The inspiring story of yogi master BKS Iyengar who founded Iyengar Yoga

BKS Iyengar , the creator of Iyengar Yoga .

BKS Iyengar , whose real name is Bellur Krishnamachar Sundaraja Iyengar, was born on December 14, 1918 in India, more precisely in Bellur (Karnataka), in a poor family and what's more during a flu epidemic. He died on August 20, 2014 in Pune (Maharashtra, India). Does his name mean anything to you? Yes? Indeed, this master yogi is the founder of Iyengar Yoga which has the particularity of being practiced with yoga accessories. This is an integral part of the history of yoga . He is one of the most famous figures in the world of yoga who shows us that even if we have had a difficult childhood, we can still accomplish great things and become a great man.

A childhood at the origin of Iyengar Yoga?

BKS Iyengar lived a childhood where he was regularly sick. His legs and arms were thin. The medical profession announced that he would not live beyond the age of 21. There was little hope for him… In addition, he could not study like other children his age who had to stay lying down.

However, in 1934, Shriman Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, who was none other than his brother-in-law, invited him to come to his yoga school in Mysore to teach him this art, in order to help him improve his health. And it was yoga that saved him from his sad fate! He became interested in this discipline that he never stopped practicing. However, his master told him that yoga was not for him. Shriman sent him to Pune anyway to be a yoga teacher. The yoga master BKS Iyengar himself became his own teacher and his first student, perfecting his practice. Following a scooter accident, he began to use yoga accessories to simplify the performance of asanas. The Iyengar method was born!

The creation of his yoga school: RIMYI

In 1943, he married Ramaa. 6 children were born from this union: Vinita, Suchita, Sunita, Savitha, Geeta and Prashant. The last two even became Iyengar Yoga teachers.

After practicing yoga for several years, the yoga master founded in 1973, in Pune, the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (more commonly called RIMYI) which was inaugurated in 1975. This yoga master gave the name of his wife who died in 1973. There are 3 floors evoking the body, the mind and the soul. Its 8 columns symbolize the 8 branches of Ashtanga Yoga as shown by Patanjali.

Students come from all over the world to study with this great master. In the evenings, BKS Iyengar taught medical classes to patients giving valuable advice on the art of yoga adapted to each situation: cancer, depression, heart disease, etc.

The teaching and diffusion of Iyengar Yoga

The Iyengar method is characterized by breathing exercises (Pranayama) and the practice of asanas in order to achieve good alignment. Being a therapeutic yoga , it was necessary to use yoga accessories (bolster, block, strap, etc.). The approaches changed every week according to the patient's progress.

BKS Iyengar had several famous disciples like J. Krishnamurti. Thanks to his meeting with Yehudi Menuhin (violinist) in 1952 in Bombay, the yogi master went to Europe, which made him known in the West. He also traveled to China, Russia, the United States and even France to teach. BKS Iyengar is also known for his book Yoga Dipika, Light on Yoga published in 1966.

The Legacy of BKS Iyengar

Now, RIMYI is managed by Prashant, son of BKS Iyengar. In France, no less than 400 certified teachers teach Iyengar Yoga using accessories and a yoga mat making this style of yoga accessible to everyone.

Want to know more about Iyengar Yoga ? Check out the article Iyengar Yoga, a therapeutic yoga .