BKS Iyengar was born in India in 1918. The method of practising yoga that he developed is taught in more than 45 countries throughout the world.

Iyengar was advised to start yoga in his teens in order to improve his health. He studied under the Guru Krishnamacharya, in a tradition going back thousands of years. BKS soon received acclaim in the yogashala (yoga school) and often travelled with his guru to give public demonstrations. He started teaching in Pune in 1937 and in 1943 married Srimati Ramamani and started his family.

Iyengar’s Institute in Pune was built in 1973. Sadly, Ramamani died before the building was completed. The institute is named in her memory - Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute.

The great violinist, Lord Yehudi Menuhin, became Iyengar’s pupil in 1954. Menuhin declared Iyengar to be “his greatest violin teacher ever” and arranged for him to do a tour of Europe. Thus Iyengar was introduced to the West and Iyengar yoga was taken on the syllabus of the Inner London Education Authority in 1968.

Yogacharya BKS Iyengar demonstrating at his 80th birthday celebrations

BKS Iyengar has developed in himself an unsurpassed ability to observe the fine changes that are brought about by movements and the subtle mental and physical effects of each pose and each adjustment in each pose. He shows that the mental and spiritual effects which are the fruits of yoga can be attained by attending to the body and its actions.

Iyengar Yoga

Iyengar yoga is characterised by precision and attention to detail, which enables the practitioner to progress safely within the limits of their own capability; to extend those limits and to develop a quiet, observant mind in a healthy body.

Certified teachers of Iyengar yoga are required to maintain contact with Iyengar, or Guruji as he is now known, or his senior teachers. They have an understanding of the body and posture work which is unequalled in other schools. Judith Richards holds Introductory & Senior Intermediate Certificates. Other teachers at North Surrey Centre who are qualified in the Iyengar method include Janette Browne, Sharon Kipps, Jane Howard and Dolores Pinto.

The name IYENGAR® is now a registered trade mark along with this logo.

Only properly trained and certified teachers, who have maintained their professional development in contact with B.K.S.Iyengar or his senior teachers are legally permitted to use his name or logo.