B.K.S Iyengar was an incredible man. I did not study with him directly but over the years had the honour of studying with others who did such as Donna Farhi and Erich Schiffmann.

During my morning meditation today my mind was drawn into the history of this magnificent soul and I was reminded of the fact that during his early childhood years he was very sick with malaria, typhoid and tuberculosis and at the age of 16 he was introduced to Guru Sri T. Krishnamacharya. Sri Krishnamacharya helped him over come these illnesses and through the practice of yoga he grew into a strong, knowledgeable and resilient teacher.

Back in early 2000 I singed up for a 12 week Iyengar yoga course to deepen my own practice and just like Ashtanga and Ballet I loved the discipline and the way my body responded to this certain way of moving. The alignment instructions and deep concentration one needs to remain focused and totally present is phenomenal. It surpasses any type of outward distraction and took my mind far beyond the cute top my yogini neighbour is wearing!

BBC India paid respects to B.K.S Iyengar; “One of yoga’s finest teachers, Mr Iyengar practised what he called an “art and science” for more than eight decades and ran one of India’s top yoga schools in Pune.”

Its teachers like this which are not born from a 30-day 200hour yoga teacher training but after 30+ years of dedication, sweat and tears and by returning to the mat time and time again. In doing so we deepen the understanding and connection to our authentic selves on all levels on and off the mat and then our teachings come from a bodily expression and life experience rather then a regurgitation of what was memorised the night before.

During my first teacher training I read his Tree Of Yoga book, I remember feeling as though I had been transported back in time and embarked on a deep and meaningful journey with B.K.S. Iyengar, discovering yoga from the very roots of its existence to the entirety of its Branches (Asanas / Postures), Leaves (Pranayama / Breath) and the Sap (Dharana/ Concentration). Each chapter was blossoming and over-flowing with an abundance of knowledge and personal experience. Each sentence read as though Mr Iyengar was dictating it himself straight to me in a very clear, precise and easy to read manner.

B.K.S Iyengar held a flame that will continue to burn bright for centuries to come, and his teachings have shaped and moulded a beautiful practice, which is forever rooted in the history of yoga.

I will finish off this post with one of his many inspiring quotes “Then there is a vivid vibrancy which enables each of us to live in the field of the soul, so that this mortal body may drink the nectar of the immortal soul and the art may become divine.” RIP Guru B.K.S Iyengar 14/12/ 1918 – 20/08/2014