Regional Condolences

Photo: IYNAUS archives

Intermountain Iyengar Yoga Association I met Mr. Iyengar only once, and it had a profound effect on me. It was during his visit to Colorado in 2005 just after publication of his book, Light on Life. I was there to help my teacher, Leslie Bradley, run a booth on Ayurveda. It was last minute so I hadn’t registered for any classes, and when I arrived there were several free passes to classes. When another volunteer learned that I had never met Mr. Iyengar, she said without hesitation: “You should go to the class—I’ve been to India!” My heart was filled with gratitude, and off I went to Patricia Walden’s class where Guruji would surely be present. Indeed, he was in the room and teaching alongside Patricia. It was a great class, of course.

That evening, he was being interviewed in the big hall by Annette Bening. A powerful presence on stage, when he spoke it was as if he was talking directly to me. I felt that he was looking at me and talking to me, so much so that I began to shift in my seat worrying that he might call on me to answer a question or do a pose as he had begun to engage the audience and had even summoned Manouso Manos up to perform on stage. He was magnetic.

When the event ended, I quickly exited to a hallway, turned and saw people dropping to their knees and through the mass of prostrating bodies he walked toward me where I stood, hands pressed, and he looked at me, smiled, pressed his hands on mine, and left. I wandered out to a boulder and sat staring at the mountains for a long time, trying to understand what I had just experienced. Talk about Rocky Mountain High!

I write this from India where I just arrived for the first time. Guruji is no longer with us, and the power of his presence is everywhere. Last night there was a Shradhanjali meeting where Patricia Walden recounted this very same event from her perspective. She said that after the interview, they quickly passed through the crowded hallway and were whisked into the car where she said, “You just gave darshan to 1,000 people!” and he replied, “That was then. This is now.” — Diane Goldstein, Introductory II

Iyengar Yoga Association of Greater New York “May Guruji B.K.S. Iyengar’s teachings be ETERNAL!” — Harshad Shah, Introductory II

“Mr. Iyengar was a surrogate spiritual father to me. I am finally going to India next year after 26 years of practice. I am sorry to have missed his in-person magic.” — Michelle Hill, Introductory II

“Guruji’s teachings have enhanced my awareness of (and concern for) the world around me. Iyengar Yoga means a systematic approach through which people can truly transform the way that they experience their existence.” — Val Shaffer, Intermediate Junior I

“So privileged to be exposed to such a great light whose intensity and devotion was felt assuredly when in his presence. As Guruji said to me personally during my last visit to India, ‘… by God’s grace.’” — Rosemarie Schiavone, Introductory II

“My last day in Pune in April, Guruji wasn’t there when I arrived. The clock was ticking. I sat on the bench by the Institute entrance and waited. By 5:30 p.m., Guruji came to his porch, sat on his big chair, and I had the precious opportunity to say goodbye. I will carry his teachings for many lives.” — Marcia Monroe, Intermediate Junior III

“Though Guruji is known all over the world for his own astonishing demonstrations, it is the art of teaching and making the art of asana both accessible and meaningful to all that are perhaps even greater contributions.” — Dan Shuman, Teacher Trainee

“Mr. Iyengar stayed in my home in New York in 1986. Early one morning, I saw him wrapped in my long green Italian bath towel, stretched out on the floor doing his pranayama practice, an image I’ll never forget.” — Carol Eugenia Burns, Intermediate Junior III

“As I travel quite a bit, I am grateful that the teachings of Guruji reached most parts of the world. Whenever I find an Iyengar Yoga teacher, I go to class with the confidence that I will be led by someone qualified and knowledgeable.” — Marciela Daniel, Student

“For much of my life I suffered from horrible posture—a reflection of self-loathing so severe I often begged God to show me the nearest exit. Instead, I was lead to Mary Dunn. One day she was teaching Sukasana and how to lift the spine. She said, ‘My teacher says that your spine is God!’ An electro-shock of truth coursed through my body. What I learned is that there is divinity within us all.” — Anonymous

“There is no sadness, only celebration, for a man who beat incredible odds and figured out how simple it is to be really alive, then came up with a way to share that with others. His was a life well lived.” — Robert Greenfield, Student

“The opportunity to meet and speak personally to Guruji left me awkward and emotional. His warm reply, ‘I am merely an instrument. No need for thanks. God bless.’” — Nancy Preston, Introductory II

