Swami Satchidananda

Sri Swami Satchidananda was one of the great Yoga masters to bring the classical Yoga tradition to the West in the 1960s. He taught Yoga postures and meditation, and introduced students to a vegetarian diet and a more compassionate lifestyle. His visit to New York City was meant to last two days, but pop artist Peter Max and a small circle of artist friends invited him to stay so they could learn from him the secret of finding physical health, mental peace and spiritual enlightenment.

In 1969 he delivered the official opening remarks at the Woodstock Music and Art Festival, offering a prayer of peace and love and leading a vast crowd in chanting "OM." He became known as "The Woodstock Guru." In his address he told the audience that through music, "we can work wonders."

The Integral Yoga teachings he brought blend the physical discipline of Yoga, the spiritual philosophy of India, and interfaith ideals he pioneered. He created one of the first Yoga teacher training and certification programs, initiated one of the first Yoga programs in prisons and drug rehab centers, founded the first Yoga magazine in America, and established one of the first residential Yoga ashrams. His translation and commentary on The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali became the top-selling edition of that classic.

He also lectured at medical schools and conferences on the healing power of Yoga, and he inspired integrative health pioneers including Dr. Dean Ornish and Dr. Michael Lerner. He opened the first vegetarian health food store in New York City, and later one in Virginia.

At the heart of his teaching was inner peace: "If you have peace, you have everything; if you lose your peace, you lose everything."