Gitananda Integrative Therapies Academy (GITA)
BACKGROUND
Gitananda Integrative Therapies Academy (GITA) is a Pondicherry-based institution dedicated to integrative Yoga therapy, education, and applied learning within the Gitananda Yoga tradition. Founded on 24th July 2015 with the blessings of Ammaji Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani, GITA has evolved as a flexible yet structured ecosystem, offering long-term training, short-term learning, clinical exposure, and specialised workshops. Its programs span therapy, teacher training, academic preparation, and skill development, delivered through offline, online, and hybrid formats.
PHILOSOPHY
GITA is founded on the principle that Yoga is a complete system of healing, education, and self-evolution, not a standalone physical practice. Yoga Chikitsa forms the central axis, while allied systems - Allopathy, Naturopathy, Siddha, Music Therapy, and Dance Therapy are integrated thoughtfully to support holistic care.
Education at GITA follows a layered learning model:
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Exposure → Practice → Application → Integration
This allows learners to enter through short formats (drop-ins, crash courses, workshops) and progress toward deeper training, certification, and therapeutic competence.
LINEAGE
All programs at GITA arise from the Rishiculture Ashtanga (Gitananda) Yoga tradition of Yogamaharishi Dr Swami Gitananda Giri and Puduvai Kalaimamani Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani. Academic vision and pedagogical direction are guided by Yogacharya Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, ensuring continuity of parampara, therapeutic depth, and ethical integrity.
Program coordination and teaching are managed and organised by Yogacharya Nilachal, Founder & Director of Live Holistic Wellness, with contributions from a multidisciplinary faculty drawn from medicine, therapy, and expressive arts.
ACTIVITIES
GITA functions as an integrated, multi-vertical platform, encompassing:
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Clinical Care: Personalised Yoga Chikitsa and integrative therapy through the Gitananda Yoga Chikitsalaya, addressing lifestyle disorders, stress, psychosomatic conditions, and well-being.
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Integrative Therapies: Music therapy, dance and movement therapy, nāda- and bhāvanā-based practices supporting emotional and pranic healing.
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Education & Training: Lineage-aligned Yoga teacher training, certification pathways, internships, and fellowships that emphasise philosophy, ethics, and therapeutic awareness.
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Research & Documentation: Yoga-based clinical and integrative research, including interdisciplinary and funded projects, without reducing Yoga to isolated techniques.
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Outreach & Wellness: Corporate wellness programs and community initiatives promoting sustainable health and conscious living.
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Digital Learning & Tele-therapy: Online courses, learning management systems, and remote therapy to extend authentic teachings globally.
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Retreats, Publishing & Advisory: Residential immersions, books and study materials, and institutional consulting for responsible Yoga integration.
Faculty Integration
GITA operates through a multidisciplinary faculty model, integrating:
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Yoga therapy
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Allopathy
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Siddha
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Naturopathy
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Music therapy
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Dance therapy
Sessions are offered as one-on-one (online/offline) or group formats, depending on program intent.
GITA functions as a living academic and therapeutic platform, where:
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Short-term learning leads to long-term mastery
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Therapy and education inform each other
Tradition and contemporary application coexist responsibly
Our Vision
GITA envisions itself as a living, evolving presence, where healing, learning, research, and service arise in harmony, grounded in tradition and flowing with the needs of the present time.
Yoga as therapy. Yoga as education. Yoga as a way of life.