On the eve of IDY, let’s celebrate 10 incredible Indian gurus whose diverse teachings have illuminated the path to well-being for millions worldwide, making yoga a household word and acceptable practice across belief systems.
The mainstreaming and reach of yoga across continents can be traced back to a handful of Indian yoga gurus. For example, T. Krishnamacharya (1888 – 1989) of Mysore in southern India is considered the Father of Modern Yoga for emphasizing postural yoga. His famous disciples B.K.S. Iyengar and K. Pattabhi Jois streamlined yoga practice and teaching and took it abroad.
Another yoga dynasty is traced to Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh. He was a spiritual teacher, but his disciples, Swami Vishnudevananda, Swami Satyananda, and Swami Satchidananda, who appeared at the Woodstock festival, went on to launch transnational yoga movements.
Two pioneers in the state of Maharashtra are responsible for physical yoga’s revival in India. Shri Yogendra set up The Yoga Institute, the oldest yoga center in the world, in Mumbai in 1918. Swami Kuvalayananda founded Kaivalyadhama in Lonavala and promoted research on the therapeutic aspects of yoga. Today, the telegenic Baba Ramdev has brought the masses to the yoga fold by pitching it as a cure-all for physical ailments.
Even as Indian gurus such as Yogananda Paramahamsa, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and Osho took meditation to the West, yoga gurus demystified yoga, presenting it as an efficient tool for health and inner peace. Their global outreach and branded yoga styles have fostered a vibrant international yoga community and a multibillion-dollar business in accessories.
Here, we profile 10 yoga gurus who, over the past few decades, have not only preserved and promoted a profound Indian system but have also enriched the lives of millions, fostering a deeper understanding of harmony between mind, body, and spirit and intercultural amity.
1. B.K.S Iyengar
B.K.S. Iyengar influenced the global yoga landscape with his precise and therapeutic approach. Born in 1918 in Karnataka, he transformed his frail childhood through rigorous practice, developing what is now known eponymously as Iyengar Yoga.
His method emphasizes alignment, precision, and props, making yoga accessible to all, regardless of age or physical condition. Iyengar’s teachings prioritize the meticulous execution of postures, which enhances physical health and mental clarity. His seminal book, ‘Light on Yoga’, has become a definitive guide for practitioners worldwide. Iyengar Yoga has dedicated institutes and certified teachers in over 70 countries. The Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune serves as the epicenter of this tradition. Iyengar also integrated the philosophical and spiritual aspects of yoga, advocating a holistic approach to well-being.
His work earned him numerous accolades, including the Padma Vibhushan, India’s highest civilian award. His legacy continues through his children, Geeta and Prashant Iyengar.
2. Swami Vishnudevananda
Swami Vishnudevananda was instructed by his master, Swami Sivananda, in 1957 to share the teachings of Yoga and Vedanta in the West, with the message ‘People are waiting’. Over 37 years, he came to be known as the Flying Swami as he spread this message, establishing centers and ashrams worldwide.
Founded by him, Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres are in 60 locations worldwide. Renowned for preserving the purity and tradition of yoga, they also offer teacher training and opportunities for spiritual growth through Karma Yoga. Swami Vishnudevananda even pioneered the idea of Yoga Vacations, such as with a center in the Bahamas.
3. K. Pattabhi Jois
K. Pattabhi Jois is best known for developing and popularizing Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, a dynamic and physically demanding style.
Learning under T. Krishnamacharya, he systematized Ashtanga Yoga, which emphasizes the synchronization of breath with movement. This creates a flow of postures that generate heat and purify the body. Structured postures must be mastered sequentially, promoting discipline, strength, flexibility, and inner peace.
Ashtanga Yoga has a global following. The Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore remains a pilgrimage site for yoga enthusiasts.
Pattabhi Jois’s legacy continues through his grandson, Sharath Jois.
4. Swami Satyananda
The Bihar School of Yoga (BSY), founded in 1964 by Swami Satyananda Saraswati, is a renowned institution dedicated to the holistic teaching and practice of yoga. Located in Munger, India, BSY integrates traditional yogic knowledge with modern science, offering a comprehensive approach to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Swami Satyananda systematized yoga practices, such as asanas, pranayama, mudras, bandhas, and meditation, making them accessible and beneficial. He emphasized the balanced development of body, mind, and spirit.
BSY’s influence extends globally, with centers and affiliated organizations in Australia, Europe, North and South America. BSY is noted for developing yoga nidra, a deep relaxation technique for mental and physical rejuvenation.
Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati currently leads BSY, continuing its mission and expanding its reach. Under his guidance, the school has maintained its commitment to preserving the purity and depth of yogic tradition while adapting to contemporary needs.
5. Swami Rama
Swami Rama brought Himalayan yoga traditions to the West. Born in 1925, he founded the Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy to teach yoga, meditation, and philosophy. His holistic approach encompasses asanas, pranayama, meditation, and ethical living.
Swami Rama presented yoga as a holistic practice through his teachings, lectures, and books. He actively participated in research on yoga’s benefits, adding scientific credibility to the practice and fostering wider acceptance.
