Extraordinary leaders and teachers change the way we perceive the world. The very best lead us by their example. TAO PORCHON-LYNCH ™, Master Yoga teacher, 95 years young, synthesizes the most positive aspects of Indian, European and American thought.  Tao is uniquely equipped to spread Yogic insights, originating in India, to Westerners seeking enlightenment.   She has trained and certified  hundreds of yoga instructors, since founding the Westchester Institute of Yoga in 1982.  Tao has over 70 years of yoga practice and more than 45 years of teaching yoga to students in India, France and the U.S.

    Having studied with Indra Devi and Aurobindo and BKS Iyengar in Pune and Mumbai, Tao learned how to tap into the incredible power all individuals possess but only few can access. She has made over twenty-five trips to India with her students because she believes that such visits offer enlightenment about the true spirit of Yoga. Tao continues to teach  workshops  at many yoga centers,  including the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health,  Integral Yoga Institute in Manhattan and the Satchidananda Ashram-Yogaville, Buckingham, Va.  
    
     In 1995, Tao attended the Yoga for Peace International Peace Conference in Israel with Indra Devi to try to help bring peace to the Middle East through yogic principles.

     Tao believes that following the principles of yoga can heal individuals and by extension, help heal our planet. At ninety-five years-young she is the embodiment of many profound Yoga principles. She exemplifies the positive “can-do spirit” that can accomplish anything.

    Tao has received much media attention of late, including an interview on the NBC “Today” morning program, a taped segment in the upcoming documentary on extraordinary older women,  “I Know A Woman Like That,” feature articles in the Journal News ,Westchester Magazine and Prevention Magazine; an appearance on the Martha Stewart Show and a CNN interview with Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Recently, Tao was a workshop presenter with Dr. Terri Kennedy at the Newark Peace Conference and sat on the Panel for Peace with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. 

    Before teaching yoga, Tao had a long and varied career. Tao was  an actress in England, France and the USA (under contract to MGM) in the 1940’s and 50’s, wrote screenplays and made documentaries in the 60’s and 70’s.

    Her life in India encompasses many historic events. There aren’t many people still alive who witnessed first-hand some of the events Tao has.  She made several documentaries in India including, "To Light A Candle," about  100 year- old philanthropist, Dr. Welthy Fisher and her work in education and literacy in Lucknow. Tao also worked for Unitel and helped in their efforts to try to introduce television to India in the 1950’s.  Her reminiscences regarding her life in India will be detailed in her forthcoming book.

    Tao teaches discipline and control of the body and mind through Yoga. As she elevates and balances her body in classic poses, she demonstrates how to tap into the primal spark of energy that all of us receive from the universe. Whatever our religious beliefs, the spark makes us one with our fellow human beings and all forms of life on our planet.

    Tao is a living advertisement for how to tap into our human potential. She is unique in her ability to overcome the effects of aging to control her body and mind in harmony with Yoga’s principles. Tao’s philosophy is “There is nothing we cannot do if we harness the power within us.” Her yoga principles and practices will be appreciated by current and future generations. Her current passion, in addition to yoga, is ballroom dancing and she is an award winning world-class dancer. 

    At a youthful 95, Tao brings a delightful, childlike love of life and nature to all that she does. Prepare to be enchanted and inspired if you're blessed to have the opportunity to meet her. 

    Tao has published her first meditation book, Reflections: The Yogic Journey of Life. This important book includes several guided meditations. As a bonus, an added CD of Tao's meditations with music by Valerie Romanoff, lends an extra dimension to her words of wisdom. 
    Tao and Tara Stiles have published their first dvd. More information at www.yogawithtao.com.

Shreya Mehta, www.shreyamehta.com

 "It’s hard to capture the essence of the “Tao experience” in mere words. What happens when you’re in her presence is the transformation of your untapped possibilities into actuality. It’s a magical alchemy achieved when her strong, positive energy unfetters the blocked potential in every cell in your body.

     You come to her class feeling tired by the many roadblocks, large and small, that you’ve faced throughout your day. Given your lack of energy, you’re not sure you’ll even be able to replicate your yoga moves of the previous session.  But once you’re in your poses and Tao, using her particular combination of encouragement and the wisdom of centuries’ old yoga techniques, shows you how to refine your stance, you suddenly move beyond your comfort zone and find yourself doing what you would have sworn you could never do. This surpassing of your self-imposed limits carries over to your world outside the yoga studio.

     Tao leads each student who is ready to accept her wisdom to a special place where outmoded fears are cast aside and new goals are constantly formulated. With modesty and humility, she illuminates the way by her own shining example, inspiring everyone with whom she comes into contact.  Whenever I leave her presence, I’m imbued with a renewed zest for the blessing that is life. " Andrea Kurtz

 

APPLAUSE FOR TAO
THAT'S OUR TAO!




 



"Tao is a bright light! As soon as she walks in the room you are charged by her electric presence. Her teaching is infused with years of experience plus tons of compassion. Whether you are a beginning yoga student or a long-time yoga teacher, you will walk away amazed and inspired!"  Dr. Terri Kennedy

 “I was fortunate to begin my yogic path in Tao's hands. Her magical presence captured me from the first moment and her kindness, beauty and wisdom continue to live at the heart of my practice 20 years later. Achieved, exuberant, stylish, and adventurous,she is the fully expressed feminine ideal and an inspiration to all women; ageless and timeless.”  Renee Diamond

 “Studying with Tao is one of the most enriching experiences. She generously shares her wisdom from a lifetime of practicing with students and masters from around the world. Her positioning tips and unique vinyasas will enhance your yoga, whether for an hour, a day or an entire weekend- a workshop with Tao will leave you lit up with inspiration and possibility. She is magic and it's contagious! Om shanti. “  Joanna Rajendran

 “My journey with Tao is an amazing, spiritual experience, because her basic teaching is energy, love and being in the moment. No words can justify the joy I experience in her presence. I like her techniques, being simple and effective. She is very open for suggestions from other teachers and students .” Baiju Mehta

 “Of course at first with Tao, you are amazed and inspired by being taught by a 94 year old yoga teacher. Then as she teaches you the intricacies of how each joint and bone in your body is connected and affects your postures, you realize she is simply a great yoga teacher. Then as she proceeds to teach you how each atom and spiritual space in the universe is connected to you and you to it, you realize she is simply a great teacher.” Mac McLaughlin

 “When I met Tao in 1991, I was smitten with her abundance of knowledge, beauty, charm, grace and elegance.I was drawn to the wonderful world of Tao and her specialness of being. Tao has always nurtured me and that seed of yoga through her patience of overflowing spirit. She is truly an enlightened being and generously shares this experience with all who have the opportunity to study with her. Tao's presence in my life has been one of the most influential and positive factors. Tao has more, then anyone in my life, helped me expand and blossom past the many obstacles I had placed in my life.” I'd like all to share in the "Tao Experience."Arlene Towers

 "Studying with Tao Porchon-Lynch is truly amazing! She is inspirational in every sense of the word. Hearing about her very interesting life and all that she has accomplished and continues to do is proof that she believes "that there is nothing you cannot do". In addition, she has inspired me and given me the confidence to try new things and to go beyond what I thought were my limits. She is always positive, patient and gentle, but has the gift of helping her students go deeper, learning new ways of doing things while working hard without them even realizing it, as her classes are always fun and lighthearted, just like her! Studying with Tao is a real treat!" Susan Buchman

 "To say that Tao is an inspiration as a teacher is an understatement. I am constantly in awe of Tao. Tao shows us every day that anything is possible. Tao makes me believe her motto, “there is nothing you cannot do.” Shelly Wierman