Best known for his namesake yoga, Iyengar Yoga, he was born on December 14, 1918, and began his journey in yoga as a teenager. He had contracted tuberculosis and wanted to improve his health. When he was 18, he began teaching yoga, and his style became popular in the 1960s as more students began to follow his method. 

He established a school in Pune, India, in 1975, which he named in memory of his wife, Ramamani Iyengar. This school became an established studio to welcome Westerners to the practice. His influence on yoga created a more modern practice, which is currently followed by many yoga practitioners around the world. 

The Iyengar Method

His method, which derives from a form of hatha yoga, and which focuses on mind and body connection, is a more methodical style and focuses greatly on proper alignment within the asanas. Each pose is held for a specific time to ensure better that you can master the pose with your mind and your body. 

The belief is that there is a correct way to do each pose and that the yogi will be able to attain the correct posture through consistent practice. His conviction was that once you achieve the balance of the body, the mind will soon follow. 

The Use Of Props

Another one of Iyengar’s great revolutions is allowing practitioners to use props in order to gain better alignment. These props included blankets, blocks, pillows, straps, and even chairs – and all of which are still frequently used today. Yogis should not feel intimidated for using props; despite the impression that they are just for beginners, they are, in fact, there to make sure that you have the correct posture within your asana. 

Lack Of Flow

A variety of yoga classes require a fluid movement from one pose to another, but with Iyengar’s method, this is not the case. The poses are held for extensive amounts of time, and as a result, it becomes less about cardio and more about building strength, flexibility, endurance, and proper structure within the pose. It offers a great place for those who are new to the practice of yoga, as it focuses greatly on perfecting the asanas. 

Iyengar’s Books

This famous yogi has written many texts on the practice of yoga, including poses, breathing techniques, and the mental and spiritual facets of yoga. His writing is well-respected within the world of yoga, and among his more popular books are Light on Yoga, Light on Pranayama, and Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. 

Knowing what yoga style is right for you is not always a simple decision. It requires a willingness to try a variety of classes and to have an open heart and mind. If you find that you are particular with your poses and worry that you are not doing it right, this may be a method you would like to try. Regardless of whether or not you actively choose to go to an actual Iyengar yoga class, chances are you have already experienced his style of yoga due to the great influence of this masterful yogi.