Love Doesn’t Retire!

When time runs out, presence begins!

Śrī TKV Desikachar & Dr Kausthub Desikachar. Perth, Australia. 2005

Dear Sanga,

Tonight’s full moon feels especially luminous — not only in the sky, but within my heart. It marks the ninth anniversary of my father’s passing, and I reflect deeply on the meaning of time, presence, and love. Though he is no longer physically with me, I’ve realised that he has never been more present in my life than he is today.

He is in my teaching, my daily practice, and in the quiet moments of reflection. He is in the choices I make, the values I uphold, and the stillness I now know how to hold. His absence taught me to live more fully, with awareness and intention. It is a paradox I could never have imagined: through grief, I have come to know a more enduring presence.

When he passed, I was not ready. I believed I had decades left with him — time to learn, ask, and simply sit by his side. But time had other plans, and I had not prioritised what truly mattered. That loss became one of my life’s most profound lessons: our time with those we love is finite, and we must honour it.

If there’s one truth I’ve come to hold dear, it’s this — be close to your loved ones, as often and as openly as you can. Life will not wait. And when it ends, what remains is not what we said or did perfectly, but whether we loved authentically to the best of our ability.

So if you’re hesitating to call, to write, to mend what’s broken because of fear or pride — let them go. Let love lead. Reach out. Say the words. Share the time.

Even in his absence, I honour my father by continuing my dharma — to teach, live authentically, and serve from the heart. It is a great blessing to walk the path he once walked, and I consider it a quiet privilege to follow in his footsteps, one step at a time.

With heart, Namaste!

08 August 2025

Interview with Katja Ujčič, Slovenia 

We’re thrilled to introduce Katja Ujčič, a visionary therapist and founder of GeniusX (Institute for Research and Development of Giftedness) in Slovenia. A ballet dancer and yoga enthusiast recognised as highly gifted from an early age, Katja combines Viniyoga Therapy, art therapy, Jungian psychology, and movement to support creative, intense minds who often feel misunderstood or unseen.

In our upcoming full interview, Katja shares how movement from childhood tree-climbing to ballet and yoga became her primary language for grounding and healing. For gifted individuals, who often live in highly abstract mental landscapes, embodiment practices like dance, Viniyoga, and intuitive movement offer a way to anchor inner turbulence and regulate energy in the body.

Here a few illuminating highlights from our conversation:

  • Grounding the gifted mind through movement
    Katja explains that for many gifted individuals, movement isn't just exercise—it’s a non-verbal, regenerative language that soothes the nervous system, calms the emotional brain, and allows the cognitive mind to rest.

  • A personalized approach rooted in Viniyoga
    Just as no two gifted minds are alike, Katja tailors yoga therapy to each individual working subtly across physical, emotional, energetic, and symbolic domains, offering transformation without trauma.

  • Supporting gifted children and teens with creativity and ritual
    Her sessions might start with a favorite topic (like soccer or art), then weave in drawing, storytelling, breathwork, and even card games to gently invite inner expression. Clients leave with creative take-home rituals to continue their journey at home.

  • Recognising giftedness in emotional intensity
    Rather than pathologising existential questioning or sensitivity, Katja sees these traits as signs of depth. She advocates for environments that validate and support giftedness, not suppress it.

  • Her own nourishing practices
    A blend of Viniyoga, breathwork, creativity, nature walks, and dream work—Katja’s rituals evolve intuitively, keeping her connected to her essence and inspired as a therapist and creator.

My last question to Katja was: If you could share one piece of advice, what would it be? And to whom would you address it? 

Katja’s reply: I would share the Michael Meade quote: “Our greatest gifts and our deepest wounds reside in the same area". This message is not just for the gifted individuals who have felt out of place, misunderstood, or too intense, but for all of us. We are not broken or strange - we are complex beings and each one of us holds extraordinary potential. We have to honour our uniqueness, stay curious about our inner world and trust the creative process that unfolds when we stop trying to fit in and start listening within. Our depth is not too much. It’s our gift.

This is just a taste of the rich dialogue we had. Read the full interview with Katja on our website: www.viniyoga.com.sg/viniyoga-in-action/movement-mind-and-gifted-souls

it’s a heartfelt exploration of how movement, creativity, and subtle embodiment work can awaken and support gifted lives.

Thank you, Katja, for the space you hold, the minds and souls you empower and the inspiration you spark in every step of your journey. Your work reminds us that sensitivity is strength, depth is a gift, and healing can be beautifully creative.

Katja’s website: https://katjaujcic.com

Contact information: https://katjaujcic.com/contact/

Contributions of Srī TKV Desikachar | 08

Śrī TKV Desikachar is regarded worldwide as one of the most important Yoga Masters of the modern era. His extraordinary contributions to the Yoga field have touched the hearts of millions of people worldwide. In this video series, we explore some of his most profound contributions.

This eighth video highlights his role in founding the Krishnamacharya Healing & Yoga Foundation as the umbrella organisation representing the Viniyoga tradition worldwide.

