Paramhansa Yogananda

Paramhansa Yogananda (1893-1952) was the first yoga master of India to live and teach in the West. Yogananda arrived in America in 1920, and traveled throughout the United States on what he called his “spiritual campaigns”. His enthusiastic audiences filled the largest halls of America. Hundreds of thousands came to see the yogi from India. Yogananda continued to lecture and write up until his passing in 1952.

Yogananda’s initial impact was truly impressive. But his lasting impact has been even greater. Yogananda’s “Autobiography of a Yogi,” first published in 1946, helped launch a spiritual revolution in the West. His message was non-sectarian and universal. Yogananda’s teacher sent him to the West with the admonition, “The West is high in material attainments, but lacking in spiritual understanding. It is God’s will that you play a role in teaching mankind the value of balancing the material with an inner, spiritual life.”

Today, “Autobiography of a Yogi” continues to be one of the best-selling autobiographies of all time, and the yoga movement is widespread in America. The Ananda College of Living Wisdom draws much of its inspiration from this great spiritual leader and his writings.

“The true basis of religion is not belief, but intuitive experience. Intuition is the soul’s power of knowing God. To know what religion is really all about, one must know God.”

— Paramhansa Yogananda, from    
“The Essence of Self-Realization”


Swami Kriyananda

Ananda College of Living Wisdom (formerly Ananda Institute of Alternative Living) was founded by Swami Kriyananda.

Swami Kriyananda, a direct disciple of Yogananda, founded Ananda Village in 1968 to fulfill Yogananda’s vision of ‘World Brotherhood Colonies’, or spiritual cooperative communities. Yogananda envisioned a place where all people, not just monastics, could devote themselves to living a divine life, dedicated to practicing the teachings of yoga in every aspect of their daily life.

Ananda Village, which is located 5 miles from the college, is home to 300 adult members and children. Ananda Sangha worldwide includes communities in the United States, Italy and India. All residents practice Yogananda’s teachings of meditation and apply his principles to all facets of life in this world: business, schools, relationships, healing, and much more.


Paramhansa Yogananda Autobiogaphy of a Yogi Swami Kriyananda