Isha Foundation
Professional services
UnclaimedAn India-based nonprofit spiritual organization offering yoga, meditation, educational, rural-development and environmental programs.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Isha Foundation is a nonprofit spiritual organization established in 1992 near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, also known as Jagadish Vasudev. Its principal base is the Isha Yoga Centre, an ashram situated at the foothills of the Velliangiri Mountains. The foundation presents its work as a combination of inner transformation, yoga-based wellbeing, social development and environmental stewardship. The name “Isha” is explained by the organization as referring to the formless divine. The foundation’s central spiritual offering is Isha Yoga, a system that combines physical postures, breathing practices, chanting and meditation. The Isha Yoga Centre began offering programs in 1994, and the organization expanded its teaching activities outside India during the late 1990s. Programs have been offered to a wide range of audiences, including business leaders, athletes, prison populations and general participants. Its Inner Engineering program is among its most prominent structured offerings. The foundation also organizes public gatherings, or sathsangs, at which Vasudev gives talks, leads meditations and answers questions, as well as pilgrimages to Mount Kailash and the Himalayas. Isha’s activities extend beyond courses and religious or spiritual gatherings. Its annual Maha Shivaratri event combines music, dance, meditation and an overnight celebration at the Coimbatore centre. The site is also known for the 112-foot Adiyogi Shiva statue, inaugurated in 2017 by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The statue represents Shiva as the first yogi and teacher of yoga and has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest bust sculpture. The foundation operates or supports several social and environmental initiatives. Action for Rural Rejuvenation, established in 2003, works in rural Tamil Nadu through health, community and sports activities, including the Gramotsavam festival. Project GreenHands, established in 2004, promotes tree planting, agroforestry and plant nurseries, especially in Tamil Nadu. Isha Vidhya provides English-language and computer-assisted education through rural schools. The foundation has also promoted nationwide or international environmental campaigns, including Rally for Rivers, Cauvery Calling and Save Soil. These initiatives have attracted support from public officials and public figures, while also drawing criticism from environmentalists and public-interest groups who question their scientific assumptions, social implications, fundraising methods or institutional accountability. The organization is described as being run largely by volunteers, although it also receives revenue from courses, events, merchandise and related activities. Products associated with its commercial activity include yoga mats, personal-care goods and accessories. Its U.S. chapter reported $40 million in revenue in 2022, according to the supplied reference material; this figure is not treated as a consolidated financial result for the foundation. The foundation has also faced scrutiny over the development of its Coimbatore campus, alleged effects on an elephant corridor and claims concerning construction approvals. Other controversies have included allegations that adults were improperly confined at the centre, which the foundation denied and which were dismissed by a court, and a 2025 POCSO case involving allegations concerning a school connected with the foundation. The organization remains active in spiritual instruction, environmental advocacy, education and rural-development work.
History
Isha Foundation was founded in 1992 by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. Its principal institutional centre developed at the foothills of the Velliangiri Mountains, close to the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The foundation’s work combines spiritual instruction with social-service and ecological projects, and it describes much of its operations as volunteer-supported. The Isha Yoga Centre began offering Isha Yoga programs in 1994. The system presented by the foundation combines postures, pranayama, chanting and meditation, and is described by practitioners as a customized approach associated with Vasudev rather than with a conventional guru lineage. In the following years, Isha expanded its audience beyond ordinary yoga students. A course was conducted for India’s national hockey team in 1996, programs began in the United States in 1997, and classes were introduced for life-term prisoners in Tamil Nadu in 1998. The organization also developed programs for business leaders, presenting yoga and meditation as tools for greater compassion and inclusiveness in economic life. During the 2000s, Isha broadened its social and environmental agenda. Action for Rural Rejuvenation, established in 2003, focused on rural health, community development and sports in Tamil Nadu. Its Gramotsavam festival promoted participation in sport as part of everyday rural life. Project GreenHands, established in 2004, worked on tree planting, agroforestry, school nurseries and urban greening. The project later received the Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar in 2010. Isha Vidhya developed English-language, computer-assisted schools intended to improve educational access for children in rural India. The foundation became increasingly visible through large-scale public events and environmental campaigns. It organizes sathsangs featuring talks, meditation and