The Viniyoga Tradition
Viniyoga means ‘appropriate application’ and is a tradition of yoga grounded in a long lineage of teachers dating back to 800AD. In the past, yoga was taught one-to-one, with the practice tailored to meet the specific and holistic needs of the individual, thereby encouraging the greatest benefits. To continue this tradition I teach what is appropriate, with a broad range of tools to choose from.
One of the key tools in Viniyoga is working with the breath. The yogis of the past realised that the breath could have a profound effect on all other dimensions of the human system, and yet was accessible to all. Krishnamacharya once said “If you can breathe you can do Yoga”. We all have a unique starting point with our breath – the practice begins there and develops gradually, step by step.
The whole range of yoga tools can be utilised including: postures (āsana), breathing techniques (prānāyāma), concentration (dhārana), visualisation (bhavana), meditation (dhyānam), ayurvedic ideas for diet & lifestyle (āhāra & vihāra), vedic chant (mantra), reflecting on attitudes (yama & niyama), special energetic controls (mudra & bandha) among others; with specific tools selected depending on the needs and wishes of the student.
The teachings of Viniyoga are deeply rooted in ancient texts indigenous to India, such as The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and The HathaYoga Pradipika. And also the ancient teachings from the Vedic era which have been passed on orally from teacher to student over the past 5000 years at least.
A Lineage of teachers
The Viniyoga lineage of teachers can be traced continuously back to 800AD and the Yogi Nāthamuni. Today the lineage continues, with Viniyoga trained teachers expanding into every corner of the world. The more recent part of the lineage is:
Tirumalai Krishnamacharya (1888 – 1989)
Widely considered the father of modern yoga, Krishnamacharya helped re-establish yoga as a powerful practice to reduce suffering, in the mid 1900’s when it had almost died out. He was a great scholar and master in all six schools of Indian philosophy, of which Yoga is one. He then walked from south India to the Himalayas to find his yoga teacher and proceeded to live and study with him for seven years. His teacher then instructed Krishnamacharya to return to society and share what he had learnt, which he diligently spent the rest of his life doing. He taught openly to any sincere student regardless of race, religion, gender or class – which was very unusual in those times. He was also the first person in modern times to teach Vedic Chanting to women, which was previously banned.
T.K.V Desikachar (1938 – 2016)
Affectionately known as ‘Sir’, TKV Desikachar was immersed in yoga from a young age and taught by his father T. Krishnamacharya. He was the first to share the Viniyoga teachings outside India and held many seminars in Europe and USA during the 70’s and 80’s. TKV Desikachar was committed to continuing the work of his father and helped many people in India and overseas as a yoga therapist, and trained many others to be teachers, therapists and trainers themselves. He wrote several books, including the beautiful ‘The Heart of Yoga’.
Dr Kausthub Desikachar
Worldwide director of Viniyoga and current ‘holder’ of the lineage, Dr K Desikachar began learning yoga from his father TKV Desikachar and grandfather T. Krishnamacharya from the age of 9, and started teaching at age 13.
Dr K Desikachar has worked tirelessly to continue the work of his forebears and has been instrumental in expanding the teachings into every corner of the world. He has a very deep and profound understanding of the ancient texts and has also written many books himself, including a wonderful biography on his grandfather ‘The Yoga of the Yogi’.
He currently lives in Singapore and continues to teach various trainings and workshops around the world, as well as provide individual mentoring and therapy to his many students.
Ruth Diggins
Ruth is an experienced and qualified Viniyoga practitioner, teacher and teacher trainer in Aotearoa. She completed her initial teacher training with Barbara Brian in Melbourne, Australia. Then as part of an international sangha studied Yoga Therapy with TKV Desikachar, Mrs Menaka Desikachar and Dr K Desikachar in Chennai, India. Ruth continues to study with and be mentored by her teacher Dr K Desikachar. She has trained three batches of yoga teachers (each one taking 3 years) and, with Dr K Desikachar, conducted the first Yoga Therapy training in Aotearoa in this tradition. Ruth lives in Raumati South and continues to teach from her expansive heart.