Guruji born as Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar on December 14, 1918, was a renowned yoga teacher and the founder of the Iyengar Yoga style. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential yoga masters of the 20th century. Guruji played a significant role in popularizing yoga not only in India but also around the world.

Guruji was born into a poor family in Bellur, Karnataka, India. In his early years, he suffered from various health problems, including malaria, tuberculosis, and typhoid fever. At the age of 16, he was introduced to yoga by his brother-in-law, Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, who was a prominent yoga teacher at the time.

Guruji ‘s dedication and commitment to yoga helped him overcome his physical ailments and become an accomplished practitioner. He developed a unique style of yoga that emphasized precision, alignment, and the use of props to assist practitioners in attaining proper postural alignment. This style became known as Iyengar Yoga.

Guruji wrote several influential books on yoga, including “Light on Yoga,” which is considered a classic and has been translated into many languages. He also established the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) in Pune, India, where he taught and trained countless yoga students from around the world.

Guruj’s teachings had a profound impact on the field of yoga, and he is credited with making yoga accessible to people of all ages and physical abilities. His emphasis on precise alignment and the use of props has helped people with various health conditions and limitations to experience the benefits of yoga.

Guruji received numerous accolades for his contributions to yoga, including the Padma Shri in 1991, the Padma Bhushan in 2002 & Padma Vibhushan award in 2014 one of India’s highest civilian awards. He continued to teach and practice yoga well into his later years. B.K.S. Iyengar passed away on August 20, 2014, but his legacy as a yoga master and his teachings continue to inspire and guide practitioners around the world.