He acquired a reputation for achieving remarkable psychosomatic states. In an experiment at the Menninger Foundation, he stopped his heart from pumping blood for 17 seconds. He was further seen to create a temperature differential of 5 degrees celsius between two areas on the palm of his right hand.
Swami Rama established the Association of Himalayan Yoga Meditation Societies International (AHYMSIN) to spread his tradition globally. Following his passing in 1996, he was succeeded by Swami Veda Bharati.
The Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama in Rishikesh serves as the global headquarters of AHYMSIN and a center for immersive learning in the Himalayan Yoga Tradition.
6. Bikram Chaudhary
Bikram Chaudhury, the founder of Bikram Yoga, is a prominent yet controversial figure in the yoga world.
Born in Calcutta, Chaudhury developed his unique style of Hot Yoga, which consists of 26 postures and two breathing exercises practiced in a room heated to around 105°F (40°C) with 40% humidity. He seems to have aimed to replicate the climate of India, enhancing flexibility and detoxification through intense sweating. Bikram Yoga gained immense popularity with studios in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Chaudhury’s method has popularized yoga, particularly among those seeking a rigorous physical workout. However, his legacy is marred by scandals, including allegations of sexual misconduct, abuse, and legal battles. Yet, many of his certified teachers are maintaining the method’s presence worldwide.
7. Baba Ramdev
Baba Ramdev, a name synonymous with yoga in recent times in India, has been a major force in bringing the practice to the masses. His contribution lies in popularizing yoga through mass media appearances and massive yoga camps, making it accessible to a vast Indian audience and sparking interest internationally.
Ramdev’s approach focuses on the practical benefits of yoga for physical and mental well-being.
His unique approach emphasizes pranayama, in addition to asanas. Pranayama is no longer anulom-vilom, or alternate breathing. Thanks to him, people now know about Kapalbhati and Bhastrika, fast-paced breathing techniques.
8. Swami Satchidananda
Swami Satchidananda was pivotal in bringing classical yoga traditions to the West. He created Integral Yoga, which bridges the gap between physical practice and spiritual growth. Integral Yoga goes beyond simply mastering asanas and pranayama. It incorporates the wisdom of yoga philosophy, encourages meditation, and takes a service-oriented approach to life.
What sets Integral Yoga apart is its inclusivity. Unlike traditional lineages with strict practices and regulations, Integral Yoga welcomes individuals of all faiths and backgrounds, fostering a sense of community and shared exploration. Swami Satchidananda’s dedication to sharing knowledge led him to establish Integral Yoga Institutes and Centers worldwide. Yogaville, nestled in Virginia, USA, serves as its international headquarters.
9. T.K.V. Desikachar
T.K.V. Desikachar, son of T. Krishnamacharya, wasn’t just another yoga guru; he was a revolutionary who personalized the practice. His contribution lies in the evolution and global spread of Viniyoga. Unlike the standardized sequences often associated with Vinyasa yoga, Desikachar’s approach emphasized individualized practice.
Viniyoga isn’t a one-size-fits-all program. It is a meticulously crafted journey designed for each student. Asanas, pranayama, and meditation are all carefully chosen and adapted based on a student’s physical limitations, age, health conditions, and cultural background.
Desikachar established the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram (KYM) in Chennai. KYM provides teacher training programs and researches yoga’s therapeutic applications, further solidifying its reputation as a center for innovation and knowledge.
After his passing in 2016, Kaustubh Desikachar and a network of certified Viniyoga teachers worldwide carry his torch.
10. Yogi Bhajan
Yogi Bhajan, a charismatic figure of Sikh heritage, introduced Kundalini Yoga to the West. His impact goes beyond mere postures. His system aimed to awaken the dormant Kundalini energy at the base of the spine, believed to unlock spiritual potential.
His unique approach combined powerful kriyas (sets of postures, breathing exercises, and mantras) with meditation to create a potent experience. The practice emphasized physical and mental discipline, with an emphasis on chanting and a strong sense of community. This resonated with many seeking a path to spiritual growth and self-discovery.
Yogi Bhajan’s legacy lives on through the Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization (3HO), a vast network of centers established worldwide. 3HO centers offer Kundalini Yoga classes, workshops, and teacher training. While he faced controversies during his lifetime, there’s no denying he made Kundalini Yoga a recognized yoga tradition in the West.
Yes, we owe it to Yoga dynasties
Two ‘yoga dynasties’ have played a crucial role in shaping the practice’s evolution and global reach.
Swami Sivananda’s Lineage
Swami Sivananda (1887–1963) founded the Divine Life Society in 1936 from Rishikesh and authored over 200 books on Yoga-Vedanta. His disciples went on to launch yoga movements. They include Swami Vishnudevananda, Swami Satyananda Saraswati, and Swami Satchidananda. Swami Chinmayananda who founded Chinmaya Mission, was also his disciple.
T. Krishnamacharya's Lineage
Tirumalai Krishnamacharya (1888 – 1989) was a yoga master, ayurvedic healer, and scholar based in Mysore. He is often called the ‘Father of Modern Yoga’ for his wide influence on the development of hatha yoga.
His disciples included brother-in-law B.K.S. Iyengar, son T.K.V. Desikachar, K. Pattabhi Jois, and Latvian Indra Devi, the first woman alumna from the K school.
