Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram (KYM) in Chennai is a non-profit organization started by TKV Desikachar, who is the son of Sri Krishnamacharya. The mandiram was started in 1976 to keep Sri Krishnamacharya’s teachings alive, so many people can benefit the Yoga and healing. Mandiram in Sanskrit means to dispel the darkness.
The motto of KYM is
Heyam Hetu Anaaghatham
This means, avoid the suffering that is to come.KYM is within the bustling city of Chennai, unlike other Yoga places that are usually outside the city limits. At the KYM, I notice a lot of Indians waiting for a class along with western people. This is a very good sign for me. I have grown tired of Yoga places in India that cater simply to western people. There are no group yoga classes at KYM, which is a first for me in all the years that I have been practicing Yoga. Sri Krishnamacharya believed every person is different from the other and cannot be taught the same way.
Anyone that needs a yoga class has to get a consultation from the therapist who is also a Yoga teacher. A practice session is designed specifically for the student after figuring out their background, age, health, injuries and the goals. Quite a few people come to KYM following their doctor’s advice. The student’s record is kept track of with all the classes the student takes. The classes are taught in such a way that the student does not get dependent on the teacher. The classes designed for the student is meant for home practice. The student is guided by the teacher and specific advice is given.
Designing a home practice for a student is a beautiful thing. Again, this is a first for me. All the other places I know, create a dependency on the yoga class taught in a group setting with cool newage music, latest colorful outfits, chanting hindu bhajans and sometimes use extreme heat and mirrors! At KYM you will not find any of this. The key is to be independent with guidance provided from time to time as needed.
Yoga is a journey from dependence to independence
I have enjoyed the group classes at other places which has its own energy and a nice space to practice. But, I see a lot of meaning in teaching a class to just one student, whose specific needs are met. I have realized this is the best way to learn Pranayama from a teacher who can correct the student in the early stages. Pranayama done incorrectly can be meaningless and could even be harmful when overdone without knowing its effects. Asana and Pranayama are equally important in a Yogic lifestyle.
I am at the KYM participating in a four week workshop called Heart of Yoga. A few of us from my class had signed up for individual classes and I realized the classes prescribed for each student is very different from the other. Some people had a lot of pranayama, some had to chant mantras while performing Surya namskars or other asanas, some were given a specific breath ratio to follow, some people with injuries were given a special course to heal.
KYM specializes in teaching Vedic Chanting. I am so impressed with this, I will be wrting a separate post on this. After attending many fast food style, one size fits all- McYoga places, it feels good to take in the gourmet yoga at KYM, as there can be no shortcuts in Yoga.
I am lovin’ it!
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