Who We Are – What We Do
Kundalini yoga was brought to the west in 1986 from India and for the first time, openly shared with the public. In the early days of this new open sharing of these profound technologies in Los Angeles, it was already evident that it provided quick, transformative, and practical benefits for modern life. Prior to that time, this style of yoga had been only known by those lucky enough to be able to dedicate their lives to study and it was passed on through that means. With such a pressing global need for health and spiritual inspiration, we are a collective of teachers carrying these sacred teachings openly to western students so that everyone can have equitable access to this profound treasure of knowledge.
The system of Kundalini Yoga is transcribed from over 5,000 yoga classes and lectures that were shared through the lineage directly from India. The Kundalini Research Institute (KRI) was founded on February 1, 1972 to record and share this vast body of knowledge. We began to record lectures, classes, create books, and recordings so more people could deliver the teachings to future generations of yoga students. Today, KRI is a non-profit organization that holds these teachings and provides the most accessible and relevant resources to teachers and students.
We strive to uphold four pillars of purpose: training students and teachers, conducting research on the benefits of Kundalini Yoga, publishing authentic material about Kundalini Yoga, and providing resources to teachers and students.
KRI’s mission is to uphold and preserve the authenticity, integrity, and accuracy of the teachings of Yogi Bhajan through trainings, research, publishing, and resources.
KRI’s Four Pillars of Purpose: Training, Research, Publishing, and Resources
Training | Research | Publishing | Resources
Training
KRI oversees and works collaborative with teacher trainers to create the global method and standards for the training of new teachers of Kundalini Yoga. From the beginning of training, teachers are taught to help create more teachers instead of focusing on collecting students. We want to bring this helpful, healing practice to more people and not focus on any one individual. By sharing widely, we seek to foster a culture of true equanimity. This is a collectively focused training program divided into three levels of certification. The aim of the extensive training is to create more than instructors of yoga (able to lead exercises), but emotionally and spiritually mature human beings able and willing to serve humanity through their own unique gifts.
KRI is the official international teacher training organization for Kundalini Yoga. KRI has licensed teacher training programs in 56 countries and 26 languages, graduating over 3000 new Kundalini Yoga teachers annually in a program called The Aquarian Teacher™. KRI teacher training programs are structured in three sequential levels, mentoring the student into an inspiring teacher:
- Level One Instructor – Foundations
- Level Two Practitioner – Transformation
- Level Three Teacher – Realization
“If you want to know a thing, read that. If you want to learn a thing, write that. If you want to master a thing, teach that. Go on teaching and go on learning. The destination will open before you automatically.” June 15th, 1970
Research
Research in Kundalini Yoga – A Core Mission of KRI
We know from experience that Kundalini Yoga gives us direct access to the capacity of natural healing that is part of our own body and mind. Therefore, there is a positive rationale for the therapeutic role of yoga and meditation practices as an adjuvant therapy. Today’s healthcare environment requires formal research and proven results before alternative therapies, such as Kundalini Yoga, can be incorporated into medical treatment as a healing modality. KRI provides centralized access to research about yoga and Kundalini Yoga for teachers to use, especially when bringing Kundalini Yoga into therapeutic and institutional settings.
KRI supports and tracks the efforts of those conducting research, providing current information as it develops. New articles are provided monthly on the benefits of yoga in a variety of health applications.
In addition to scientific research, KRI provides topic-based research in the Library of Teachings to facilitate easy access to the teachings in a variety of areas. For students and teachers needing information about a specific or general area, topic-based research provides a focused starting place to begin delving into the Library of Teachings.
Publishing
Publishing Books on Kundalini Yoga
KRI is the primary publisher of books and manuals on kundalini yoga. KRI takes great care to accurately preserve the teachings and kriyas that will continue to be passed down for many generations.
KRI promotes books on the teachings of kundalini yoga by many qualified authors. KRI works to ensure that subjects and kriyas are conveyed with accuracy and portrayed with integrity. After a thorough check and review, books that meet the standards of KRI are awarded the KRI Seal of Approval. The KRI Seal of Approval is a sign to readers that the teachings have been delivered accurately.
At the KRI bookstore, The Source, you will find a large collection of books and manuals written by or about Kundalini Yoga. The Source carries more than 175 titles in print books, ebooks, and DVDs, available in English and Spanish.
Resources
Resources for Students, Teachers, and Teacher Trainers of Kundalini Yoga
KRI provides a depth of resources to help students and teachers connect to the teachings of Kundalini Yoga and to support them as they study, practice, and evolve. These resources include the Aquarian Trainer Academy, the Library of Teachings®, and the Yogi Bhajan Photo Archive™.