Iyengar Yoga

Iyengar Yoga is a deep and scientific teaching method of classical Hatha Yoga named after B.K.S Iyengar.

It follows the 8 steps of Astanga Yoga as described by Sage Patanjali in Yoga sutras in the 5th century B.C

Over the millennia of its existence, yoga has given happiness, health, longevity, and spiritual growth to innumerable practitioners, first in India and then around the world. Generation after generation, great masters contributed to the development and perfecting of every aspect of yoga.

However, a real breakthrough was made in the 20th century by the great Indian practitioner and mentor B.K.S Iyengar who made the beauty and intelligence of yoga accessible to everyone. His method has won the hearts of millions of followers across all corners of our planet.

By taking the ancient Indian tradition and philosophy of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali as a basis, and cleansing yoga of everything superficial; he perfected each one of more than 200 asanas. Following 75 years of personal experience in practice and teaching yoga, BKS Iyengar presented a rebirth of classical yoga to the modern world.

B.K.S Iyengar

“I am always happy with the smallest improvement;

I do not try to reach Perfection; but only the little perfections of everyday”

B.K.S Iyengar.

Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja (BKS) Iyengar was born in 1918 in Karnataka, India and passed away in August 2014 in Pune, aged 95.

A weak and sickly baby, he suffered from malaria, tuberculosis and typhoid. At the age of 15 he was introduced to yoga by his brother-in-law Guru Sri T. Krishnamacharya to improve his health. At the age of 18 he was sent to Pune by his guru to teach yoga. He married and began a family with his wife Ramamani. Together they raised five daughters and a son. Ramamani passed away in 1973 and two years later B.K.S Iyengar established the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune (RIMYI) in his wife’s honour, this institute is renowned as a center for higher learning in yoga.

Two of Iyengar’s children became well-known, international yoga teachers (his son Prashant and daughter Geeta)

as well as his grand-daughter Abhijata.

B.K.S Iyengar also known as “Guruji” dislocated his spine in a scooter accident and this led to him inventing innovative props to allow disabled people to practice and enjoy the benefits of yoga.

B.K.S Iyengar is the author of many books on yoga practice and philosophy such as Light on Yoga (1966), Light on Pranayama (1981) and Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (1996) and many others.

Guruji is often referred as the “father of modern yoga” and credited for popularizing yoga; first in India and then around the world.

Unique features of Iyengar Yoga classes

Precision

Precise alignment of muscles, bones and joints in all postures helps to achieve the balance between body, mind, and breath.

Use of props

Props were designed by B.K.S Iyengar himself, to help students to gain the correct body alignment. This ensures safe and harmonious practice of asanas for all.

Sequencing

The specific order in which asanas are performed allows a cumulative effect that leads to a state of peacefulness at the end of the practice.

Timing

Poses are held for longer periods of time to develop strength and flexibility. This allows inward concentration and increases the connection between the body and mind.