Thank you to our Presenters

Deep appreciation to all who were a part of this celebration: Carly, Padma, Shambhu, Parvati, Missy, and Chandrakant.

Supporting the space that Swami Kripalu practiced in while he lived in the U.S.

Each year, Santosha Yoga has a tradition of gathering donations to help support Muktidham - the space that Swami Kripalu practiced in while he lived in the United States. To help support that space, you are invited to make a donation to Kripalvananda Yoga Institute (KYI). KYI is a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation established to preserve and maintain Muktidham, the personal residence of Swami Kripalvananda while he resided in the United States. Shambhu is a long-time friend of Santosha Yoga and Board Historian for KYI.

Mahasamadhi

In the I AM Yoga tradition, we honor the life and teachings of Swami Kripalu each year with a gathering that we call Mahasamadhi (see below for more info). Santosha Yoga Instructors along with Friends and fellow Siblings on the Path from both Near and Far will offer readings, short guided meditations, and chanting. We invite anyone who is interested to join us in this beautiful opportunity to connect with a wider global sangha of people who resonate with this energy that we call the lineage of light. No previous experience is needed - simply arrive with an open mind and an open heart. <3

Why is it called that?

Mahasamadhi is 2 sanskrit words (Maha = great) + (samadhi = deep integration), together referring to the death of a spiritual being - Swami Kripalu's final deep integration. He's called a Swami because he took vows to renounce a worldly life, similar to a monk in the West. This event is an annual opportunity to remember Swami Kripalu's passing (on December 29, 1981), this year we're celebrating on the date of his birth (on January 13, 1913), and each year it's a chance to learn about and revisit his teachings. Since now there are so many ways to practice and study yoga in the West, we offer this annual event as a chance to embrace yoga's roots as we highlight and uplift the original words, wisdom, and gifts of a yoga master from India.

Swami Kripalu (January 13, 1913 - December 29, 1981) was a renowned yoga master who lived primarily in the Gujarat region of India. At Santosha and in I AM Yoga (Integrated Amrit Method of Yoga), we call him “Bapuji,” an affectionate nickname meaning “beloved father.” Among Swami Kripalu’s dedicated disciples was Yogi Amrit Desai, who we call “Gurudev” meaning “beloved teacher.” Kripalu encouraged Yogi Desai to bring yoga to the US in 1959. Gurudev began teaching around 1961, creating first Kripalu Yoga and then Amrit Yoga to convey the power of these teachings to Americans and other Westerners.

In 1977, despite the rigorous demands of his yoga practice (Sadhana), Bapuji stunned his followers in India by accepting an invitation to visit America. Bapuji arrived in May of 1977, expecting to stay only a few months, but he extended his visit to over four years, living at the original Kripalu Yoga Ashram in Sumneytown, Pennsylvania in a small cottage named Muktidham or “Abode of Liberation.” Here in Muktidham, Bapuji did his ten-hour a day yoga practice and reached the highest stages of yoga. He was supported by Amrit Desai’s wife, Urmilla Desai, who was also a disciple of Bapuji and is known as “Mataji” or “beloved mother.” In 1981, Bapuji’s health began to deteriorate and he wished to return to India. He peacefully left his body (Maha Samadhi) on December 29, 1981.