Krishnamacharya: The History and Teachings of the 'Father of Modern Yoga'

Takeaway: Mostly known as the guru of modern yogi legends such as B.K.S. Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois and T.K.V. Desikachar, Krishnamacharya was also an Ayurvedic healer and scholar who made many important contributions to yoga as we know it today.

Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya (1888-1989), or Krishnamacharya for short, was an Indian Ayurvedic healer, scholar and yoga teacher. He is widely regarded as “The Father of Modern Yoga” for reviving Hatha yoga, and combining breath and movement into vinyasa.

Although he had many students, some of his that went on to become influential yoga teachers include B.K.S. Iyengar, T.K.V. Desikachar, Indra Devi and K. Pattabhi Jois.

Krishnamacharya's yoga teachings for his style of yoga, known as Viniyoga, were based on the "Yoga Sutras of Patanjali" and the "Yoga Yajnavalkya." He believed and taught that every individual would walk different paths of yoga, as the practice meant different things to different people at different times; however, he also believed that yoga was both a spiritual practice and a practice that led to physical healing. His underlying principle was to “teach what is appropriate to the individual.”

His father, Sri Tirumalai Srinivasa Tatacharya, began teaching him yoga at the age of five. Due to his education in Ayurveda, he emphasized the healing and therapeutic properties of the asanas, especially a practice incorporating pranayama. Many consider him to be the developer of Vinyasa yoga and also to have placed the importance on the headstand and shoulder stand that is now practiced today.

 is known as one of the most influential yoga masters of the 20th century, and is often referred to as the "Father of Modern Yoga.” In his long life — 100 years(!), which is another testament to the wonders of yoga for health — Krishnamacharya spread the wisdom of yoga to the West. He believed that the practice could be used to prevent and treat disease; and that yoga postures, breathing exercises and meditation practices should be taught based on “what is appropriate for an individual.” This approach emphasizes the therapeutic nature of yoga as a healing modality to cultivate more balance in mind, body and soul. Krishnamacharya was also the first to consciously weave together breath with movement during the yoga practice and, therefore, can be seen as an early creator of the vinyasa style.

(For more background on vinyasa, try The Power of Vinyasa.)

While he is mostly known for his important contributions as a yoga teacher and as the guru of modern yogi legends such as B.K.S. Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois and T.K.V. Desikachar, Krishnamacharya was also an Ayurvedic healer and scholar. As a modern yogi today, he is an essential figure in our lineage to know, honor and celebrate.