Krishnamacharya:

a life, a book and

a practice for
winter warriors
Yogasmiths Paul and Steve
get into the woods for a
practice taken from a key
Krishnamacharya book they Krishnamacharya: his life and teachings
explore and review in this by AG Mohan (with Ganesh Mohan),
feature. Shambhala Publications (2010)

Krishnamcharya was born in 1888 and Mohan takes us through his

his first teacher was his own father experience of being taught asana
who taught him the vedas, asana and philosophy by Krishnamacharya.
AG Mohan describes his and pranayama. He was clearly a It is interesting to learn how
experience of learning yoga from very intelligent man, obtaining two Krishnamacharya imparted his
his teacher Sri Krishnamacharya. degrees from Mysore University. knowledge to his students. He
Mohan studied with Krishnama- Krishnamacharya obtained a never referred to notes or books, his
charya for 18 years until the death scholarship and a further degree knowledge retained in his memory,
of his teacher in 1989 at the age in yoga and the theory of samkhya texts and scriptures recited from
of 100. from Patna University. It is clear that memory, with nothing written down.
the young Krishnamacharya was It is striking how basic and simple the
The father of modern yoga academically gifted and had a thirst room was in which Krishnamacharya
Tirumalai Krishnamacharya is widely for knowledge which he pursued. A lived and taught: 'He was a person
considered to be one of the most significant period in his early life was of few possessions, and the room
influential yoga teachers on the studying yoga in the Himalayas with reflected the simplicity of his life. It
development of modern yoga. He his teacher for seven years. was furnished with only a chair, a bed
is often referred to as the 'father of and a carpet for asana practice.”
modern yoga'. It is without doubt that Mohan presents the overview of
his most famous students spread the Krishnamacharya’s life with the caveat It is very insightful how
word and practice of yoga far and that it is difficult to ascertain precise Krishnamacharya, with his vast and
wide. details and that Krishnamacharya detailed knowledge of many yoga
himself did give differing accounts texts, was also very discerning in what
During his life time Krishnamacharya himself throughout his life. He was a he taught. He did not teach kriya to
had no desire for personal fame or man who did not like to talk about his his students and also would not teach
material success. This is the main achievements and this humility results parts of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika.
reason why a lot of yoga practitioners in a degree of uncertainty. This is quite refreshing to read, as I
may not know who he is and the am sure many readers will know the
impact he had on spreading the Meeting his teacher Hatha Yoga Pradipika has some very
ancient wisdom of yoga. One of his Mohan talks about his own life bizarre practices detailed, which we
favourite sayings was 'a capable and how he started to explore the think might likely get teachers arrested
student brings fame to the teacher'. deeper meanings of life. He was if they tried to teach them to their
This book serves to shine some fame told, whilst working on a project, to students.
on this important, authentic, pivotal speak to a colleague called Srivatsa
yoga teacher. Ramaswami who recommended The source of modern vinyasa
he attend a lecture being given by Krishnamacharya created the
Krishnamacharya’s life Krishnamacharya. Srivatsa Ramaswami vinyasa system of yoga. This is such
The book starts with a touching is today a respected teacher himself a commonplace style of yoga in our
insight into Krishnamacharya, the and studied for 33 years with modern world. Krishnamacharya
man. Ganesh Mohan, the author’s Krishnamacharya. Mohan’s beautiful was the first person to intelligently
son, describes how approachable and description of attending the lecture sequence asana one after the other
encouraging his father’s teacher was. and meeting Krishnamacharya is a joy with the movement between the
He also details how he used to give to read. It sets his life on a completely positions being linked to the breath.
him sweetened almonds as a treat. different course. This transformed yoga from a static

24 The British Wheel of Yoga spectrum magazine

 A vinyasa flow
1 inspired by
2 3 the 'father of
modern yoga'
This warrior (virabhadrasana)
based vinyasa practice was a
favourite of Krishnamacharya’s.
I have been teaching this in my
own yoga classes. It is a nicely
balanced practice of some
easier postures mixed with some
more challenging postures. The
5 practice requires us to leave
4 our egos to one side and to ‘go
with the flow’ and practise to our
comfortable level of ability. Let us
embrace our wobbles and soar
above the ego!

