About
Empowerment through Yoga
The Himalayan Institute of Buffalo is a nonprofit organization founded in 1974. We are dedicated to promoting health, self-awareness, and spiritual well-being through yoga. Our programs are open to everyone, with no membership required to join our classes. As a volunteer-run organization, our students and staff play a vital role in maintaining our facility and supporting our teaching and administrative efforts.
Swami Rama
Founder of The Himalayan Institute
One of the greatest adepts, teachers, writers, and humanitarians of the 20th century, Swami Rama (1925–1996) is the founder of the Himalayan Institute. Born in northern India, he was raised from early childhood by the Himalayan sage, Bengali Baba. Under the guidance of his master, he traveled from monastery to monastery and studied with a variety of Himalayan saints and sages, including his grandmaster, who was living in a remote region of Tibet.
His best-known work, Living with the Himalayan Masters, reveals the many facets of this singular adept and demonstrates his embodiment of the living tradition of the East.
Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PhD
Spiritual Head of The Himalayan Institute
Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PhD, is a modern-day master and living link in the unbroken Himalayan Tradition. He is the successor to Sri Swami Rama of the Himalayas, and the spiritual head of the Himalayan Institute. As the author of numerous books, including his autobiography Touched by Fire: The Ongoing Journey of a Spiritual Seeker, Pandit Tigunait offers practical guidance on applying yogic and tantric wisdom to modern life. For over 40 years he has touched innumerable lives around the world as a teacher, humanitarian, and visionary spiritual leader. You can view more of his teachings online in the library of Himalayan Institute Online.
Our Faculty
The teaching faculty at the Himalayan Institute of Buffalo is a highly trained group of experienced local instructors. We do much more than teach yoga. We live yoga. Our staff embodies a wide range of professional experience in fields like exercise science, international relations, linguistics and education. We also take our personal sadhana (practice) to heart recognizing that teachers can only effectively teach that which they know first-hand. Each of us is dedicated to sharing the best of our own experience in a deeply supportive, professional environment.
Mission Driven, Member Supported
We operate by the spiritual and financial support of extraordinary individuals like yourself. Your financial contributions and consistent monthly support make our mission possible.