Today sees the 130th anniversary of the birth of TKV Krishnamacharya, recognised as the father of modern Yoga. A lifelong student and practitioner of Yoga, he was also a scholar, holding six degrees, one in each of the major Vedic Darshanas. As a teacher, his enthusiasm and devotion was boundless illustrated by the fact that he taught until a few weeks before his death at the age of 101.
As a young man he travelled to Tibet on foot from India, a journey of several months, where he met his teacher Yogeshwara Ramamohana Brahmachari, after seven years of study, he departed to return to India, being told that he would help spread Yoga across the globe.
Although neither revered or fully recognised in his lifetime for the great contribution he made to disseminating Yoga, many of his students became famous themselves as communicators of Yoga and its practices. Chances are, if you have ever practiced Yoga, some of his teachings and knowledge will have filtered down to you.
I am incredibly fortunate and feel most blessed to have studied directly with four of his own direct students, and to have had this transmission from this great lineage. This influences me deeply in both my own daily practice and in how I teach those who come to study with me.
With gratitude for the life and works of TKV Krishnamacharya.
