Tao Porchon-Lynch, an inspiring 100-years-young master yoga teacher, synthesizes the most positive aspects of Indian, European, and American thought. She is uniquely equipped to spread yogic insights, originating in India to Westerners, and is living proof of the effectiveness of a lifelong yoga practice.

She studied with B.K.S. Iyengar in Bombay and Pune. A member of the Ramakrishna Vivekananda Center in India since 1939, Tao was a disciple of Swami Prabhavananda from 1952 until his death in 1976. Tao also marched for peace with Mahatma Gandhi.

Her colorful life of glamor and grit from French Resistance fighter, actress, fashion model, screenwriter, producer, wine judge and  championship ballroom dancer brings a unique and unparalleled experience to her students.

She has certified and trained hundreds of yoga instructors since founding the Westchester Institute of Yoga in 1982. Tao has more than 70 years of yoga practice and more than 50 years of teaching yoga to students in India, France,  England, Bali, Peru, Prague, Moscow, Toronto, and throughout the United States.

Bringing a delightful, childlike love of life and nature to all that she does, Tao's current passion—in addition to yoga—is ballroom dancing; she is an award-winning, world-class dancer. Her presence and words inspire deep compassion and inner peace. “There is nothing you cannot do,” she says.