ParaYoga was founded by master teacher, Yogarupa Rod Stryker to provide students and teachers of all levels the opportunity to experience and study the ultimate scope and life-changing promise of yoga. Through its accessible and in-depth approach ParaYoga develops exceptional practitioners and teachers who embody and/or are able to lead others into Yoga as it was originally envisioned––one of the most comprehensive, life-affirming, spiritual tradition ever created.
ParaYoga’s aim is to help you live your best life by sharing the perennial wisdom and techniques that unlock greater power, joy and freedom. Practicing ParaYoga® will awaken and enliven your capacity and help you reach your fullest potential.
The ParaYoga Mission
ParaYoga is a living link to the ancient traditions of yoga, meditation, and tantra. Our mission is to serve these teachings by continuing to be a leading resource for the dissemination of their wisdom, power and capacity to positively affect all aspects of modern life.
Our unique approach is to combine authoritative knowledge, direct experience, and accessibility so that students and teachers of all levels––and society as a whole––are uplifted by yoga and tantra’s time-tested practices, leading to ultimate fulfillment and freedom.
ParaYoga Cultural Values
Self-mastery
We choose to accept responsibility for the quality and conditions of our life, thus as individuals we are accountable for our thoughts, speech and actions. We recognize that our personal integrity implies a commitment to collective wellbeing as the foundation for sustainability––both globally and as an organization.
Integrity
We commit ourselves to Truth, openness and clarity. As we inquire into the nature of Self and recognize its inherent qualities as the light of wisdom and compassion, we are less fearful. Consequently, we act with kindness, love, sustainability, and integrity, in service to our highest values.
Guardianship
The ParaYoga tradition is authentic, with a genuine historical lineage, and as part of this lineage we have a responsibility to cherish and nurture the teachings and pass them on with great love and respect for the sources from which they have come as well as those whom they will reach.
Empowerment
ParaYoga seeks to empower individuals to thrive at every level: physically, mentally and spiritually. Every ParaYogi’s voice can be heard within our community.
Compassion
As we grow in commitment to build partnership and community, we have a responsibility to act with kindness as well as to cultivate our capacity to be honest, forthcoming, and lovingly straightforward with one another. This commitment to actively share the gift of compassion extends to every individual in a ParaYoga community as well as to the world at large.
Love of Life
We are all enlivened by and connected through the joy of being alive. The gift of life is to be savored and shared. We actively work, each according to their own nature (Sva Dharma) to establish a more just and sustainable world where all beings can delight in the joy of being alive.
This statement of cultural values was generated and refined by the community of ParaYogis using a process that allowed individuals and groups to declare what mattered most to them about the practice and teaching of ParaYoga.
ParaYoga Gives Back
In case you are looking for organizations for your charitable giving this year, here are three that we recommend and support through donations and our scholarship programming.
Black Yoga Teachers Alliance
HISTORY
The Black Yoga Teachers Alliance (BYTA) was founded in 2009 by yoga teachers Maya Breuer and Jana Long, as a social media group to provide a space for teachers, students, practitioners, healers, and enthusiasts to discuss yoga and wellness, to share information about classes, workshops, events and activities, and most importantly, to build a network and get to know one another. BYTA was established as a tax-exempt nonprofit in 2016.
VISION
BYTA is a collective of yoga teachers who share the peace and power of yoga to inspire conscious living.
MISSION
BYTA supports the continuing educational and professional development of black yoga teachers.
OBJECTIVES
- Elevate its presence and voices in the world.
- Provide a business and social network with black yoga teachers throughout the U.S. and abroad.
- Serve as a catalyst to connect black yoga teachers with opportunities to train, teach and travel.
- Increase the diversity of those who teach and practice yoga.
Give Back Yoga Foundation
MISSION
To bring the therapeutic benefits of yoga to people with limited access to this practice.
GBY helps yoga teachers, health workers, and charitable organizations offer yoga to those in need — including veterans, prisoners, and individuals facing mental and physical illness. They also work with community partners to increase access to yoga for populations that face systemic bias and prejudice.
STRATEGY
GBY supports a broad spectrum of the yoga service movement; from teachers leading classes in their local communities, to seedling yoga service projects, to established programs and organizations. GBY’s strategy focuses on three core areas: Start Up Supplies, Small Grants and Fiscal Sponsorship.
An online education platform for those interested in the intersection between yoga, science and nonprofit work.