Hatha yoga embraces many practices, including physical postures (asana) and breathing exercises (pranayama) which also act upon the physical nervous system and spiritual body (which is considered a corollary aspect of the physical body) and brings the vital energies of the physical and spiritual bodies under conscious control.

The ancient asana postures are skillful, conscious movements of the body and breath that are based on biomechanical and physiological principles.

The original yogic masters studied human and animal movement. They studied the subtleties of movement from infants through old age.

To understand these movements, one needs to focus on the sensations of their body and breath.

The actions of the asana poses are elicited through specific images and guided by the breath, rather than imitate or approximate the surface or outer form of the pose.

The Reverend Sri Swami Satchidananda is the founder of the worldwide Integral Yoga Institutes.

An esteemed Yoga master, and spiritual leader, Sri Swamiji is regarded by many as an apostle of peace.

He is often affectionately referred to as the "Woodstock Guru," because he inaugurated the famed Woodstock Festival and went on to introduce an entire generation of young people to the benefits of Yoga.

Not limited to any one organization, religion or country, Sri Swamiji receives invitations from around the world to speak about pathways to peace.

He serves on the advisory boards of the International Yoga Teachers Association, European Union of National Yoga Federations, the British Wheel of Yoga, and numerous peace and interfaith organizations.

Born in India in 1914, Sri Swamiji had the opportunity to be associated with some of the great sages of the 20th century, including Sri Ramana Maharshi and Sri Aurobindo.

He received pre-monastic initiation from Sri Swami Chidbhavanandaji of the Ramakrishna Mission.

In 1949, he was ordained as a monk in the Paramahansa Order of Sannyas by the renowned spiritual master, Sri Swami Sivananda of the Divine Life Society, Himalayas.

Over the years, Sri Swamiji taught at the Yoga Vedanta Forest University and directed activities at Divine Life Society branches in India, Sri Lanka, and the Far East.

Integral Yoga, as taught by Sri Swamiji, combines various yoga paths including Hatha Yoga, breathing practices and relaxation techniques, selfless service, meditation, prayer, and a 5,000 year old philosophy that helps one to find inner peace and joy.

The practices and principles of Integral Yoga are at the foundation of Dr. Dean Ornish's landmark work in reversing heart disease and Dr. Michael Lerner's noted Commonweal Cancer Help program. He is the author of many books, among them: Integral Yoga Hatha, To Know Yourself, and Beyond Words. He is also the subject of two biographies, Apostle of Peace and Portrait of a Modern Sage.

In 1966, he was invited by filmmaker Conrad Rooks and artist Peter Max to visit the United States. Because of the enthusiastic response to his universal teachings, Sri Swamiji was asked to extend his stay.

He was the first person to receive a visa under the title, "Minister of Divine Words," and eventually became a United States citizen.

Sri Swamiji has sponsored numerous ecumenical symposiums, retreats and worship services. During several private audiences, H.H. Pope Paul VI praised these efforts in promoting interfaith activities.

He has also had an audience with H.H. Pope John Paul II and continues to travel around the world promoting religious harmony and meeting with spiritual and governmental leaders, and other dignitaries.

Over the years he has met with, among others: Mahatma Gandhi, H.H. the Dalai Lama, U Thant, Indira Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and Mrs. Coretta Scott King.

A physical manifestation of Sri Swamiji's interfaith work is the Light Of Truth Universal Shrine (LOTUS).

Dedicated in 1986, this unique ecumenical shrine houses altars for all the major world religions. It lies at the heart of Yogaville, Virginia, a spiritual center that functions under Sri Swamiji's guidance and is based on the principles of Yoga and ecumenism.

Open to all people, LOTUS addresses the need of the hour: the peace and harmony that can come from greater love and compassion for all humanity.

Sri Swamiji has received many honors for his public service.

Among these awards are, the Albert Schweitzer Humanitarian Award, the Anti-Defamation League's Humanitarian Award, and two honorary doctorates. The Juliet Hollister Interfaith Award was presented to Sri Swamiji at the United Nations in October 1996. In 1998, he was honorary chair for the gala during which H.H. the Dalai Lama received the same award.

Sri Swamiji has dedicated his life to the cause of peace both individual and universal and to religious harmony among all people.

Asana practice can reduce stress and be restorative as well as energizing.

Today's fast pace has some of us driven by concerns that keep us from experiencing the present moment - being in the here and now.

Yoga practice can discipline us to stay present with the goodness of any given moment. It has at times been called meditation in action, going beyond mere physical exercise that can help realign an individual with the flow of nature.

Regular and consistent practice of these postures will improve the immune, respiratory, circulatory, digestive and nervous systems. It will bring you an ocean of calm and peace.

With skillful practice, someone in pain can begin to understand how to move out of pain by reducing the mechanical stresses.

Once one realizes what mechanical stresses are perpetuating their pain, and develop the motor skills to move with normal bio- mechanical stresses, their bodies are allowed to heal.

This yogic practice can be safe for most people regardless of their level of conditioning with skillful instruction.

To be able to resist disease, to bear strain, and to enjoy mental vitality, to feel the body as a luxury, as a bird feels when shooting through the air, and as a normal child does, is health.