A practice to release muscle tension, relax the nervous system & renew the mind
ON DEMAND
STRETCH & RELAX
with Tao Porchon-Lynch
This one-of-a-kind program includes Tao Porchon-Lynch at 96 years old in full action from revitalizing Seated Stretches and calming Forward Bends to her accessible Shoulder Stand on the Wall and restorative Deep Relaxation. The program is suitable for all levels. Tao shows us what is possible... at any age!
Ease on the mat every day (or night) with the 35-minute Stretch & Relax practice.
Experience Tao teaching her actual students and in the location where she taught for years.
Learn the sequence step by step (video and print instructions) in the posture breakdown.
Witness an almost 20-minute Satsang with Tao answering questions from her students.
Hear Tao talk about her lifestyle habits, yoga and her overall philosophy in a video interview.
Access the content from anywhere across the globe on a variety of devices using our mobile app.
Join a community of Tao enthusiasts and teachers around the world to share tips and experiences.
Receive a Certificate of Completion after passing the online assessment.
Share Tao’s light and earn at the same time by becoming an Affiliate.
Benefit from lifetime access (versus a one-and-done physical class). You can learn from Tao over and over again.
The value of this program is priceless. Tao has danced her way to another planet but her teachings live on for generations to come. If you want to go deeper into Tao's teachings, check out Master Course with Tao Porchon-Lynch.
Join the experience
$199 $149
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A Pioneer
One of the First Female Yoga Teachers
"If boys can do it, so can I!"
In 1926, when she was 8 years old, Tao discovered yoga on the beaches of Pondicherry - a French colony in India. She saw a group of young boys making shapes with their bodies. In her excitement, she ran home and demonstrated some of the moves. Her aunt was shocked and said, "That is yoga! It's unladylike. That's not for girls." Tao responded, "It was beautiful, Auntie, and if boys can do it, so can I!" Her uncle, who knew the sage Sri Aurobindo, allowed her to continue. She later attended the Aurobindo Ashram. Tao would put her ear to the ground to "listen to the grass grow" and innately understood what she later described as "Eternal Energy" - the foundation of her teachings.
"Why you not teach yoga?"
Tao's mentor, Indra Devi, was 15 years her senior and knew her as a girl. A film star, she was the first woman and Westerner to study with the renowned Sri Krioshnamacharya, alongside B.K.S. Iyengar and K. Pattabhi Jois. In 1948, she opened a yoga studio on Sunset Boulevard, the first in Los Angeles. Her teaching style, which focused on relieving anxiety and stress, helped popularize yoga in the U.S. When she bumped into Tao in Hollywood, after not seeing her for 20 years, she said in her particular way, "Vhat you do in films? Why not teach yoga?" Under contract with MGM as an actress, Tao started to teach yoga to a group at the studio including Kathryn Grayson and Leslie Caron. At the same time, Tao was studying meditation and philosophy with her guru Swami Prabhavandana at the Vedanta Society.
"The beauty of life opened up."
Whenever Tao was in India visiting family and friends or working on a film, she would take yoga classes with various teachers. The first major teacher she studied asana (the physical postures) with was B.K.S. Iyengar around 1957. He was reluctant at first since it was traditionally a practice for men. Her boldness and persistence helped convince him to take female students like herself, Dona Holleman, and others. she then studied with K. Pattabhi Jois and metaphysics teacher Dr. Roman Ostoja. On his first tour in the U.S. to share Transcendental Meditation, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi sought Tao out. Through his presence and teachings, she felt like "the beauty of life opened up." This is before he achieved fame as the guru to The Beatles.
"You can't do yoga with sneakers on!"
In the 1960s, fitness pioneer Jack LaLanne walked in the place where Tao was teaching in Westchester, NY. He was looking to buy the location for his fitness club and was shocked at how many people were in the class doing yoga. Tao had been teaching for free. After he took over the club, he offered Tao her first paying teaching job. She taught there for a while but got annoyed when he started telling her that the students had to wear sneakers. She couldn't believe it and told him, "You can't do yoga with sneakers on!" She also encouraged him to get mats since they were practicing directly on the dirty floor. When she left and moved to another location, most of the students joined her.
"You are Light and Truth, One with all there is."
In her seven decades of teaching, Tao certified thousands of yoga teachers and inspired millions. In 1995, she participated in Yoga for Peace in Israel alongside her mentor Indra Devi and Rama Jyoti Vernon who brought together 400 spiritual leaders. Tao led at least 30 yoga retreats in places like Bali, Bucharest, Morocco, France, and India, and was invited to teach programs in Sri Lanka, Budapest, Slovenia, Montenegro, the Bahamas, Jamaica, the U.K., and Moscow. She shared the stage with His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Sadhguru, and Dr. Deepak Chopra at locations like the Pentagon, United Nations, and World Government Summit in Dubai. In 2012, Guinness World Records named Tao the "Oldest Yoga Teacher." In 2017, she was featured in Athleta's Power of She campaign. In 2019, she received the Padma Shri award, one of the highest civilian honors from the government of India.
