His challenge to yoga students: "Don't love me, love my teachings. His credo: "It's not the life that matters, it's the courage that you bring to it." His motto: "If you can't see God in all, you can't see God at all." His openhearted acceptance of everyone along with an uncompromising insistence upon excellence made him a formidable teacher. Fearless, outspoken yet humble, he could be both charming and daunting as the occasion required. Standing six feet three, Yogi Bhajan's powerful and dynamic presence dominated any gathering. In 1987 he transferred these workshops to videotape, calling them "Renew to be New" courses, which continue to be held worldwide. Yogi Bhajan as the Mahan Tantricīecoming the Mahan Tantric - the only living Master of White Tantric Yoga - in 1971, Yogi Bhajan conducted special yoga workshops in cities around the world. Yogi Bhajan himself wrote over 30 books including The Teachings of Yogi Bhajan, Furmaan Khalsa, The Masters Touch, and The Mind. Over 200 books have been written based on his teachings, as well as a wealth of Mantra CD's and Yoga Videos, as well as paintings, and sculpture. Inspired and motivated by his words and adhering to the yoga practices he taught, students created music, art, and poetry reflecting the universal wisdom he shared. His basic message was "It is your birthright to be healthy, happy, and holy." Traveling extensively in the 1970's and 1980's, Yogi Bhajan crusaded tirelessly to educate, uplift, and enlighten everyone he met.
In 1994, 3HO became a member of the United Nations as an NGO (Non-Governmental-Organization) in Consultative Status (Roster) with the Economic and Social Council, representing women's issues, promoting human rights and providing education in alternative systems of medicine. Under Yogi Bhajan's guidance as Director of Spiritual Education, 3HO mushroomed worldwide, to 300 centers in 35 countries. 3HO's service to humanity is through Kundalini Yoga, meditation and the Science of Humanology which improves physical well being, as well as deepening spiritual awareness. In July of 1969 the non-profit 3HO Foundation (Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization) was incorporated in California. Soon he was teaching at colleges and universities, including Claremont and UCLA, and accepting invitations to teach in other cities. From these humble beginnings, teaching first at the East West Cultural Center and then in a student's furniture store in West Hollywood, "The Yogi" was like a magnet. He called it the "3HO" (healthy, happy, holy) way of life. With the yogic sciences of yoga, meditation, yogic philosophy, and loving acceptance, he gave the soon to be called "Baby Boomers" an effective alternative to the prevalent drug culture. Yogi Bhajan met a number of young hippies, the spiritual seekers of that era, and immediately recognized that the experience of higher consciousness they were attempting to find through drugs, could be achieved by practicing the Science of Kundalini Yoga, while simultaneously rebuilding their nervous systems.īreaking the centuries old tradition of secrecy surrounding the empowering science of Kundalini Yoga, Yogi Bhajan began teaching it publicly. He announced he had come to the West "to create teachers, not to gain students". Delicious! (We mean the tea, of course.Yogi Bhajan was the first to publicly teach Kundalini Yoga when he arrived in the West in 1968.
Yogi Tea - Yogi produces teas formulated to address women’s health issues: balancing hormones, encouraging a healthy pregnancy, and promoting sufficient breast-milk supply. Yogi Bhajan - Bhajan reportedly employed a troupe of 15 women to serve him spiced drinks, attend to his baths, and perform group massages. Yogi Tea - Anise seed, dandelion root, nettle leaf, and cherry bark may sound like a fat rabbit’s diet, but Yogi Tea was founded upon the idea that “tasting great is essential, but isn’t enough.” WOMAN’S TOUCH Yogi Bhajan - Kundilini stresses a Sattvic diet (fruits and vegetables, which uphold “clarity”) and cautions that garlic, eggs, and meats lead to heaviness and dull minds. Yogi Tea - The Eugene company now makes nearly 60 tea blends deploying its expertise in “sensual well-being,” it recently launched a breakfast cereal line. Its website allows visitors to fill out a form to request a “spiritual name.” Yogi Bhajan - The 3HO Foundation, which Bhajan founded, operates spiritual centers on every continent. John’s Wort Blues Away “settles emotional imbalance” and “alleviates nervous unrest." TRANSCENDENCE Yogi Bhajan - The leader asserted that as an incarnation of a deceased Tibetan lama, he could observe auras and prophesize the future.