About Rev. Father Joseph H. Pereira
Rev. Father. Joseph H Pereira is the Founder Trustee of the Kripa Foundation, which is devoted to the care, support and rehabilitation of those affected by chemical dependency (ailments of Addiction) and HIV & AIDS (Addiction related).
Kripa Foundation, which was founded in Mumbai in 1981, has rapidly expanded and now connects thirteen Indian states with social stability through a variety of multifunction facilities.
It also has collaborations with facilities in Europe, Canada, and the United States.
The aim of the Kripa Foundation, which was established in 1981, has developed into a Global Healing Presence that has assisted over 60,000 people in the past 42 years.
He has been involved for decades with yoga, first as a patient, pupil and practitioner, then as a Certified Trainer and in later years as a friend, associate and an International Mentor of the Guruji B.K.S. Iyengar, School of Yoga, Poona.
Rev. Fr. Joe Pereira has meticulously designed and implemented the Kripa Module of rehabilitation, which consists of a diverse set of principles, and addresses every dimension of the disease, such as physical, mental, spiritual, and psycho-social.
An ardent student of Padma Bhushan Guruji B.K.S.Iyengar Yoga, since August 1968, he structured specific sequences of postures/Asanas and pranayama with meditation (Dhyana) in the Kripa Module of recovery for addicts and people living with HIV/ AIDS.
Fr. Joseph H Pereira is an Adjunct Professor in Yoga Philosophy and Psychology at various Indian universities and Catholic institutions and at the four regional Seminaries in Bombay, Goa, Pune and Nagpur.
He is a Consultant to the Archdiocese of Bombay for “Rehabilitation of the Chemically Dependent” and a Consultant-Member of various high-level committees constituted by the Government of India, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
"As a Catholic Priest working in the field of Addiction and Addiction related ailments such as HIV AIDS, I have found the use of Yoga especially Iyengar Yoga the most effective component of the healing process. This method is now known as Kripa Foundation Iyengar YogaTM and is being used in over forty countries in treatment facilities". - Fr. Joe Preira
BKS Iyengar, lovingly called Guruji by millions of Yog-Sadhakas was a Universal Yogi and unique in blending the Science and Faith of Yoga both in the West as well as in the East.
Though he passed away at the age of 95, to many of us his death was sudden. We saw him in challenging postures such as Kapotasana till recently.
On returning from the cremation as I sat with Gitaji I spontaneously said, “Guruji in the likeness of Jesus, truly laid his life down for us.” As a Catholic Priest, Guruji filled a very special dimension in my spiritual life.
After ten long years of training for the Priesthood, in-spite of all the theology and philosophy, I learned, my physical wellbeing was severely compromised and it was only by Guruji’s teaching I, as a Catholic Priest discovered and explored the wisdom in the body.
As in other Religious teachings, the Bible does emphasize that the Body is the temple of God’s Spirit. However for Guruji this was a lived reality.
Growth
Kripafoundation Iyengar YogaTM offers a comprehensive approach to physical fitness and mental focus, which can aid in athletic development.
Surrounding
A harmonic environment can be created through Kripafoundation Iyengar YogaTM by designing spaces and fostering an atmosphere that nurtures balance, calm, and well-being.
Training
Kripafoundation Iyengar YogaTM delivers structured lessons and programmes to teach people many facets of Iyengar yoga practise, philosophy, and techniques.
Equipment
Kripafoundation Iyengar YogaTM props and equipment enable support, enabling both beginners and seasoned yogis to take full advantage of each posture.
In the field of health and especially in the context of Healing Addiction the specific kind of scientific study and research on Iyengar Yoga is promising the Kripa Model of Recovery to become the most effective in the world. This blend of Jungian insights and the Iyengar Yoga is now available in my (Fr. Joe) co-authored book by Dr. Ashok Bedi the Jungian Analyst, “The Spiritual Paradox of Addiction”.
