The Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana or VYASA is a unique research institute that works for examining the efficacy of yoga practices. From 1981 to 1986 it was known as the Vivekananda Kendra Cikitsa Tatha Anusandhana Samiti (VK YOCTAS) and was also known as Vivekananda Kendra Yoga Anusandhana Samasthana (VK YOGAS) from 1986-2000. The institute is located in the city of Bangaluru in Karnataka, India. Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana is a non-profit organisation engaged in scientific research and training people in Yoga in India and abroad. Its vast network is spread over 22 countries around the world. The affiliated centres of this institute in India are located in cities like Salem, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Chennai, Jaipur, Lucknow, New Delhi, Pune, Bangaluru, Udaipur, etc.
The Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (VYASA) has been working with certain aims and objectives since its inception. It researches to develop Yoga courses to solve the basic problems of modern times. The basic purpose of this research is to bring the benefits of Yoga to everyone in the society. Making yoga a socially relevant science by using the modern tool of scientific research is also an objective of the institute. The institute provides training in Yoga and also teaches the spiritual knowledge propounded by Swami Vivekananda, who heralded the grandeur of Sanatana Dharma (the Laws of Creation) in the West through his epoch-making speech. The institute tries to provide for the advancement and spreading all the streams of Yoga and its applications. Extramural studies, extension programmes and field outreach activities are also conducted by the institute to contribute to the development of society.
Committed to research for the propagation of Yoga, the Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana has established a university for studying Yoga. The university is named as the SVYASA University and its methodology of study includes yoga for modern society, medical application of yoga, using yoga for stress management, educational application and other yoga applications. The university is situated in a 110 acres campus and is recognised for higher education in Yogic sciences. The educational system in SVYASA is completely based on the consciousness-based approach of yoga systems and spiritual aspect. The objective of the university`s yogic education is to become a personality developing and world building tool. The SVYASA University tries to bring awareness among people about their health and inner self.
The SVYASA University conducts various courses in Yogic and Vedic sciences for all levels that range from a prerequisite of 12 years of education to graduation, post-graduation and also doctoral level programs. The university also offers many certificate and diploma courses in Yoga. Apart from its main campus, the SVYASA has several affiliated centres that train the people from different parts of the country. The affiliated centres provide various certificate courses, vocational courses and many other short-term courses to the learners. The university provides training in Yoga and spiritual knowledge to follow the vision of Swami Vivekananda as well.
Apart from the research centre and the university, there is Arogyadhama, a Yoga Research Health Home. This was established for prevention and treatment of diseases, for providing long-term rehabilitation and promotion of positive health and also to transcend to total health. It is spread over 100 acres of beautiful greenery and is located about 35 kms away from Bangaluru. The home expands one`s consciousness and relieves mental tensions that are primal cause of most of the psychosomatic ailments. Voluntary work forms a major part of the integrated yoga therapy offered in this health home.
Arogyadhama has eight departments that treat various stress-related disorders. The Home provides intense training and healing with individual care for curing the ailments like Bronchial Asthma, Nasal Allergy, Chronic Bronchitis Diabetes, Thyrotoxicosis (hyperthyroidism), Obesity High B P, Low B P, Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) Epilepsy, Migraine, Tension Headache Anxiety Neurosis, Depressive Neurosis Rheumatism, Low Back Pain, Arthritis Gastritis, Peptic Ulcer, Chronic Diarrhea, Dysentery, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Eye Problems: Short Sight, Long Sight, Astigmatism, Squint, Early Cataract, Glaucoma Mental Retardation, Cerebral Palsy Cancer, etc.
Many well-trained Yoga teachers are associated with Arogyadhama and a daily routine is drawn for providing glimpse of tension-free life. The home provides a serene, tranquil and homely atmosphere. 
The people in the Home can avail facilities like a good library, audio-visual presentations, regular lectures on yoga, yoga therapy and other applications, discussion and clarification sessions on various techniques and principles of yoga, etc. Apart from these, it also conducts devotional session and educative yoga entertainments, provides medicines, yoga equipment, books and publications; conducts Yogic counselling and provides a simple wholesome vegetarian diet.
The Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana has a separate publication house, the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Prakashana (SVYP). The publication house was earlier known as Vivekananda Kendra Yoga Prakashana and it mainly publishes various books in three languages - English, Hindi and Kannada. The books cover different health related issues and also make people aware about significance of Yoga in human life. The books cover Pranayama, Patanjali`s Yoga Sutra, Kriyas in Yoga, etc. SVYP also publishes many more books on meditation, anxiety, depression, and concentration and also on various diseases like diabetes, cancer, asthma, arthritis, joint pain, etc. The experts in the relevant fields write the books and the publication originates from Bangaluru, India. There is a monthly magazine published by the SVYP and the magazine is named as Yoga Sudha. This magazine covers different subjects like Yoga and spirituality, Yoga and life sciences, Yoga and Physical sciences, Yoga and humanities, Yoga and management studies, etc. Yoga Sudha also provides information about the regular activities of Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samasthana.
Apart from publishing books and magazine, SVYP also makes video CDs and audio cassettes on series of ailments in English, Hindi and Kannada. These describe and demonstrate Yoga Therapy for assorted and specific health disorders, to maintain a healthy body and strong mind. The Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samasthana also has several international alliances to represent Yoga as a science and to produce a worldwide awareness. Its international wing is named as the VYASA international and it has established several affiliated centers in different parts of the world. The VYASA international is working relentlessly to propagate the activities of Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samasthana on a regular basis.
The Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana has already established itself as one of the prominent institutions in India working for propagation of Yogic education. Its research on Yoga has been appreciated all over the world. The university run by this institute is also recognised for its excellence and high standard of teaching Yoga. Apart from these, the Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana is also spreading Yoga education through its monthly magazine that deals with the practical application of Yoga in different fields of life.
