“Lo yoga We see the light that, once lit, never goes out,” declared B.K.S. Iyengar, the founder of Iyengar Yoga, a style of practice now followed by certified teachers worldwide. Iyengar, born Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar on December 14, 1918, died on August 20, 2014, at the age of 95 in Pune, Maharashtra, India.
Iyengar’s influence extended far beyond the yoga mat. He was one of the earliest students of Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, considered by many to be “the father of modern yoga.” He was dispatched by his guru to Pune in 1937, at the age of 18, to teach yoga, leveraging his proficiency in English. This move, according to accounts, meant he missed opportunities for direct instruction from Krishnamacharya, yet it propelled him to a global stage.
The Indian government recognized Iyengar’s contributions with a series of national awards: the Padma Shri in 1991, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2014. In 2004, Time magazine included him on its list of the 100 most influential people in the world. His teachings attracted a diverse following, including philosopher J. Krishnamurti, freedom fighter Jayaprakash Narayan, and Commandant Achyut Patwardhan of the National Defence Academy, as well as physicians, and industrialists.
Iyengar’s approach to yoga, emphasizing precise alignment and the use of props, distinguished his style. He authored numerous books detailing his methods, most notably Light on Yoga, first published in 1966 and subsequently translated into 18 languages. He went on to publish 14 books in total, codifying his philosophy and practice. His work helped popularize yoga, initially within India and then internationally.
In 1973, Iyengar laid the foundation for the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) in Pune, named in honor of his wife, Ramamani Iyengar. The institute officially opened on January 19, 1975, and continues to serve as a central hub for the practice and dissemination of Iyengar Yoga. He was known for teaching large groups of students, a practice uncommon at the time.
Iyengar’s legacy is maintained by the Bellur Iyengar Yoga Center, which continues to promote his teachings and philosophy. The Iyengar Yoga Association of India also works to preserve and propagate his methods. As of today, RIMYI remains a leading institution for Iyengar Yoga training and practice, with no immediate plans for significant structural changes announced.
