B. K. S. Iyengar

Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar (1918–2014) was an influential Indian yoga teacher and author, widely regarded as one of the foremost modern yoga masters. He is best known as the founder of Iyengar Yoga, a style emphasising precision, alignment, and the use of props to make postures accessible to practitioners of all ages and abilities. Iyengar’s disciplined approach, combined with his deep philosophical insight, helped popularise yoga both in India and across the world, transforming it from a traditional spiritual discipline into a global wellness practice.

Early Life and Education

B. K. S. Iyengar was born on 14 December 1918 in Bellur, a small village in Karnataka, India, into a poor Iyengar Brahmin family. His early years were marked by illness and hardship. He suffered from malaria, tuberculosis, typhoid, and malnutrition, leaving him frail and weak. At the age of sixteen, he was introduced to yoga by his brother-in-law, Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, a pioneering yoga master at the Mysore Palace.
Under Krishnamacharya’s rigorous guidance, Iyengar began to recover his health and gradually developed extraordinary physical strength and flexibility. Although his initial training was strict and demanding, it laid the foundation for his lifelong dedication to yoga. By 1937, Iyengar was teaching yoga himself, beginning his career in Pune, Maharashtra, where he would remain for the rest of his life.

Development of Iyengar Yoga

Iyengar’s personal struggle with ill health and his methodical temperament led him to develop a system of yoga focusing on precise alignment, systematic sequencing, and mindful discipline. His method came to be known as Iyengar Yoga, distinguished by its attention to detail and therapeutic approach.
A key innovation in Iyengar Yoga was the use of props—such as belts, blocks, bolsters, and ropes—to help practitioners achieve correct posture regardless of physical limitations. This made yoga more inclusive, allowing elderly or injured students to benefit from the practice safely. Iyengar taught that each posture (asana) and breath control (pranayama) should be performed with awareness, integrating body, mind, and spirit.
His approach combined physical precision with the philosophical and ethical principles of Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras, particularly the concepts of yama (moral discipline), niyama (self-observance), and dhyana (meditation). He emphasised that true yoga was not mere physical exercise but a spiritual discipline aimed at self-realisation.

International Recognition and Influence

B. K. S. Iyengar’s international reputation began to rise in the 1950s when the renowned violinist Yehudi Menuhin, after experiencing health problems, became his student. Menuhin’s endorsement brought Iyengar into contact with Western audiences, and soon he began teaching across Europe and America.
In 1975, he founded the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) in Pune, named after his late wife. The institute became a global centre for the study and teaching of yoga, attracting students and teachers from around the world. His children—Geeta S. Iyengar and Prashant S. Iyengar—continued his legacy, expanding the reach of Iyengar Yoga through publications, teacher training, and international seminars.
Iyengar’s influence was profound not only on yoga practitioners but also on physiotherapists, athletes, and health professionals. His techniques were incorporated into therapeutic programmes for conditions such as back pain, arthritis, hypertension, and depression.

Publications and Philosophical Contributions

B. K. S. Iyengar was a prolific author whose books became foundational texts in modern yoga literature. His most famous work, “Light on Yoga” (1966), has been translated into multiple languages and remains one of the most comprehensive guides to the philosophy and practice of yoga. Often referred to as the “Bible of Modern Yoga,” it contains detailed instructions and photographs of hundreds of asanas and pranayama techniques.
Other notable works include:

• “Light on Pranayama” (1981) – a detailed exploration of breathing techniques.
• “Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali” (1993) – his commentary on the classical text of yoga philosophy.
• “Light on Life” (2005) – a reflective and philosophical work on yoga as a path to peace and fulfilment.

His writings combined scholarly depth with practical wisdom, bridging traditional Indian philosophy and contemporary scientific understanding.

Teaching Philosophy and Methodology

Iyengar believed that yoga was accessible to all, regardless of age, body type, or ability. His teaching method was characterised by discipline, structure, and compassion. He insisted that practitioners perfect the physical posture before progressing to deeper stages of concentration and meditation, arguing that a stable body fosters a stable mind.
Central principles of his teaching include:

• Alignment: Each part of the body must be precisely positioned to ensure balance and harmony.
• Sequencing: Postures are performed in a deliberate order to maximise physiological and psychological benefits.
• Timing: Sustained holding of postures builds endurance, concentration, and awareness.
• Props and Adaptation: Aids such as straps, chairs, and walls enable practitioners to achieve alignment safely.

Through this system, Iyengar created a universal teaching model that could be adapted to diverse needs and contexts.

Recognition and Awards

B. K. S. Iyengar’s contribution to yoga and public health was recognised globally. Among his many honours were:

• Padma Shri (1991) – for distinguished service in yoga.
• Padma Bhushan (2002) – for exceptional contribution to India’s cultural heritage.
• Padma Vibhushan (2014) – India’s second-highest civilian award, conferred shortly before his death.
• He was also named one of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World” in 2004.

Legacy and Global Impact

Iyengar’s legacy extends far beyond his lifetime. Iyengar Yoga Institutes operate in over 70 countries, and certified teachers continue to uphold the standards he established. His systematic approach influenced other schools of modern yoga, contributing significantly to the global yoga renaissance of the twentieth century.
The Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute remains a centre of research and instruction, offering teacher training, medical therapy sessions, and philosophical study. Iyengar’s emphasis on discipline, mindfulness, and compassion continues to shape yoga education worldwide.
In India, his birthplace Bellur has been transformed through charitable initiatives funded by the Bellur Krishnamachar & Seshamma Smaraka Niddhi Trust, established by Iyengar. The trust supports education, healthcare, and the spread of yoga in rural communities, reflecting his belief that yoga’s benefits should reach every section of society.

Final Years and Continuing Influence

B. K. S. Iyengar continued to practise and teach yoga into his nineties, maintaining remarkable vitality and devotion. He passed away on 20 August 2014 in Pune, leaving behind an enduring spiritual and educational legacy.
His life embodied the essence of yoga as defined in the Yoga Sutras: “Yogah chitta vritti nirodhah”—“Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind.” Through his teaching, writing, and humanitarian efforts, Iyengar not only transformed the practice of yoga but also elevated it to a universal discipline of self-realisation, balance, and compassion.