Namaste and greetings, dear friends!

As we enter a brand-new year, it’s natural to reflect on the plans we’ve made, the dreams we’ve nurtured, and the goals we’ve set. Yet, life throws us delightful surprises—or detours—that remind us we’re not always in control. This is why I keep repeating my sacred Mantra - The plan is perfect, but its just not our plan.

Perhaps what seemed like a setback turned out to be a redirection to something better. Maybe a missed opportunity opened an unknown door to unexpected joy. I myself have witnessed this a lot these past years and have been eternally grateful for these lessons. As we embrace this new year, let’s trust the twists and turns, knowing there’s a purpose behind them—even if we can’t see it immediately.

Here's to celebrating every triumph, cherishing every lesson, and welcoming each surprise with open arms and hearts full of gratitude.

May 2025 bring you peace, love, and fulfilment in ways you never imagined. Let’s toast to the unplanned moments, the serendipities, and the belief that every path—whether it aligns with our plans or not—leads us somewhere meaningful.

Happy New Year! May your journey this year be as beautiful and unpredictable as life. 🎉✨

Dr Kausthub Desikachar, M.Sc, M.M.S, PhD

The Viniyoga Tradition

Starting this year, we have changed the format of our newsletter. We are planning a bi-monthly edition of our Viniyoga Newsletter and hope you will find our new direction interesting and meaningful. Both issues will have slightly different formats and content, and we seek to share an expanded scope of learning through these publications. Feel free to give us your feedback and share it with your students and friends.

If you are new to our newsletter and would like to subscribe to receive more exciting content like this, please use the sign-up form here to become a subscriber. You will never miss an update from us! And we appreciate having you as part of our global family.

Luminary | Srī Patañjali

In the vast universe of yoga, some figures shine like stars across the ages; among them, Srī Patañjali holds a special place. If you practice yoga, you’ve probably heard his name, but do you truly know the depth of his influence? This month, in our Viniyoga International newsletter, we honour this iconic figure who continues to inspire yogis worldwide as the Yoga Luminary of the Month.

Who is Patañjali?

Patañjali is a name that resonates in the spiritual history of India. Although details about his life remain shrouded in mystery, he is universally regarded as the author of the Yogasūtras, a collection of 195 aphorisms that form yoga's philosophical foundation. The Yogasūtras are not a manual of postures or physical exercises. Rather, they delve into the essence of Yoga philosophy: a path to unify the body, mind, and spirit. The text is organized into four chapters (“pāda”):

1. Samādhi-pāda – on the state of deep absorption.
2. Sādhana-pāda – on practices and discipline.
3. Vibhūti-pāda – on spiritual powers.
4. Kaivalya-pāda – on ultimate liberation.

His system of "eight limbs" (aṣṭāṅga-yoga) is especially well-known. These stages—ranging from basic ethics (yama and niyama) to deep meditation (dhyāna) and the state of spiritual absorption (samādhi)—offer a comprehensive roadmap to evolve toward a harmonious and spiritually enriched life.

Why is Patañjali still relevant today?

Despite the centuries separating us from Patañjali, his teachings remain extraordinarily relevant. In a world often marked by stress, anxiety, and fragmentation, his call for mental clarity and introspection resonates deeply.

The Yogasūtras do not ask us to renounce the world. Instead, they invite us to cultivate personal discipline and spiritual connection while remaining engaged in daily life. Whether for Yogis seeking a deeper meaning in their practice or for those simply aiming to navigate life’s turbulence more effectively, Patañjali offers valuable tools to transcend distractions and achieve lasting peace.

An inspiration to begin 2025

Often synonymous with reflection and renewal, January is the perfect time to plant the seeds of Patañjali’s teachings. His aphorisms are like small seeds of wisdom we can sow within ourselves. With time, attention, and care, these seeds can blossom and nourish our spiritual journey throughout this new year.

Interestingly, 2025 is also the Year of the Snake in Chinese tradition. The snake, a symbol of transformation and renewal, also holds particular significance for Patañjali. According to tradition, Patanjali is often depicted with the coiled form of the snake-god Ananta or Ādiseśa, symbolizing the infinite and cyclical nature of existence. Just as the snake sheds its skin to grow, Patañjali teachings encourage us to shed old habits and mental patterns to evolve into our higher selves.

For Viniyoga practitioners, Patañjali’s teachings hold particular significance. Viniyoga emphasizes adapting practices to the individual, and the Yogasūtras serve as an ideal guide for personalizing one’s spiritual path. They remind us that yoga is not about physical performance but about inner transformation.

We invite you to delve deeper into these teachings. Through the following link, you can explore some Yogasūtras explained by Dr. Kausthub Desikachar through his Yogasutra Blog, which you can access by visiting here»

By honouring Patañjali this month, we pay tribute to an eternal star who continues to guide our collective quest for awakening and fulfilment. As you continue on your own journey, remember Patanjali’s simple yet profound words:

“Yogaḥ cittavṛitti nirodhah” - Yoga is the ability to immerse the mind exclusively in an object of focus and sustain this connection without any distractions.

Could this month be the perfect moment to explore what these words mean to you? Let us know what they mean for you?

