Viniyoga is a form of yoga deeply rooted in the classical yogic tradition, but which has evolved to suit modern needs. Its name derives from the Sanskrit word "Vini", meaning "appropriate application" or "adaptation", and embodies the fundamental philosophy of this practice: to adapt yoga to the individual needs, abilities and circumstances of practitioners. Viniyoga was popularized by the Indian master Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, often referred to as the "father of modern yoga", and his son T.K.V. Desikachar, who further developed this unique approach by placing the individual at the center of the practice.

Krishnamacharya is a major figure in the modern history of yoga. Born in 1888, he studied many branches of yoga, from ancient texts such as Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, to traditional medical systems such asAyurveda. His teachings have influenced many modern yoga styles, including Ashtanga, Iyengar and Viniyoga. Krishnamacharya believed that yoga should be individualized, i.e. tailored to each person's age, physical condition, needs and goals. This personalized approach is at the heart of Viniyoga.

However, it was with T.K.V. Desikachar that Viniyoga took off as a distinct style in the 20th century. Desikachar, trained directly by his father Krishnamacharya, developed Viniyoga in the 1970s, placing particular emphasis on theadaptability and therapeutic progression of yoga practice. While his father was primarily a traditional teacher, Desikachar sought to adapt the principles of ancient yoga to modern reality, recognizing that each individual has unique needs and that a "one size fits all" approach was not appropriate for all practitioners. He also emphasized the therapeutic dimension of yoga, integrating breathing practices, meditation and postures adapted to physical injuries and limitations.

Viniyoga is therefore rooted in the teachings of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, where emphasis is placed on the idea that yoga should be progressive and personalized. Patanjali describes yoga as a method of mastering the fluctuations of the mind (chitta vritti nirodha), and the principles of Viniyoga follow this philosophy, ensuring that each practitioner progresses at his or her own pace, according to his or her own abilities. Viniyoga also draws on the teachings of Samkhya, an ancient Indian philosophy which holds that the universe is composed of prakriti (matter) and purusha (consciousness), and that yoga is a tool for harmonizing these two forces throughintrospection and body awareness.

Another major influence in the development of Viniyoga isAyurveda, India's traditional medical system, which emphasizes the balance between body and mind. In Viniyoga, this holistic approach is reflected in the way postures and breathing techniques are adapted to each practitioner's individual constitution (called dosha in Ayurveda), energy needs and general state of health. This integration of Ayurveda enables Viniyoga to be more than just a physical practice: it becomes a tool for healing and overall well-being.

Viniyoga gained international recognition thanks to theKrishnamacharya Institute of Yoga in Chennai, India, founded by Desikachar. This institute continues to teach Viniyoga according to the principles of individual adaptation and progression. Teachers trained in this approach now disseminate these teachings throughout the world, particularly in the context of therapeutic yoga, where Viniyoga is used to help people overcome specific health problems, such as chronic pain, stress, anxiety or respiratory disorders.

One of Desikachar's great contributions to the modern world of yoga is his book "The Heart of Yoga", published in 1995. This book presents the essential principles of Viniyoga and was one of the first modern texts to propose an individualized, therapeutic approach to yoga. It describes the practice of yoga not as a rigid series of postures, but as a path of transformation that must be adapted to the individual. This text has influenced thousands of yoga practitioners and teachers around the world, reinforcing the notion that yoga is a personalized tool for improving both physical health and mental well-being.

In short, the origins of Viniyoga lie in the teachings of Krishnamacharya and Desikachar, as well as classical texts such as the Yoga Sutras. Viniyoga is distinguished by its adaptive approach, in which yoga is not a uniform discipline, but a flexible tool enabling each practitioner to find his or her own path to physical well-being, mental peace andspiritual fulfillment.