“In October 1999, B.K.S. Iyengar laid down on the cool marble after practicing backbends. When he came up, he asked us to come look. The warmth of his body had made steamy imprints on the marble floor. He asked us to look at the impressions made from his head, shoulder blades, buttocks, arms, and legs. I saw the shapes getting smaller with open eyes but a grip around my heart. In February 2014, his body had definitely changed. Like the steam marks left on the marble floor his body was getting smaller, but there it was: B.K.S. Iyengar’s mind and prana, his vitality, his attention.” — Carolyn Christie, Intermediate Junior III

“I was a competitive runner 15 years ago. Because of several injuries, I could no longer run. I was devastated. Yoga helped me physically with the use of props but also taught me to be patient, not only with others but with myself. It helped to quiet my mind in times of chaos. It taught me how to live.” — Francine White, Student

“Mr. Iyengar’s yoga has guided me through a couple decades of living. His students are my teachers, and I humbly bow to a true master who encouraged us all to ignite our practice with vigor and intelligence.” — Erin Ehlers, Student

Photo: Andy Richter 2013

Iyengar Yoga Association of New England News of Yogacharya Sri B.K.S. Iyengar’s passing on Aug. 20, 2014, arrived as many in our New England Iyengar yoga community were attending Patricia Walden’s annual retreat in New Hampshire. Throughout the week, our thoughts had been with him during our practices as Patricia shared news of his hospitalization and updates about his condition. The morning after he died, the grief and sorrow in the room were palpable, but Patricia shared some poignant memories of Guruji and led

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us in a joyful practice that reminded us of his tremendous gifts to us. So many students who were there spoke of how fortunate they felt that this news came while we were all gathered together to study and practice yoga.

That weekend, on Aug. 24, the wider New England Iyengar yoga community gathered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, at St. Mary’s Church, where Patricia Walden taught classes for over 15 years. Current and prior students of Patricia’s and many other Iyengar Yoga teachers came to offer respects and share time together. The room filled with more than 100 people who had traveled from all around the region. Many brought stories, quotations, and photographs to post on a canvas that became a wonderful tribute to Guruji as the day went on.

We sat on the floor and on chairs, and came to a hush gazing at a beautiful photograph of Guruji on an altar bedecked with marigolds and roses and lit by bright candles. After we chanted the “Invocation to Patanjali” and the “Guru Stotram,” Patricia shared stories and thoughts about Guruji, reflecting on his life and his legacy. She spoke about his teachings and his boundless passion for practice, telling us: “My message to all of us is to follow in his footsteps: practice wholeheartedly and make the commitment to practice every day, with dedication and a pure mind so that you can find those sparks of divinity.”

Thanks to colleagues in Pune, we heard about Guruji’s last day and the cremation ceremony and Geeta’s moving words about her father. Jarvis Chen, president of IYANE, spoke about how Guruji’s legacy to us includes not only his immortal teachings but also this worldwide Iyengar yoga community, ensuring that we can continue to practice, learn, and grow together even though he is no longer physically on the earth. Dushyant Shah gave us the definition of “guru” from The Upanishads as “one who removes darkness and brings light.” We all felt that Guruji has brought radiant light into our lives. As we thought of Guruji’s final moments, Manju Vachher quoted from the 15th chapter of The Bhagavad Gita, wherein Krishna describes the jivatma (individual soul) and how it ultimately dissolves into the paramatma (universal soul) through the grace of God. Her emotion was both moving and comforting.

It was a delight to watch two short films—Genius in Action and The Body Is My Temple, Asanas Are My Prayers—made to honor Guruji during the Light on Life tour in 2005. We saw Guruji in his great strength and power, teaching and practicing. Seeing a montage that showed Guruji moving into and out of the same poses at different ages was particularly inspiring. The grace and precision that he had as a young man, as an older man, and as an old man were peerless and so consistent.

We each lit a candle from the flames begun on the altar. We chanted the “Fullness Mantra” from the Isha Upanishad. After a meditation on gratitude toward the gifts Guruji had given us, we shared chai and spent time in fellowship and conversation. It was a beautiful day.