Divya-deśa | Mount Kailash

A Sacred Echo of the Infinite

Nestled in the heart of the Tibetan plateau, Mount Kailash rises to an impressive 6,638 meters, a peak that transcends being just another mountain. It’s a place where spirituality and nature intertwine, revered by four great traditions—Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bön. To many, it’s more than a geographic landmark; it symbolises cosmic balance, a meeting point of the divine and the earthly.

At its base lie two remarkable lakes: Manasarovar, representing purity and enlightenment, and Rakshastal, embodying shadow and illusion. These opposites seem to mirror the complexity of the human spirit. Every year, thousands of pilgrims undertake the Kora, a 52-kilometre journey encircling the mountain. This pilgrimage is not just physical; it’s deeply personal—a spiritual cleanse believed to absolve a lifetime of misdeeds.

Yet Kailash isn’t only about mysticism. Its rugged slopes and unpredictable climate are humbling reminders of nature’s raw power. For those who venture there, time itself seems to shift—moments stretch and silence takes on new meaning, inviting self-reflection in a way that’s hard to find in the rush of everyday life.

In a world where everything feels fast-paced—where notifications replace prayers an mountains turn into hashtags—Kailash remains untouched, a sanctuary where time slows down. It’s a reminder to reconnect with something greater than ourselves, whether that’s through spirituality, nature, or simply introspection.

For me, Kailash is more than a distant peak; it’s a call to think about what’s truly sacred in life. It doesn’t matter if you’re drawn to its spiritual significance or its breathtaking beauty— what matters is what it inspires in you. Maybe the real mountains to climb are the ones within ourselves, those hidden parts of us waiting to be explored.

So, the next time you’re caught up in the chaos, pause and ask yourself: What does your version of Kailash look like?

Devatā | Śrī Hayagrīva

The divine horse of wisdom

As we move into this new year, it is always inspiring to take a moment to explore the divine figures that illuminate the traditions of yoga and spiritual philosophies. This month, in our Viniyoga International newsletter, we highlight a fascinating and lesser-known deity: Śrī Hayagrīva, the divine horse of wisdom and knowledge.

Who is Hayagrīva?

In Hindu tradition, Hayagrīva is an incarnation of Viṣṇu, recognizable by his horse's head and human body. A symbol of divine wisdom and spiritual awakening, Hayagrīva is venerated as the master of sacred scriptures (Veda-s) and the guardian of knowledge.

Mythology has it that Hayagrīva appeared to restore the Vedas, stolen by demonic forces and plunged into the depths. He defeated chaos through his courage and power and brought the light of wisdom back to the world. As a protector of sacred texts and spiritual teachings, he inspires seekers in their quest for truth and mental clarity.

Hayagrīva’s horse head embodies unique qualities such as strength, clarity, and spiritual awakening.

An inspiration for January!

In January, a time of renewal and reflection, Hayagrīva is a particularly inspiring figure. Like him, who brought the Vedas back to light, we can explore our depths to bring forth our inner wisdom. His teachings encourage us to stay vigilant, nurture our thirst for learning, and move forward confidently toward clarity and awakening.

Hayagriva and You!

Take a moment to reflect: How can you embody Hayagriva's spirit daily? By drawing inspiration from Hayagriva, remember that the light of knowledge already resides within you. Sometimes, it takes sincere effort and clear intention to reveal it fully.

May this new year be the perfect opportunity to embody the wisdom and power he symbolizes.

Mantra | Sūrya-namaskāra-mantrāṇi

The Sun is an important natural element in Vedic tradition. Sūrya's iconography is often depicted riding a chariot harnessed by horses, often seven in number representing the seven colours of visible light, and seven days a week. He is also the most important house in the Hindu Astrology. Sūrya is often reverentially addressed as the "eye of the universe, soul of all existence, origin of all life, goal of the Yogis, and symbolism for freedom and spiritual emancipation.

These twelve mantra-s are together called as the Sūrya-namaskāra-mantrāṇi, and honour the rising Sun, asking him to nourish us with good health and remove all illnesses. These Mantra-s were recited as part of a sequence of Āsana-s done to prostrate to the early morning sun. That is why this sequence of Āsana-s were called Sūrya-namaskāra. When the sequence is done without these Mantra-s, then they are not considered as Sūrya-namaskāra. They also include the Bīja-mantra-s for the Sun, making them very potent Mantra-s.

Listening to these Mantra-s, or reciting it each day can help us bring vitality back into our lives, and help heal from illnesses.

Listen to this mantra and let the sun bless you with all that you need for this new year!

NEW ONLINE COURSE IN 2025!

Samantraka-pranayama! Sacred Energetic Vibrations!

A year-long immersion into advanced pranayama practice!

Beginning January 2025!

The classical practice of Prāṇāyama involved practising conscious breath regulation and the recitation of sacred Mantras. This type of practice was called Samantraka-prāṇāyāma. This is how Yogācārya T Krishnamacharya taught some of his closest and intimate disciples, consistent with their Adhikāra-s (spiritual eligibilities).

This year-long immersion course has been planned with that focus in mind, allowing a step-by-step approach to the evolution of classical Samantraka-prāṇāyāma practice, enhancing it progressively each fortnight.

Please click here for more information and to sign up!>

Sign up soon…as the first course begins on 12 January 2025!

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Namaste!