Featured in the Crown Issue of Liveology Yoga Magazine.
Born
November 18, 1888
Died
February 28, 1989
Tirumalai Krishnamacharya was an Indian teacher and healer, who is often called the "father of modern yoga" because he is credited with creating the vinyasa method of yoga which combines breath and movement and because many of the lineages popular today can be traced back to his teachings, including Ashtanga Yoga and Iyengar Yoga. He had an individualized, healing approach when working with students, taking a holistic approach drawing upon asana practice, Ayurveda, diet, and others. He could often be seen publicly performing amazing feats, including stopping his heart and starting it again.
Indra Devi & The West
Indra Devi was Krishnamacharya's first female student and an actress who took the teachings she received to Hollywood. It is said that Krishnamacharya reluctantly accepted her as a student after putting forth many tests to determine her seriousness, but she ended up proving herself and taught yoga all over the world including China and Latin America, teaching a calm method of yoga to reduce stress. Devi wrote Forever Young, Forever Healthy, and Yoga for Americans.
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois & Ashtanga Yoga
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois was an astrologer and the founder of Ashtanga Yoga who practiced alongside Devi and B.K.S. Iyengar, who founded Iyengar Yoga. Jois took the teachings he received and turned them into a vinyasa style method, focused on breath and bandhas or energy locks, which was eventually called Ashtanga yoga, based on the 8 limbs of yoga, which go by the same word Ashtanga. Initially teaching out of his home, he eventually brought Ashtanga Yoga to the West in the 70s and over the years, Ashtanga grew exponentially. Jois wrote Yoga Mala.
B.K.S. Iyengar & Iyengar Yoga
B.K.S. Iyengar was Krishnamacharya's younger brother-in-law, whom Iyengar credits with encouraging him to begin yoga practice. Iyengar Iyengar taught a vigorous method of yoga across the world until his spine was injured in a scooter accident. He then took what he learned in a different direction, focusing on alignment, props, making the practice more accessible for all. Iyengar wrote many books including Light on Yoga and Light on Pranayama.
T. K. V. Desikachar & Viniyoga
TKV Desikachar was the son of Krishnamacharya. Desikachar taught an individualized approach, similar to his fathers, which was called Viniyoga. He founded the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, researching the effects of yoga on a wide variety of illnesses. Desikachar's most famous book is the Heart of Yoga.
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Peace & Pineapples!
