Satyananda Yoga is a system of yoga developed by Swami Satyananda Saraswati and his lineage, which incorporates practices derived from ancient and traditional sources. Satyananda Yoga uses practices in a traditional way, asanas (postures) to balance the body and mind through the physical body, pranayama (breathing practices) to work on the energy body (equated with Ki or Chi in other systems), and meditation to calm and focus the mind.
The Satyananda approach incorporates the whole person, not just the body. There is an emphasis on awareness and practitioners are encouraged to learn about all aspects of their personality through Yoga. Change is a process that takes place naturally as a consequence of regular practice with full awareness, rather than by forcing the mind and body to the limit and beyond.
If the head, the heart and the hands do not function in harmony, there is restlessness in life. This restlessness may be on the mental, emotional, physical or spiritual level. Though its manifestation is legion, it always results in the shattering of inner peace.
Yoga practices developed by Swami Satyananda Saraswati and the Bihar School of Yoga aim to harmonise all levels of human life and experience through practical means.