"I'm going to dance my way to the next planet."
Tao taught yoga until just a few days before she died on February 21, 2020 at the age of 101. It was the day of the Hindu Festival of Maha Shivaratri, the "Great Night of Shiva," when Shiva dances in heaven. It's said to be "the brightest night of the soul where the yogi attains Nirvana." Watch her tribute video below.
FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME
STRETCH & RELAX
with Tao Porchon-Lynch
Training From A Master
Here's What You'll Get
THE MASTER WORKSHOP
Release Tension & Relax
Sometimes you just need to release muscle tension and relax. That's what this RELEASE practice session is all about. For 35 minutes, you will stretch and twist the spine with an emphasis on forward and side bends. It is accessible for all levels and can be done every day. Many of the moves can even be done in a chair. Tao's 9 1/2 minute sequence of Seated Stretches can be its own practice taking you from Seated Side Bend and ending in Scale Pose, one of her favorites. Other postures include Upward Plank, Seated Forward Bend, Head-To-Knee, Half Circle, Cat-Cow, One Handed Tiger, Sleeping Vishnu, Bridge Pose, Experience the complete 2 1/2 hour Master Workshop. Here you'll get Tao's full commentary on the various postures, her demonstrations on poses like Upward Plank, Seated Forward Bend, Head-to-Knee, Half Circle, Cat-Cow, One Handed Tiger, Sleeping Vishnu, Bridge Pose, Leg Stretch, and Wide-Angle Seated Forward Bend. It all leads to Shoulder Stand On The Wall, which is a restorative version of the posture, and then to a 10-minute Deep Relaxation and the meditative Closing Circle. Afterwards, you will be centered for your day or ready for a deep sleep.
Tao In Full Action
This one-of-a-kind program allows you to step into Tao's class with her actual students where she taught for years. This is Tao in her natural element. Hear her corrections and see her hands-on adjustments. Feel her energy jump off the screen as if you are in a live workshop.
Angles From Four Cameras
Even though it added cost and editing time, we used FOUR cameras to ensure we captured Tao's teaching nuances as well as demonstrations from her students, many of which are yoga teachers trained by Tao. For each frame, we chose the angle which best optimized learning and the experience.
Closed Captions
To serve various language and hearing capacities, we took extra time to make sure Closed Captions were enabled for ALL the videos. Tao's biographers, who know her intonation and use of Sanskrit and French words at times, did the transcriptions. We are now set up for translations in the future.
POSTURE BREAKDOWN
Study the individual segments
Deepen your learning by studying the 11 individual sections of the Stretch & Relax program. This is geared to help you systematically learn the nuances of Tao's teaching style. The segments include Tuning In, Seated Stretches, Upward Plank to Seated Forward Bend, Head-To-Knee to Half Circle, Cat-Cow to One Handed Tiger, Sleeping Vishnu, Bridge Pose to Leg Stretch, and Wide-Angle Seated Forward Bend, Shoulder Stand On The Wall, a 10-minute Deep Relaxation, and the Closing Circle.
11 Segments To Study
Have you taken Tao's class and wondered how to do her opening sequence with the unique arm variations? Do you want to know how Tao does One Handed Tiger without toppling over? Go directly to the videos for your desired segment.
Step-by-Step Instructions
For each segment, we've outlined the Benefits, Contraindications, Modifications, and Variations. Then, we provide step-by-step instructions based on Tao's teachings in the video, as well as images so you can see the body placement and sequence.
A Community of Tao Yogis
Perhaps you want to find out tips from other yogis when doing a posture or sequence, or share your own insights. When you join Stretch & Relax with Tao Porchon-Lynch, you have the ability to add comments and connect with others in the Tao course community.
SUPPLEMENTAL MODULES
Learn nuances of the practice
Tao believed that life is an "Eternal Dance of Energy." As she said, "Always be in charge of your body. The more you can work on your breath, the more you are in charge of your life. I want to move that energy which is within me throughout my whole body." In the Supplemental Modules, learn about the importance of breath and practice the Energetics of Hands and Feet, experience a Satsang discussion and learn Tao's interpretation of Namaste and Jnana Mudra.
Energetics of Hands & Feet
Tao believed that the hands and feet have a direct connection to the brain and play a role in aging, memory, and overall vitality. In this module, she demonstrates hand exercises and discusses the role of the feet in engaging energy, as well as the importance of breath.