Krishnamacharya advised students,

when practicing this flowing sequence,
to bring to mind the feeling of being a
bird, that you are above the world and
practice to a dynamic practice. One of imparts his teachers wisdom on these its concerns.
Krishnamacharya’s favourite vinyasa topics.
sequences that he frequently taught 'I am without any fear or burden. I am
was based around the Warrior postures The later years not troubled by the future or the past,
and is included in the back of this book. Mohan was Krishnamacharya’s student flying above worldly pressures.'
As part of this article, after the book until his teacher’s death in 1989.
review, I have laid out this sequence so The later years of his life are fondly As detailed in Mohan’s book,
that you can try it for yourself. recounted. He was in good health Krishnamacharya was not a great fan
both physically and mentally in his of giving postures elaborate names.
Krishnamacharya taught yoga one to final years. His physical health was In this sequence are postures and
one and also therapeutically to those only really affected by a hip fracture, transitions that perhaps do not have
with ill health. It was only in his early for which he refused to have surgery! an exact name.
life of teaching yoga that he conducted Mohan describes how he was able to
group classes. When approaching assist his teacher and help care for him. Start in Samasthiti, equal standing
asana his attitude was to 'never use pose with hands together in front of
force in teaching or practicing asana'. In summary – a must read the heart, Inhaling (Picture 1).
We think it's a shame that some of In our opinion this book is a 'must' for
his students who went on to become any serious student of yoga. It gives Exhaling, take a step forward with the
famous teachers did not adhere to this an authentic insight into the origins left foot, feet hip distance apart, pelvis
advice! of our modern yoga practice. We see pointing forwards, both feet pointing
Krishnamacharya as the incredibly forwards, legs straight but not locked
A criticism often levelled at intelligent erudite father of modern out (Picture 2).
Krishnamacharya is for the yoga yoga. A person who was devoted to
demonstrations that he held. These learning and spreading the teachings Inhaling sweep the arms up overhead,
were mostly with the boys he taught of yoga. A humble man who never palms facing, shoulders down and
at the Mysore palace performing sought fame or fortune, who actually away from the ears (Picture 3).
advanced asana, sometimes with clearly struggled through his life to
Krishnamacharya standing on them. make ends meet. Yet a man whose Exhaling hinge forwards at the hips
In this book Mohan describes how legacy is evident in all corners of the leading with the chest then allowing
Krishnamacharya dismissed these world. When we look at lineage in the the spine to gently round forward as
performances as 'yoga propaganda' yoga tradition, Krishnamacharya is the you lower the hands to the mat either
that were, perhaps, necessary at the source that I find myself referring back side of the front foot or lowering the
time to popularise and publicise yoga. to more and more frequently. hands to the shin if you can not reach
It icould be argued that, given the way A reliable intelligent reference for the floor, Parsvottanasana (Picture 4).
he lived his life, this was not something our modern practice. If you wish to
he enjoyed. purchase this book I would encourage Inhaling, hinge back up leading with
you to buy ethically. The Ethical the chest, straight back. Sweeping the
The chapters of this book cover Consumer website rates Blackwells arms up over head, palms facing and
pranayama, kriyas, yoga therapy, highly and recommends boycotting lunge into the left knee into a Warrior 1
yamas, niyamas and meditation. Mohan Amazon. pose (Picture 5).

The British Wheel of Yoga spectrum magazine 25

 66 7 8 9

10 11 12 13
Inhaling, twisting the torso back so that the spine. I prefer to teach this with the
you have a flat and level pelvis, rear Warrior 1 foot position through out as
leg still raised, hands together over I think it flows better and it is nice to
head in a Warrior 3 pose (Picture 13). add in a gentle spinal rotation.
14 Exhaling lowering the hands down to You can always miss out picture 12
the mat keeping the rear leg raised. if you feel it is too difficult. I have
You can bring the hands closer to the taught the sequence both with this
balancing foot and lift the rear leg stage in and without it. You could also
Exhaling, lowering the arms down, higher if your flexibility allows (Picture lower one hand towards the floor and
bending at the elbows and drawing 14). explore Half Moon Pose.
them back, palms facing upwards
(Picture 6). Inhaling lowering the rear leg to the I have used this practice in a Sun
mat, feet hip distance apart grounding Salutation B, beginning it when
Inhaling extend the arms out straight down through both feet and raising the stepping forward from Downward
to either side into a T shape (Picture 7). arms up overheard and lungeing into Facing Dog. This can create a
the front knee into a Warrior 1 pose very enjoyable substantial flowing
Exhaling rotate the torso to the rear (Picture 5). sequence.
leg (right leg), moving gently and
ensuring there is no discomfort in the Exhaling lowering the arms out to Be creative
knees, gazing towards the rear hand either side into a T shape, hands level We hope you enjoy this flowing
(Picture 8). with the shoulders (Picture 7). sequence as much as we do with its
mix of easy and challenging postures.
Inhaling rotating the torso to face Inhaling bending at the elbows and Krishnamacharya was very creative
forwards with the arms out to either drawing them back, palms facing in his sequencing so we encourage
side in a T shape (Picture 9). upwards (Picture 6). you to be creative too. Use this flow
however you see fit, add some extra
Exhaling bringing all the weight into Exhaling straightening the front leg poses in if you wish, take some out,
the front foot, hinge forward at the and bringing the hands together in pause and hold the poses if you would
hips, keeping the arms out to the side front of the heart (Picture 2). like to. Go with the flow and see where
in a T shape, lifting the rear foot from it takes you! We would love to hear
the mat, engaging core and pelvic Inhaling stepping the front foot back to how you get on with it!
floor to aid balance (Picture 10). samasthiti – equal standing pose with We will be creating an instructional
the hands together in front of the heart YouTube video to accompany this
Inhaling take the palms together over (Picture 1). article to take you through the flow on
head into a Warrior 3 pose (Picture 11). both sides slowly and then as a breath
Return to the start of the instructions led flow. Embrace the wobbles with a
Exhaling twisting the torso to the side and repeat leading with the other smile and soar above the ego!
to work to stack the hip of the raised foot (right foot). I would recommend
leg on top of the balancing leg. This is running through the sequence slowly
a tricky transition and will be limited by a couple of times, pausing in the Paul and Steve Smith are directors of
your adductors on the balancing leg. different stages before flowing through Yogasmiths Limited. They run regular
Just move into this with gentleness, with the breath instruction. online yoga classes, events and the
exploring your comfortable range of BWYT Foundation Course 1.
movement. You can always bring the Some options Check out their website at
rear leg down to the floor and rest on At picture eight, you could pivot on the W: www.yogasmiths. org and their
tip toes to assist in stacking the hips rear foot and adopt a Warrior 2 foot instagram and facebook pages
(Picture 12). position. This takes out the rotation in @yogasmithsorg

26 The British Wheel of Yoga spectrum magazine