VOL. 18 NO. 2
Fall 2014 / Winter 2015
B.K.S. IYENGAR DEC. 14, 1918 – AUG. 20, 2014
“ Art is unity in diversity… Discipline, practice, and dispassion are the essentials that go hand in hand with the mastery of any art. Without discipline and freedom, art cannot develop, nor can one become a true artist. This is one of the cardinal teachings of Patanjali, which applies to all subjects. Freedom is the culmination or fruit of discipline; there is no freedom without it.” — B.K.S. Iyengar
CO N T E N T S Letter From the Presidents – Janet Lilly and Michael Lucey . . . . . 2 Life Sketch by Richard Jonas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Reflections from Pune . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Guruji’s Feet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Senior Teachers Remember . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Dear Guruji – Lisa Walford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Regional Condolences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Like a Flash: A Conversation with B.K.S. Iyengar . . . . . . . . . . 36 Samachar Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Song of the Soul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
YOGA SAMACHAR’S MISSION Yoga Samachar, the magazine of the Iyengar Yoga community in the United States and beyond, is published twice a year by the Communications Committee of the Iyengar Yoga National Association of the United States (IYNAUS). The word samachar means “news” in Sanskrit. Along with the website, www.iynaus.org, Yoga Samachar is designed to provide interesting and useful information to IYNAUS members to: • Promote the dissemination of the art, science, and philosophy of yoga as taught by B.K.S. Iyengar, Geeta Iyengar, and Prashant Iyengar • Communicate information regarding the standards and training of certified teachers
IYNAUS Officers and Standing Committees President: Michael Lucey Vice President: Lynda Alfred Secretary: Denise Weeks Treasurer: David Carpenter Archives Committee Eric Small, Chair
Kim Kolibri, Director of Archives Lindsey Clennell, Elaine Hall, Linda Nishio, Deborah Wallach
Certification Committee
Leslie Bradley, Certification Chair
• Report on studies regarding the practice of Iyengar Yoga • Provide information on products that IYNAUS imports from India • Review and present recent articles and books written by the Iyengars • Report on recent events regarding Iyengar Yoga in Pune and worldwide • Be a platform for the expression of experiences and thoughts from members, both students and teachers, about how the practice of yoga affects their lives • Present ideas to stimulate every aspect of the reader’s practice
YOGA SAMACHAR IS PRODUCED BY THE IYNAUS PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE
Dean Lerner, James Murphy, Nancy Stechert, Lois Steinberg
Elections Committee Michael Lucey, Chair
Lynda Alfred, Alex Cleveland, Anne-Marie Schultz
Ethics Committee
Michael Lucey, Chair Chris Beach, Lisa Jo Landsberg
Events Committee
Nancy Watson, Chair Patrina Dobish, Gloria Goldberg, Colleen Gallagher, Phyllis Rollins
Finance Committee
David Carpenter, Chair Lynda Alfred, Gloria Goldberg, Stephen Weiss
Governance Committee Nancy Watson, Chair
Committee Chair: Tori Milner Editor: Michelle D. Williams Copy Editor: Denise Weeks Design: Don Gura Advertising: Rachel Frazee
David Carpenter, David Larsen
Membership Committee
Lynda Alfred & Alex Cleveland, Co-Chairs
Members can submit an article or a practice sequence for consideration for inclusion in future issues. Articles should be well-written and submitted electronically. The Yoga Samachar staff reserves the right to edit accepted submissions to conform to the rules of spelling and grammar, as well as to the Yoga Samachar house style guidelines. Submissions must include the author’s full name and biographical information related to Iyengar Yoga, along with email contact and phone number. Submission deadline for the Spring/Summer issue is March 1. Submission deadline for the Fall/Winter issue is Sept. 1. Please send queries to yogasamachar@iynaus.org one month prior to these deadlines.
