Her Holiness Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi or as «Mother» by her followers, who are called Sahaja yogis. Sahaja Yoga is not only the name of the movement, but also the meditation technique the movement teaches and the state of awareness that is said to be achieved anti gravity yoga pune the technique. Srivastava described Sahaja Yoga as the pure, universal religion integrating all other religions. The teachings, practices and beliefs of Sahaja Yoga are mainly Hindu-based, with a predominance of elements from mystical traditions, as well as local customs of India.

There are however important elements of Christian origin, such as the eternal battle between good and evil. The word ‘Sahaja’ in Sanskrit has two components: ‘Saha’ meaning ‘with you’ and ‘ja’ meaning ‘born’. The term ‘Sahaja Yoga’ goes back at least to the 15th Century Indian mystic Kabir. In 2000, the term ‘Sahaja Yoga’ was trademarked in the United States by Vishwa Nirmala Dharma. Before starting Sahaja Yoga, its founder Nirmala Srivastava start with a small group of devotees around her, she began spreading her message of Sahaja Yoga in India in the year 1970. As she moved with her husband to London, UK, she continued her work there, and year by year the movement grew and spread throughout Europe, by the mid-80’s reaching North America.

Sahaja Yoga beliefs are seen by the organisation as a re-discovered ancient knowledge that should be treated respectfully and scientifically, like a hypothesis and if found by experiments as truth, should be accepted. Sahaja Yoga also states that spreading Sahaja Yoga techniques should be free for everyone. Judith Coney observed that the movement tolerates a variety of world views and levels of commitment with some practitioners choosing to remain on the periphery. There is no biomedical evidence of chakras. Sahaja Yoga believes that the chakras can be balanced by awakening the kundalini in the sacrum bone, which is conceived of as a normally dormant ‘mother’ energy. The chakras and nadis are believed by Sahaja Yoga to have associated places on the hands. It is a registered organisation in countries such as Colombia, the United States of America, and Austria.