New Delhi, February 28: T. Krishnamacharya, widely regarded as the father of modern yoga, made significant contributions to reviving Indian yoga traditions in the 20th century and giving them global recognition. His profound understanding of classical yoga, Ayurveda, and personalized teaching methods transformed yoga from mere practice into a comprehensive lifestyle.
Born on November 18, 1888, in the village of Muchukundapura in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district, Krishnamacharya hailed from an Iyengar Brahmin family. His father was a scholar of the Vedas, who introduced him to Sanskrit, Vedas, and scriptures from a young age.
At an early age, he studied the six systems of philosophy: Vaisheshika, Nyaya, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, and Vedanta. He furthered his education in logic, grammar, and Vedanta at prominent centers in Varanasi and Patna, alongside a deep study of Ayurveda, which later became the foundation for his yoga therapy methods.
Krishnamacharya claimed to have received extensive yoga training from his guru, Yogeshwara Ramamohan Brahmachari, in the Himalayas. He practiced the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, asanas, pranayama, and the therapeutic aspects of yoga. Following his guru’s guidance, he embraced a householder’s life and dedicated himself to spreading yoga.
In the 1920s and 1930s, under the patronage of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV of Mysore, Krishnamacharya directed yoga into new realms. He established a yoga school in the Mysore Palace and promoted yoga through public demonstrations, lectures, and publications.
His book, “Yoga Makaranda” (1934), is considered a seminal work in modern yoga literature. He developed a sequencing method based on the combination of breath and movement, which gained worldwide popularity.
Many of Krishnamacharya’s students became renowned yoga teachers, including Indra Devi, K. Pattabhi Jois, B.K.S. Iyengar, T.K.V. Desikachar, and A.G. Mohan. These disciples went on to develop significant styles such as Ashtanga Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, and Viniyoga. Thus, most modern yoga traditions today can trace their roots back to Krishnamacharya.
In India, he was recognized not only as a yogi but also as a skilled physician. He treated numerous patients by integrating Ayurveda and yoga. According to him, yoga is not merely a practice for physical flexibility but a science of balancing the mind, breath, and consciousness.
Krishnamacharya was well-versed in Ayurveda, possessing extensive knowledge of nutrition, herbs, oils, and other treatments. During initial assessments or follow-ups, he would ask patients if they were willing to follow his guidance. He believed this question was crucial for healing, as a lack of trust could significantly reduce the chances of recovery.
Despite never leaving India, his influence spread worldwide. Today, yoga has become a global movement, and his contributions are central to this phenomenon.
His teachings elevated yoga beyond physical exercise, adapting it to individual needs, linking it to health and wellness, and making it universally accepted. He is remembered for his contributions to yoga and his Ayurvedic healing methods. T. Krishnamacharya passed away in Chennai on February 28, 1989, at the age of 100, reportedly due to natural causes. Throughout his life, he maintained his health through yoga.
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