IMIYA – Melody Madonna IYACSR – vacant IYAGNY – Oliver Luisi IYAMN – Elizabeth Cowan IYAMW – Becky Meline IYANC – Risa Blumlien IYANE – Kathleen Swanson IYANW – Margrit von Braun IYASC-LA – Wendy Alter IYASCUS – Jerrie Crowley IYASE – Diana Martinez IYASW – Carrie Abts
Publications Committee Tori Milner, Chair
Carole Del Mul, Don Gura, Rachel Frazee, Richard Jonas, Denise Weeks, Michelle D. Williams
Public Relations and Marketing Committee Cynthia Bates, Chair
Regional Support Committee
Alex Cleveland & Anne-Marie Schultz, Co-Chairs
IYNAUS Board Member Contact List Fall 2014 / Winter 2015 Lynda Alfred lynda@montrose.net
Michael Lucey 1michael.lucey@gmail.com
Denise Weeks denise.iynaus@gmail.com
Cynthia Bates cynthiabates88@gmail.com
Tori Milner torimilner@yahoo.com
Stephen Weiss stphweiss@gmail.com
Leslie Bradley certification@iynaus.org
Anne-Marie Schultz Anne_Marie_Schultz@baylor.edu
Sharon Cowdery (general manager) generalmanager@iynaus.org
David Carpenter dcarpenter@sidley.com
Kathy Simon kathyraesimon@gmail.com
Contact IYNAUS:
Alex Cleveland clevelandalex@yahoo.com
Eric Small ericsmall@yogams.com
Gloria Goldberg yogagold2@gmail.com
Nancy Watson nancyatiyanus@aol.com
P.O. Box 538 Seattle WA 98111 206.623.3562 www.iynaus.org
IMIYA – Melody Madonna IYACSR – Cyndy Cordle IYAGNY – Oliver Luisi IYAMN – Katy Olson IYAMW – Jennie Williford IYANC – Heather Haxo Phillips IYANE – Jarvis Chen IYANW – Janet Langley IYASC-LA – Jennifer Diener IYASCUS – Pauline Schloesser IYASE – Alex Cleveland IYASW – Lisa Henrich
Scholarship and Awards Committee Denise Weeks, Chair
Leslie Freyberg, Richard Jonas, Lisa Jo Landsberg, Pat Musburger, Nina Pileggi, John Schumacher
Service Mark & Certification Mark Committee Gloria Goldberg, Attorney in Fact for B.K.S. Iyengar
Systems & Technology Committee Stephen Weiss, Chair
Sharon Cowdery, Shaaron Honeycutt, Ed Horneij, William McKee, David Weiner
Yoga Research Committee Kathy Simon, Chair
Jerry Chiprin, Jean Durel, Kimberly Williams
IYNAUS Senior Council Cover: Light on Life book signing, Borders, NYC. Photo: Todd Semo ©2005 Inside front cover: photo illustration – Don Gura
Fall 2014/Winter 2015 Yoga Samachar
Kristin Chirhart, Manouso Manos, Patricia Walden, Joan White 1
Letter
FROM THE PRESIDENT
DEAR FELLOW IYNAUS MEMBERS , Aug. 20, 2014—the day we felt like everything changed. B.K.S. Iyengar, the man we honored, admired, and celebrated had passed from this world. In the days following, I realized that despite our collective loss, there were many things that had not changed; even with Guruji gone, his legacy and the permanence of his gift to the art of yoga remained imperturbable. Yes, the voice of Guruji is no longer with us, but his words live on through his family and the teachers trained in his method around the world. Guruji’s gift lives on in the IYNAUS association as well. There are many things we don’t know in this time of transition, but what we do know is that there is a cohort of dedicated IYNAUS board members who are eager to work under the guidance of RIMYI and the Iyengar family toward the preservation and propagation of Guruji’s work. Moreover, the board continues to promote and increase the visibility of Iyengar Yoga across the United States. Many of you know that in 2011, when we changed the elections process from national nominations and elections to a regional representation model, we were acting on instructions from our Guru. He intuited the importance of engaging the regions in the governance process. With his goal in mind, I encourage all IYNAUS members to reach out to their region to find out more about how we collectively will honor Guruji’s legacy in the years ahead. As I transition from my role as president of the IYNAUS Board of Directors, I have no doubt that the integrity and commitment of the board members will remain unwavering, especially with my esteemed colleague Michael Lucey at the helm as president. Michael and I have worked together over the past two years in preparation for the transition, and we offer our thanks to departing board members: Ethics Chair Rebecca Lerner, Certification Chair Mary Reilly, and Membership Chair Phyllis Rollins. We also are delighted to welcome incoming board members: Lynda Alfred from the Intermountain Region, Cynthia Bates from Northern California, Anne-Marie Schultz from South Central, and Stephen Weiss from the Minnesota Region. Finally, I would like to suggest that all members keep in mind Guruji’s enduring wish to maintain a vibrant level of support for the Bellur Trust to continue his humanitarian mission to better the lives of the people of his birthplace in Karnataka, India. What better way to celebrate his memory than to visit the IYNAUS homepage and click on the Donate Now link to make a donation in his honor? IYNAUS and the regions are also promoting Bellur Trust Donation classes at studios and institutes across the country on Guruji’s birthday, Dec. 14. More information about this annual event is available on our Facebook page. Thank you in advance for your consideration and participation in IYNAUS. With gratitude,
