Gary Kraftsow is the founder, director, and senior teacher of the American Viniyoga Institute. He is the author of Yoga for Wellness and Yoga for Transformation as well as the educational DVD series: Viniyoga Therapy for Low Back, Sacrum and Hips; Viniyoga Therapy for Upper Back, Neck and Shoulders; Viniyoga Therapy for Anxiety; and Viniyoga Therapy for Depression.

He began his journey as a student, practitioner, teacher, and therapist at age 19 when he traveled to Madras (now Chennai) India, to study. He later received a Viniyoga Special Diploma from Viniyoga International in Paris, France. Gary graduated from Colgate University in 1976 and received his master’s degree in psychology and religion from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1983.