Do you know who Tirumalai Krishnamacharya is? Whether you have heard of him or not, if you practice yoga today, he has considerably 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 important function in revolutionizing the asana practice and spreading yoga to the Western globe, Krishnamacharya is probably who you can thank for your contemporary-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 immediately after day till he was also a reputable Vedic scholar himself.
He spent significantly of his youth studying the sacred scriptures and traveling about India to understand from prominent Vedic, Ayurvedic, and yogic gurus.
In 1926, the Maharaja of Mysore, India heard about the capabilities and scholarship of Krishnamacharya and invited him to the Mysore Palace to teach yoga to him and his loved ones.
The Maharaja was so impressed by his conduct, information, and knowledge, that he promptly promoted Krishnamacharya to became 1 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 about India and to the West.
Throughout the 1920s, Krishnamacharya held numerous “demonstrations” to market well known interest in yoga. He would carry out “impossible” feats like cease his pulse, quit vehicles with his bare hands, show extremely hard asanas, and lift heavy objects with just his teeth.
The Maharaja of Mysore was interested in advertising yoga all through his kingdom and all of India, so he asked Krishnamacharya to open a yoga college and institution.
Through his instruction, yoga became a incredibly physical art with influences from gymnastics, martial arts, dance, and even military drills. Ultimately, Krishnamacharya made our contemporary-day yoga poses – significantly less than one hundred years ago.
He is also largely credited with the creation of contemporary-day Vinyasa Yoga, given that he was 1 of the initially and most prominent teachers to hyperlink movement with breath.
Krishnamacharya’s Most Famous Students
A substantial explanation Krishnamacharya is such a popular name in the yoga globe is since he, as opposed to numerous other Indian gurus, helped to spread the practice of yoga to the West by means of his students.
He taught a definitely 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 main influencer of Yoga Therapy).
Who Is B.K.S. Iyengar? Learn All About This Yoga Guru Here
All of Krishnamacharya’s pupils have been crucial players in spreading yoga to the Western globe and crucial players in perpetuating the legacy of his teachings.
Thank the Father of Modern Yoga for Your Beloved Yoga Practice
Although we normally cite yoga to be about 3,000 to 5,000 years old, our contemporary-day asana practice is in fact incredibly new.
Dating back possibly no more than one hundred years, we genuinely have Krishnamacharya to thank for our contemporary asana-focused practice.
Do You Know How Old Yoga Actually Is? Here’s a Brief Look Into the Origins of Yoga
Main Image Source: https://yogaheidelberg.com/krishnamacharya/
