Kundalini Research Institute
Kundalini Research Institute is a non-profit certifying body founded in 1972 that trains and certifies Kundalini Yoga teachers worldwide through a three-level program delivered via 800+ trainers, supported by publishing, e-learning, and research divisions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1972
- HeadquartersSanta Cruz, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Kundalini Research Institute does
Kundalini Research Institute (KRI) is a U.S.-based non-profit organization founded in 1972 as part of the 3HO (Healthy, Happy, Holy) legacy established by Yogi Bhajan, headquartered in Santa Cruz, New Mexico with 11-50 employees and a globally distributed operating footprint. KRI functions as the primary certifying body for Kundalini Yoga teachers worldwide, operating the three-level Aquarian Teacher Program (Level One foundations, Level Two transformation modules, Level Three realization) delivered through a network of more than 800 certified trainers running over 200 programs annually. Its core technology stack is a content-and-credentialing platform spanning an E-Learning Center with approximately 50 online courses, a publishing division producing more than 200 books and related media, and a Zoho-based International Trainer & Program Directory that connects prospective students with certified trainers.
The business model is multi-stream. Certification programs delivered by independent trainers generate training-fee revenue on a multi-year recurring basis; e-learning courses operate on pay-as-you-go and subscription pricing; publishing and consumer products (books, DVDs, the Kundalini Meditation Oracle card deck) generate one-time transactions through The Source e-commerce store and Ebook Store; the KRI Collaborator Wholesaler Program extends distribution via approved resellers including Sat Nam Europe; and donations (with a dedicated Make A Donation flow) supplement earned revenue. Go-to-market combines community-led distribution through the global trainer network, direct-to-consumer e-commerce, and event-driven engagement via Research Symposiums and Level Three Melas. Marketing spans a multilingual blog and content engine, email newsletters, social media, SEO, and a referral-style international directory.
KRI serves two primary persona segments, yoga practitioners pursuing personal practice and certified Kundalini Yoga teachers seeking continuing education, plus secondary segments of teacher trainers and wellness/healthcare institutions. The organization operates under the Siri Singh Sahib Corporation (SSSC) as parent and maintains an Office of Ethics & Professional Standards, an EPS anti-harassment program, and a KRI Seal of Approval for Publications as governance mechanisms. In 2020 it issued public statements responding to allegations against founder Yogi Bhajan. Current CEO Amrit Singh Khalsa holds a PhD in Aeronautical Engineering from MIT and serves full-time after prior leadership roles as Board Chair and Treasurer.
Kundalini Research Institute firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kundalini Research Institute
- Legal name
- Kundalini Research Institute
- Website
- https://kundaliniresearchinstitute.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1972
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Kundalini Research Institute is a non-profit certifying body founded in 1972 that trains and certifies Kundalini Yoga teachers worldwide through a three-level program delivered via 800+ trainers, supported by publishing, e-learning, and research divisions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kundalini Research Institute industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Yoga Education and Teacher Certification
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) & Pilates Instructor Training (HSADACAL)
Keywords
Where Kundalini Research Institute is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Santa Cruz
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Kundalini Research Institute business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Teacher Training Programs: Revenue from certification programs including Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 teacher training courses delivered globally through certified trainers. Programs include online and in-person components.
- Publishing and Products: Sales of books, DVDs, meditation oracle cards, and training materials through The Source store and Ebook Store. Best sellers include Physical Training: A Fusion of Yoga & Calisthenics, 22 Meditations to Identify and Release Your Fears, and The Kundalini Meditation Oracle.
- E-Learning Courses: Online courses offered through the E-Learning Center including anatomy courses, moon centers, healing programs, and specialty courses with enrollment-based pricing.
- Wholesale Program: KRI Collaborator Wholesaler Program allowing approved partners to resell KRI products.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Teacher training programs offered at varying price points depending on trainer, location, and format (online vs. in-person) |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | E-learning courses available through the KRI E-Learning Center |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
Kundalini Research Institute product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kundalini Research Institute (KRI) is a non-profit organization that certifies Kundalini Yoga teachers worldwide through its three-level Aquarian Teacher Program and delivers continuing education via the E-Learning Center, KRI Publishing (books, DVDs, and the Kundalini Meditation Oracle), and a research library on yoga. It also supports a global network of 800+ certified trainers and offers specialty approved courses and grant programs such as Kundalini Beyond Borders.
