B.K.S. Iyengar

B.K.S. Iyengar (1918–2014) was one of the foremost yoga teachers of the 20th century and the founder of Iyengar Yoga. Born in Bellur, India, he overcame serious childhood illnesses through dedicated yoga practice under the guidance of his brother-in-law, Sri T. Krishnamacharya. Over decades of study and teaching, he developed a method emphasizing alignment, breath, sequencing, and the innovative use of props, making yoga accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

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Iyengar’s classic text Light on Yoga (1966) has been translated into many languages and is regarded as a foundational guide to modern yoga practice. He went on to author several influential works on philosophy, pranayama, and therapy. His teaching spread worldwide, and in 1975, he founded the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) in Pune, India, which continues his legacy. Iyengar's son, Prashant and daughter, Geeta, both became well-known teachers bringing their own styles to the ever-growing subject. Today, Iyengar Yoga is practiced globally and celebrated for its precision, discipline, and transformative depth.