KRI History
From the beginning, Kundalini Research Institute (KRI) has set out to make Kundalini Yoga as accessible to as many people as possible around the globe. We believe in the joy of community and the transformational power of our teachings to bring positive change to ourselves and our world. We have achieved this through:
- The creation of Teacher Training Programs
- Developing and training amazing Teacher Trainers in over 60 countries
- Publishing books and manuals
- Making available research papers on the biomedical effects of Kundalini Yoga and meditation
But the most amazing thing about KRI is that all of our achievements and expansions have been led by people who are dedicated to selfless service and the betterment of individuals and communities worldwide through this practice. KRI is truly the manifestation of the community’s prayers and efforts.
For decades, our yoga and spiritual practices have enriched and guided countless people’s lives worldwide. These yogic and spiritual teachings, which are being practiced by hundreds of thousands of people in ashrams, schools, universities, hospitals, studios and homes in more than 100 countries around the world, have been shared by thousands of spiritual leaders, researchers, and certified yoga trainers and teachers.
This year we celebrate 50 years of this labor of love. We want to recognize our history, our triumphs, and the challenges we have faced.
More than ever, people around the world are seeking wellness — physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Meditation is proving to be a worldwide tool for overall health & wellness. Kundalini Research Institute certified teachers and materials are an efficient way to bring meditation and yoga to many people. As KRI, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, purposeful and enduring community that will enable future generations of spiritual leaders, yoga teachers and trainers, and volunteers to continue to share with the world the uplifting experience of Kundalini Yoga and meditation.
We are stronger in community. We can all create a brighter future by using these practices to become more aware of ourselves, our impact on the people around us, and our deep interconnection with Mother Earth and all life on it. This in turn helps us “show up” better in our families, workplaces, and communities. Our actions — our positive impact on individuals and communities — define us.
We invite you to learn more about our achievements by reading our timeline below. We also welcome you to become part of our community. None of this history could have happened without the dedication and hard work of countless volunteers. Most of the development of KRI’s teacher training programs was done by volunteer committees motivated by a deep desire to share these teachings with as many people as possible. This same passion and drive to share these impactful yoga and meditation techniques underlie everything KRI does. KRI is not an organization – it is a community of thousands around the world.
Please note that we’ve done our best to compile the below milestones. If you feel we’ve missed something, misstated a fact, or if you have a photo or story you’d like to see added – please email [email protected]!
KRI Timeline
Yogi Bhajan landed in Toronto from India in 1968. After a few months, he got invited to Los Angeles, CA where he began teaching his first public classes. No record or transcript exists for his class - given in the Alhambra YMCA. (Photos courtesy of Ron Baird) Click and swipe on the image to see more images.
The first 3HO Summer Solstice celebration was held at the Aspen Valley north of Espanola near Pilar – at the Hog Farm.
Yogi Bhajan began teaching White Tantric Yoga in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Kriyas were written up in a magazine titled “Beads of Truth”. The first publication came out in 1971 and the last edition was published in Summer of 1991.
The first installments of this magazine appeared in 1972 - 1973. Volumes 4 & 5 (a combined issue) of this Journal became the core of the classic yoga manual Kundalini Yoga: Sadhana Guidelines.
MSS Gurucharan Singh (a volunteer and KRI’s first Director) and Yogi Bhajan founded KRI in 1972 and held the vision for KRI in the early 1970’s, while the team worked to manifest that shared vision, at Guru Gobind Singh Shakti Sadan, the Pomona, CA ashram. A different Gurucharan Singh (who is a current board member of KRI) was also a founding member of KRI.
From the introduction of this classic, must-have manual for all Kundalini Yogis - “Sadhana brings us into an intimate alignment with the reality of who we are: as a creature of the Creator and as a human being. This manual exists to serve you and to help you uplift yourself and others. It is designed for both the new and the experienced student. It focuses on the essential practice of Kundalini Yoga.”
From the introduction of this book - “The power of the spoken word is the most wonderful gift given to human beings. Through it, relationships are made and broken, knowledge is transmitted, and consciousness is changed. When you speak, the sound and rhythm of your words express your state of consciousness. When you repeat out loud the words of enlightened human beings, you enlighten your own consciousness – just by repeating them.”