question-and-answer sessions, as well as annual journeys to Mount Kailash and the Himalayas. The Coimbatore centre hosts an annual music and dance festival culminating in Maha Shivaratri. A major physical landmark was the 112-foot Adiyogi Shiva statue, designed by Vasudev and inaugurated on 24 February 2017. The sculpture depicts Shiva as Adiyogi, or the first yogi, and has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest bust sculpture. In 2017, Isha launched Rally for Rivers, a nationwide campaign focused on river conservation and public awareness. Vasudev presented a river-revitalization proposal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and several Indian states signed agreements with the foundation concerning tree planting along riverbanks. The campaign evolved into Cauvery Calling, which promotes agroforestry in the Cauvery basin and seeks large-scale tree planting on farmland. The initiative received political and celebrity support but was criticized by environmentalists and public intellectuals who argued that it reduced a complex ecological and social problem to a simplified tree-planting solution. Litigation also questioned fundraising practices and the proposed use of public land; in 2020, the Karnataka High Court required disclosure of relevant fundraising details. Save Soil followed as an international soil-health campaign. Vasudev undertook a reported 100-day journey of approximately 30,000 kilometres from London to southern India, meeting officials, institutions and members of the public. The campaign worked with organizations including the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and the World Food Programme and received memoranda of understanding from governments and subnational authorities. Critics questioned whether the campaign engaged sufficiently with the public and private institutions needed to implement its objectives. The foundation’s growth has also brought controversy. Activists and local Indigenous communities have challenged expansion of the Coimbatore ashram, alleging environmental and planning violations. A National Green Tribunal matter raised concerns about effects on an elephant corridor. The Comptroller and Auditor General reported that structures had been built in a protected area between 1994 and 2008 after approval from only a local town panchayat, while other reporting alleged that required Hill Area Conservation Authority permission had not been obtained. In 2016, allegations that adult women were being held against their will were denied by the foundation and contradicted by statements from the women; the relevant case was dismissed. In 2025, a POCSO case was registered involving allegations at a school associated with the foundation. Isha continues to operate as an active spiritual and nonprofit organization with an international teaching presence. Its activities include yoga instruction, meditation, pilgrimages, festivals, merchandise, education, rural development and environmental advocacy. Its institutional model combines a prominent founder-led public identity with a broad volunteer and program network.
- 2025
Isha Outreach agreement in Bihar
[1]Isha Outreach signed an agreement with the Government of Bihar concerning the development and operation of crematorium facilities.
- 2022
Save Soil international campaign
[1]The foundation promoted soil-health awareness through an international advocacy journey and institutional partnerships.
- 2018
National Sports Promotion Award
[1]Isha was recognized for sports as a rural-development tool.
- 2017
Adiyogi statue inaugurated
[1]The 112-foot statue at the Isha Yoga Centre was inaugurated during Maha Shivaratri.
- 2017
Rally for Rivers launched
[1]The foundation began a nationwide river-awareness and restoration campaign.
- 2010
Project GreenHands receives environmental award
[1]Project GreenHands received the Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar.
- 2004
Project GreenHands established
[1]The environmental program began work in tree planting, agroforestry and nursery development.
- 2003
Action for Rural Rejuvenation established
[1]The foundation launched a rural health, community and sports initiative in Tamil Nadu.
- 1994
Isha Yoga Centre begins programs
[1]The foundation began offering its Isha Yoga system through the Isha Yoga Centre.
- 1992
Isha Foundation established
[1]Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev founded the organization near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
Products and positioning
Spirituality, yoga-based wellbeing, personal development and service-oriented social and environmental action
Yoga and meditation · 1994
Isha Yoga
The foundation’s principal yoga system combines physical postures with breathing practices, chanting and meditation. It is taught through courses and retreats for the general public and specialized groups, including business leaders, athletes and prisoners. The system is presented as a customized approach associated with Sadhguru’s teachings rather than as a conventional lineage-based school.
Personal development program
Inner Engineering
Inner Engineering is a structured Isha program centered on meditation, yogic practices and the foundation’s broader approach to inner wellbeing. It is one of the organization’s most visible and internationally promoted offerings and is delivered through courses and related learning formats.
Spiritual pilgrimage
Isha Sacred Walks
Isha Sacred Walks organizes pilgrimages and spiritual journeys to locations including Mount Kailash and the Himalayas. These journeys combine travel, devotional activity and opportunities for participants to interact with Sadhguru and other members of the organization.
