It is known by the name of Yogacharya Shri. B.K.S. Iyengar, known all over the world as Guruji. Actually Guruji did not coin this term ‘Iyengar Yoga’ , but his students used to call it to differentiate it from the other styles of yoga and it enrooted forever. Currently there are Iyengar Yoga centres in more than 80 countries.

The mother institute is at Pune (India) named as ‘Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute’ (RIMYI).

Iyengar yoga is a form of yoga with core focus on the alignment and adjustment. Precision, sequence and use of props etc. differ it from other styles of yoga.

Guruji devoted his life to spread the ancient Indian art, science and philosophy of yoga all over the world. His eldest daughter Geetaji, carried this legacy after Guruji’s demise. Currently Guruji’s son Prashantji, daughter Sunitaji and grand-daughter Abhijata are carrying forward the work.

Guruji : A Brief life sketch

Born : December 14th , 1918 ( Bellur – Karnataka )
( Diagnosed with inborn influenza. Suffered from diseases like Malaria, TB, Bronchitis, Pneumonia in early childhood. This baby could survive only for few years was the doctor’s prediction ) Parents : Krishnamchar , Sheshmma

  • 1934: Started doing yoga to gain health. Teacher : Shri. T. Krishnmacharya
  • 1936 : Appointed as yoga teacher to the Royal Family of Mysure.
  • 1937: Joined Deccan Gymkhana , Pune (India) as yoga teacher. Suffered financially to a great extent in the early days.
  • 1940 : Toured at many places to spread yoga.
  • 1941 : Bicycle accident. Diagnosed with Hernia. But cured it with yoga therapy.
  • 1943 : Married to Ramamani. ( Children : Geeta, Vanita, Prashant, Sunita, Sucheta, Savita )
  • 1950 : Conferred with the title of ‘Yogiraj’ from Swami Shivananda of Rishikesh.
  • 1952 : First meeting with the great violinist Lord Yehudi Menyuhin. ( Prime Minister Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru and scientist Dr. Homi Bhabha took the initiative )
  • 1956 : First tour of Europe to spread yoga.
  • 1966 : ‘Light On Yoga’ published. ( It is called as the ‘Bible of Yoga. More than one crore copies have been sold till date. It has been translated in more than 20 languages all over the world.)
  • 1973 : Sad demise of wife Ramamani.
  • 1975 : Inaugaration of RIMYI. ( There are Iyengar yoga centres in more than 80 countries in America, Australia, Europe , Africa , Asia.)
  • 1978 : Accident. Suffered injuries of spine, shoulders, knees. Also suffered with heart attack. But treated himself with yoga therapys.
  • 1981 : ‘Light On Pranayama’ published.
  • 1991 : Honoured with ‘Padmashree’ by the Government of India.
  • 2002 : Honoured with ‘Padmabhushan’ by the Government of India.
  • 2004 : ‘Time’ magazine 100 influential people.
  • 2014 : Honoured with ‘Padmavibhusan’ by the Government of India.
  • 20th Aug. 2014 Sad demise

    • Books

  • Light on the Yogsutras of Patanjali
  • Light on Pranayama
  • Light on Life
  • Yoga for sport
  • Yoga – wisdom and practice
  • Light on Yoga
  • The tree of yoga
  • Yoga: the path to holistic health
  • Ashtadal Yogmala ( Vol. 1-8)

    • Eminent students of Iyengar Yoga

  • Gen Shreenagesh ( Chief of Army Staff)
  • K.C. Cariappa ( Air Marshal)
  • J.P. Narayana ( Freedom fighter and politician )
  • J. Krishnmurthy ( Philosopher )
  • P.L. Deshpande
  • Mohan Agashe
  • Kareena Kapoor
  • B. Pendharkar , Meera Nayar ( Film directors )
  • P.K. Atre
  • Rajeev Bajaj ( C.E.O. Bajaj Group)
  • Mr. B.D. Jatti (Former vice president of India)
  • Her Highness Elizabeth (The queen mother of Belgium)
  • Malaika Arora
  • Malika Sherawat
  • Anil Kumble
  • Rahul Dravid
  • Sachin Tendulkar
  • Virendra Sehwag
  • Zaheer Khan

    • Social Works

    Schools, Colleges, Hospitals, Yoga centre at his birth place Bellure.

    Geetaji ( 1944 – 2018)

    Geetaji was the eldest daughter of Guruji. She learned the art of yoga from him. She earned the reputation of world’s leading yoga teacher. She is credited with advancing yoga for women and their health.

    She trained thousands of yoga teachers all over the world. She relieved thousands of people through medical classes and brought a new light in their lives. Not only these people but all the Iyengar Yoga teachers and students would be forever indebted to Geetaji.

    She is the author of the following books –

  • Yoga : A gem for women.
  • The women’s yoga book : For Asana and Pranayama for all phases of the menstrual cycle
  • Iyengar Yoga for Motherhood : Safe practice for Expectant and New mothers.
  • Yoga in action – Preliminary course.
  • Yoga in action – Intermediate course.

    • Prashantji

    Prashantji heads the ‘Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute’ (RIMYI) , Pune. He is world’s leading authority on yoga. He learned yoga from Guruji right from the early childhood.

    He is scholar of scripture and yogic texts. His style and way of teaching is unique. He interwovens the philosophy, his personal practice and experiences in his teaching.

    In 2017 , Prashantji had won the First ‘Prime Minister’s Award for Outstanding contribution for Promotion and Development of Yoga’. Along with a teacher, Prashantji is an excellent violinist also.

    He is the author of the following texts on yoga –

  • Discourses on Yog .
  • A manual on Humanics
  • Ashtang Yoga of Patanjali : Philosophy, Religion culture, Ethos and Practice
  • Pranayama : A Classical and Traditional approach
  • Yogvidhyaprawachanmala

    • Sunitaji

    Sunitaji teaches at RIMYI and manages her own yoga studio in Nigadi, Pune. She is a strict and disciplined teacher from outside but a lovely and caring heart of mother from inside.

    Her attention towards the precision and perfection in asanas gives you real insight and awareness. By practicing under her guidance you feel the union of body and mind which is the main aim of yoga.

    She is truly called the encyclopedia of Guruji’s and Geetaji’s teaching. All the teachers and students feel blessed interacting with her.

    Abhijata Iyengar

    Abhijata is currently the head of RIMYI Pune. She learned yoga from her grandfather Shri. B.K.S. Iyengar as well as aunt Gitaji, Sunitaji and uncle Prashantji.

    She is one of the most experienced teachers at RIMYI. She has authority over the teaching of asanas and pranayama.

    Her calm and cool personality, giving detailed instructions with knowledge of philosophy and references to Guruji’s teaching, sense of humour etc. make her a teacher of par excellence.

    Every year she travels to different countries, heads conventions on yoga, guides the teachers and students across the globe. The ‘Yoganushasnam’ under her guidance every year is the experience of lifetime for everyone.

    Thousands of teachers and students comes to Pune regularly to have blessings of her teaching. Her nature, relentless hard work, understanding of the subject really inspire you. She is carrying forward the Iyengar Yoga lineage proudly and responsibly. Abhijata holds a Masters degree in Bioinformatics.

    Uttam Shinde

    He is the head of Iyengar Yoga Classes, Nashik. He has learned yoga under the guidance of Abhijata madam and senior teachers like Smt. Anjali Ratnaparkhi, Dr. Rajlaxmi, Raya U.D. at RIMYI

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