The Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram (KYM), founded in Madras (now Chennai), India, stands as a significant institution in the world of yoga. Established in 1976 by T.K.V. Desikachar, the son of Sri T. Krishnamacharya, the KYM was created with the explicit purpose of disseminating the profound yoga principles taught by Krishnamacharya, often hailed as the father of modern yoga. This center has played a crucial role in making these teachings accessible
and fostering a deeper understanding of yoga practice.
Founding and Early Development
T.K.V. Desikachar, after dedicating decades to studying under his father, Sri T. Krishnamacharya, recognized the need for a formal institution to preserve and propagate these valuable teachings. In 1976, he co-founded the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram (KYM) in Madras. A.G. Mohan, another senior student of Sri Krishnamacharya, was involved in the co-founding of KYM and served as its Honorary Secretary from its inception until 1989. This collaborative effort ensured that the Mandiram was built on a strong foundation of shared knowledge and dedication to Krishnamacharya's legacy.The KYM quickly became a central hub for yoga in the Chennai region. Its establishment marked a pivotal moment in the organized spread of Krishnamacharya's individualized approach to yoga. The Mandiram's mission was to offer a space where students could learn and practice yoga in a manner that respected the unique needs of each individual, a core tenet of the Viniyoga approach developed by Desikachar.
Expanding the Reach: The Krishnamacharya Healing and Yoga Foundation
Beyond the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, T.K.V. Desikachar further expanded the institutional framework for his father's teachings. On January 1, 2006, he, along with his son Kausthub Desikachar, established the Krishnamacharya Healing and Yoga Foundation (KHYF). This foundation was specifically authorized to spread the holistic yoga teachings of Sri T. Krishnamacharya, indicating a broader scope that encompassed healing aspects of yoga.The creation of KHYF demonstrated a continued commitment to ensuring that Krishnamacharya's comprehensive yoga system, which goes beyond mere physical postures, reached a wider audience. While KHYF operates to disseminate these teachings, the KYM continues to exist parallel to it, maintaining its role as a significant institute for the practice and study of yoga in Chennai. These institutions collectively represent a lasting commitment to the educational and practical aspects of yoga, rooted in the lineage of Sri T. Krishnamacharya and T.K.V. Desikachar.
