The world's most widely practised method of Yoga is that taught by Yogacharya Sri B.K.S. Iyengar of Pune, India. Born on December 14, 1918, in Bellur, India, he studied and practised Yoga continuously for over 75 years. He continued to practise and teach daily until his death at the age of 95 years in August 2014. As a child he learnt the classical yoga postures from his brother-in-law Krishnamacharya of Mysore. He has systematized and refined this tradition, over 7 decades of practise and teaching, and has almost single handedly popularized this ancient art and science bringing it to a global audience.
Yogacharya Sri B.K.S. Iyengar's thorough study, understanding and mastery of Yoga are unrivaled in modern times. He was first introduced to the west by his pupil, the famous violinist, Sir Yehudi Menuhin. Having taught in all five continents, he has won worldwide respect and recognition for his achievements and has made Yoga accessible and relevant to people everywhere, no matter what their physical or mental ability. The main emphasis is on vigour and rigour in the performance of the classical yoga postures with attention to alignment and precision. He has also pioneered the use of supports and props for the elderly or infirm or for those in the early stages of learning, to permit a gentle, beneficial and non-injurious practice.
He set the standard for his teachers and students with his textbooks on Yoga. They have been translated into many languages and behave become classic texts. The Ramamani Memorial Iyengar Yoga Institute in Pune, India, is the heart and soul of Iyengar yoga where his daughter Smt. Geeta and son Sri Prashant Iyengar are directors. There are over 2000 qualified Iyengar Yoga teachers in the world in over 40 countries with over 180 Iyengar Yoga Associations worldwide.
Yogacharya Sri B.K.S. Iyengar's thorough study, understanding and mastery of Yoga are unrivaled in modern times. He was first introduced to the west by his pupil, the famous violinist, Sir Yehudi Menuhin. Having taught in all five continents, he has won worldwide respect and recognition for his achievements and has made Yoga accessible and relevant to people everywhere, no matter what their physical or mental ability. The main emphasis is on vigour and rigour in the performance of the classical yoga postures with attention to alignment and precision. He has also pioneered the use of supports and props for the elderly or infirm or for those in the early stages of learning, to permit a gentle, beneficial and non-injurious practice.
He set the standard for his teachers and students with his textbooks on Yoga. They have been translated into many languages and behave become classic texts. The Ramamani Memorial Iyengar Yoga Institute in Pune, India, is the heart and soul of Iyengar yoga where his daughter Smt. Geeta and son Sri Prashant Iyengar are directors. There are over 2000 qualified Iyengar Yoga teachers in the world in over 40 countries with over 180 Iyengar Yoga Associations worldwide.
The Iyengar Certification Mark
All teachers of Iyengar yoga are trained to very high standards. To become an Introductory teacher they complete at least 3 years of regular Iyengar yoga classes followed by two years’ teacher training and finally are successful in passing a rigorous assessment process. It is only then that they are able to use the Iyengar Certification Mark as a guarantee of this excellence, clarity and understanding. All Iyengar teachers are required to maintain their professional development each year to quality for continued use of the Mark. Further assessments may be passed after many more years practice and training enabling the teacher to progress to intermediate and senior levels of certification.
All teachers of Iyengar yoga are trained to very high standards. To become an Introductory teacher they complete at least 3 years of regular Iyengar yoga classes followed by two years’ teacher training and finally are successful in passing a rigorous assessment process. It is only then that they are able to use the Iyengar Certification Mark as a guarantee of this excellence, clarity and understanding. All Iyengar teachers are required to maintain their professional development each year to quality for continued use of the Mark. Further assessments may be passed after many more years practice and training enabling the teacher to progress to intermediate and senior levels of certification.