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Saraswati Chandra, later known as Swami Kripalu was born in Gujarat, India.
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He began his studies of yoga, Ayurveda, physiology, psychology, and ancient texts, including Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.
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Swami Kripalu was initiated as a renunciate and swami and given the name Swami Kripalvananda, which means “compassionate one.”
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Amrit Desai, a disciple of Swami Kripalu, establishes the Yoga Society Pennsylvania to advance the science and philosophy of yoga in the West.
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The first Kripalu ashram is established in Pennsylvania and changed its name to Kripalu Yoga Fellowship to emphasize the teachings of Swami Kripalu.
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The first Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training was offered in Sumneytown.
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Kripalu purchased a second, significantly larger facility in Summit Station, Pennsylvania, and established a residential center offering yoga instruction.
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Swami Kripalu came to the United States and spent the last four years of his life in residence at Sumneytown and Summit Station, delivering periodic talks and teachings. He returned to India in 1981, and died shortly thereafter. His teachings on love, practice, and self-development continue to form the basis of the Kripalu approach.
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The Kripalu Yoga Fellowship relocates to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and Kripalu Center Yoga & Health is established.
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The Kripalu Yoga Teachers Association which is called now The Kripalu Yoga and Ayurveda Association.
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Desai was asked to step down from his position as spiritual leader amid revelations of sexual misconduct and abuse of power. The integrity of the original teachings carries Kripalu through the transition from guru-centered ashram to community-led organizations.
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Kripalu’s legal status changed from religious institutions to nonprofit educational organization.
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The Teaching for Diversity fund is founded to support yoga teachers sharing the practice with those who don’t have access.
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Kripalu School of Ayurveda is founded.
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In collaboration with researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Kripalu’s Institute for Extraordinary Living (IEL) launches groundbreaking research on the impact of yoga on physical and mental.
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The Kripalu School of Integrative Yoga Therapy is founded.
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The Kripalu School of Mindful Outdoor Leadership is founded.
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2019 and beyond: Kripalu provides $250,000 annually for people to train in the School and RISE. Kripalu continues to evolve and thrive.