Our founder, Mary Louise Skelton, (right) with her teachers, 
                  Sri Krishnamacharya (center)  and T.K.V. Desikachar (left)
                                              

Mary Louise Skelton began her study of yoga in 1969 with her first teacher, Sri T. Krishnamacharya (1888-1989), a master not only of yoga but also of Indian philosophy, Ayurveda, Indian astrology, and music. Krishnamacharya helped to bring yoga's remarkable healing potential into the 20th century. In 1974, Mary Louise became a student of Krishnamacharya's son, Desikachar, founder of the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram. Urged by him to transmit the knowledge and methodology of the lineage, Mary Louise founded Upstate Yoga Intitute in 1983.

Mary Louise Skelton passed away in 1995, leaving behind a large following of dedicated students who continue her work in various parts of the States and in Canada.