Source: B. K. S. Iyengar(Wikipedia)| Image Source: aljazeera
Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar or B.K.S Iyengar is considered one of the foremost teachers of the art of yoga in the world. He is credited for popularising yoga in India and around the world as well. He is also the founder of a style of yoga called ‘Iyengar Yoga’.
He was the author of many books on yoga practice and philosophy including Light on Yoga, Light on Pranayama, Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and Light on Life. Iyengar was one of the earliest students of Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, who is often referred to as “the father of modern yoga”.
In this style, he categorized and systematised over 200 classical yoga poses and 14 types of pranayama, ranging from basic to advanced, thus enabling the students to learn yoga in a gradual manner. The yoga also uses props which help in maintaining the poses more easily while also making them accessible to a more age groups.
Iyenger has been awarded with Padma Shri in 1991 and Padma Bhushan in 2002 by the Indian Government and was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine.
Today, Google has dedicated a doodle to him, honouring his legacy on his 97th birthday.
