First Class WELLNESS
THE SEARCH FOR ENLIGHTENMENT … BEGINS IN THE POCONOS
Top: The Himalayan Institute
situated in the beautiful Poconos.
Center: Founder Swami Rama.
Bottom: Class instruction
The Poconos may be known for
honeymoons and outdoor getaways, but each year thousands
of yoga practitioners and New
Age followers travel to a former
seminary in Honesdale, Pa., to
experience the awakening of the
kundalini shakti—a deeper yoga
practice with more attention to the
breath and meditation.
“I come to deepen my practice
and spiritual growth,” says Mary
Bruce, who teaches workshops
and serves as the personal yoga
instructor of Grammy winner Jen-
nifer Nettles of Sugarland. “It is a
refuge for peace.”
The Himalayan International
Institute of Yoga Science and Phi-
losophy, founded in 1971 by Swami
Rama of the Himalayas, is one of
the oldest centers of its kind in the
United States. The humanitarian
organization is also involved in
biodiesel energy farming in India
and Africa and building hospitals
and schools in underdeveloped
countries.
After nearly 40 years, however,
the institute’s business model is
changing. For the first time, its
signature Living Tantra series is
o;ered on-site, in cities across the
country and on the Internet. And
note: This is not exactly the tantra
that keeps musician Sting buzzing.
“That is less than 1 percent of
what tantra is about,” says Todd
Wolfenberg, director of marketing.
“The message of tantra is to live in
the world but remain above it.” The
institute sees the Web as a modern
vehicle to deliver its ancient message of healing and well-being.
“We are trying to reach as many
people as possible, regardless of
income,” Wolfenberg says. 800-
822-4547; himalayaninstitute.org
