhia is located in North Jharkhand in Deogarh district (an erstwhile part of Bihar state). To get here one will have to reach Jasidih Junction by train. Being about 20 kms from the ashram, this is the nearest station and is well connected to all the major metros and big cities of India. From the station, you can cover the distance to the ashram by auto-rickshaws or taxis, which are easily available. For further details write to: Bihar School of Yoga P.O. Rikhia Dist. Deoghar Jharkhand 814 112 India Tel: +91-6432 232870 Fax: +91-6432 230670

When to go Munger lies in the plains of Bihar. In the month of November the cold weather sets in, which lasts till about March. Winters are generally pleasant, with a mean temperature of about 17-20º C, although for a week or two in December or January there is a period of extreme cold, when the mercury can dip as low as 6-7º C. From mid-March hot weather commences, reaching its peak in May when the temperature soars over 45º C. June is when the Monsoon sets in, which lasts till August. Weather-wise, the best time to visit is from September to March. Paramhamsa Satyananda's guru Swami Sivananda defined the aim of yoga as "the merger of one human being with its neighbour. Serve, love, give, purify, do good, be good, meditate and realize." And, these same teachings form the guiding light behind the operating philosophy of the Bihar School of Yoga. Not only are the benefits of yoga for the body, mind as well as the spirit being propagated here, but are also being lived to the fullest!

- Aditi Sharma Aditi Sharma is a Delhi-based freelancer who writes for 'The Asian Age' and 'The Indian Express', and has contributed articles to portals.

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