Krishnamacharya's Yoga Lineage

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP

 

This workshop is for students wishing to learn more about yoga as taught by Krishnamacharya.  Sri Krishnamacarya (1888 - 1989) was the most influential figure in the field of yoga in the last 100 years. He is considered the father of modern yoga, responsible for bringing yoga to the West.

 

Krishnamacarya's lineage remains strong, through the faithful passing down of traditional yoga by his dedicated students.

 

This workshop, taught by senior UK yoga teacher Stephen Brandon, explores the teachings of two of these yogis, Srivasta Ramaswami and Sri T.K. Shribhasyam.

 

Day 1 - Yoga for the Three Stages of Life - Ramaswami

9.30-5pm

 

Srivasta Ramaswami studied with Krishnamacarya for thirty-three years. Key to his teaching is adapting yoga to individual needs and different stages of life.

In the early years, yoga is a physical art form focusing on self-confidence and discipline.  In the middle years, yoga is a form of therapy to maintain optimal health. In the later years, yoga philosophy is studied to bring the yogi towards realization of truth.  This workshop will explore principles of right living, asana, pranayama and meditation across the three stages.

 

 

Day 2 - The Emergence of Yoga - Shribhasyam

9.30-5pm

 

Sri T.K. Shribhasyam was Krishnamacarya's youngest son.  He studied with his father throughout his life.  His teachings emphasise the philosophy of yoga with reference to the Vedas and the Yajnavalkya, a very important text according to Krishnamacharya.  Shribhasyam’s practices begin and end with pranayama and include rest on the floor after each āsana or prānāyāma. It is a very spiritual and meditative approach.  This workshop will explore pranayama, mudras, asanas and dhyana as taught by Shribhasyam.

 

ABOUT STEPHEN BRANDON

Stephen Brandon has studied Yoga under some outstanding teachers from Sri T.Krishnamacharya’s lineage since 1999.

 

He studied for the Viniyoga Britain Diploma with Ranju Roy and Paul Harvey from 1999 - 2007. During this time he attended workshops & trainings with TKV Desikachar and A.G. and Indra Mohan.

In 2007 Stephen met Srivatsa Ramaswami and since then has trained extensively in Vinyasa Krama Yoga and Yoga Philosophy with Ramaswami in India, the USA and the UK.

 

In 2015 Stephen met T.K. Sribhashyam (son of Krishnamacharya) and arranged for him to teach a 5 day Seminar in the UK in July 2016.  He continued his contact & studies with Sribhashyam until he passed away in November 2017. Stephen continues to study with Srivatsa Ramaswami and Mrs Brigitte Khan, assistant teacher to T.K. Sribhashyam.

 

Stephen has recently been awarded a First Class Honours Grade in his Philosophy of Yoga & Hindu Studies from the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies at Oxford University.  He is also author with Charles Cox of the VKY Practice Manual.

 

Stephen’s interest in Ayurveda was kindled during his study of Viniyoga and he has continued his studies since then, gaining diplomas from the American Institute of Vedic Studies and Ayurveda Pura London. He also attends annual Seminars with Dr Vasant Lad and is a member of the Ayurvedic Professionals Association and the Complementary Medical Association.

 

Stephen began teaching in 2000 as a requirement of his Yoga training. Numbers of students gradually increased and further teaching opportunities presented themselves. In 2003 Stephen left his engineering job to become a full-time Yoga teacher. Since then he has taught 1:1 sessions, group classes, retreats and teacher training courses. He has taught in health clubs, schools, adult education centres and prisons as well as private classes. Stephen has taught at various Yoga conferences and studios in the UK and Europe.