Watch and learn!

Audio blog by Dr. Kausthub Desikachar

Yogasūtra II.13 - sati mūle tad-vipākaḥ jāti-āyuḥ bhogāḥ

As long as [afflictions] are at the root [of actions], their consequences affect [our] state of life, duration and experiences.

The afflictions usually lead to faulty choices and execution of actions. They will influence our attitudes and behaviour during and after the action. These will in turn influence further actions and so the cycle of Karma continues.

Listen to an audio explaining this aphorism:» Click the Play button below!

Kale & Karma - The Sweet Taste of Sattva

How Food Feeds Your Yoga On and Off the Mat

by Dr. Kausthub Desikachar, PhD

In the grand tapestry of Yogic living, the key principles of diet help transform eating from a mundane act into a sacred ritual, each bite a step on the path to inner harmony. Though there are many principles to consider, we offer the five most important ones.

1. Plants, Prāṇa, and the Yogic Plate: The Power of the Vegetarian Diet

At the core of the Yogic approach to food stands Ahimsā, the timeless principle of non-violence. Extending compassion to all living beings naturally steers the practitioner toward a vegetarian diet.

The moral and energetic dimension

Consuming meat involves participating in the harm of sentient creatures, disrupting the inner harmony that Yoga seeks to cultivate. Yogic texts suggest that food carries subtle energies, and meat is believed to harbour tamasic vibrations—qualities of inertia, darkness, and heaviness that cloud the mind and slow spiritual progress.

On the other hand, a diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds is imbued with Prāṇa—the very life force that animates the universe. Such foods uplift the body and mind, fostering clarity, lightness, and joy.

The Bhagavad-gātā’s timeless classification

The Bhagavad-gītā (17.8-10) elegantly divides food into three categories aligned with the three guṇas (fundamental qualities of nature):

  • Sattvic foods are fresh, juicy, wholesome, and pleasing, increasing longevity, health, happiness, and purity.

  • Rajasic foods are excessively bitter, sour, salty, hot, pungent, or dry, provoking restlessness and agitation.

  • Tamasic foods are stale, decomposed, overripe, or impure, leading to lethargy and confusion.

A Yogi intentionally cultivates a Sattvic diet, understanding that such food nurtures the physical body and the subtle layers of mind and heart, creating a fertile ground for meditation…

To read the full article, you may click below to download the PDF File>

Kale_and_Karma_UK_Aug_2025.pdfKale and Karma | by Dr Kausthub Desikachar 7.87 MB • PDF File

Forget just “talking it out.” While modern psychology often stays stuck in the head, Yoga—the OG of inner exploration—dives far deeper. Seen as the world’s most ancient form of psychology, Yoga treats the mind not as an island but as a part of a vast, interconnected system: body, breath, emotions, and spirit all included. It’s not just about what you think but how those thoughts ripple through your entire being.

Enter: a groundbreaking hybrid training program—part online, part in-person, all transformational. Whether you’re a seeker, teacher, or therapist, this course will elevate your understanding, expand your wisdom, and immerse you in time-tested practices that heal, awaken, and empower.

Join Dr. Kausthub Desikachar’s Yoga Psychology Training and unlock powerful insights and tools to transform your mental, emotional, and spiritual life. This isn’t just education—it’s evolution.

Among all the Mudrās, one stands apart.

Revered by generations of Yogin-s, Mahāmudrā wasn’t just a technique—it was a philosophy, a way of life, and a gateway to something far deeper. Yogācārya T Krishnamacharya himself called it the essential tool to master daily death—a bold claim, but one rooted in profound experience.

Far beyond an energetic Haṭha Yoga practice, Mahāmudrā is a spiritual powerhouse in the Viniyoga tradition—one that gently unveils its secrets only to those who approach it with precision, breath, and presence.

Śrī Namagiriamma, wife of Śri Yogācārya T Krishnamacharya in Mahāmudrā, Circa 1980s

This immersive retreat dives into Mahāmudrā like never before.

We’ll break down its subtle frameworks, reveal hidden layers, and guide you through refined techniques involving breath and visualisation. You'll discover how this powerful Mudrā can influence the deepest aspects of your system—body, mind, and beyond.

You’ll also explore practical applications in healing, Yoga Therapy, and spiritual evolution—plus previously unshared teachings that enrich even the most seasoned practitioner’s journey.

🔥 This is for the serious seeker, teacher, or trainer—ready to move from inspired to ignited.

The path is calling. Let's walk it together.

NEW BATCHES IN EUROPE IN 2025! ITALY & HUNGARY!

REGISTRATIONS OPEN!!!!!

Our Viniyoga Therapy Trainings in Italy and Hungary are filling up fast! If you’ve been feeling the call to dive into this transformative journey, now’s the time, not to think but to act. Spots are limited, and once they’re gone… they’re gone!

Please also note—before you start debating with your calendar and your cat—participation will be limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Please don’t wait too long, or you may regret that there aren’t spots left! Sign up soon (your future self will thank you).