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BKS Iyengar 1918-2014

Aug 20, 2014

One of the most influential figures in spreading the teachings of yoga in the West has undoubtedly been BKS Iyengar, a pupil of Krishnamacharya and founder of Iyengar Yoga. Although yogic texts are more than 5000 years old in the East, it was not until the last century that the ancient teachings of yoga reached our side of the world, and BKS Iyengar has done much for and for this. BKS Iyengar was born in a small village called Belur in the province of Karnataka, India, in 1918. His childhood was marked by physical weaknesses and illnesses such as influenza, malaria, or tuberculosis. At the age of 16, Iyengar's health took a turn when his sister married his Guru, Sri T. Krishnamacharya. Krishnamacharya showed Iyengar some yoga postures to improve his health and over time he experienced a dramatic improvement. Iyengar settled in Mysore studying with Krishnamacharya, gradually cultivating his own yoga practice that focused on symmetry and alignment. On January 19, 1975, he opened the doors of his own institute in Pune, from where he taught his students how to adapt the practice of yoga to their lifestyles or professions, in such a way that a musician could become a better musician, an artist. a better artist, a scientist a better scientist, a doctor a better doctor. BKS Iyengar has been teaching yoga for over 70 years. He has been recognized for his enormous contribution to treating depression and other mood disorders, for his work helping those with neurological diseases, and for his achievements in alleviating chronic pain and illnesses of youth. Humor and grace in his oratory have been instrumental in introducing yogic philosophy into the Western lifestyle. Iyengar was named one of the most influential people in the world by Time Magazine in 2004. He wrote 14 books, including the well-known series "Light”. the television network BBC. she has called him the “Michaelangelo of yoga”. The American photographer E. Simmons opined: “Iyengar is to yoga what Renoir is to painting, Rodin to sculpture, Sterchen to philosophy”. Even a star in the northern hemisphere is named after Yogacharya BKS Iyengar, registered in the Ministry of Federal Star Registration, USA Its location is Monoceros Ragh 30' 49” + 1º 29'.
BKS Iyengar died today at the age of 96. We will be eternally grateful to you, Guruji.

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