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简体中文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 amrit@kriteachings.org!
KRI Timeline
KRI History
Yogi Bhajan arrived in the West.
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.
First Summer Solstice Yoga Festival Held
The first 3HO Summer Solstice celebration was held at the Aspen Valley north of Espanola near Pilar – at the Hog Farm.
First White Tantric Yoga® course was taught.
Yogi Bhajan began teaching White Tantric Yoga in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Beads of Truth publications
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.
KRI is founded
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.
First Kundalini Yoga manual “Kundalini Yoga Sadhana Guidelines” was published
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.”
The Teachings of Yogi Bhajan book was published
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.”
The 1st “class” with audio and video was recorded
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.
Teacher Training Meeting held in Europe
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)
Standardization of the Teacher Training program began
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.
1996 First edition of the The Aquarian Teacher Textbook was published.
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.
Transcription of Yogi Bhajan’s lectures began
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.
The Master’s Touch was published
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.”
The Mind: Its Projections and Multiple Facets
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
Official translations of The Aquarian Teacher manual are made available.
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).
Launch of Authentic Relationship level 2 Course
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.
The Level 2 module – Conscious Communication is finalized and officially launched
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.
First Mind and Meditation Program was taught
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 Lifestyles and Lifecycles Level 2 module was held.
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 Vitality and Stress Level Two Program was taught
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 Singh Khalsa becomes KRI’s director of Research
Dr. Sat Bir is still in this role in 2022, and is now collaborating with a broad Research Advisory Committee.
Rebirthing book was published
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.”
21 Stages of Meditation course and book launch
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.”
The first Level 3 Teacher Training gathering
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.
Launch of Level Three Teacher Training program in Europe
Just before the European Yoga Festival, the Level 3 teacher training program was launched in Europe in July 2015.
Pilot of a Revised Vitality & Stress Level 2 course and manual
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.
Launch of Level Three Teacher Training program in South America
Taught in Spanish and in Portuguese, the Level 3 teacher training program came to South America in early 2020.
Launch of Level Three Teacher Training program in China
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.
Kundalini Beyond Borders Granting Program Launched
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.