Founded in 1984 by Sharon Gannon and David Life, Jivamukti Yoga focuses on five core tenets: ahimsa, bhakti, dhyana, nada, and shastra.

Ahimsa, which means “to do no harm,” has its place in Jivamukti as a lifestyle choice that calls for compassion toward all living things and the earth as a whole. Ahimsa adherents are proponents of veganism and animal rights. Bhakti (“portion, share”) in Jivamukti is the recognition that yoga is at its heart a spiritual practice whose purpose is the realization of the self and God.

Dhyana means “meditation,” and nada refers to the practice of deep listening to encourage the development of a healthy mind and body. The last of the five tenets, shastra, emphasizes a deeper learning of yogic practice through the study of yoga's oldest teachings.

Jivamukti Yoga incorporates all five of these tenets, teaching that maintaining a mutually beneficial relationship with the earth and others can not only improve interpersonal relationships, but also bring one closer to enlightenment.