First ever Teacher Training program led by Tarn Taran Singh & Kaur in Hamburg Germany, this was not a KRI certified course. Those were still almost 20 years away!
Dharam Singh Khalsa begins videotaping Yogi Bhajan's Los Angeles classes. Siri Ved Singh Khalsa continued to travel with Yogi Bhajan recording, in audio and later in video, his classes and courses in the United States and throughout the world. Transcribing took place for many years by students during Khalsa Women's Training Camp and at 3HO Solstice gatherings. These lectures were edited and published by KRI.
While the Library of Teachings website has some earlier videos of community events, this is the first video recording of Yogi Bhajan teaching that we have.” From “While the Library of Teachings website has some earlier videos of community events, the first video recording of Yogi Bhajan teachings.
At the original site of the European Yoga Festival in Loches, France. Pictured in this photo, from left to right, are: Guru Jagat Kaur (Amsterdam), Karta Singh (France), Guru Jagat Singh (Amsterdam), Guru Meher Singh (Rome), Gurudass Kaur (Barcelona), Guru Sangat Singh (Berlin), Guru Das Singh (Barcelona), Tarn Taran Singh (Hamburg), Kartar Singh (London), Guru Hans Singh (Paris)
By the early 1990s, demand for Yogi Bhajan's teachings grew exponentially. Teacher Training programs began to be taught around the world, but were not standardized. Thus a need to unify all Teacher Training programs into a single, global school arose.
First White Tantric Yoga® course done with video.
Yogi Bhajan declaration that there should be a single standardized International Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training that should “stand up in a court of law”. And he outlined, very roughly, the three levels of instructor, practitioner, and teacher.
Satya Singh from Hamburg compiled/authored the manual. This became one of the reference books used to compile KRI’s first Aquarian Teacher textbook.
Dr Sat Kirpal Kaur was the CEO of KRI focusing on reviewing the teachings of Yogi Bhajan. She also was the Managing editor of the Khalsa Women's Training manuals that were produced after each camp in Espanola, NM.
In 1992 the initial IKYTA teacher training advisory board was formed with a global team of trainers. This international team consisted of Nam Kaur, Satya Singh, Nirvair Singh, Hari Charn Kaur, Tarn Taran Singh, Gurudass Singh, Guru Raj Kaur, Karta Singh, Tarn Taran Kaur, and Gurucharan Singh. This team was given the directive by Yogi Bhajan to create an International Teacher Training Program with three levels. Many of the trainers on this team already had their own teacher training programs in their countries. This team met twice a year for three years to create the three levels of Teacher Training.
The first edition of The Aquarian Teacher (the textbook for the KRI Level One teacher training programs) was published in 1996, with Guru Raj Kaur as the Managing Editor.
In 1996 The Aquarian Trainer Academy was established by Hari Charn to establish a community of trainers and a step by step system to develop skills and competencies. In the beginning there were about 75 recognized trainers in North America, South America and Europe, and maybe 50 active TT programs annually. As of 2022, we have held teacher trainings in 72 different countries, have certified teachers in 122 countries, and close to a 1000 Teacher Trainers worldwide.
The concept for transcribing the entirety of Yogi Bhajan’s lectures resulted in a business established in Bangalore, India under the direction of Satsimran Kaur, a member of Yogi Bhajan's staff. The first employee hired was Vijayalakshmi who came on board as a transcriptionist. She has stayed with the project for more than 25 years and continues to help manage information for the website. The Bangalore office employed up to 10 people at a time who worked shifts around the clock in order to maximize efficiency.
From the introduction of this book - “This is a collection of teachings from Yogi Bhajan’s Masters Touch courses, in which he explains the path of the Teacher, with compassion and a practical sense of the challenges of daily life. Yogi Bhajan brings a world view and scope of awareness, offering unique insights into the human character.”
