Awaken the Inner Horse!

A New Moon reminder to thrive, not merely survive

Dear Friends,

This New Moon arrives hand in hand with the Chinese New Year of the Horse — a symbol of vitality, momentum and noble strength. When darkness and renewal meet in this way, it is traditionally regarded as an auspicious threshold: a moment to begin new movements, both outwardly and within.

In the yogic tradition, the horse-headed deity Hayagriva represents awakened intelligence and the fierce clarity required to dispel ignorance. In the ancient myth, Hayagriva battled the demons Madhu and Kaitabha, forces that symbolise arrogance and inertia. These are not merely cosmic adversaries; they live within us as complacency, doubt and the quiet and convenient temptation to remain small. Each New Moon invites us to confront these inner demons with courage and discernment.

It is easy to shape Yoga so that it fits neatly inside our comfort zone. For therapeutic and chronic conditions, this gentleness can be wise and necessary. Yet when Yoga is embraced as a spiritual path, we must occasionally step beyond what is comfortable — with care, regularity and intelligence. Growth rarely occurs where everything feels safe and predictable. The Horse does not move by standing still.

I share this not as a theory, but from lived experience. There have been periods in my life when I remained within my comfort zone for too long. I became comfortably numb, and in that numbness, I grew weaker each day. It was only when I chose to step forward into the light — facing my own shadows honestly — that my spirit strengthened and I became more firmly anchored in my dharma.

Let this auspicious New Moon be a commitment: not merely to survive, but to thrive. Remember, consistency is more important than intensity. A steady, sincere step taken daily carries us further than sporadic bursts of effort.

May we move forward with courage and grace. Happy Chinese New Year to you all!

Namaste!

Chinese New Year, 17 Feb 2026 (New Moon)

Mantra | Śrī Navagraha-maṅgala-gāyatrī-mantra

Navagraha-s are the nine heavenly bodies and deities that influence human life on Earth and is greatly relevant in Vedic tradition, especially Vedic Astrology. The term is derived from nava, meaning nine, and graha, meaning house, planet, seizing, laying hold of, holding. The seven days of the week in the Vedic calendar is also based on the Navagraha. The position of each of these houses in our astrological chart that is calculated based on the time and place of our birth influences our dharma (purpose) and karma (destiny).

Śrī Maṅgala (Mars)

There are very special Gāyatrī mantras to honour each of these Navagraha-s. This chant, titled Śrī Navagraha-maṅgala-gāyatrī-mantra, honours Mars, the third house of the Navagraha-s. Maṅgala (Mars) is the commander in astrology. He represents energy, courage, younger brothers & sisters, the armed forces (including police), commanders, administrators, people in high positions, land, engineering, metals, real estate agents, and surgery. Maṅgala is a ferocious four-handed god. In two hands, he holds weapons, generally a mace and a javelin, while the other two are held in Abhaya and Varada Mudrā-s. He uses the ram as his vehicle.

Listen to this chant six times, once in the morning and once in the afternoon and benefit from the power of Mars.

We are delighted to share some wonderful news with you. The details for the Viniyoga International Conference – January 2027 are now ready! This gathering has been lovingly created to celebrate a truly special milestone—the 80th birthday of our most senior teacher, Mrs Menaka Desikachar, whose wisdom, grace, and warmth have touched hearts around the world.

Pink day during the Viniyoga Conference in 2025! Photo Ilze Silina

This promises to be far more than a conference — it will be a meaningful celebration of lineage, learning, and community. Both the conference and the pre-conference event are open to everyone, so please feel warmly encouraged to invite your friends, students, and family members to join us.

Viniyoga faculty conducting classes during the 2025 Conference

We would deeply appreciate your help in spreading the word. Sharing the event within your networks and on social media will help us gather a vibrant, global community for this special occasion.

A gentle note: we recommend booking early. Another conference will be held at the same venue during this time, and certain room categories may be sold out quickly. Reserving your accommodation in advance will ensure you have your preferred choice.

It brings us great joy to share this invitation with you. We look forward to being together to make this celebration a beautiful and memorable experience for all.

Registrations open! Sign up soon!

If you have been waiting for the right Yoga Therapy training — this is it.

The Viniyoga® Therapy Training Programme, rooted in the authentic teachings of Dr Kausthub Desikachar, is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive and respected Yoga Therapy trainings in the world. This is not simply a certification course — it is the gold standard in therapeutic Yoga education. And we are being quite realistic here!

What makes it the best? Depth. Precision. Personalisation. Transformation.

Dr Kausthub Desikachar, teaching Viniyoga Therapy! Photo by Ilze Silina

You will learn how to apply the holistic principles of Yoga as a complementary healing system with clarity and confidence. The programme equips you with advanced assessment skills, breath-centred therapeutic tools, and a refined methodology for designing highly individualised practices for people with diverse health conditions. Every technique is taught not as a formula, but as a living, adaptable process tailored to the individual.

And just to be clear — this is not the kind of training where you merely collect information and a certificate. You won’t just upgrade your knowledge; you’ll upgrade yourself.

Yet what truly sets this training apart is the inner journey it inspires. Beyond professional excellence, this programme invites profound self-development. Through experiential learning, guided reflection, and mentorship, you refine your awareness, deepen your understanding, and elevate your capacity to serve.

Whether you aspire to become a professional Yoga Therapist or wish to deepen your ability to support others meaningfully, this training offers unmatched knowledge, mentorship, and transformation.

If you want the best Yoga Therapy training available, your place is here.

An added bonus is that graduates are recognised by the Indian Yoga Association, the world’s largest, most inclusive, and credible governing body of Yoga!

Two new batches begin this year, and registrations are already coming in. Join whichever is convenient!

Our Vedic Chant Teacher Training program has become popular worldwide, offering people the chance to learn and become teachers of Vedic chanting. We are one of the few organisations to offer this certification and have conducted this program in many countries worldwide.

Following the holistic teachings of T. Krishnamacharya, we have structured the practice of this ancient Viniyoga tradition into a well-organised course of study. The teaching method is traditional, with chants taught orally to students.

The main faculty for the program will be Mrs Menaka Desikachar, and ably assisted by her long-term students.