Janet Lilly, Outgoing President IYANUS Board of Directors BEING IN PUNE AT THE RAMAMANI IYENGAR MEMORIAL YOGA INSTITUTE this September 2014 was a complex emotional experience. Guruji’s presence had been so vibrant and so compelling there that on certain mornings it seemed nearly impossible to believe that he wouldn’t be appearing for morning practice at any moment. And yet while the reality of his passing is difficult to absorb, the reality of all he achieved during his life, all he offered to us and to the world, is there all around us in the structure and fabric of the Institute he built, in the community of students who gather there, and in the practice and teaching that happens at RIMYI and around the world, thanks to him. The classes I took on this visit with Prashant, Abhijata, and long-term senior students such as Navaz Kamdin (who taught us pranayama with remarkable grace and clarity) were endlessly inspiring. Fierce loyalty to Guruji’s teaching and his mission came through in every class. His brilliance shines on. One Saturday in class, Abhijata reminded everyone of the high standard set for us by the intensity of Guruji’s sadahana. She recalled for us the sutras where Patanjali speaks of different levels of intensity in practice (1.21 and 1.22). Guruji rendered Sutra 1.21 as “The goal is near for those who are supremely vigorous and intense in practice.” Guruji’s supreme intensity is an aspiration for all of us, an aspiration that takes material form in the Institute he founded in Pune and also in the associations around the world dedicated to his method. I look forward to working with all of you over the next two years as we keep our attention focused on his example and the aspiration and the inspiration he leaves us with.
Michael Lucey, President IYNAUS Board of Directors 2
Yoga Samachar Fall 2014/Winter 2015
“I HAVE SHOWN YOU ALL THESE THINGS…” B.K.S. IYENGAR, 1918–2014 By Richard Jonas
Y
ogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar led a larger-than-life life.
His seminal work Light on Yoga, first published in 1966 and
His legacy is perhaps even more epic.
continually in print since, remains the classic guide to yoga, the “bible” for teachers and students of all methods. Hailed by
Sri Iyengar is credited with bringing the ancient art of
critics as “the best book in English on hatha yoga” and “a superb
yoga into the modern world. His demonstrations and
volume, unlikely to be superseded,” it has been translated into
teachings planted the seed for the phenomenal flowering of
17 languages and more than 3 million copies have been sold.
yoga in the West over the past half-century, winning innumerable followers around the world—including in India,
His 2005 international bestseller Light on Life summed up a
where yoga began.
lifetime of teaching and practice, guiding readers on the journey to wholeness, inner peace, and ultimate freedom. The
Universally acknowledged as the world’s greatest yoga teacher
Light on Life book tour brought Mr. Iyengar—fondly called
and most knowledgeable and respected practitioner, he was
“Guruji” by his students—to the United States for the first time
called the “Michelangelo of yoga,” the “king of yogis,” and the
in 12 years, for appearances in New York, Boston, Washington,
“lion of Pune.” He was included in Time magazine’s global list of
D.C., Los Angeles, and San Francisco. He also led the Yoga Journal
the world’s 100 most influential people and—only the most
International Yoga Conference in Estes Park, Colorado.
recent of his scores of honors—received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian award.
Well into his 95th year, Mr. Iyengar continued to teach around the world. Groundbreaking journeys to Russia, where he taught
The yoga method he refined for eight decades became one of
in Moscow in 2009, and to China, in Guangzhou in 2011,
the world’s most widely practiced, with Iyengar Yoga institutes
sparked the burgeoning interest in yoga in those countries. He
and associations, teachers, and students in more than 75
continued to publish: His most recent work, Core of the Yoga
countries. Mr. Iyengar trained generations of teachers, including
Sutras, came out in 2012. And until shortly before his final
his children, Dr. Geeta S. Iyengar and Prashant S. Iyengar, and
illness, each morning he reaffirmed his lifelong commitment to
his granddaughter, Abhijata Sridhar-Iyengar—now the primary
yoga with his awe-inspiring personal practice, observed by
teachers of the method. Four other daughters survive him:
admiring students. As recently as February, that practice
Sunita Iyengar Parthasarathy, also a teacher, and Vanita
included long, freestanding Salamba Sirsasanas.