Product overview
Kundalini Research Institute (KRI) offers a multi-format educational platform centered on Kundalini Yoga teacher certification and wellness education. The core offering is the Aquarian Teacher Program, a three-level certification pathway (Level One, Level Two, Level Three) that trains and certifies Kundalini Yoga instructors globally with over 800 trainers and more than 200 programs annually. Supporting the certification programs are the E-Learning Center (featuring approximately 50 online courses including Anatomy for Level 1, 11 Moon Centers, and relationship healing), KRI Publishing (offering over 200 books, DVDs, and the Kundalini Meditation Oracle deck), and Kundalini Yoga Research (providing research articles and a research symposium). Additional offerings include specialty approved courses, the Library of Teachings external resource, and the Kundalini Beyond Borders grant program. The company operates online stores including The Source and an EBook Store, powered by WooCommerce with payment processing through Stripe, PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Google Pay.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The Aquarian Teacher Program: Three-level teacher certification program for Kundalini Yoga instructors (Level One, Level Two, Level Three)
- KRI Publishing
- The Source
- KRI E-Learning Center
Companies that use Kundalini Research Institute
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Kundalini Research Institute technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration11 records
Feature1 record
Kundalini Research Institute partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- IKYTA (International Kundalini Yoga Teachers Association)coreKRI and IKYTA partnered to support KRI certified teachers who bring Kundalini Yoga to underserved communities. The partnership runs the Kundalini Beyond Borders program, with 75 cash grant applications submitted and 10 recipients selected. 100% of funds raised were allocated to grantees.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Kundalini Research Institute competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Gaia (formerly Gaiam TV): Gaia is a streaming platform offering yoga, meditation, and spiritual content on subscription. Comparable to KRI as an adjacent player in the yoga/meditation content and e-learning space, though it operates as a distribution platform rather than a certification body.
- Mindbody (Glo.com): Glo (owned by Mindbody) is an online yoga and meditation subscription platform. Comparable to KRI as a provider of digital yoga instruction and teacher-led content, though it competes with KRI's E-Learning Center rather than its certification programs.
Direct peers
- 3HO Foundation: 3HO (Healthy, Happy, Holy) is the parent spiritual community founded by Yogi Bhajan from which KRI emerged. Sister non-profit providing Kundalini Yoga education, events, and community programming; directly comparable mission and target audience.
- YogaFit Worldwide: YogaFit is one of the largest yoga teacher training providers in North America, offering multi-level certification programs and continuing education to fitness professionals. Comparable to KRI in operating a scalable teacher-training franchise model with broad consumer reach.
- Himalayan Institute (Minneapolis / Honesdale): Himalayan Institute is a non-profit yoga and meditation organization offering teacher training, retreats, and publishing. Comparable to KRI as a spiritually-rooted non-profit providing structured multi-level yoga teacher certification with global reach and an integrated publishing arm.
- Yoga Alliance: Yoga Alliance is the largest US yoga registry and sets national standards for yoga teacher training programs (RYT-200, RYT-500). It is comparable to KRI as both serve as gatekeeper certification bodies that credential yoga teachers, though Yoga Alliance is multi-tradition while KRI is single-lineage.
- International Kundalini Yoga Teachers Association (IKYTA): IKYTA is KRI's closest affiliate and the membership body for KRI-certified Kundalini Yoga teachers. Direct peer because it serves the same Kundalini teacher community and runs joint programs (Kundalini Beyond Borders grant program) with KRI.
- Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres: Sivananda operates ashrams and teacher training centers globally offering standardized, lineage-based yoga teacher certification. Comparable to KRI as a non-profit spiritual organization delivering structured multi-level yoga teacher training with international branches.
- Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health: Kripalu runs residential yoga teacher training programs and continuing education for yoga teachers and wellness professionals. Comparable to KRI as a non-profit yoga education organization offering multi-level teacher certification, retreats, and a publishing/content arm.
Broad incumbents
- International Yoga Federation: The International Yoga Federation is a global umbrella body representing yoga organizations across traditions worldwide. Comparable to KRI as a higher-level yoga standards and accreditation body, though it is broader in scope and does not deliver its own training.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Kundalini Research Institute social profiles
Digital presenceKundalini Research Institute financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kundalini Research Institute leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Kundalini Research Institute funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kundalini Research Institute M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Kundalini Research Institute
What does Kundalini Research Institute do?
Kundalini Research Institute (KRI) is a non-profit organization that certifies Kundalini Yoga teachers worldwide through its three-level Aquarian Teacher Program and delivers continuing education via the E-Learning Center, KRI Publishing (books, DVDs, and the Kundalini Meditation Oracle), and a research library on yoga. It also supports a global network of 800+ certified trainers and offers specialty approved courses and grant programs such as Kundalini Beyond Borders.
Is Kundalini Research Institute a public or private company?
Kundalini Research Institute is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Kundalini Research Institute founded?
Kundalini Research Institute was founded in 1972. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Kundalini Research Institute based?
Kundalini Research Institute is headquartered in Santa Cruz, United States, in the North America region.
How does Kundalini Research Institute make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Teacher Training Programs are the primary driver. The others are publishing and Products, E-Learning Courses and wholesale Program.
Who are Kundalini Research Institute's main competitors?
Others on record are Gaia (formerly Gaiam TV) and Mindbody (Glo.com). Direct peers are 3HO Foundation, YogaFit Worldwide, Himalayan Institute (Minneapolis / Honesdale), Yoga Alliance, International Kundalini Yoga Teachers Association (IKYTA), Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres and Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health. International Yoga Federation is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Kundalini Research Institute have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kundalini Research Institute.
What industry is Kundalini Research Institute in?
Kundalini Research Institute's product category is Yoga Education and Teacher Certification. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSADACAL, Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) & Pilates Instructor Training. Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.