Saturday, January 8, 2022
Biography of B.K.S. Iyengar
Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar, commonly known as B.K.S. Iyengar, was a renowned Indian yoga teacher who played a significant role in popularizing yoga worldwide. He was born on December 14, 1918, in Bellur, Karnataka, India, and passed away on August 20, 2014. Iyengar is credited with developing the Iyengar Yoga, a form of yoga known for its emphasis on precision, alignment, and the use of props for various asanas (yoga postures).
Early Life and Yoga Journey:
B.K.S. Iyengar was born into a large impoverished family. He suffered from various health issues during his childhood, including malaria, tuberculosis, and typhoid fever. His life took a turn when he was introduced to yoga at the age of 16 by his brother-in-law, the renowned yogi Sri T. Krishnamacharya. Iyengar's dedication to yoga helped him overcome his health problems, and he became a disciple of Krishnamacharya.
Teaching Career and Iyengar Yoga:
In the 1950s, Iyengar began teaching yoga in Pune, India. He developed a unique style of yoga that focused on the precision of alignment and the use of props such as belts, blocks, and walls to assist practitioners in performing asanas correctly. This style became known as Iyengar Yoga and gained worldwide recognition for its therapeutic benefits and attention to detail.
International Recognition:
B.K.S. Iyengar's teachings attracted yoga enthusiasts from around the world. He conducted workshops and classes internationally, spreading the principles of Iyengar Yoga to different countries. His book "Light on Yoga," published in 1966, became a seminal work in the field of yoga and is considered a classic reference for practitioners and teachers.
Contributions and Achievements:
Iyengar's innovative approach to yoga, emphasizing the use of props and precise alignment, revolutionized yoga practice. He also introduced therapeutic yoga, adapting yoga asanas to address various medical conditions and ailments. He founded the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) in Pune, where practitioners from around the world come to study Iyengar Yoga.
Legacy and Recognition:
B.K.S. Iyengar received numerous awards and honors during his lifetime, including the Padma Shri (1991), the Padma Bhushan (2002), and the Padma Vibhushan (2014), which are among the highest civilian awards in India. His teachings continue to influence yoga practitioners and teachers globally.
B.K.S. Iyengar's dedication to yoga and his contribution to the spread of yoga worldwide have left a lasting legacy. His emphasis on alignment, precision, and the therapeutic aspects of yoga has made Iyengar Yoga one of the most widely practiced forms of yoga, benefiting people's physical and mental well-being across the globe.