B.K.S. Iyengar, The Teacher of My Teachers, Has Died

by Nina

Although I never studied with B.K.S. Iyengar, the three teachers who have influenced me the most, Donald Moyer, Mary Lou Weprin, and Rodney Yee, all did. I have also been strongly influenced by two other Iyengar teachers, Patrician Walden and Roger Cole. So even though I'm not a certified Iyengar teacher (I am a certified Yoga Room teacher), I've always felt connected to this great man, as a student of his students and a reader of his books. In general, B.K.S. Iyengar was one of the most influential yoga teachers of the 20th century, for he not only helped popularize yoga in the western world, but he introduced the use of props, which allow people of every body type, age, and level of ability to practice the yoga asanas (see Yoga Props: An Introduction), and developed the idea of the asana practice as a moving meditation (see Practicing Yoga Mindfully).

So please take a few moments to honor this man, who made so many lives better, including mine. Here is a wonderful video in which you can see him practicing as well as teaching. Namaste.

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