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, 93 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-three 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 and Westchester Magazine; and an appearance on the Martha Stewart Show. 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 93, 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 recently 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 GTao's meditations with music by Valerie Romanoff, lends an extra dimension to her words of wisdom.