How Padmasambhava Yoga Centre runs

The centre is run by a small group of dedicated individuals. Set up as an unincorporated charitable organisation in 1995 it is now in the process of registering as a charity so as to more fully contribute to the local and wider yogic community.

From the beginning the underlying philosophy has been one of seva and karma yoga or selfless service. This is the core practice of the members of Padma.

Aims and Objectives
The detailed aims and objectives defined in the constitution are currently under review, prior to charity registration, and will be posted when the approval process has been completed. Here are the main aims:-

• To promote, foster and conduct research in to the effects of Yoga.
• To provide yoga classes for the community by teachers trained in the "Satyananda Yoga" tradition regardless of age, sex, race or religious beliefs (or lack thereof).
• To present yoga workshops, seminars and retreats.
• To establish a residential centre where the yogic lifestyle can be more fully experienced.

What Padma provides to students

• Regular yoga classses in the "Satyananda Yoga" tradition and a variety of workshops and retreats with concessionary rates for those in need.
• A library containing books and videos on yoga and related subjects for loan.
• A retail outlet for yoga textbooks and products required by students to facilitate their practice.
• An opportunity to work in the spirit of seva, either by doing karma yoga at the centre, by working on one of its projects or by helping other charitable works going on elsewhere.
• A website updating yoga activities, providing links to other related sites and publication of articles about different aspects of yoga posted by contributers worldwide.

The teachers
All regular class teachers are trained in the "Satyananda Yoga" tradition.
The resident teachers and the members of the committee receive no renumeration or material reward for running the centre or for the classes or workshops they teach as part of Padma's events programme. The residents provide for their own living expenses through external work. Padma will however pay non resident teachers to teach classes, workshops and retreats when necessary. See ((Other Classes & Events)) for details of classes and events that are not a direct part of Padma's sheduled programme.

The facilities
The property at which the centre runs its activities, equipment and motor vehicle expenses are provided mostly by donation.
Padma does contribute to a share of the costs of services, motor expenses and upkeep of the facilities.

Sources of income

• Regular classes
• Special events and workshops
• Sale of yoga related merchandise

Where the money goes
Full details of Padmasambhava's expenditure can be seen on request and once the charity has been set up will be accessible via the website.

• The fees and travel expenses if required for teachers invited to present classes, lectures, workshops and retreats.
• A proportion of the running costs.
• The purchase and maintenance of equipment used by the centre.
• Insurance.
• The purchase of office equipment.
• The purchase of books for the library and subscriptions to journals.
• Publicity for classes, special events and workshops.
• Training of resident teachers.
• Donations to other charitable organisations.
• Savings to purchase land for a residential centre.

The benefits of this approuch
We are able to teach classes and hold events irrespective of whether they are financially viable independently as profits from certain courses can be used to subsidise others without the usual requirements that other organisations and centres may have to break even or make a profit. This allows us to hold events that will be of the most benefit to the students attending.
We are able to work in a spirit of seva considering the needs of others as a priority when embarking on any project.

Funds for other work
Funds are collected for Sivananda Math, an Indian charity that fosters and aids developing local communities in Bihar. A clear description of their activities can be seen on Satyananda.net (cache) under Menu Organisations/India/Sivananda Math
You may support this fund either by attendance on an event held specifically in aid of Sivananda Math or by making a donation.

These funds have no administrative expenses applied and this is the policy of choice for the future also.