Paramhansa Yogananda
1893–1952
Yogananda was the first great master of yoga to live and teach Kriya Yoga in the west.Author of spiritual classic, Autobiography of a Yogi. Ananda is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda and his line of gurus.
Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri
1855–1936 Guru of Paramhansa Yogananda and a disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya. He is the author of The Holy Science.
Lahiri Mahasaya
1828–1895
Lahiri Mahasaya is a disciple of Mahavatar Babaji. Known for making Kriya Yoga widely available. He met Babaji in 1861 when he was 33 and received the technique of Kriya Yoga from him. He had many disciples, including Swami Sri Yukteswar and the parents of Paramhansa Yogananda.
Mahavatar Babaji

Mahavatar Babaji is the guru of Lahiri Mahasaya. He re-introduced the ancient science of Kriya Yoga. A living Guru residing in the Himalayas for centuries. Known as a mahavatar, a great incarnation of God.

Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ appeared to Mahavatar Babaji and asked him to send someone to take the teachings to the West. Jesus told Babaji that his followers needed to learn how to receive him through deep meditation.

Ananda's Founder and Spiritual Directors

Swami Kriyananda
1926–2013
Swami Kriyananda (J. Donald Walters) is the founder of Ananda and Ananda Yoga He is a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda. Swami Kriyananda is also the author of 150 books and over 400 pieces of music.
Nayaswami Jyotish and Nayaswami Devi
Spiritual directors of Ananda Sangha Worldwide. They worked closely with Swami Kriyananda to build Ananda They teach meditation and inspire seekers around the world