YD System Of Practice
About Yogadarshanam®
Yogadarshanam is a widely recognized and well-established yoga institution, renowned for its high-quality Yoga Teacher Training programs that shape students into professional and well-rounded yoga instructors. In addition to our teacher training programs, we offer a variety of yoga classes focused on health, wellness and personal growth, as well as a range of signature courses carefully designed to provide not only deep yogic knowledge but also practical, intellectual and career-enhancing skills. With a strong commitment to authenticity and excellence, Yogadarshanam continues to set the benchmark for holistic yoga education.
Founded nearly two decades ago in Mysore, South India, by Yogacharya Santhosh Kumar, Yogadarshanam was created with the vision of making the ancient wisdom of Ashtanga Yoga and Hatha Yoga accessible to everyone—regardless of age, race, gender or background.
Rooted in the lineage of classical yoga, Yogadarshanam offers a wide range of training programs and promotes yoga globally through its tailor-made courses and unique teaching methodology. Each program is thoughtfully designed to preserve the authenticity of traditional yoga while meeting the diverse needs of modern practitioners around the world.
Enriched by the wisdom of many legendary masters, yoga has deeply inspired and shaped the teachings at Yogadarshanam, making it one of India’s highest-rated yoga training schools. With a strong foundation in classical traditions and an unwavering commitment to quality education, Yogadarshanam has emerged as a global leader in yoga training—standing proudly among the world’s most respected yoga institutes.
This dedication has enabled us to train nearly 10,000 yoga students in health and wellness and to certify more than 3,100 yoga teachers from over 100 countries, placing Yogadarshanam firmly on the international yoga map.
The dedicated work of Master Yogacharya Santhosh Kumar offers more than just a yoga education—it provides a path to a meaningful, balanced, and quality life. His teachings encourage students to manage material desires, reduce everyday stress, and take conscious steps toward inner illumination, all without relying on external distractions or temporary fixes. At Yogadarshanam, we believe that happiness is a birthright, and truly happy individuals tend to thrive in all areas of life.
Yet happiness is not easily attained—its foundation lies in health, and health is not just physical. True wellness encompasses the body, mind, and spirit. Becoming healthy is not a quick process; it is a journey. This is precisely what Ashtanga Yoga and Hatha Yoga were designed for—to bring about complete transformation through disciplined, authentic practice.
The core essence of yoga, and the mission of Yogadarshanam, is to help you realize this holistic well-being without superficial shortcuts. In fact, the very name “Yogadarshanam” reflects this vision: the inner sight and understanding that yoga offers—a deeper awareness that leads to lasting health, peace and joy.
Our Vision
The word “Yogadarshanam” is inspired by the six classical philosophies of India, known as the Shad Darshanas. Among them, Maharshi Patanjali’s Yogadarshana forms the foundation of our school’s vision and philosophy. This sacred lineage inspired the name of our institute—Yogadarshanam—which reflects our commitment to preserving the **purity and authenticity of yoga** as outlined in the ancient texts.
In today’s world, yoga is often diluted by the creation of new styles and commercialized brands. At Yogadarshanam, we stand apart by honoring yoga in its true and unpolluted form, remaining rooted in the classical teachings without distortion. Our goal is to pass on this timeless wisdom with integrity, discipline, and deep respect for the tradition—just as it was meant to be.
Yogadarshanam has two different words | Yoga = Union Darshanam = Vision.
Union is the harmony of body, mind, and soul. The vision is to explore the secret path that leads to this union and to achieve it, as Patanjali described in Ashtanga Yoga through Abhyasa (practice) and Vairagya (detachment). Thus, Yogadarshanam represents the classical and authentic transmission of ancient yoga heritage to the next generation—preserving its purity while also embracing the needs and realities of modern life.
Our Mission
Our mission at Yogadarshanam extends beyond yoga teacher training—we are committed to nurturing a lifelong journey of learning, service, and authentic yogic living. Our key goals include:
- Establishing a dedicated Yoga Ashrama under the Yogadarshanam name to facilitate Gurukula-style Sadhana, offering immersive training for our certified yoga teachers rooted in traditional parampara (lineage).
