Krishnamacharya, teacher of all yoga teachers

Ever since I reviewed Gregor Maehle's second book, I could not but wonder about Sri T. Krishnamacharya who, for the first time gets to be fully and exclusively acknowledged as the first pioneer and original leader of Ashtanga as we know it today (even all of yoga?, he is after all BKS Iyengar, Indra Devi and Pattabhi Jois' teacher).

Last weekend while browsing books on 14th street I came across his son's "The Heart of Yoga", where we can actually rerad (in the last chapter) one of his very own books: "Yoganjalisaram".

left: Krishnamacharya (picture from aynyc.org)

I was taken by how simple: "Never be in debt. Never reside near enemies. Never trap the body through disease", yet how deep.  Did you notice  he mentions "debt" in the same context as disease?

How down to earth: "Rid your body of  its impurities, let your speech be true and sweet, feel friendship for the world, and with humility seek wealth and knowledge".  Wealth and knowledge? that could probably clarify things for people that think that yogis don't eat, or should not charge for services.


His explanation of detachment:  "Knowing all objects to be impermanent, let not their contact blind you. Resolve again and again to be aware of the Self that is permanent".  And of course, do what you must do, but seek the real self... 

Aparently he wrote many other books but only a few have survived.  The Yoganjalisaram is one of those treasures.