What is Iyengar Yoga?

A style of Ashtanga yoga, named after B.K.S Iyengar due to the admiration of his students. Who felt his distinct and powerful approach deserved a title.

Iyengar Yoga is impactful for those who are beginners and season practitioners. Through concentration, adjustments, and observation one is able to take action. This action penetrates towards the center and over time brings serenity.

Systematically Iyengar Yoga builds you up. Regardless of your current condition. total alignment can be achieved. It’s no easy journey. Discipline, courage, precision and faith are a few of the stepping stones Iyengar Yoga cultivates in the practitioner.

Who is B.K.S Iyengar?

Born in Bellur, India on December 14, 1918, a sickly boy name Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja (BKS) Iyengar would become known as the foremost yoga teacher. Around the age of 15 be began studying with his brother-in-law/ teacher (guru) T. Krishnamacharya. A significant moment in Iyengar’s’ life since he was battling with diseases. From here Iyengar studied and practice with great intensity.

He would get a student of prominence who helped introduce Iyengar to the world. This student was Yehudi Menuhin a violinist and in 1954 he convinced Iyengar to go on a European tour teaching yoga. A few years later he would visit The United States, giving his first teachings in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

There’s a story of how he taught the Queen of Belgium sirsasana (headstand) at 80 years old. In 2004 he was honored by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people of the world. Iyengar lived to be 96 years old.

His dedicated students who practice the style they named after him continue to spread his teachings. Currently his granddaughter Abhijata Iyengar lays the path for those who practice in Iyengars name.