T KRISHNAMACHARYA

In the 20th century, westerners discovered Indian philosophies as propagated by eminent yogis like T Krishnamacharya - one of the most influential yoga masters of his era. Over the course of his long life (he lived to be over 100) Sri T Krishnamacharya shared his expertise with thousands from around the world. His knowledge of Indian philosophical schools, Ayurveda, and Sanskrit was unrivalled. 
Among his most notable students are Indra Devi, BKS Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois, and his own son, TKV Desikachar. Each of them has contributed significantly in their own right to the spreading of yoga teachings beyond the borders of India.

T Krishnamacharya was born in 1888 in a family of yogis. From a young age he was taught yoga in a traditional fashion, from father to son. He studied philosophy in the Royal College in Mysore and commented ancient texts in their original tongue. After studying under a yoga master for seven years near Mount Kailash in Tibet he was called upon by his teacher to return to India to teach.

In Krishnamacharya's wisdom, he recognized that yoga would only become accessible to a wide range of people if it was adapted to modern times. His aim was always to help others enhance their health and quality of life. In a time when yoga was taught only to a privileged few, he made his immense knowledge accessible to society's lower classes, women, non-Hindus, and foreigners. Thus, he is considered the "grandfather" of modern yoga. He continued to teach until his last days, in 1989, when he was 101 years old.

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