The Bali Method of Yoga: Unlocking the Body’s Innate Healing Potential

Dr. Madan Bali is the founder of Yoga Bliss, a research and training center based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, since 1969. (Yoga Bliss permanently shut down in 2017.)

Born on April 1, 1923, in Northern India, Dr. Bali developed an interest in the spiritual path at a young age. In his twenties, he met and studied with several swamis, including Swami Chinmaya, the founder of the Chinmaya Mission, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to spreading the knowledge of ancient Hindu scriptures, primarily the Bhagavad Gita. Dr. Bali spent ten years studying with Swami Chinmaya and was a member of the organizing committee in Bombay, where his lectures would draw thousands of people daily.

In 1969, Dr. Bali immigrated to Canada and successfully introduced yoga in Montreal, integrating it into several colleges and school boards as part of the curriculum, as well as hospitals, corporations, and community centers. A true inspiration and a model of a healthy lifestyle, Dr. Bali is a Vedanta scholar and holds a doctorate in complementary medicine. He has been honored at numerous events worldwide, sharing his profound knowledge of ancient yoga wisdom through teacher trainings, conferences, and workshops. His teachings have been recognized by spiritual leaders such as Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the late Dr. Wayne Dyer, and Deepak Chopra, and he has made several appearances in the media.

Accreditations and Recognitions

Dr. Bali has received several prestigious awards and certifications, including:

• A.N.N. Certificate of Individual Membership from The Academy of Naturopaths and Naturotherapists

• A Distinguished & Significant Contribution to the Advancement of Humanitarian Service & Scientific Knowledge through the Study of Human Consciousness & Healing from The International Institute of Integral Human Sciences

• A Certificate of Meritorious Service from The Spiritual Science Fellowship and the International Council of Community Churches

• A Certificate for Successful Completion of the Group Rehabilitation Team 4 Teaching Program from The MAD-Mackay Rehabilitation Centre

• The honor of being selected for the first annual 2015 Yoga Legends Wisdom Gathering at the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies in New York, alongside esteemed yogis such as Lilias Folan and the late Tao Porchon-Lynch

  
  

Dr. Bali is regarded as one of North America’s most valuable sources of ancient yoga wisdom and therapeutic yoga knowledge. His book, Taming the Mind, explores the science behind yoga and his unique methodology, developed and refined since 1969.

The Bali Method

The Bali Method is rooted in the Hatha yoga tradition and is designed to be accessible to all. The practice is divided into nine segments of yoga postures, each lasting approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Most of the routine is performed while lying down, making it suitable even for individuals with reduced mobility. Depending on one’s rhythm, a complete session lasts between 90 to 120 minutes. The flexibility of the method allows practitioners to choose individual segments and incorporate them into their daily lives for overall wellness.

Dr. Bali’s method is a deeply personal practice tailored to each individual’s journey. Specializing in stress management, the Bali Method is particularly beneficial for those suffering from anxiety, depression, migraines, insomnia, and other chronic conditions. By attuning the mind to the body, this method teaches people to consciously manage stress and emotions, activating the body’s relaxation response and innate ability to heal itself.

The Subtle Body and Healing

The Bali Method focuses on the subtle body, which corresponds to the autonomic nervous system—where stress and emotions originate. The subtle body represents the non-physical aspects of human existence, including energy centers known as chakras. Through these centers, communication is maintained between the physical, psychological, and spiritual states. Subtle energy is the divine force beyond the physical, transcending time and space, and uniting all beings as one.

By practicing the postures, the subtle body is encouraged to renew and heal itself. The method goes beyond the physical body, working with the body's sophisticated energy and information field. The Bali Method is centered on the evolution of consciousness, enhancing intuition, activating the creative power of the mind and body, and awakening the body’s innate feedback system to facilitate self-healing.

Dr. Bali remains committed to sharing his holistic approach to yoga for optimal physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness. His vision is to apply his yoga method to revolutionize the world of yoga therapy. His work has shown remarkable success in helping individuals suffering from psychosomatic disorders, cancer, and other serious illnesses. His ongoing research and training continue to compile proven methodologies, supported by medical and clinical studies, demonstrating the therapeutic benefits of yoga.

Over the years, Dr. Bali has trained hundreds of teachers who now share the Bali Method and, more importantly, his wisdom, through their yoga classes. His greatest motivation lies in the belief that we all possess the ability to heal ourselves.

“The Bali Method is a prescription for human wellness.” — Dr. Madan Bali

with love,

~ Maria xo