PRECISION | FREEDOM | TRUTH

Iyengar Yoga

BKS Iyengar was widely regarded as one of the foremost yoga teachers in the world and the architect of modern therapeutic yoga. For over eighty years, he practiced, refined, and taught classical yoga across six continents, bringing ancient wisdom to millions of students and revolutionizing how the West understands this sacred practice.

His systematic approach to alignment, use of props for accessibility, and therapeutic applications transformed yoga from an esoteric discipline into a healing modality available to people of all ages, abilities, and conditions. In 2004, Time magazine recognized him as one of the 100 most influential people of the century, a testament to his profound impact not just on yoga, but on global wellness and human understanding of the body-mind connection.

Koren Paalman had the extraordinary privilege of studying therapeutically with BKS Iyengar and his daughter Geetaji at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) in Pune, India, biannually for ten years. These intensive study periods provided direct transmission of the Iyengar method from its source, working closely with Guruji and Geetaji on therapeutic applications, precise alignment, and the deep philosophical underpinnings of the practice. The rigorous training she received forms the foundation of everything she teaches today.

Though BKS Iyengar passed away in 2014, his legacy lives on through thousands of certified Iyengar teachers worldwide who continue to share his precise, compassionate methodology. Koren carries this lineage forward, honoring the profound genius of what she learned while making it accessible to modern students.

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BKS Iyengar and Koren Paalman, 2002.

 

In 1966, Iyengar wrote Light on Yoga, still considered the most comprehensive and authoritative examination of yoga asanas ever published. This landmark text became the definitive guide for practitioners and teachers worldwide, with detailed instructions and over 600 photographs demonstrating poses with unprecedented precision. Decades later, he followed with Light on Life, a deeply personal work that blends inspirational memoir, practical wisdom for daily living, and profound philosophical insight.Iyengar systematized a method of classical yoga distinguished by its meticulous exploration of how each pose impacts the physical, emotional, spiritual, physiological, and psychological well-being of the individual. Rather than treating the body as separate from mind and spirit, his approach integrates all aspects of human experience. Recognized as the leading authority on yoga therapy, he provided the means to bring about deep levels of healing that are profoundly transformative, addressing not just symptoms but root causes of suffering.

 

The Iyengar Method: Yoga for Every Body What makes Iyengar yoga truly revolutionary is its accessibility—this practice is appropriate for anyone, regardless of age, fitness level, health status, or perceived limitations. Through systematic instruction and the innovative use of props, students learn to develop strength and flexibility safely and progressively. The method cultivates an increased ability to focus, observe, and relax deeply, while encouraging understanding and compassion toward oneself and others.This isn’t yoga reserved for the already flexible or naturally athletic. It’s a practice designed to meet you exactly where you are and guide you toward where you want to be.


My body is my temple and asanas are my prayers.

—BKS Iyengar