About
We come from a living tradition that is well over 5,000 years old and is not affiliated with any religion or institutions in India or any countries that encompass the Himalayas. If you hang around TYS long enough, you will hear us say we belong to the living tradition of the Himalayan Masters, and that name is used strictly for convenience rather than fanfare or advertising. Our tradition embodies all of the yogas, and this means we employ the classical approaches of Raja Yoga, which is adherence to Ashtanga yoga, or the eight limbs of yoga. The 8 limbs are Yamas, Niyamas, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi.
Jnana, the yoga of knowledge, asks the questions "Who am I?" and "Why am I here?". Tantra yoga is the blending of medicine, philosophy, astrology, and spiritual practice. Tantra means that as in the macrocosm and also in the microcosm. When you know the Self, you know all worlds. Contrary to mass cultural belief, Hatha Yoga is not just asana. Asana encompasses pranayama, bandhas, mudras, cleansing practices, and all asanas. There are 84 asanas and infinite derivatives of those 84.
Bhakti Yoga is the path of love and devotion. The goal is the union of the individual soul with the highest divinity; when this happens, there is absolute love for all beings, starting with the individual self. Kriya Yoga is the yoga of action: self-discipline, self-study, and surrender to the Divine. Kundalini Yoga is the awakening of Kundalini energy and leads her through each chakra and finally pierces the Sahasrara Chakra.
Mantra Yoga is the yoga that purifies the mind preparing one to receive Divine grace. The mind must be able to see clearly, and the way to obtain clarity is through mantra repetition. In Nada Yoga, the mind withdraws from the external sounds and goes within to discover the Anahata nada. This unstruck sound is not tainted by the distorted perceptions of the mind and tarnished feelings of the heart. The Anahata resides in the cave of the heart.
Traditional Yoga Society (TYS) began as a need to fill the void of authentic yoga teachings in Dayton, Ohio, and its surrounding areas. We are bringing the traditional teachings from India to those who have not been presented with an opportunity to study with a teacher in a traditional ashram (spiritual community), like those in India and other parts of the United States of America.
Many of the yoga practices in the US have been watered down to the point that they are no longer recognizable to the actual roots from where they originated. Furthermore, yoga has become a commodity that is no longer affordable to many Americans. In 2008, a market study was done by Yoga Journal called "Yoga in America." It stated that of the 15.8 million people who practiced yoga, 68% had household incomes over $75,000, and 72% were female. Many Americans could benefit from these teachings but cannot because of a lack of disposable income. Many of the yoga students studying at these high-priced establishments leave never knowing the true meaning of yoga. The yogic scriptures and more profound practices are not mentioned in class, let alone taught, and as a result, people may become physically healthier, but their stress levels remain high. TYS has sought to fill this deficit with educational programs and teachings offered via our kirtans, classes, workshops, and various trainings.
TYS seeks to create a space for any sincere yoga student regardless of socioeconomic status, race, or sex. TYS has a vision of thousands of yogis and yoginis coming together to learn yoga and become healthier, more vibrant members of society.
Swami Rama
One of the greatest adepts, teachers, writers, and humanitarians of the 20th century, Swami Rama (1925–1996), was born in northern India and raised by the Himalayan sage from early childhood Bengali Baba. Under the guidance of his master, he traveled from monastery to monastery and studied with a variety of Himalayan saints and yogis.
In addition to this intense spiritual training, Swami Rama received higher education in both India and Europe. From 1949 to 1952, he held the prestigious position of Shankaracharya of Karvirpitham in South India. After that, he returned to his master's to receive further training at his cave monastery, and finally, in 1969, he came to the United States, where he founded the Himalayan Institute.
His best-known work, Living with the Himalayan Masters, reveals the many facets of our guru and demonstrates his embodiment of this living tradition.
Ranjani Powers
Ranjani Powers knew that it was her dharma to teach for as long as she can remember. She didn't think it was to teach Yoga until Yoga found her again in 1998. Since then, she has been studying and sharing Yoga. In 1998 Ranjani left her teaching position to live and study Yoga with Sri Swami Satchidananda at his ashram in central Virginia. During this time, she received her name (Ranjani, which means one who is full of joy and brings joy to others) and the blessings of Sri Swami Satchidananda to share and instruct Yoga. Since then, she has continually sought out the company of bona fide yoga masters to deepen her knowledge and practice of Yoga. Ranjani considers herself to be an eternal student of Yoga. Anything good from her comes from her teacher Sri Swami Rama of the Himalayas, and anything less is from her lower self. Ranjani is dedicated entirely to Yoga as she has witnessed its effect on her daily life, and it has only been by her practice and the grace of her teacher that she has made it this far in life. Ranjani has had the karma to live in many places in this lifetime, and as a result, she has had the opportunity to teach, train, and inspire many yoga teachers and yoga students. She has taught over 10,000 yoga classes all over the United States of America and abroad. Ranjani fondly remembers Sri Swami Rama of the Himalayas, who took her flying through the multiverse and appeared to her in dreams since she was a child guiding her life. She owes everything to him, including the greatest worldly gift Swamiji has ever given her, her husband, Riley. They live in Dayton, O, where they practice Yoga and kirtan together and raise their three four-legged boys (Rishi, Rumi, and Ravi).