Held in Espanola NM, USA at the summer solstice celebration with 35 trainers in attendance. This grew over time to eventually having trainer Forums in the US, Europe, China, Mexico, Australia, Taiwan, Chile, and Brazil
From the introduction of this book - “While many meditation and philosophy books talk about the need to master your mind, this book provides practical methods to show you how it’s done. Discover a yogic approach to consciousness and psychology rooted in the teachings of Kundalini Yoga Master Yogi Bhajan, Ph.D. The lectures compiled on this book provide a practical approach to the Science of Humanology, and encourage you to meditate to enlist your mind as your friend and servant rather than your master.” Compiled by Gurucharan Singh Khalsa, PhD
In the early 2000s the IKYTA teacher training advisory board morphed into the Teacher Training Executive Committee (TTEC) under the direction of Nam Kaur and Hari Charn Kaur, to launch the Global Level 1 Teacher Training. The chairperson of TTEC was Tarn Tarn Singh, with the help of many global trainers including but not limited to: Europe - Karta Singh, Satya Singh, Gurudass Singh; USA Hari Charn Kaur, Deva Kaur, Gurucharan Singh, Nirvair Singh. Canada - Guru Raj Kaur, Latin America - Pritam Pal Singh, Gian Kaur, Subagh Kaur, and Asia - Sunder Singh Some of the other, early TTEC regulars included: Sangeet Kaur (AZ), MSS Krishna (LA) Jivan Joti, Kirn K, Dr Hari Simran Singh, Sat Jivan Singh. TTEC began meeting at the home of the Tarn Taran’s. They stopped sitting at tables, but sat in a circle on the floor. Intention was set to be self-governing, inclusive, transparent, and respectful. Membership was open to whoever wanted to come.
Sunder Singh brings the first KRI certification teacher training course to Asia.
Krishna Kaur brings the first KRI certification teacher training course to West Africa.
Of course the early students were creative and used all kinds of training materials! But the first full and official translation of the Level One Teacher Training manual, The Aquarian Teacher, was the German version published in 2003. Then a Spanish version followed in 2007. As of 2022, the manual has been translated into 11 additional languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Turkish (only the manual), with 3 more being worked on (Estonian, Finish, and Greek).
For decades Yogi Bhajan had tried to prepare his students for his eventual, and inevitable passing. This transition was a major one for KRI, a step towards focusing more on sharing the vast body of teachings than on the man who first shared them with our community.
Sunder Singh brings the 1st KRI certification teacher training program to China.
The first Level Two Authentic Relationship course was launched in Española, NM. MSS Gurucharan Singh wrote the original Level 2 with the support of: the following people: Nirvair Singh, Hari Kaur, Tarn Taran Singh, Tarn Taran Kaur, Guruka Singh, Shakti Parwha Kaur, Hari Jot Kaur, Gurucharan Kaur, Guru Raj Kaur, Sat Purkh Kaur, Kirpal Singh, Jivan Joti Kaur, Ek Ong Kaar Kaur, Deva Kaur, Satya Kaur, Hari Charn Kaur, Tej Kaur, Dharam Singh, Sarb Jit Kaur, Nam Kaur, and Jaijot Kaur.
Between 2006 and 2009, MSS Gurucharan Singh (with a lot of support and contributions by many others!) wrote the original Level 2 Manuals. Contributors to the final Conscious Communication manual included: Tarn Taran Kaur, Nirvair Singh, Guruka Singh, Gurucharan Kaur, Sat Purkh Kaur, Sarbjit Kaur, Guru Raj Kaur, Shakti Parwha Kaur, Nam Kaur, Jivan Joti Kaur, Guru Karam Kaur, Deva Kaur, Satya Kaur, Amrit Singh, Tarn Taran Singh, Hari Charn Kaur, and Jaijot Kaur.
The first Level Two Mind and Meditation course was launched in Austin, Texas. The principal writer and course designer was Gurucharan Singh. He was supported by the following people: Nirvair Singh, Shakti Parwha Kaur, Guru Raj Kaur, Sat Purkh Kaur, Satya Singh, Nirvair Singh, Tarn Taran Singh, Tarn Taran Kaur, Guru Raj Kaur, Dharma Kaur, Satya Kaur, Gurudass Singh, Karta Singh, Gurucharan Kaur, Gurudarshan Kaur, and Guru Atma Kaur.
The first Level Lifestyles and Life Cycles course was launched in Ojo Caliente, New Mexico. The principal writer and course designer was Gurucharan Singh. He was supported by the following people: Karta Purkh Singh, Jiva Joti Kaur, Sangeet Kaur, Nirvair Singh, Shakti Parwha Kaur, Guru Raj Kaur, Sat Purkh Kaur, Tarn Taran Kaur, Jai Jeet Sangeet Kaur, and Gurucharan Kaur.