Sridharan, Suchita Sridhar, and Savita Raghu, as well as five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Mr. Iyengar died on Aug. 20, 2014, at the age of 95 in Pune, after a brief illness. A wake and a memorial service were held there,
In time, Mr. Iyengar stood at the apex of a rigorous system of
with commemorative ceremonies following around the world.
teacher training, assessment, and certification that promises Iyengar Yoga students around the world a yoga experience that
Mr. Iyengar pioneered countless innovative ideas during his 80
is safe, progressive, and transformative.
years of teaching; perhaps the most revolutionary is that yoga
1918 — B.K.S. Iyengar is born on Dec. 14 in Bellur, India
1933 — Moves to Mysore to help care for his sister’s children; brother-in-law T. Krishnamacharya, the noted yoga scholar, initiates Iyengar into the practice
1923 — Iyengar family migrates to Bangalore 1927 — Iyengar’s father dies Fall 2014/Winter 2015 Yoga Samachar
1935 — Begins teaching in Hubli and Dharwar
1937 — Joins the Deccan Gymkhana in Pune as a yoga instructor 1943 — Marries Shrimati Ramamani
1952 — Meets celebrated violinist Yehudi Menuhin and becomes his teacher
1956 — First visit to the United States, where he teaches Mrs. William Harkness and her family
1954 — Travels to Europe for the first time to spread the art and science of yoga Begins teaching in Bombay 3
is for everyone. With this in mind, he developed and refined the
For residents of Bellur, the definition following the name B.K.S.
use of a complete array of yoga props including ropes, belts,
Iyengar might well be “benefactor.”
and blocks. These allow practitioners of all ages and fitness levels to achieve correct alignment, a deeper penetration into
He led a transformation of his ancestral village, building a free
the posture, and a longer stay. Students are enabled to
hospital; water-treatment facilities; India’s first temple
experience “meditation in action,” one of Iyengar Yoga’s most
dedicated to Sage Patanjali; a free school that supplies
important concepts.
uniforms, books, and a hot lunch to the children of Bellur and surrounding villages; a secondary school; and a college.
Guruji’s unique perspective was that the yoga asanas and pranayama could be a template to explore and experience
It was in Bellur, in the Kolar District of Karnataka, that the
each of the other limbs of Astanga Yoga, even those of the
glorious life story of Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar
innermost journey.
had its humble beginning.
Refuting the notion that Iyengar Yoga’s emphasis on strict
There he was born, into a large family and a poor one, on Dec.
alignment of each part of the body in each pose made it a more
14, 1918. The 11th of 13 children, he suffered typhoid and
physical and less spiritual form of yoga, Mr. Iyengar famously
tuberculosis among other childhood illnesses. The family
said, “How can you know God if you don’t know your big toe?”
migrated to Bangalore in 1923, and his father died in 1927.
Another often-repeated statement attested to his deep piety: “My asanas and my pranayamas are my prayers.”
At 15, Sri Iyengar went to Mysore to help care for his sister’s children. His brother-in-law T. Krishnamacharya (1888–1989),
In his early days of practice, working 10 hours a day and more,
the noted yoga scholar, initiated him into the practice. Though
Mr. Iyengar mastered each of the yoga asanas; then he went
weak and sickly, the young Iyengar immersed himself in yoga.
further, exploring how each pose could be performed by people
Called upon to demonstrate difficult asanas, he suffered
with different body types and with various limitations. His fiery
tortured nerves and bruised muscles but gained strength,
teaching, strong verbal commands, and dynamic adjustments
health, and mastery of yoga. Though he had to discontinue
propelled students to new levels of physical effort and deep
school at graduation level, he received a diploma in yoga from
inner penetration. In the medical class in Pune, Mr. Iyengar and
Sri Krishnamacharya.
his family devised sequences of yoga to treat alcoholism and drug addiction, anorexia, depression and anxiety, high and low
He began teaching in Hubli and Dharwar in 1935. He joined the
blood pressure, cardiac problems, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, arthritis,
Deccan Gymkhana in Pune as a yoga instructor in 1937, then
and many more of life’s afflictions.
began teaching privately. In 1943, he married Shrimati Ramamani.
“Iyengar” is acknowledged in the Oxford English Dictionary as
As his reputation grew, more students sought his help,
“Noun: A type of Hatha yoga focusing on the correct
including Sri J. Krishnamurti, who described him as the best
alignment of the body, making use of straps, wooden blocks,
teacher; their association lasted two decades. Swami
and other objects as aids in achieving the correct postures.
