T.K.V. Desikachar (1938–2016,) fully Tirumalai Krishnamacharya Venkata Desikachar, was an Indian yoga teacher and author known for his personalized approach and contributions to Viniyoga, which emphasizes individualized practice. He was the son of Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, often called the father of modern yoga.
Born in Mysore, India, Desikachar trained as an engineer before turning to yoga under his father’s guidance. In the 1960s, he moved to Chennai and began teaching, focusing on adapting practices to individual needs rather than rigid sequences.
In 1976, he co-founded the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram (KYM,) a yoga therapy center dedicated to research and personalized instruction. His teachings integrated asana, pranayama, meditation, and Vedic chanting, making yoga accessible to all.
His most influential book, The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice (1995,) remains a cornerstone of modern yoga literature. Other notable works include Health, Healing, and Beyond (1998) and Religiousness in Yoga (1980,) emphasizing yoga’s holistic approach to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by T.K.V. Desikachar
The recognition of confusion is itself a form of clarity.
—T.K.V. Desikachar
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