Paramahansa Yogananda was an Indian-born Hindu monk and spiritual teacher who established the Self-Realization Fellowship and the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India. He was a disciple of Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri and was chosen to bring the teachings of Kriya Yoga and meditation to Western audiences. At the age of 27, he moved to the United States with the aim of sharing his spiritual philosophy and highlighting common ground between Eastern and Western religious traditions. Yogananda spent over three decades in the United States, where he became a prominent figure in the American yoga movement. His work in Los Angeles and beyond contributed significantly to the popularization of yoga and meditation in the West. He is often recognized for his role in introducing these practices to a broad audience and influencing the development of yoga culture outside of India.