The first Level Two Vitality and Stress course was launched in Golden Bridge, Los Angeles. The principal writer and course designer was Gurucharan Singh. He was supported by the following people: Karta Purkh Singh, Shakti Parwha Kaur, Guru Raj Kaur, Sat Purkh Kaur, Devi Dyal Kaur, Jai Jeet Sangeet Kaur, and Siri Neel Kaur.
Dr. Sat Bir is still in this role in 2022, and is now collaborating with a broad Research Advisory Committee.
Over 6,500 lectures on old magnetic media (audio and video cassettes and video tapes) began being archived, preserved, cleaned up, and digitized.
From the introduction of this book - “This incredible book is a vast collection of these unique techniques in the tradition of Kundalini Yoga. It gives you a powerful tool to heal the pain and overcome the obstacles which keep you from living your best – so you can be life-awakened, rejuvenated, and present to your true purpose.”
From the Foreword of this amazing book written by Dr. Gurucharan Singh Khalsa - “You have probably already begun the journey into meditation that this book describes. As you discover how to live a creative, meaningful human life, you may find that some lessons are pleasurable, some are painful, and some take long roundabout detours. As you read this book, realize that you are entering a special moment in your life, a rare chance to learn the very lessons you've been looking for all along, for here you have an opportunity to benefit directly from wisdom that has accumulated over thousands of years.”
As the project of developing a searchable database evolved. Joti Software came on the scene to sculpt and refine the final project. After several months of programming new features and streamlining the administrative capabilities of the website, the Beta Test of The Yogi Bhajan Library of Teachings® rolled out in August 2013. A volunteer team of longtime students and Kundalini Yoga teachers signed on to shake out the "bugs" and see for themselves the culmination of nearly four decades of dedication to preserving the technology shared by Yogi Bhajan. Visit the Library of Teachings: https://www.libraryofteachings.com/
The first Level 3 Teacher Training gathering, kicking off the launch of the Level 3 teacher training program, was held in Española in the summer of 2015.
Just before the European Yoga Festival, the Level 3 teacher training program was launched in Europe in July 2015.
Driven by Deva Kaur, with input on the direction from TTEC, this course was completely revised and taught in Espanola. This pilot course went well, and lessons learned were incorporated into the 2021 version of Vitality and Stress. A similar redo of the other 4 modules that comprise the 300hr Level 2 teacher training is planned, with Lifecycles and Lifestyles due to be addressed beginning in 2022.
Taught in Spanish and in Portuguese, the Level 3 teacher training program came to South America in early 2020.
Sixteen years after Yogi Bhajan’s death, a number of individuals came forward and reported being harmed by him. In response to those allegations, an independent group known as An Olive Branch was engaged to collect and assess the reports of harm and statements of support about Yogi Bhajan. Those accounts were shared in our community and with the public in August 2020, and a long-term Compassionate Reconciliation Project was created. As part of this effort, KRI’s parent company, SSSC, began providing counseling resources for affected community members and organized a listening tour to facilitate dialogue, which revealed additional reports of harm by community members who attended our schools in India and in other youth programs. To demonstrate our heartfelt desire to support the healing of anyone who suffered these hurtful or damaging experiences, and as a continuation of the compassionate reconciliation work to heal our community, our family of organizations recently announced an Independent Healing and Reparations Program. In partnership with the office of Ethics and Professional Standards, we also continue to strengthen our policies and practices to ensure that all who wish to practice Kundalini Yoga have a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment in which to do so. More information is available here. Click here to read the 10 Rights of a Kundalini Yoga Student and learn more about EPS.
Taught entirely in Chinese, with participants from both mainland China and Taiwan, the largely self-directed Level 3 program was made accessible to many more teachers.
50 years of sharing and preserving the accuracy of the teachings of Yogi
With a purpose to bring Kundalini Yoga to resilient and underrepresented populations, KRI is very pleased to be launching this program. Any KRI certified teacher around the world can apply to receive a grant to support work to expand the reach of Kundalini Yoga.