Overview
Amrit Desai is an Indian-born Hindu spiritual teacher known for introducing yoga and meditation practices to audiences outside India. He is associated with the lineage of his guru, Swami Kripalvananda (Kripalu), and has played a role in the development of yoga communities in the West.
Key facts
| Name | Amrit Desai |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Tradition | Hindu, Yoga |
| Guru | Swami Kripalvananda (Kripalu) |
| Known for | Teaching yoga and meditation |
Background
Desai was born in India and became a disciple of Swami Kripalvananda, a yoga master in the Hindu devotional tradition. Drawing on his guru's teachings, he developed an approach to yoga that combines physical postures (asana), breathwork (pranayama), and meditative awareness.
Teaching career
Desai travelled abroad to teach yoga and was among the early Indian teachers to establish a sustained presence in North America. His teachings emphasise the integration of yoga as a spiritual discipline rather than purely a physical practice, drawing on the classical framework of his lineage.
Significance
Desai is recognised as one of the figures who contributed to the spread of Indian yogic traditions internationally during the latter half of the twentieth century. His work has influenced students and teachers who have gone on to establish their own yoga programmes and centres.