Overview

Originally founded as the Institute for Atmospheric Optics and Remote Sensing (IFAORS) in 1976, Takshashila Institute (also known as Taksha, or TI) is a dynamic, not-for-profit, non-degree or diploma-awarding, independent minority institution of advanced research and learning, engaged in research projects and learning activities for all ages from kindergarten to life-long learning, for personal, professional, and inner-growth enhancement. Incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Taksha has its headquarters in Hampton, Virginia, with a Silicon Valley office to support events and projects on the West Coast, as well. Our team of Advisors consists of carefully selected, highly qualified experts who offer a wide range of experience and talent to meet the varied needs of our special projects and community, including professionals in academia, healthcare, government, industry, international organizations, and other walks of life.

Mission and Objectives – Taksha is established to provide an integrated learning and research environment that encourages personal growth and development, intellectual curiosity, and life-long learning. To promote freedom of thought, innovation, and creativity in the endeavors undertaken to further this mission, TI offers programs that create, manage, and disseminate information and ideas through various instructional modalities, focusing on personal enrichment, (w)holistic learning, and research.

It should be noted, as a disclaimer, that our aim is to serve as a conduit for information for personal enrichment and inner growth enhancement, including health and healing of body, mind, and spirit, and participation in Taksha events is no guarantee of career opportunities or future employment.

Taksha undertakes the following activities, in support of its mission:

(1) Information Generation: Conducting cutting-edge research projects, independent studies, etc., such as “On the Effects of Hibernation, Aging, and Yoga Therapy for Maintaining the Health of Travellers in Micro-gravity Environments during Space Flights.”

(2) Information Management: Collecting and managing data and information bases, such as “Determination, Collection, and Management of Global Atmospheric Aerosol Size Distribution Using a Proposed CubeSat-borne Solar Aureole Experiment: Simulations.”

(3) Information Dissemination – Meetings: Planning and organization (end-to-end and worldwide) of different types of meeting events (including conferences, workshops, symposia, colloquia, forums, seminars, expos, demos, etc.), using different formats, including remote online, smart-phone-based, computer-based, and/or in-person meetings, such as “4th Workshop on Space Arts.”

(4) Information Dissemination – Publications: Publishing and distributing professional quality publications in different formats, including hard- and soft-cover, online, and downloadable books, journals, newsletters; CDs/DVDs; etc., such as the YogaSetu Newsletter (YSN – www.yogasetu.org).