Who Is Krishnamacharya? Learn All About the Father of Modern Yoga Here
Do you know who Tirumalai Krishnamacharya is? Whether you’ve heard of him or not, if you practice yoga today, he has greatly influenced your practice (and potentially even your life). The History of Yoga and How Yoga Lineage Impacts...
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Do you know who Tirumalai Krishnamacharya is? Whether you’ve heard of him or not, if you practice yoga today, he has greatly influenced your practice (and potentially even your life).
The History of Yoga and How Yoga Lineage Impacts Your Practice Today
Often referred to as the “Father of Modern Yoga” for his crucial role in revolutionizing the asana practice and spreading yoga to the Western world, Krishnamacharya is likely who you can thank for your modern-day yoga practice.
Who Is Krishnamacharya?
Born in 1888, Tirumalai Krishnamacharya grew up in South India. His father was a Vedic scholar, so Krishnamacharya studied the Vedic texts day after day until he was also a legitimate Vedic scholar himself.
He spent much of his youth studying the sacred scriptures and traveling around India to learn from prominent Vedic, Ayurvedic, and yogic gurus.
In 1926, the Maharaja of Mysore, India heard about the skills and scholarship of Krishnamacharya and invited him to the Mysore Palace to teach yoga to him and his family.
The Maharaja was so impressed by his conduct, knowledge, and expertise, that he quickly promoted Krishnamacharya to became one of his respected advisors.
Why Is Krishnamacharya Considered the “Father of Modern Yoga?”
As a yoga guru, Krishnamacharya is largely credited with the revival of Hatha Yoga and the spread of yoga around India and to the West.
Throughout the 1920s, Krishnamacharya held countless “demonstrations” to promote popular interest in yoga. He would perform “impossible” feats like cease his pulse, stop cars with his bare hands, display incredibly difficult asanas, and lift heavy objects with just his teeth.
The Maharaja of Mysore was interested in promoting yoga throughout his kingdom and all of India, so he asked Krishnamacharya to open a yoga school and institution.
Through his instruction, yoga became a very physical art with influences from gymnastics, martial arts, dance, and even military drills. Ultimately, Krishnamacharya created our modern-day yoga poses – less than 100 years ago.
He is also largely credited with the creation of modern-day Vinyasa Yoga, since he was one of the first and most prominent teachers to link movement with breath.
Krishnamacharya’s Most Famous Students
A huge reason Krishnamacharya is such a famous name in the yoga world is because he, unlike many other Indian gurus, helped to spread the practice of yoga to the West via his students.
He taught a truly impressive roster of students ranging from Indra Devi (yoga teacher to Hollywood stars), B.K.S. Iyengar (the founder of Iyengar Yoga), K. Pattabhi Jois (founder of Ashtanga Yoga), and T.K.V. Desikachar (a major influencer of Yoga Therapy).
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All of Krishnamacharya’s pupils were key players in spreading yoga to the Western world and key players in perpetuating the legacy of his teachings.
Thank the Father of Modern Yoga for Your Beloved Yoga Practice
Although we often cite yoga to be about 3,000 to 5,000 years old, our modern-day asana practice is actually very new.
Dating back probably no more than 100 years, we really have Krishnamacharya to thank for our modern asana-focused practice.
Do You Know How Old Yoga Actually Is? Here’s a Brief Look Into the Origins of Yoga
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