B.K.S. Iyengar (1918-2014)
B.K.S. Iyengar (1918-2014) affectionately called “Guruji” by his students was recognized internationally as a modern master of yoga and is the reason that yoga is as accepted and popular as it is today.
Through his 75 years of teaching he developed an innovative method we now call “Iyengar“ yoga based on his practice and observations that enable a student to learn sequentially. He was an innovator with the use of props so that students of all ages and abilities could work to their full potential. In particular, he was a pioneer in working with students therapeutically for the treatment of many medical conditions and physical problems.
Today medical professionals and research in many disciplines worldwide have recognized the efficiency of his method. He was a practical man and his enduring legacy will be that he made yoga accessible to and relevant for everyone.
Geeta Iyengar (1944-2018)
Geeta Iyengar was BKS Iyengar’s eldest daughter who grew up doing yoga and learning yoga by her father’s side since she could remember. When her father officially retired in 1984 she along with her brother Prashant became the co-directors of the Ramamani Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune and she became the Senior most teacher there until she passed away in 2018. She authored the classic, Yoga – A Gem For Women which is now translated into several languages and wrote extensively on adapting yoga practice for women at the various stages of their lives. She authored the volumes, Preliminary Course and Intermediate Course which became a beginner-level learner’s text guides to her father’s definitive Light On Yoga. Her practice gave her the clarity to explain her father’s teachings in ways that were accessible to everyone that studied with her.
“Living is an art. Yoga enhances the quality of one’s life. Hence it is an art. It lifts up equanimity.”
Prashant Iyengar (1949-
Sri Prashant Iyengar in addition to teaching daily classes at RIMYI, has written extensively about yoga philosophy and the ancient texts and has made numerous audio recordings on the yoga sutras. He is the director of RIMYI.
Abhijta Iyengar (1982-
Abhijata Iyengar started seriously studying yoga from the young age of 16 under the direct guidance of her maternal grandfather, B.K.S. Iyengar, her aunt, Dr. Geeta S. Iyengar and uncle Sri Prashant Iyengar. She is a senior teacher at RIMYI and continues to teach to a worldwide community of students and teachers online and when possible in person conventions.