Shivananda of Rishikesh granted him the title Yogi Raja.
Origin: Named after B.K.S. Iyengar, the Indian yoga teacher
Distinguished pupils included Indian national leaders and, in
who devised this method.”
1952, celebrated violinist Yehudi Menuhin, who described Sri Iyengar as “my guru in yoga” and “my best violin teacher.”
1971 — Introduces yoga to the U.K. at the London Educational Auditorium 1966 — Light on Yoga is first published
4
1973 — Foundation stone of the 1981 — Light yoga institute in Pune is laid; three on Pranayama days later Mr. Iyengar’s wife dies is published suddenly and the new institute, the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI), is named in her honor
1984 — Demonstration at the first International Iyengar Yoga Convention in San Francisco
1988 — The Tree of Yoga is published
1985 — The Art of Yoga is published
Yoga Samachar Fall 2014/Winter 2015
Menuhin, who wrote the introduction to Light on Yoga, was
The “Light on…” series also includes Light on Astanga Yoga,
eager to introduce to the West the teacher who had helped him
published in 1999.
overcome his health problems. Two years later, Mr. Iyengar traveled to Europe, the first of scores of journeys that spread
Additional publications by Mr. Iyengar include Body the Shrine,
the art and science of yoga to all corners of the world. In 1954,
Yoga Thy Light, published in 1978 by the Yoga Research Trust;
he began teaching in Bombay.
70 Glorious Years of Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar, 1990; Iyengar: His Life and Work, 1991, and The Art of Yoga, 1993. On his 82nd
During his first visit to the United States in 1956, he taught Mrs.
birthday, the first of the eight-volume Astadala Yogamala was
William Harkness and her family and gave several lecture-
released; other volumes followed every few years. Yoga: The Path
demonstrations. Photos appeared in Life magazine. During a
to Holistic Health was published in 2001, Yoga Wisdom and
thrilling demonstration in 1973 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, he
Practice in 2009, and Yaugika Manas in 2010. Yog Sarvansathi was
began with Tadasana, then moved through every pose in Light on
published in 2001 in the Marathi language.
Yoga. His 1976 demonstration at Haverford College inspired the creation of the monumental sculpture, “After Iyengar.” “It was
Mr. Iyengar’s birthday celebrations highlighted his ongoing
absolutely the most incredible physical and mental expression
mastery of yoga and the dedication of his students. In 1993,
I’ve ever witnessed,” said the sculptor, Robert Engman. Other
during his 75th birthday year, he conducted mega-classes at the
notable demonstrations highlighted the International Iyengar
U.S. convention in Ann Arbor as well as in Canada, Bombay,
Yoga Convention in San Francisco in 1984—the first devoted to
Bangalore, and London, with a special intensive for teachers in
yoga of any method—and the North American Yoga Convention
Panchgani. The Light on Yoga Research Trust celebrated Guruji’s
at Harvard University in 1987. Regular yoga conventions, and
80th birthday with a 10-day festival near Pune. During the
now regional conferences, have met in the U.S. every few years
celebrations, the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, headquartered in
since; Guruji taught personally in San Diego in 1990, in Ann
Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, honored him as Arsa-Kula-Sresthah
Arbor in 1993, and in Estes Park in 2005.
for introducing yoga to the world, using innovative teaching methods without compromising its classical form. Similar
Mr. Iyengar introduced yoga to the U.K. at the London
celebrations marked his 85th, 90th, and 95th birthdays.
Educational Auditorium in 1971. He returned to inaugurate London’s Iyengar Yoga Institute. Iyengar Yoga continues to
Over the years, Mr. Iyengar’s honors multiplied. They include
flourish throughout England and Europe.
honorary doctorates from the Medicina Alternativa Institute, affiliated with the Open International University for
Just three days after the foundation stone of the yoga institute
Complementary Medicine; the University of Mysore; the Tilak
in Pune was laid in 1973, Mr. Iyengar’s wife died suddenly. The
Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Pune; the Rajiv Gandhi University of
Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) was named
Health Sciences, Karnataka; the Swami Vivekananda Yoga
in her honor. For four decades, it has been the foremost seat of
Anusadhana Samsthanam, Deemed University; and the
yogic learning and a pilgrimage center for students and
University of Pennsylvania. The Mattel Children’s Hospital
teachers from around the world.
recognized him for his work in relieving pain.
