BKS Iyengar Yoga - A Wonderful Art Form

Anyone today considering the practice of yoga has aInstitute, and his eldest daughter, Geeta, who is also a
wonderful variety of styles to select from. This isdirector at the institute also assist him with his
similar to deciding which college class to take in theteachings. The Iyengar Memorial Institute is located in
upcoming semester or finding the right dress or suit toPune, India with branches throughout the world. Like
wear for a friend's Christmas party. Yoga styles havetheir father, both children are recognized as leading
spread and will more than likely continue to grow in theauthorities in the practice of yoga. Naturally, this shows
future as college classes and styles of clothing havethat family tradition in the arts or profession is still
grown. For example, today one will find Iyengar yogarelevant today and runs in the family over generations.
as a prominent form or style of yoga practice.Several books are available regarding the practice of
This yoga form and style was mostly developed byIyengar yoga from which to study and learn. For
living yoga master B. K. S. Iyengar. This form of yogaexample, Light of Yoga, published in 1966, delineates
encourages and involves the use of props to assistshundreds of yoga positions and a variety of breathing
with the movements and body positioning. The propstechniques. Iyengar has also published Light on
may include blankets, blocks, chairs, pillows, and strapsPranayama which concentrates on the breath.
used by students and teachers. The form focuses onAnother wonderful book by B.K.S. Iyengar is entitled,
proper alignment of the body. He was born in 1918, andLight on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, which is an
studied with yoga guru Krishnamacharya in India.interpretation of Yoga Sutras. This translation and
Iyengar suffered from tuberculosis and studied andinterpretation assisted Iyengar in developing his
practiced yoga in an effort to cure his health issues.philosophical framework for his method, style, and
He perfected his style and form of yoga and startedpractice of yoga. Light of the World, which is his most
teaching yoga in 1936. He is well sought after today inrecent book, digs deeper into the mental and spiritual
his practice. His son, Prashant, who is an accomplishedperspective of yoga and its applications.
violinist and director of the Ramamani Memorial