Director's Profile
Dr. Dinanath Rai's interest in the mysteries that govern the unconscious in man propelled him to seek out the relatively little-known concept of Kundalini yoga. Today, Dr. Dinanath Rai (Swami Brahmgyanam), founder Honorary Director of the Kundalini Yoga Research Institute in Lucknow, is one of the better known exponents in this field.
He has studied extensively in Kundalini yoga with a background in clinical and para-psychology. He has widely travelled in India and abroad and visited USA, U.K., Sri Lanka and conducted workshop on Kundalini.
At Aparna Ashram, Mantalai (J&K) with Shri Rajiv Gandhi and Swami Dhirendra Brahmachari.
Born in 1953, Dr. Rai obtained a Master’s in Psychology and an M.Phil in Education. His passion for the latent spiritual potential within every human being brought him into close contact with Swami Dhirendra Brahmachari at Aparna Ashram, Mantalai (J&K), where he earned a Diploma in Yoga in 1969. Later, he had the privilege of studying under Sri Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati (Bihar School of Yoga, Munger), who initiated him into the classical disciplines of Kundalini Tantra.
He subsequently earned a Ph.D. in Yoga Education and an M.D. in Alternative Medicine from the Open International University for Complementary Medicines, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Having received initiation from Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Dr. Rai dedicated his life to awakening human consciousness through the balanced practice and clinical application of Kundalini Yoga. His classes and clinical sessions seamlessly combine yogic wisdom, compassionate psychotherapy, and practical lifestyle guidance.
Receiving the "Yogacharya" title from Hon'ble President of India, Giani Zail Singh (New Delhi, 1982).
In February 1981, he established the Kundalini Yoga Research Institute (KYRI) in Lucknow, serving as its Founder Honorary Director alongside the pioneering contributions of Brahmalin Mrs. Usha Rai (first Director).
Over the past four decades, Dr. Rai has treated more than 5,000 seekers and patients suffering from psychosomatic disorders, severe anxiety (GAD), reactive depression, stress syndromes, and substance addictions through Kundalini Yoga with Psychotherapy (KYPT).
Before initiating Kundalini techniques, seekers first build stability through preparatory Hatha and Raja Yoga, notably Pawanmuktasana series and balanced pranayama (such as Nadi Shodhana with gentle retention). Under regular clinical observation, dependent medications for stress or insomnia are systematically tapered as autonomic and emotional balance is restored.
Dr. Rai retired as Yoga Specialist-cum-Psychologist from the Department of Psychiatry at King George's Medical University (KGMU / CSMMU), Lucknow in February 2013 after 36 years of dedicated clinical service. He is also a certified clinical hypnotherapist and has served as Guest Faculty at the Institute of Human Consciousness & Yogic Sciences, University of Lucknow.
He has presented research papers at over 200 national and international conferences, delivered more than 1,000 lectures and workshops across India, the UK, USA, and Sri Lanka, and serves as the Chief Editor of the quarterly research journal Health Psychology. He is the author of over 18 published books on Yoga, Ayurveda, mental health, and human potential.