Gary graduated with a BA, Magna Cum Laude, from Colgate University in 1976 and received his Masters Degree in Psychology and Religion from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1983. Around that time, he opened Maui School of Yoga Therapy. In 1999, he founded the American Viniyoga Institute™, LLC. Since then, he has become a renowned speaker and teacher of the Viniyoga methodology at many conferences and schools nationally and internationally.
Gary has successfully developed protocol for two National Institutes of Health studies: “Evaluating Yoga for Chronic Low Back Pain” and “Yoga Therapy for Generalized Anxiety”, as well for the “Mind-Body Stress Reduction in the Workplace” clinical trial for Aetna Insurance Company.
He is the Director and Senior Teacher of the American Viniyoga Institute (AVI®), the author of two books published by Penguin:_ Yoga for Wellness and Yoga for Transformation_, and author of four educational DVD’s: Viniyoga Therapy for Low Back, Sacrum and Hips and Viniyoga Therapy for Upper Back, Neck and Shoulders, Viniyoga Therapy for Depression, and Viniyoga Therapy for Anxiety. He has also produced several online workshops: Pranayama Unlocked, Meditation Unlocked, Yoga Therapy for Depression, Yoga Therapy for Better Sleep, Yoga Therapy for Anxiety, and Āsana Unlocked.
Upcoming Courses
3 results
December 2026
FREE Taster: The Parable of the Chariot - Setting the Direction for your Future
16th December 2026 - Online Live - Gary Kraftsow
January 2027
ELECTIVE | Dharma and Svadharma: Creating an Auspicious Life
20th January 2027 - Online Live - Gary Kraftsow
Dharma and Svadharma: Creating an Auspicious Life
20th January 2027 - Online Live - Gary Kraftsow
