Santhosh Kumar
Yogacharya Santhosh Kumar
Yogacharya Santhosh Kumar was born on April 8, 1983, in the serene village of Koluru in a farmer’s family, nestled in Kundapur Taluk, near the sacred coastal belt of Udupi district, Karnataka. As the eldest son of Sri Bhaskar and Smt. Bhavaniyamma, his early life was deeply immersed in the simplicity of village life, surrounded by the beauty of nature and spiritual traditions.
Founder of Yogadarshanam® Mysore | Internationally Certified Yoga Master | Recipient of Multiple Prestigious Awards
(27+ Years of Yogic Journey & Global Impact)
A Journey Rooted in Simplicity & Spirituality
From childhood, Santhosh Kumar displayed a natural affinity for classical dance, an intimate connection with nature, and an inner pull towards the spiritual path. These early inclinations gently guided him towards yoga. Under the initial motivation from his primary school teacher Narasimma Mayya and Personal guidance of Sri Kumar, a respected Yakshagana artist and yoga teacher and later at Shanthivana Trust’s Yoga and Naturopathy Center in Dharmasthala—established under the blessings of Dr. Veerendra Hegde.
In his younger years, he faced several health challenges, including knee pain, sinusitis and tonsillitis. However, through dedicated yogic practice and natural healing, he was able to overcome these conditions completely. This profound personal transformation deepened his conviction in the healing power of yoga and ignited a lifelong commitment to its study and practice.
Balancing his spiritual quest with academic excellence, Yogacharya Santhosh Kumar earned his degree in Education with distinction from the University of Mangalore. Guided by his master’s wisdom, he moved to Mysuru — a land renowned for its rich yogic heritage — to deepen his understanding of yogic sciences under the tutelage of various yoga masters. He further expanded his knowledge by obtaining degrees in Sociology, Health and Nutrition from the University of Mysore, followed by a Yoga degree from Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu.
Since then, his life has been wholly devoted to the path of yoga — not just as a practice, but as a way of life. Through decades of disciplined sadhana, scholarly study and teaching, Yogacharya Santhosh Kumar continues to share the timeless wisdom of yoga, touching countless lives across the world.
Guided by Masters
Yogacharya Santhosh Kumar was blessed with the invaluable opportunity to train extensively under a direct disciple of the legendary B.K.S. Iyengar — one of the greatest yoga masters of modern times. This profound and transformative experience inspired him to undertake a disciplined Two-year Traditional Yoga sadhana with strict Bhramacharya, deeply rooted in the teachings of Light on Yoga, B.K.S. Iyengar’s seminal work that has guided countless seekers worldwide.
In his quest for holistic understanding, he also immersed himself deeply in the Sivananda tradition, absorbing its classical approach to asana, pranayama, mantra and spiritual philosophy. These diverse experiences have enriched his practice and teaching, allowing him to integrate the precision of alignment, the depth of breath, and the essence of devotion into a complete yogic path.
Life Beyond the Mat
Beyond his work as a yogi and teacher, Santhosh Kumar is a devoted family man. He is married to Sujatha and together they are blessed with sons Omkar and Pranava — the next generation carrying forward the Yogadarshanam® legacy.
Achievements & Recognition
In recognition of his outstanding 27 years of spiritual journey and contributions to yoga, Yogacharya Santhosh Kumar has received several prestigious awards:
- Rashtra Vibhushana
- Karnataka Excellence Award
- Yoga Bhushana
- Golden Star
- Vishwamanya Yoga Ratna, Etc..,
His work has also been featured on international platforms such as BBC, History Channel, DD National TV-Chandana and various respected newspapers and media outlets.
He is now a certified 500-hour International Yoga Teacher, accredited by Yoga Alliance USA, and holds an IYT 500-hour certification from the International Yoga Organization, registered under the AYUSH Ministry of India. Currently, he is engaged in research on Yoga and Illness, dedicated to helping humanity experience healing, balance and a better quality of life through the wisdom of yoga.
Building a Global Yoga Family
Under his guidance, YOGADARSHANAM® in Mysore has trained over 3,500 certified yoga teachers from more than 100 countries. Beyond teacher training, his programs have brought health and wellness to over ten thousand individuals from diverse backgrounds — including schools, colleges, hospitals and major organizations such as WIPRO, INFOSYS, L&T, Aditya Birla and Zee TV.
His unique teaching style, deeply rooted in traditional yogic wisdom while addressing modern needs, continues to transform lives across multiple sectors. Today, we continue to share the ancient wisdom of yoga in its purest essence at our Yoga Ashram in Belagula, Mysuru. This sacred space has been established to uphold the highest standards of yogic education, offering profound benefits to every yoga aspirant and spiritual seeker.
Here, we conduct a full range of programs — from basic to advanced Yoga Teacher Training Courses, as well as wellness and healing courses. Regular multistyle yoga classes are also offered, blending tradition with modern practice to serve the diverse needs of all who walk this path.
