Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (sVYASA)-USA was established in 1999 with the assistance of Dr. H. R. Nagendra, Dr. R. Nagarathna, and Mr. N. V. Raghuram from sVYASA, Bangalore, India. During their visits, these yoga experts conducted classes, presented lectures, and supervised several other yoga related activities. These activities piqued the interest of Houstonians who wanted to have the benefits of yoga, as taught by sVYASA-Bangalore, made available to local residents.

In agreement with sVYASA-Bangalore, the Houston Center was established and incorporated as a non-profit organization. Mr. Ramesh Bhutada, a local businessman, was the founding president and served until 2002. Dr. Sudha Rajan, a family physician actively involved with sVYASA-USA since its inception, is the organization's presiding president.

At the time of establishment of the Houston Center, plans were made for an instructor to be based in Houston for both general and therapeutic yoga. Mr. B. S. Rama Rao began conducting classes in April 1999, and the number of classes has increased with the arrival of Mrs. Meera Rama Rao. (Click on "Houston Classes" for more details.) Advanced and specialized classes are offered periodically with instructors from Bangalore.

SVYASA-USA has participated in two international yoga conferences in the US.

(Click here for more detailed information about sVYASA activities in Houston.)