On International Yoga Day, know about the original ‘yoga influencer’- B.K.S. Iyengar

Every year on June 21st, International Yoga Day is commemorated. The day was established in 2015 when the United Nations General Assembly unanimously recognised it.

However, not enough credit is given to the original ‘yoga influencer’ of the world, who brought the world of yoga to everyone beyond the Indian borders.

Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar, the originator of "Iyengar Yoga," is credited with popularising Yoga across the world. Iyengar Yoga, which is now taught in over 70 countries, is a kind of Yoga that focuses on perfect body alignment utilising straps, wooden blocks, and other props.

He once said of Yoga, “When you inhale, you are taking the strength from God. When you exhale, it represents the service you are giving to the world."

Iyengar was a revolutionary as a yogi. Yoga was still an oriental treasure passed down from guru to a student, it was a tightly guarded secret maintained exclusively for a limited few. Iyengar was certain that yoga originated in India, but he refused to accept that it belonged to any one country or civilization.

He fought the attempt to patent yoga postures vigorously and successfully in 2011.

Yoga, he believed, should be accessible to everyone, regardless of gender, colour, class, or faith. He argued that it is a "practical philosophy to be experienced," not merely "a matter to be described, discussed, or debated."

Yoga as taught by B.K.S. Iyengar has nothing to do with physical flexibility or New Age spiritualism.

He expected ethical and sincere practice from his students, particularly those who instructed in his name. He was certain that yoga should be all about hard work. He was a strict and dedicated teacher who pulled out the best in his students.

Iyengar emphasised, “I do not want widespread popularity to eclipse the depth of what it has to give to the practitioner,” which indicates his pure intent towards yoga.

India honoured Iyengar's contributions to the country by bestowing the Padmashri Award in 1991, the Padmabhushan in 2002, and the coveted IMC Juran Quality Medal in 2012.

He was named one of the hundred most influential persons in the world by Time Magazine in 2004.

On the occasion of the 7th International Yoga Day we salute B.K.S. Iyengar’s invaluable contribution to the serene world of yoga and spreading it across borders.