Education
Isha Vidhya
Isha Vidhya is an education initiative serving children in rural India. Its model emphasizes English-language instruction and computer-assisted learning through a network of schools. The initiative has also used digital learning partnerships to extend educational resources to disadvantaged children.
Rural development · 2003
Action for Rural Rejuvenation
Action for Rural Rejuvenation works in rural Tamil Nadu on health, community wellbeing and participation in sport. Its Gramotsavam festival is intended to make organized sport part of daily rural life and to support physical and social wellbeing.
Environmental initiative · 2004
Project GreenHands
Project GreenHands promotes tree planting, agroforestry, school nurseries and urban greening, with a primary focus on Tamil Nadu. Its environmental work has included planting campaigns and support for community-based cultivation and restoration activities.
Consumer goods
Yoga and personal-care merchandise
The foundation sells goods associated with its programs and lifestyle positioning, including yoga mats, personal-care products and accessories. These products complement its course, event and spiritual-program activity.
Controversies
2025
POCSO case involving school associated with the foundation
A POCSO case was registered against four foundation staff members and a former student over allegations of sexual assault and alleged failure by school officials to respond to complaints.
2020
Cauvery Calling fundraising and land-use litigation
A public-interest case questioned fundraising for Cauvery Calling and the proposed use of government-owned land. The Karnataka High Court ordered disclosure of fundraising details.
2017
Elephant-corridor and construction controversy
Environmental and community groups challenged construction near the Isha Yoga Centre, alleging harm to an elephant corridor and noncompliance with planning and conservation requirements.
2016
Allegations that adults were held at the centre
A couple alleged that their two adult daughters were being held against their will at the foundation’s centre. The foundation denied the allegation, and the women stated that they were staying voluntarily. The case was dismissed in court.
Marketing campaigns
- 2022Save Soil
Global · India · North America · Europe
An international awareness campaign focused on soil degradation. Sadhguru undertook a reported 100-day journey from London to southern India and met government representatives, international organizations and members of the public.
Outcome. The campaign formed relationships with international organizations and governments and organized public events, while critics questioned the depth of engagement with institutions responsible for implementation.
- 2019Cauvery Calling
India
A river-basin and agroforestry campaign focused on the Cauvery, promoting large-scale tree planting on farms as a means of improving soil and water conditions.
Outcome. The project received political and celebrity support but faced criticism over its ecological assumptions, treatment of social issues and fundraising and land-use arrangements.
- 2017Rally for Rivers
India
A month-long national campaign seeking public attention for river depletion and proposing tree planting and riverbank revitalization. Sadhguru presented a draft proposal to India’s prime minister, and several states signed agreements with the foundation.
Outcome. The campaign influenced public and policy discussion and developed into the Cauvery Calling initiative, but environmental critics argued that its approach was too simple for the ecological and social complexity of river conservation.
Brand decisions
2025
Expand outreach into crematorium operations in BiharStrategyBackground
Isha Outreach entered an agreement with the Government of Bihar concerning crematorium infrastructure.
Action taken
The initiative agreed to develop and operate crematorium facilities in the state.
Aftermath
The supplied reference reports facilities at several Bihar locations and another under construction, but does not provide independently verified operating details.
2022
Scale Save Soil internationallyOtherBackground
The foundation sought to broaden its environmental work from Indian rivers and forests to global soil degradation.
Action taken
It conducted a long-distance awareness journey, government outreach and public walkathons, and worked with international organizations.
Aftermath
The campaign established international visibility and government-level relationships, although critics questioned its institutional depth.
2019
Shift environmental focus toward Cauvery CallingStrategyBackground
Following Rally for Rivers, the foundation concentrated its river work on the Cauvery basin.
Action taken
It promoted agroforestry and a target of planting approximately 2.4 billion trees through farmer participation.
Aftermath
The project gained high-profile endorsements but attracted legal and environmental criticism.
2017
Launch Rally for RiversOtherBackground
The foundation sought to make river depletion a national political and public issue.
Action taken
It organized a nationwide campaign and submitted a river-revitalization proposal to the Indian government.
Aftermath
Several states entered planting-related agreements, while critics disputed the campaign’s scientific and policy approach.
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