Satsang
Satsang means "in the company of truth." It often refers to a spiritual discourse or sacred gathering, and fellowship with others with similar aspirations. In the Yoga tradition, during Satsang the master sheds light on the darkness in the student's consciousness.
Namaste & Jnana Mudra
Have you ever wondered what people are saying at the beginning or end of class, or the hand position used often for meditation? In these modules, hear Tao's poetic interpretation of Namaste and witness her talk about and demonstrate Jnana Mudra, the gesture of wisdom.
OVERVIEW OF TAO'S PHILOSOPHY
Hear Tao talk about her life and habits
Tao's mother was a Hindu from Bihar who died in childbirth on a ship in the middle of the English channel at the end of World War I. Tao's father, who was French and still in the military, had immigrated to Canada and didn't know what he would do with a newborn without his wife. Therefore, his brother, who was married, offered to raise the baby with the family in India. That led to Tao's beginnings in the French colony of Pondicherry off the Bay of Bengal. Tao's overall philosophy on life came from her uncle, Vital Porchon, who knew people like Sri Aurobindo, Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi, and Jawaharlal Nehru (who later became India's first prime minister). In this interview, Tao shares thoughts on yoga, life, and her daily habits.
BEHIND THE SCENES
A diverse, women-led production team
The project was a labor of love produced by Tao's biographers and collaborators - mother-daughter development team Janie Sykes-Kennedy and Teresa Kay-Aba Kennedy - as part of their 10-year Tao Brand-Legacy Project. Eun-ah Lee was the cinematographer, with a couple of good men to help including Doo Soo "Dooks" Kim as camera operator and Daniel Marsh Kennedy as production assistant. Since it was a real workshop with 17 students (no stopping for re-takes), the four-camera production took finesse. An accomplished documentary producer, Tao was very hands-on with the whole process and was obviously pleased given her comments at the end. As part of the course, you'll get the inside scoop on the production, participants and how it came together.
Tao Porchon-Lynch
Master Teacher
Janie Sykes-Kennedy
Executive Producer
Teresa Kay-Aba Kennedy
Producer / Director / Editor
Eun-ah Lee
Cinematographer
Doo Soo "Dooks" Kim
Camera Operator
Daniel Marsh Kennedy
Production Assistant
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
Proud to study with Tao
We have developed an online assessment to test your knowledge of the program. Once you successfully complete the assessment, you can receive a Certificate of Completion and a Digital Badge to add to your website and social media. It will show the public you have completed Stretch & Relax with Tao Porchon-Lynch. If you are a teacher and you're looking to include Tao in your Teacher Training Program, check out the Master Course with Tao Porchon-Lynch.
TAO BRAND-LEGACY PROJECT
Her Inspiration & Teachings Live On
On November 5, 2011, Tao Porchon-Lynch asked mother-daughter development team Janie Sykes-Kennedy and Teresa Kay-Aba Kennedy to collaborate with her on her life story. That resulted in two award-winning books and the Tao Brand-Legacy Project - a multi-year initiative to establish and amplify the brand and legacy of Tao so that generations to come can learn from her wisdom and be inspired by her life. Learn more in the overview video.
MOTHER'S DAY SPECIAL: Give the mothers in your life the gift of wellness and empowerment. Use Code MOM2025 for 20% off all products and courses until May 31, 2025.
A Global Icon
Praise for Tao
Ageless Body Timeless Mind
"One of the most acclaimed yoga teachers of our century, Tao Porchon-Lynch is a mentor to me who embodies the spirit of yoga and is an example of Ageless Body Timeless Mind. Like yoga, she teaches us to let go and to have exquisite awareness in every moment... There are three words used to express pure consciousness. The first is Satyam which means Truth. The second is Shivam which means Goodness. And the third is Sundaram which means Beauty... and she has all three."
Dr. Deepak Chopra - Founder, Chopra Center for Wellbeing & Bestselling Author
You Remind Us What's Possible
"Ladies and gentlemen, meet the incredible, Tao! Sage and I had the pleasure of having her to our home. She is a woman that does not accept ANY limitations in her life - even today at age 99! Keep it up, Tao! You remind us what's possible."
Tony Robbins - Top Life & Business Strategist and Bestselling Author
Pure Love, Laughter & Light
"She is a very special woman and we've had the honor of both teaching for and with her, and have had her teachings... The people of the younger generations really have to look at a person like her who has weathered so much in her life and has come out the other side of her life still completely pure of Love and Laughter and Light."
