The Life and Teachings of BKS Iyengar: A Journey from Poverty to Padma Awards

B.K.S. Iyengar entered the world on 14 December 1918 in the small village of Bellur, Karnataka, into a family that struggled financially. Early illnesses—malaria, typhoid, tuberculosis and chronic malnutrition—left him physically weak. His destiny changed when Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, his brother‑in‑law, summoned him to Mysore for rigorous yoga training. The intense regimen taught Iyengar the importance of precise alignment and disciplined breath work. At 18, he moved to Pune, where he began teaching a method that would later be called Iyengar Yoga, distinguished by the systematic sequencing of asanas and the strategic use of props. A serendipitous meeting with violinist Yehudi Menuhin in 1952 sparked international tours, bringing his approach to Europe and America. Notable disciples included Queen Elizabeth of Belgium, Jiddu Krishnamurti, Aldous Huxley, Anne Bancroft, Mira Nair, Donna Karan and Sachin Tendulkar. His 1966 book "Light on Yoga" set a new standard for yoga literature. In 1975 he founded the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in memory of his late wife. The Indian government honoured him with the Padma Shri (1991), Padma Bhushan (2002) and Padma Vibhushan (2014), cementing his status as a cultural icon.