His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche is the lineage holder of the Shangpa Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. He was born in 1990 and recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Holiness the 12th Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa as the tulku, or rebirth, of Kalu Rinpoche (1905–1989), a renowned Buddhist meditation master and scholar who was one of the first Tibetan lamas to teach in the West. The current Kalu Rinpoche completed his traditional three-year retreat between 2004 and 2008. Rinpoche now teaches Niguma Yoga around the world to cultivate awareness and to promote physical and mental well-being.