We are delighted to be hosting Srivatsa Ramaswami in Mysore for the very first time! During this week long intensive one can expect to explore a comprehensive system of Vinyasa Krama, pranayama and other exclusive yogic tools pertaining to the tradition. Vinyasa Krama is a system that stands out because of its holistic approach to yoga, combining physical, mental, and spiritual aspects. It is closely tied to Krishnamacharya’s broader teachings on adapting yoga to the individual’s needs and capabilities.

Ramaswami’s system, through its methodical sequencing and emphasis on breath and mindfulness, continues to inspire contemporary yoga practitioners and teachers, offering a refined method for cultivating deep yoga practice that remains true to the classical teachings of the tradition.

Srivatsa Ramaswami

Born in Chennai, India, Srivatsa Ramaswami met Krishnamacharya at the age of 15 when, at the request of his father, he came to his house to teach therapeutic yoga to his handicapped brother. This began Ramaswami’s 33 years of direct study with his legendary Guru from 1955 to 1988. Krishnamacharya passed on his knowledge of the Vinyasa Krama asanas, Vedic chanting, and yogic philosophies to Srivatsa Ramaswami. He is Krishnamacharya’s longest-standing student outside of Krishnamacharya’s immediate family.

Krishnamacharya emphasized equally the importance of study of yogic and ancient texts, especially for yoga teachers so they may contribute better to the physical as well as the mental health of yoga students.

T Krishnamacharya

If you're practicing any form of yoga today, chances are its roots trace back to T. Krishnamacharya, often referred to as the “ Father of modern yoga." He was a foremost figure in shaping the popular yoga practices that are widely practiced around the world today. His students who popularised Yoga across the world are prominent teachers like BKS Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois, TKV Desikachar, Indira Devi and Srivatsa Ramaswami.

T. Krishnamacharya's teaching years in Mysore and Madras were pivotal in shaping the modern understanding of yoga. In the 1930s, Krishnamacharya was invited to teach at the Mysore Palace by the Maharaja, a key moment in his life that allowed him to bring his teachings to a wider audience. In Mysore, he worked with the royal family and military officers, tailoring yoga practices to suit the individual's physical condition and health needs. This period marked the beginning of his emphasis on the integration of asanas, pranayama, and the philosophical teachings of yoga.

After his time in Mysore, Krishnamacharya moved to Madras (now Chennai), where he continued his work and influenced several generations of yoga teachers. It was in Madras that he began to teach more publicly, reaching a broader audience. His emphasis on personalizing yoga to meet individual needs, integrating mind, body, and breath, and grounding the practice in ancient texts, left a profound legacy that continues to inspire yoga practitioners globally.

Tapan

Tapan has been an avid Yoga practitioner since the summer of 2012 in the lineage of T.Krishnamacharya. Tracing the footsteps of this legendary master's teaching years which was split between Mysore and Madras, he continues to learn from and assist his teacher Yogacharya Vijaya Kumar in Mysore in the system of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. He learns the teachings of latter years in Madras from Sri TKV Desikachar's family, Sri Srivatsa Ramaswami and other senior teachers.

Tapan has been passionately sharing his knowledge about Yoga with willing students since 2013. He adheres by the authenticity of the traditional contemplative practices he learnt from his teachers and teaches as it is applicable for an individual.

Yoga Rahasya ( Secret of Yoga, text)

Yoga Rahasya is an important classical text on yoga, attributed to the great Tamil sage Nathamuni (circa 9th-10th century CE). Nathamuni is considered one of the foundational figures in the development of the Yoga tradition, particularly in the context of bhakti (devotion) and Hatha Yoga. The Yoga Rahasya (meaning "Secret of Yoga") is one of his most significant contributions and provides insight into the deeper philosophical and practical aspects of yoga practice.

The teachings of Yoga Rahasya was very dear to Sri T. Krishnamacharya and was the basis on which he established his principles of yoga practice and lifestyle.

In this text, Nathamuni emphasizes the importance of disciplined practice (sadhana) for achieving spiritual realization, focusing on the union of body, mind, and spirit through specific techniques. The text is notable for its combination of physical postures, breathing exercises (pranayama), and the cultivation of mental concentration and devotion (bhakti).

This text was revived by Sri T Krishnamacharya in a mystical way when he channeled it from Nathamuni himself and he popularised in the 20th century.

Course Details

Schedule and Itineray

Feb 19th

2:00pm: A lecture by Srivatsa Ramaswami about Vinyasa Krama Yoga, practice and teachings of Sri T Krishnamacharya.