About us & our tradition

Established in 1989, Āgamā Yoga Centre is located in Melbourne’s leafy suburb of Middle Park, nestled between Port Phillip Bay and Albert Park Lake.

We offer a variety of yoga classes, workshops, yoga teacher training, yoga therapy and much more in the tradition of T. Krisnamacharya.

A holisitic approach to yoga

Āgamā Yoga Centre (AYC) is dedicated to teaching yoga in its holistic applications following the teachings of Yogacharya T. Krishnamacharya.

Āgamā is a Sanskrit word which translates as ‘reference point’. Our name was gifted to us by one of India’s most respected yoga teachers - TKV Desikachar from Chennai, India.

AYC is a space for learning, health and healing and serves as a reference point for traditional and holistic approaches to yoga in Australia. We take pride in offering classes, workshops and more which are deeply connected and aligned to yoga as it was practiced in ancient times.

Individual needs and abilities are respected and a wide range of classes are offered, both in groups and individually for promoting health and wellbeing of body, mind and spirit.

Our location

Āgamā Yoga Centre is located upstairs at the heritage listed Carmelite Hall on Richardson Street in Middle Park, Victoria.

The balcony room is the primary room for all our group classes and it overlooks the plane trees with views of our beautiful CBD beyond. We also have a second room overlooking the theological library where private classes are often held.

There is plenty of free parking available on both Richardson St and Wright St.

 

Roots in yoga

Āgamā Yoga Centre is dedicated to teaching classes in the tradtition of T. Krisnamacharya. This is a holistic approach to yoga, designed to nourish all layers of our being. Modifications are made and variations are given for each student in the class on an as-needs basis.

T.Krishnamacharya

T. Krishnamacharya is regarded as the most influential yogi of modern times.

During his life, he inspired thousands of practitioners worldwide. Through his son TKV Desikachar, this “master of masters” has helped shape the understanding and practice of Yoga around the globe.

As a teacher his principle was to “Teach what is inside you, not as it applies to you…. to yourself, but as it applies to the other” (the one standing in front of you… the student).

He strongly believed that yoga should be adapted to the individual, never the individual to yoga. In refusing to standardize yoga practices and teaching methodology, he created an understanding of yoga relevant for a broad spectrum of students.

TKV Desikachar

TKV Desikachar, Krishnamacharya’s son, traveled internationally to present the many benefits of his fathers approach to yoga.

He established the peak yoga therapy clinic, the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, to make his father’s teachings available to local and International students worldwide.

His passing in 2016 was a loss for Yoga worldwide, but his legacy of teachings continues to inspire us with the many books he has authored; including the very popular “The Heart of Yoga” and “Health, Healing and Beyond”.

Barbara Brian

Barbara Brian was a long-standing student of TKV Desikachar and is the founder and director of Āgamā Yoga Centre.

She has been teaching yoga since 1989, offering both group and private classes for the young and healthy, and for students in all stages of life.

Now, Barbara mainly teaches private classes, trains and mentors yoga teachers & therapists as well as conducting post-graduate studies.

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