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Happy 91st Birthday BKS Iyengar!

in YD News

bks-iyengar-enlightenupThe great “Lion of Pune” BKS Iyengar turns 91 today! Happy Birthday Guruji! Props from YD.

Oh sure he doesn’t make the news every other day, quite like another hot-aired fella we know, but Mr. Iyengar’s impact on modern yoga is undeniable and ever present. Care to send a birthday present? Here’s what’s on Guruji’s wishlist, via IYNAUS:

Guruji has told us we can best demonstrate our gratitude for his teachings  by supporting the transformation of his ancestral village of Bellur. Celebrate Guruji’s birthday with a fundraiser — a special class or workshop, a potluck dinner, perhaps a fifth anniversary celebration of “Three for Bellur,” in which participants are asked to donate $3 each. Download a flyer here.

Mr. Iyengar has transformed his ancestral village of Bellur, in southern India, with a visionary series of projects.

Some of the landmarks already achieved are a free hospital, a water treatment facilities, India’s first temple dedicated to Patanjali, and the free primary and high school which supply uniforms, books and a hot lunch, often the children’s only meal of the day.

For more info go to IYNAUS.org. Read more about the Bellur project here.

BKS Iyengar last year on his 90th Birthday

iyengar-at-90

Salamba Sarvangasana
iyengar_sarvangasana

Sirsasana at the Grand Canyon! via bksiyengar.com
bks-iyengar-grand-canyon-sirsasana

Classic footage of BKS Iyengar in his early 20’s from a 1938 newsreel, and just about 45 years later in a 1987 master class:

Earlier‘Don’t call it Iyengar’ and other enlightenments from Interviews with Yogacharya BKS Iyengar (videos)

YogaDork Interviews Kate Churchill and Nick Rosen of Yogamentary Film ‘Enlighten Up!’

Happy Birthday Pattabhi Jois!

6 comments… add one
  • Wow! something to aspire, to be practicing like he does at 91!

  • Thanks for this great collection of links will be enjoying them!

  • sangos

    “….the door of Asana is very wide…Iyengar” certainly for dumbhead like me that was the trick

  • Indeed! Rock on Mr Iyengar! There are so few of the great masters of this era left. Of course, we’ve just lost Swami Satyananda – another who has brought yoga to the masses. May Mr Iyengar live on as long as doing so meets his dharma. He has such a kind face…

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