kripalu yoga

Kripalu yoga is based on the teachings of Swami Kripaluvananda (1913-1981). The practice was developed by Amrit Desai (1932-), a disciple of Swami Kripalu, after he had an experience of spontaneous bodily movement through yoga postures without direction from his mind.

This profound experience transformed Desai and moved him to teach. He founded an ashram community in Sumneytown, Pennsylvania in the early 1970s and called the practice Kripalu Yoga. In the early 1980s, the growing community relocated to Lenox, Massachusetts. In 1994, Desai departed and Kripalu’s status changed from an ashram community to a non-profit retreat center. Today, it is one of the biggest yoga centers in the country.

Kripalu Yoga is a unique way to integrate body, mind, and spirit through opening to the wisdom of the body. It takes the practitioner through three stages:

Stage 1 (emphasis: willful movement, body and breath awareness) begins with an experiential approach to understanding the details of alignment and the coordination of breath while moving in and out of postures.

Stage 2 (emphasis: holding the posture, inner focus and concentration) involves focusing attention on inner sensations, thoughts and emotions. The practitioner learns to hold the postures for longer periods of time while cultivating compassion and awareness.

Stage 3 (emphasis: meditation in motion, absorption) is a unique and personal expression on Kripalu Yoga. It is the practice of moving in response to one’s own bodily wisdom, with postures flowing from one into the next. This experience is often described as a state of prayer expressed by movement.

© 2002 Kripalu Yoga Fellowship. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

For more information on the history of Kripalu, see the Kripalu Center website.

What are some of the benefits?

• Fosters physical strength and flexibility
• Teaches body awareness and alignment
• Calms and balances the emotions
• Releases tension and increases energy
• Provides simple and practical tools for reducing and managing stress

Is Kripalu Yoga for me?

The style encompasses an attitude of awareness combined with self-acceptance with the focus on what’s happening in the present moment. Mastering the postures is secondary; paying attention to what arises while in the posture is paramount. Therefore, the practice can be as gentle or as vigorous as necessary and is adaptable for a broad range of students. Anyone can practice Kripalu Yoga.

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a note on style

There are many styles of hatha yoga. Each one emphasizes different aspects of yoga, and no one style is better (or worse) than another. It is simply a matter of personal preference and what works best for you.

To find out more about other styles of yoga, read Jennifer Cook’s article, Not All Yoga Is Created Equal.

Have a question? Try the FAQ page.

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