Vivekananda Yoga University (VaYU)

What Vivekananda Yoga University (VaYU) does

Vivekananda Yoga University (VaYU) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit graduate institution founded in 2014 and positioned as the first yoga university outside India. Its core offering consists of online MS (Yoga) and PhD (Yoga) programs, with a Yoga Therapy specialization accredited by IAYT. The institution holds candidacy accreditation from WSCUC through 2030 and is licensed by the California BPPE, and it is actively pursuing Title IV federal student aid eligibility.

The platform architecture is conventional: VaYU delivers coursework through Canvas LMS, manages student records in Jenzabar SIS, and processes tuition via Stripe. Faculty are drawn from Harvard, MIT, Stanford, UCLA, and S-VYASA India, supporting the academic credentialing claim. There is no proprietary mobile application and no disclosed AI or machine-learning capability.

VaYU's business model rests on tuition from online graduate cohorts, supplemented by donations through its nonprofit status. The institution maintains a sister-campus relationship with S-VYASA in India and a Singapore presence, suggesting an early-stage cross-border student pipeline. The Fall 2026 admissions cycle introduces a 4+1 integrated track aimed at pre-med undergraduates, signaling an intent to broaden the customer base beyond practicing yoga therapists and adult learners.

Name

Vivekananda Yoga University (VaYU)

Legal name

Vivekananda Yoga University

Website

https://vayuusa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Vivekananda Yoga University (VaYU) is a nonprofit online graduate institution offering MS and PhD programs in Yoga, including an IAYT-accredited therapy specialization, serving practicing yoga therapists, pre-med students, and international learners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education - Yoga Studies

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Yoga, Pilates & Mind-Body Movement Education (EDAAAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) & Pilates Instructor Training (HSADACAL)

Keywords

• Graduate yoga education
• Yoga therapy training
• Online higher education
• Integrative medicine programs
• Yoga research studies

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Graduate Tuition: VaYU generates primary revenue from tuition fees for graduate degree programs (MS Yoga and PhD Yoga). The programs are priced affordably with scholarship opportunities and work-study options for admitted students.
2. Non-Degree Course Fees: Students can take individual courses for credit or audit without enrolling in a full degree program. Audit courses cost 50% of credit tuition, and audited courses can be converted to credit within 5 years.
3. Donations and Philanthropy: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit university, VaYU accepts tax-deductible donations to support operations and mission through online payment (Stripe), ACH bank transfer, wire transfer, and paper check options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Vivekananda Yoga University (VaYU) is the first yoga university outside India, offering online graduate degree programs in Yoga (MS and PhD) plus non-degree and continuing education courses. Programs are delivered primarily asynchronously through Canvas LMS with brief low-residency Personal Contact Programs (PCP) and span four specializations: Yoga Philosophy, Yoga Therapy, Yoga Research, and a 4+1 Pre-Med Track. The curriculum bridges classical yoga philosophy (Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita) with modern, evidence-based scientific research methodology.

