COMMON MAPS
Map version new-york activity top-down
Main site Contact
Menu
↑ parent activity group ·
research dossier

HIMALAYAN INSTITUTE OF BUFFALO INC
BUFFALO, NY · EIN 161131956 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE P54Z · Human Services · Small ($100K-$1M) · hibuffalo.org
revenue
$222K
expenses
$193K
net assets
$321K
employees
6
program ratio
50%
mission · from form 990

EDUCATION

profile · synthesized from sources

Himalayan Institute of Buffalo Inc is a nonprofit yoga and meditation center founded in 1974, offering teacher training, immersive study programs, and community classes rooted in the classical Himalayan yoga tradition. The organization serves students and teachers in Buffalo, NY and beyond through in-person and online instruction, retreats, and educational resources focused on health, self-awareness, and spiritual well-being.

named programs · 6 · from sources

What they call their work

200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training
Comprehensive training program covering asana, meditation, pranayama, therapeutic yoga, and yoga philosophy for aspiring yoga teachers.
300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training
Advanced training exploring the eight limbs of yoga, essential yogic texts, and deeper practices in pranayama, pratyahara, and meditation.
Restorative Teaching Methods
Continuing education course for yoga teachers covering relaxation, restorative asana, mindfulness, and nervous system regulation (14 contact hours for Yoga Alliance).
Roots to Stillness: Meditation and Forest Bathing
Retreat combining meditation, yoga, and shinrin yoku (forest bathing) to cultivate calm, resilience, and connection with nature.
Vishoka Meditation Course
Structured meditation course teaching techniques to achieve inner freedom and fulfillment through breath, sense withdrawal, and mental focus.
Yoga Sadhana Immersion
Three-month immersive program meeting one weekend per month, focusing on yoga asana, lifestyle, and philosophy within a community of practice.
activities · 5 groups

What they do

  • Spiritual Development & Meditation Programs 8 activities
    • Educational programming
      Delivers educational programs in yoga, meditation, Sanskrit, Ayurveda, and related subjects through courses, workshops, and teacher training.
    • Immersive yoga and spiritual study programs
      Offers structured immersion programs such as the 3-month Yoga Sadhana Immersion meeting monthly on weekends for in-depth study of yoga asana, lifestyle, and philosophy, requiring direct registration through the Institute.
    • Remote participation in international spiritual practices
      Supports remote engagement with the 6-month Maha Sri Yaga group mantra meditation practice in Khajuraho, India, through local programming, Sri Sukta recitations, and dedicated courses on healing mantras.
    • Retreats integrating yoga and nature
      Hosts retreats that combine daily yoga, guided meditation, breathing practices, forest bathing, and access to natural landscapes across 400 acres of maintained land, with vegetarian meals sourced from local farms and access to the Sri Vidya Shrine for silent practice.
    • Sale of class packages and gift cards
      Sells gift cards and class packs for yoga and meditation classes as part of program offerings.
    • Specialized wellness and educational courses
      Provides multi-week and short-term courses in Ayurveda, Sanskrit, relaxation techniques, stress management, and healing mantras, including a 4-week Relaxation & Stress Management course teaching evidence-informed methods to reduce anxiety.
    • Yoga and meditation classes
      Offers drop-in, weekly, and multi-week yoga and meditation classes open to the public without requiring membership, including donation-based community classes and immersive courses such as the Vishoka Meditation Course focused on deepening mind-breath unity.
    • Yoga teacher training and professional certification
      Provides 200-Hour and 300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training programs covering asana, meditation, pranayama, therapeutic applications, and yogic philosophy, along with specialized courses such as Restorative Teaching Methods and continuing education credits for Yoga Alliance; registration is required through the Institute.
  • Literary Events & Workshops 1 activity
    • Book clubs and workshops
      Hosts a community book club with scheduled readings extending into early Winter 2026 and offers 1-day workshops including cooking classes, satsangs, and nature walks.
  • Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
    • Community events and gatherings
      Organizes recurring community events such as monthly Sri Sukta recitations (in-person and online), annual Guru Purnima Celebrations with tea and meditation, and the outdoor 'Yoga in the Meadow at Silo City' event to foster connection with nature and community.
  • Religious Media Production and Distribution 1 activity
    • Free online resources for practice and study
      Provides free online materials to support yoga, meditation, and spiritual study accessible to the public.
  • Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
    • Volunteer-supported operations
      Relies on volunteer support from students and staff for facility maintenance and delivery of programs.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$222K
Contributions & grants$60K27%
Program service revenue$143K64%
Investment income$420%
Other revenue$19K
expenses
Total expenses$193K
Program expenses50%
Admin / overhead50%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$103K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$324K
Cash$186K
Investments$0
Liabilities$3K
Net assets$321K
Liquid reserves11.6 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +6.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
JACQUELINE BOGDAN SECRETARY/TR 40 $52K
board members · 5
  • GREG CAPITOLO — PRESIDENT/CH
  • ISHAN TIGUNAIT — BOARD MEMBER
  • JUDY MOULTON — BOARD MEMBER
  • KERRY MITCHELL — BOARD MEMBER
  • RAJMANI TIGUNAIT — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 11

