For nearly forty years, Swami Kripalvanandji was a pilgrim on the path of yoga. For more than half of that time, he maintained total silence and meditated 10 hours each day to aid his journey toward self-realization.

In 1977, despite the rigorous demands of his spiritual practices, he traveled from his home in India to the Kripalu Yoga Retreat in Sumneytown, Pennsylvania, USA, and spoke almost daily for three months--astonishing American audiences with his wisdom and playful humor. During his remaining four years in America, hs spoke on only two occasions each year--the traditional Indian festival called Guru Purnima and the birthday celebration held in his honor. These were times of profound learning for all who came to hear.

His deciples and devotees called him "Bapuji," ("beloved father"). Another, older, nickname was "Kripalu," and the Kripalu Yoga worldwide organization is thus named in his honor.