Founder: Maharishi Kartikeya and his successor Dhirendra Brahmachari
The founder of Brahmachari Yoga is considered to be Maharishi Kartikeyi, but this style of yoga gained fame thanks to his student Dhirendra Brahmachari. Today, the tradition of Brahmachari is kept by his successor, Bal Mukund Singh. Another famous student of Brahmachari, the Swiss Reinhard Gamelthaller, teaches close to tradition, but calls his style “Kundalini Yoga”.
The basic meaning of the word vyayama (Skt. vyayama) is exercise. Vyayama are divided into two groups: sukshma (Skt. sukshma – thin) and sthula (sthula – dense, rough), i.e. “exercises of subtle impact”, acting on one part of the body or on several neighboring ones, and “exercises of powerful impact”, which affect the whole body. If necessary, vyayama can be a warm-up for the practice of asanas or another workout, or it can be an independent practice for 1.5-2 hours, completely working out the whole body.

In the practice of Brahmachari yoga, much attention is paid to preparing the body for work in asanas – cleansing procedures – “shatkarmas” and two types of dynamic exercises:
Yoga-Sukshma-Vyayama is a sequence of powerful exercises that has a very strong effect directly on the energy body, as well as on all layers of the energy structure, energy centers, glands, organs and the entire organic body of the yoga practitioner.
Yoga-Sthula-Vyayama is a series of powerful exercises that goes as an addition to the Yoga-Sukshma-Vyayama sequence, and has a more powerful effect directly on the organic body.
The asana system of the Brahmachari school is practiced mainly in statics and contains several unusual exercises that are not found in other methods. The technique of backbends is well set. There are many asanas for concentration of attention, activation of internal organs and opening of the chest.
Brahmachari yoga is aimed at clearing the energy channels – Nadis. This is an impact on various energy centers and points in the body, such as chakras and marmas. Thanks to the cleansing of energy channels and centers, the cosmic Prana-Shakti enters the human body, filling it with vital force – Prana, and changes its life for the better.
Who can practice Brahmachari yoga: this practice is without age, sex and other restrictions. It contains sequences for the elderly, which are distinguished by softness and subtlety, as well as intensive practices for physically strong and prepared students.
Literature for reading:
Brahmacari D. “Yoga-sukshma-vyayama”