Who is a yogi? In simple terms a yogi is someone who is committed to the practice of yoga. Perhaps this statement is only the starting point to begin to understand who exactly is a yogi and what one needs to go through to become a Yogi. There is a lot to specify and understand in this regard, ‘what exactly is yoga’, ‘committed to practice of yoga’, 'health benefits', these are a few examples of what needs to be understood to begin to understand the philosophy of being a yogi.
There have been numerous yoga practitioners or yogi/yoginis throughout the history. Each of them had their own ways to comprehend the philosophy of yoga and so they taught to their disciples. Throughout the history many yogis have inspired other people to live a better life by their words and their ways to live and the teachings of yogis have also lead to the spiritual evolution of common people also.
Some of the most well known yogis or yoga practitioners of all time are as follows:
1. SRI RAMAKRISHNA PARAMHANSA: He was a priest in the Dakshineshwara Kali temple, Kolkata and was one of the most acknowledged yogi of the time and is revered to as one of the greatest yogi till date. He was a Bhakti yogi and his follower regarded him as the “Avatara” or “the incarnation” and he was also given the title of “Paramhansa” which is given to those Hindu spiritual leaders who have attained enlightenment.
2. SWAMI VIVEKANANDA: He was the chief disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and founded the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission. He was one of the first ones to introduce the Hindu philosophies of Yoga and Vedanta to the western world. His speech at the Parliament of world’s religion in Chicago 1893 brought him and Hindu religion worldwide respect and acknowledgement.
3. PARAMHANSA YOGANANDA: He was the disciple of another prominent yogi Swami Sri Yukteshwar Giri. He is referred to as the father of modern yoga in the west since he started the American Yoga movement. He is the author of the book ‘Autobiography of a Yogi’. Paramhansa Yogananda millions to the teachings of meditation and Kriya yoga and his book influenced countless more to look up to the teachings of Hinduism and Yoga.
4. TIRUMALAI KRISHNAMACHARYA: T. Krishnamacharya is widely known for reviving Hatha yoga and developing the Vinyasa Kramic yogic style. He is also credited with health and well being of many through teachings of yoga and ayurveda.