Product overview

Vivekananda Yoga University (VaYU) offers a portfolio of online graduate programs in Yoga, led by the MS (Yoga) core degree (4 semesters, 30 credits with specializations in Yoga Therapy, Yoga Philosophy, Yoga Research, and a 4+1 Pre-Med Track) and the PhD (Yoga) doctoral program, plus an integrated M.S./Ph.D. pathway for seamless progression. The university also provides non-degree course enrollment and Continuing Education programs. All programs combine ancient yoga philosophy with modern scientific research and are delivered asynchronously online with low-residency requirements. The institution holds candidacy accreditation from WASC and BPPE approval in California.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MS (Yoga) A four-semester, 30-credit online graduate program bridging classical yoga philosophy (from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali to contemporary practice) with a scientific, evidence-based approach to teaching and research. Students choose from four specializations: Yoga Philosophy, Yoga Therapy, Yoga Research, or a 4+1 gap-year track for pre-med students. Designed for aspiring yoga therapists, yoga practitioners, future physicians, and healthcare professionals pursuing integrative healing.
• PhD (Yoga) Doctoral program for inquisitive students interested in exploring Yoga Science, Philosophy, or Therapy. Three components: preparatory coursework, qualifier for advancement to candidacy, and submission of an original dissertation under the direction of a VaYU Research Faculty. Duration 3-5 years.
• Integrated MS/PhD (Yoga) Program A 5-7 year academic track designed for dedicated individuals with a strong interest in Yoga research. Students begin their Ph.D. journey while completing their Master's and may transfer up to 6 credits based on prior education. Maintaining a 3.5 GPA grants automatic admission to the Ph.D. program.
• 4+1 Pre-Med Track A structured gap-year pathway designed for high-achieving pre-med students seeking to strengthen their readiness for medical school through professional development, wellbeing education, service engagement, and reflective growth. Students begin graduate-level coursework during their undergraduate years and complete the Master's during a focused gap year, gaining lifelong stress-management skills and meaningful exposure to integrative medicine.
• Yoga Philosophy Specialization Specialization within the MS (Yoga) program covering yogic writings from ancient Indian scriptural corpus including Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavadgita, Yoga Sutras, and medieval Hatha Yogic texts. Includes Sanskrit language instruction and study of Eastern spiritual traditions (Religions of West Asian Origin, Indian Philosophy, Buddhism, Oriental Spirituality, Hinduism).
• Yoga Therapy Specialization Specialization within MS (Yoga) focusing on therapeutic basis of yoga through ancient texts (Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Vasishtha) and Hatha Yoga writings (Gheranda Samhita, Hatha Yoga Pradipika). Includes clinical yoga therapy coursework and practicum at Arogyadhama. Accredited by the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT).
• Non-Degree Courses Non-degree programs allowing students to take courses for Credit or Audit without enrolling in a full degree. Credits can be transferred to a degree program later. Audit courses cost 50% of credit tuition; audited courses can convert to credit within 5 years if internal grade is B or better.
• Continuing Education Continuing Education and Enrichment courses for students, including the Summer Quest Program and various enrichment courses, offered separately from the formal degree tracks.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4-semester (21-month) MS program completion for Fall admits; 24-month completion for Spring admits
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• S-VYASA University (Bengaluru, India)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister campus relationship with S-VYASA (Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana), world's first yoga university in India. VaYU's founders and faculty have deep ties to S-VYASA, including Dr. H.R. Nagendra who serves as Chancellor of S-VYASA and is a founding trustee of VaYU. PCP (Personal Contact Program) offered at S-VYASA campus in Bengaluru.
• Satellite Campuses (North America and Singapore)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPersonal Contact Program (PCP) offered at VaYU satellite campuses in various North American cities and Singapore for hands-on yoga practice training during the program.
• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)coreOthersVaYU has been recognized as a Candidate for Accreditation by WSCUC, 1080 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 500, Alameda, CA 94501. This preliminary affiliation status is awarded for a maximum period of five years and indicates progress toward full accreditation.
• International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT)coreOthersVaYU's MS (Yoga) Therapy specialization is accredited by IAYT, ensuring graduates meet professional standards for yoga therapy practice.
• Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE), CaliforniacoreOthersVaYU's graduate programs are licensed by BPPE, State of California. The institution is registered and authorized to operate in California and has received approval to offer degree programs under provisional status.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bastyr University: Bastyr is a nonprofit accredited graduate university in Kenmore, WA offering science-based natural health degrees. It is comparable to VaYU as a regionally accredited graduate institution in the integrative/wellness space with healthcare professional audience overlap.
• Maharishi International University: MIU is a nonprofit university in Iowa offering graduate programs integrating meditation, Ayurveda, and consciousness-based education. It is directly comparable as a graduate-degree-granting nonprofit institution with an evidence-based wellness/yoga-focused curriculum and spiritual lineage.
• S-VYASA University: Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (S-VYASA) in Bengaluru, India is the world's first yoga university and VaYU's formal sister-campus partner. Both institutions offer graduate-level Yoga programs and share faculty, research infrastructure, and PCP training sites — the closest functional peer to VaYU.
• Maryland University of Integrative Health: MUIH is a regionally accredited nonprofit graduate university offering degrees in integrative health disciplines including yoga therapy. It is directly comparable to VaYU as a graduate institution targeting healthcare professionals and wellness practitioners with evidence-based programs.
• Himalayan Institute: The Himalayan Institute is a nonprofit yoga and meditation organization offering teacher training and educational programs rooted in traditional Indian yoga philosophy. It is comparable to VaYU in mission, lineage, and focus on evidence-based yoga education for serious practitioners.
• University of the People: UoPeople is a nonprofit tuition-free or low-tuition online university serving global students. It is comparable to VaYU as a mission-driven, globally accessible, online-only nonprofit institution targeting underserved student populations with affordable programs.

Others

• Yoga Alliance: Yoga Alliance is the largest international nonprofit credentialing body for yoga teachers and schools. While not a degree-granting institution, it is comparable as a regulatory/credentialing authority in the same yoga education ecosystem and a competitor for student recognition.
• International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT): IAYT is the professional accreditation body that has accredited VaYU's Yoga Therapy specialization. As a peer organization, it shapes the credentialing landscape for yoga therapy and directly influences VaYU's value proposition to healthcare employers.

Regional players

• Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health: Kripalu is a major US yoga and wellness education center offering teacher training and certifications. It is comparable to VaYU as a yoga education provider with strong US brand presence, though it focuses on certificates rather than graduate degrees and operates primarily on the East Coast.

Broad incumbents

• Southern New Hampshire University: SNHU is a large accredited nonprofit university with a substantial online graduate program footprint and broad financial aid access. It is a broad incumbent comparable to VaYU as a competitor in the online graduate education market, but with much greater scale, accreditation, and price flexibility.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/vayuusa
• Facebookfacebook.com/vayuusa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vivekananda-yoga-university

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vivekananda Yoga University (VaYU)