Sri T. Krishnamacharya, often called “the Father of Modern Yoga” defined the practice of Vinyasa Ashtanga yoga. Krishnamacharya is widely regarded as one of the most influential yoga teachers of the 20th century. Sri T. Krishnamacharya defined the practice of Vinyasa Ashtanga Yoga. In 1954, after BNS Iyengar studied 14 years with Krishnamacharya he was invited to facilitate Parakalamutt’s Patangala Yoga shala where his teacher Krishnamacharya first taught the system to the Royal family and others in Mysore. This included Primary series, Intermediate series and Advanced A & B. It is BNS Iyengar’s view that asana is only a small part in the 8 limbs of the classical system of Patanjali therefore, students should direct more of their practice to the esoteric limbs such as Pranayama.
BNS Iyengar was blessed with the once in a lifetime chance to begin his yoga studies with Krishnamacharya at the age of thirteen. With daily dedication and diligent practice BNS Iyengar drank the ocean of yoga knowledge and understood the value of this extraordinary discipline.
BNS Iyengar became a Master of Vinyasa Ashtanga yoga at the age of twenty five. Along with Vidwan Krishnamacharya and Yogaasanavisharadha Vidwan Pattabi Jois’s guidance he was invited to direct the Parakalamutt’s Patanjala Yogashala where his guru, Vidwan Krishnamacharya taught the Ashtanga yoga systems. This system includes Primary, Intermediate, Advanced A and B series.
Living Legend BNS Iyengar
BNS Iyengar’s life began in Hemmige Agrahara. A small village and a holy place with magnificent temples dedicated to Lord Varadaraja Swamy and his consort Perundevi. The residents of Hemmige Agrahara devote all of their time and energy to preserve the early traditions of devotion, knowledge and the value of education. It is in this holy place that BNS Iyengar was born, the second son of Sri L. Narasimha Iyengar and Smt Chokkamma, on September 19th, 1927.
BNS Iyengar is highly educated. Under Krishnamacharya wings and watchful eyes BNS Iyengar not only mastered Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga but also The Upanishads, a collection of Vedic textswhich contain the earliest emergence of some of the central religious concepts of Hinduism. He has obtained his BSc degree at the University of Mysore which influences the importance of physiology to all of his teachings. He educated himself in the Bhagavathgeetha especially in Saanga sahithya (A Chronological study of yoga) at the Maharaja’s Sanskrit College which isone of the oldest and one of the premier institutions in South India for the study of Sanskrit.
BNS Iyengar has a deep knowledge in The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali which are 196 Indian sūtras (aphorisms) that constitute the foundational text of yoga . The Bhagavathgeetha is also an essential point of focus for BNS Iyengar. He has carefully studied the text as a source of guidance and inspiration in his life work and spiritual practice. In addition, BNS Iyengar is well versed in ayurveda, astrology, musicology and has mastered vinyasavidya and Nyasa Vidya which is the path to Moksha or salvation.
BNS Iyengar is a prominent and influential Vinyasa Ashtanga Yoga Master. He has traveled throughout India and participated in seminars in Italy, the United Kingdom and in the United States at the Oklahoma University to share his wisdom. He has been accredited for his knowledge and continues to contribute to various texts and journal articles. BNS Iyengar founded the Shree Patanjala Yogashala in Parakalamutt in April 1984 and was inaugurated by Vidwan Sri Pattabhi Jois. Yoga shalas in the United Kingdom, North America and Western Europe have been established under BNS Iyengar’s guidance.
BNS Iyengar is the embodiment of all of the great virtues of yoga. He continues to generously share his wisdom, guidance and talent to those fortunate enough to be willing and ready to learn from his divine teachings. BNS Iyengar continues to inspire and teach countless of locals and international students from across the globe in his home town in Mysore, Karnataka. At present, BNS Iyengar compassionately guides others in practice and teaches Vinyasa Ashtanga yoga, pranayama, yoga mudras and yoga philosophy at the Mysore Krishnamacharya Yoga Shala.
Shyama Devi at the Mysore Palace