Light on Pranayama, Mr. Iyengar’s second book, was published in
He received the Padma Shri award in 1991 from the government
1981, and a third, The Art of Yoga, in 1985. The Tree of Yoga
of India. The Padma Bhushan followed in 2002. The prestigious
appeared in 1988 and Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali in 1993.
Padma Vibhushan was presented in March 2014 in New Delhi at one of Mr. Iyengar’s last public appearances.
1991 — Receives the Padma Shri award from the government of India 1993 — Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is published
Fall 2014/Winter 2015 Yoga Samachar
1993 — Teaches megaclasses at the U.S. convention in Ann Arbor 2002 — Receives the Padma Bhushan award
2004 — Included in Time magazine’s global list of the world’s 100 most influential people
2009 — Teaches in Moscow at the age of 91 2005 — Light on Life is published; Guruji teaches in Estes Park, CO
2011 — Meets His Holiness the Dalai Lama for a discussion moderated by Sri Rajiv Mehrotra
5
When Indian Prime Minister Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited
Clennell with Senior Teacher Lindsey Clennell as executive
RIMYI in its silver jubilee year, in 1999, he was shown a
producer, draws on unprecedented access to the Iyengars; it is
demonstration of yoga asanas and Mr. Iyengar explained the
now in post-production.
development of yoga therapy and the use of props. Also that year Mr. Iyengar was named Man of the Year by the American
Obituaries recounting Mr. Iyengar’s lifetime achievements and
Biographical Institute.
worldwide impact appeared on the front pages of major newspapers including The Times of India and The New York
A 2008 story named him one of India’s “Influentials” and an
Times, and media and social media brought new attention to
“ageless wonder,” adding: “If the world does pranayama today,
Mr. Iyengar and the method that bears his name.
the credit goes to him… His long life is proof of the restorative effects of yoga.” The Times of India included Mr. Iyengar in its
Throughout the world, Iyengar Yoga continues to grow and
2012 list of the greatest men of India after Mahatma Gandhi.
prosper. Transcending nationality, race, religion, gender, and
In 2013, he received the Mother Teresa Sadbhavana Award
caste, it brings the benefits of yoga to people of all ages and
for outstanding achievements in yoga from the Indian
physical capabilities. Hundreds of Iyengar Yoga institutes and
Solidarity Council.
studios train students and teachers in India (with centers in cities including Bangalore, Bombay, Delhi, Madras, Dehra Dun,
Guruji met His Holiness the Dalai Lama for a 2011 discussion
and Rishikesh), the United States, and Argentina, Australia,
moderated by Sri Rajiv Mehrotra; the DVD Path to Happiness
Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic,
records the historic occasion.
Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, lsrael, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Latvia, Lesotho, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico,
Sri Iyengar was included in many national and international
Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, and Slovenia,
lists of achievers, including the International Directory of
Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, the United Kingdom,
Distinguished Leadership, 500 Leaders of Influence of the
Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Zimbabwe.
Twentieth Century, the Dictionary of International Biography, 2000 Outstanding People of the Twentieth Century, and the
Speaking to his granddaughter Abhijata on the day before he
Who’s Who of International Authors.
died, Mr. Iyengar said: “I have shown you all these things, now realize them for yourself.” Our Guruji is gone. His light remains,
Many films have chronicled Mr. Iyengar’s life in yoga, from the
to guide us on the path forward.
widely seen silent demonstration of 1938 to the Film and Television Institute of India’s Samadhi: Ultimate Freedom, a
Richard Jonas (Introductory II) is on the faculty of the Iyengar Yoga
59-minute demonstration filmed in Ann Arbor in 1976. Other
Institute of New York and is a former IYNAUS vice president. He was a
films include Guruji, from 1985, which depicted his heroic
film reviewer and wrote TV commercials before becoming a full-time
struggle to success; Leap of Faith, released on his 90th birthday;
Iyengar Yoga teacher in 2001.
Sculpting Human Kind; and Atma Darshana, produced for the 2004 U.S. convention. Filmed demonstrations and lectures, master classes, and interviews help preserve his legacy. A new film, Sadhaka: The Yoga of B.K.S. Iyengar, directed by Jake
2014 — Receives the prestigious Padma Vibhushan in March in New Delhi—one of his last public appearances
2011 — Teaches in Guangzhou, China, at the age of 93 2012 — Core of the Yoga Sutras is published
6
2014 — B.K.S. Iyengar dies on Aug. 20 at the age of 95
Yoga Samachar Fall 2014/Winter 2015