Paramahansa Yogananda

Paramahansa Yogananda (1893-1952), was an Indian Hindu monk, yogi and guru who introduced millions to meditation and Kriya Yoga. A chief disciple of the yoga guru Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri, he was sent by his lineage to spread the teachings of yoga to the West. He immigrated to America at the age of 27 to prove the unity between Eastern and Western religions and to preach a balance between Western material growth and Indian spirituality.

His long-standing influence in the American yoga movement, and especially the yoga culture of Los Angeles, led him to be considered by yoga experts as the "Father of Yoga in the West".