- Training 10,000 more yoga teachers globally, with a focus on spreading yoga in its pure and traditional form, supported by rich experience and deep understanding.
- Welcoming all our certified yoga teachers back for ongoing post-training support—to refresh their knowledge, clarify doubts, and address questions that arise from their personal Sadhana and teaching experience.
- Recognizing the seniority and qualifications of our teachers, empowering them to become contemporary yoga educators who represent Yogadarshanam’s philosophy and standards.
- Supporting underprivileged individuals by offering financial aid through the Yogadarshanam Foundation (R), and organizing community outreach programs, workshops, and wellness initiatives to make yoga accessible to all.
Through these initiatives, Yogadarshanam aims to build a global community of conscious, capable, and compassionate yoga practitioners and teachers, upholding the legacy of authentic yoga.
Free yoga camps and health education wherever people are not able to reach.
Our Standard
Yogadarshanam is one of the oldest and most trusted yoga institutes in Gokulam, Mysore, conducting Yoga Teacher Training Courses for more than 15 years. With a strong legacy rooted in authenticity and tradition, Yogadarshanam has proudly certified over 2,100 yoga teachers from more than 100 countries and guided over 10,000 students through various health and wellness classes, workshops, and yoga camps. Our commitment to quality, depth, and genuine yogic wisdom has made Yogadarshanam a respected name in the global yoga community.
Yogadarshanam is a trademark-registered yoga institution in India and operates as a legally registered company under the Companies Act, Government of India, with a Corporate Identification Number (CIN).
This official recognition ensures that Yogadarshanam operates with complete transparency, authenticity, and professionalism—reinforcing our commitment to delivering high-standard yoga education while maintaining the integrity and trust of a globally recognized yoga school.
All our Yoga Teacher Training Courses at Yogadarshanam are accredited by Yoga Alliance USA, making our certifications internationally recognized and valid for professional yoga teaching both in India and around the world.
Over the years, the reputation of Yogadarshanam has grown globally, with the school being featured in leading newspapers, TV channels, websites, and prominent international media platforms such as the BBC and the History Channel, among others. This global recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to authentic yoga education and the trust we have earned from students and institutions worldwide.
Our Value
1. Respect
Yogadarshanam holds deep respect for all Indian yoga legends and their invaluable contributions to the yogic tradition. We honor the yoga parampara (lineage) and are committed to transmitting the ancient yogic sciences in their pure, unadulterated form—free from distortion or commercialization for market gain. Our approach remains rooted in authenticity, discipline and spiritual integrity, staying true to the original purpose of yoga.
We also welcome and encourage like-minded students—those who seek genuine knowledge, value the classical teachings, and are committed to embracing yoga as a way of life, not merely a trend or profession. At Yogadarshanam, yoga is a sacred journey and we invite sincere practitioners to walk this path with dedication and respect.
2. Ahimsa (Non violence)
At Yogadarshanam, we follow and promote a simple, peaceful and non-violent lifestyle, in alignment with the core principles of yoga such as ahimsa (non-violence) and santosha (contentment). We warmly welcome all yoga learners who come with a spirit of friendliness, respect and openness.
During your time with us, we encourage the creation of a harmonious and supportive environment—one that fosters inner peace and outer calm, free from any form of conflict or negativity. This mindset is essential not only for effective learning but also for genuine personal transformation on the yogic path.
Service
At Yogadarshanam, all our services are offered with transparency and integrity, guided by the principles of Karma Yoga—the path of selfless action. We believe that every action carries its own reaction and this understanding forms the foundation of our work and interactions.
This is more than just a philosophy—it is our mantra, reminding us to act with intention, sincerity and responsibility, without attachment to the results. Through this approach, we strive to create a space where yoga is practiced and shared with authenticity, humility and purpose, staying true to the deeper values of the yogic tradition.
Our Policy
At Yogadarshanam, we have fully adopted and adhere to all Yoga Alliance educational policies, ensuring a professional and ethical learning environment for all our students. This includes clear guidelines on enrollment, attendance, refund procedures, anti-harassment measures and a grievance policy to address any concerns with fairness and transparency.
By aligning with these global standards, we are committed to providing a safe, respectful, and supportive space for every practitioner to grow, learn and transform through yoga—both personally and professionally.