Rodney Yee, Acclaimed Yoga Teacher & Author of Yoga: The Poetry of the Body
"I want to BE Tao! What she has done, who she is and the light that's in her eyes... When you say hello to her, she is just so full of Light and Love and mischievousness... I just think she is an inspiration for women and all of mankind."
Colleen Saidman Yee, Acclaimed Yoga Teacher & Author of Yoga for Life: A Journey to Inner Peace and Freedom
Embodies Qualities Of A True Yogi
"Tao is a truly remarkable woman who embodies the qualities of a true yogi and possesses a depth of knowledge that is quite rare."
David Swenson, Acclaimed Yoga Teacher & Author of Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual
Like Being In A Class About Life & Spirit
"I feel I am the most fortunate man in this world who has gotten the opportunity to share the stage with a legend like Tao not just once but three times. Each time I danced with Tao I learned new things about myself and my dance. Being with Tao is like being in a class - a class about life and spirit where you grow not only as a dancer but as a human being. I hope I can be a student of this class of Tao forever!"
Sandip Soparrkar, Dancer-Choreographer, Actor & Humanitarian
The Wisdom In Her Eyes
"All you have to do is be in Tao Porchon-Lynch's presence to feel the energy of her spirit and the wisdom in her eyes... She is a living example of how we can all learn to live life to the fullest and to truly live from the heart - mind, body, spirit, and soul. She is a precious commodity and we are so lucky to understand who she is and how she became that way!"
Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, Cardiologist, TV Host & Author of Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum's Heart Book: Every Women's Guide to a Heart-Healthy Life
A Gift To Us All
"Through her mastery of Yoga and the body-mind-spirit connection, Tao helps us unbind the limits of our human condition in a most gentle and spirit filled way. She is a gift to us all."
Agapi Stassinopoulos, Author of Unbinding The Heart: A Dose of Greek Wisdom, Generosity and Unconditional Love
Example of Her Own Philosophy
"Tao's presence is a life changer for anyone who experiences her movement and wisdom. She is a living example of her own philosophy that 'Anything is possible.' Yoga is the root of all Eastern martial arts. It is the healing and harmony that is essential for life. Tao's approach at 96 makes people realize that there are no excuses to make things happen in your life. Thank you Tao for being a great friend and teacher!"
Sensei John P. Mirrione, Founder, Harmony By Karate and National Stop Bullying Campaign
A Bright Light
"Tao is a bright light! As soon as she walks in the room you are charged by her electric presence. Her teaching is infused with years of experience plus tons of compassion. Whether you are a beginning yoga student or a long-time yoga teacher, you will walk away amazed and inspired! My life has been forever changed by the precious time I've gotten to spend with Tao as her student and biographer. My practice is deeper and my being is more present. She has been a divine gift to me and is a gift to the world."
Teresa Kay-Aba Kennedy, CEO, Power Living Enterprises, Inc., Tao's biographer and Author of 40 Days to Power Living: Think, Eat & Live on Purpose
From Oprah to America's Got Talent
Be Guided By A Global Icon
Some may think...
I’m not flexible.
I’m too old to do yoga.
There is not an accessible yoga class near me.
I took class with Tao but don’t remember certain sequences.
I’ve always wanted to take Tao’s workshop but didn’t get the chance.
I’m a Tao fan and/or trained teacher and want to connect with a community of like-minded yogis.
I am a regular Tao student and/or teacher and miss her dearly!
We would say...
This program can help you increase flexibility and ease muscle tension.
With Tao as a role model, it’s hard to say you’re too old for anything!
With this program, practice from the comfort of your home.
The Posture Breakdown provides step-by-step instructions.
Now you can experience Tao in full action teaching a workshop.
Our course platform will allow you to ask questions and make comments, as well as connect with other participants.
We all miss Tao! We can treasure her presence in this digital form.
JOIN THE TAO EXPERIENCE
Total value: priceless
Single Payment of
$199 $149
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH SPECIAL: Receive 20% off of Tao’s courses using code WH25 at checkout through April 15, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I am giving the course as a gift?
How do I learn more about Tao's life and philosophy?
How would you describe Tao's yoga style?
Was Tao really 96 years old when this was filmed?
If I have questions about Tao's teachings, who can I ask?
If I am new to yoga, can I still participate in the Stretch & Relax?
How do I become an Affiliate and earn money?
What is the difference between the Master Course and Stretch & Relax?
If I join Stretch & Relax, can I upgrade to the Master Course?
Will I be able to follow the program if English is not my first language?
If I am very experienced, will Stretch & Relax be too easy?
How do I incorporate this program into my Yoga Teacher Training?
What did Tao think of the filming?
Do you offer in-person events and retreats?
Any questions?
Send us a message and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
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