Who they work with

  • Donna Mattucci Partner — Faculty member who co-leads retreats and teaches meditation and yoga practices.
  • Himalayan Institute Network — Local chapter affiliated with the broader Himalayan Institute organization.
  • Himalayan Institute Network — Part of the Himalayan Institute network, offering programs at its headquarters in Honesdale, PA.
  • Himalayan Institute Headquarters Partner — Collaborates to support the Maha Sri Yaga practice in Khajuraho, India.
  • Himalayan Institute Retreat Center Partner — Collaborates on hosting retreats, with HI Buffalo managing tuition and registration while the Retreat Center handles accommodations and on-site logistics.
  • Julia Partner — Guided meditation teacher leading the Guru Purnima Celebration.
  • Moka Origins Partner — Mission-driven chocolate and coffee factory located on the Retreat Center campus, offering tours to retreat guests.
  • Momence Partner — Platform used for online registration and class management.
  • Momence Partner — Platform used for registration and distribution of class packs and gift cards.
  • PureRejuv Wellness Center Partner — On-campus partner offering massage and therapeutic treatments available to retreat guests.
  • Susan West Montgomery Partner — Co-leads the "Roots to Stillness" retreat as a featured faculty member.
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Accessibility Through Flexible Participation Models
    methodology: accessibility-through-flexible-programming
    By offering gift cards, class packs, and unlimited passes, the organization lowers barriers to entry and incentivizes frequent participation because flexible, low-commitment access models increase trial and sustained engagement among individuals exploring yoga and meditation.
  • Collective Consciousness Transformation
    methodology: mantra-meditation-collective-consciousness
    By engaging individuals in group mantra meditation and collective dedication of personal practice, the organization contributes to a shift in global consciousness toward peace and prosperity, because individual spiritual efforts, when unified, generate a measurable energetic impact on collective well-being.
  • Community-Driven Personal Growth
    methodology: community_of_practice
    By fostering a community of practice among like-minded seekers, the organization supports and accelerates personal growth and inner unfoldment because sustained engagement is enhanced through shared experience, mutual support, and collective learning.
  • Experiential and Integrated Teaching
    methodology: experiential_and_integrated_teaching
    By integrating professional expertise with personal spiritual practice (sadhana) in teaching, the organization enhances authenticity and effectiveness because lived experience deepens pedagogical credibility and resonance, leading to greater participant transformation.
  • Yoga-Based Holistic Wellness
    methodology: yoga-based_wellness
    By integrating yoga and meditation practices into personal development, the organization promotes improved health, self-awareness, and spiritual well-being because embodied, experiential practice fosters deeper internal transformation than didactic instruction alone.