On the evening of Sept. 1, to honor Guruji and mark the end of the 13-day mourning period, Jarvis Chen and Manju Vachher hosted a Shraddhanjali gathering for IYANE members at Brookline Yoga Studio, Manju’s home studio. We came in and offered our respects and brought flowers to an altar with a beautiful photograph of Guruji and candles lit around. Tom Alden shared a message from Patricia Walden, who was in Pune to attend the Shraddhanjali and Vaikunta Samaradhana ceremonies at the Institute. Mirroring the events at the Institute, we began with invocations and then listened to a recording of Nataraj Shastri’s recitation of the Vishnu Sahasranamam (the thousand names of Vishnu). Then, in quiet, we practiced an asana sequence that was similar to one Guruji had continued to practice in the last years of his life:

Adho Mukha Svanasana (5 minutes) Sirsasana (5 minutes) Sarvangasana (10 minutes) Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (5 minutes)

We all came to a seated Savasana in meditation, facing our Guruji’s photograph, holding him in our hearts.

After our practice, we all joined to eat a meal prepared by Manju, Jarvis, and Popsi Narasimhan. Manju has cooked for Guruji in the past, and she prepared the foods he loved for us that evening. The love and respect was palpable, and we all enjoyed being together to mark the end of a unique and momentous chapter in our lives and the life of our community. — Tristan Boyer Binns, Introductory II, and Jarvis Chen, Intermediate Junior II

The two films, Genius in Action and The Body Is My Temple, Asanas Are My Prayers can be viewed on Youtube at http://youtu. be/6MMw1TDYTOg and http://youtu.be/kaba-PUd5PU.

Iyengar Yoga Association of the Northwest “It was my very first class with Guruji. He strode up and down the room eyeing us as we stood in Tadasana, and he stopped right in front of me. I trembled as he stared. Sweat poured down my sides.

‘Why are you sweating?’ he asked. ‘I’m afraid of you,’ I replied, and laughed. He did not. ‘Stop sweating!’ he shouted. ‘We haven’t done anything yet!’

“It was 1989, and I was standing on my head next to Manouso Manos. Guruji came charging our way. I thought for sure he was going to yell at Manouso, but I felt a slap on my ankle instead.

‘You have to work this part here!’ Guruji said in his fierce way. ‘I broke my ankle six months ago,’ I said, wondering how his aim at the exact point where the bone broke was so unerring. ‘I know! Right here!’ He slapped my ankle again. ‘You have to work that part. It’s dead!’

“I felt my chest sink at the news of Guruji’s death, and then I heard his voice saying something he said so often that I remembered it in Marathi: ‘Open your chest, open your chest, open your chest!’ ” —Marian Pierce, Iyengar Yoga practitioner since 1982

“I first met Guruji in 1973 at the YMCA in Niles, Illinois. Mr. Iyengar walked in wearing swim trunks and a stern expression. He was followed by a woman who was quite bent over and walking with a cane. I learned later that she was Mary Palmer, who suffered from severe arthritis. Mary, along with Priscilla Neal, brought Guruji to America. She was one of America’s first senior teachers. Mary and her daughter Mary Dunn are remembered for their inspirational teaching.

“During the class, Guruji was very demanding and very loud, and he made dynamic adjustments to people’s bodies. Mary Palmer received quite a few slaps and I found myself wondering, ‘Could this be yoga?’ At one point Guruji must have noticed my expression because he looked directly at me and said, ‘I am slapping the part of her that does not listen.’

“Guruji ended the class with Sarvangasana/Savasana over a chair. That pose was the deepest I’ve ever experienced, and it has been 43 years since I began to practice yoga.

After the class, Mary Palmer walked out upright and without her cane. In the midst of this surprising, enlightening class, I realized I had met my teacher. I am forever grateful.” — Judy Landecker, Intermediate Junior II “Guruji had a most infectious laugh. To see him laugh would bring joy. I say ‘to see’ rather than ‘to hear’ because his whole body would shake, yet comparatively, hardly a sound escaped.

“In 1990 Guruji visited Chicago for a teacher training. Part of the visit included a boat tour of architecture along the Chicago River. Mr. Iyengar had a comfortable seat on the deck of the boat.

“I stood near Guruji along with Manouso Manos, Birjoo Mehta, and one other person. As we went along the river, we passed under several bridges. Much to the delight of Guruji, the four of us made a game of jumping up to slap each bridge we passed under. Whether or not we managed to slap the bridge, Guruji would laugh heartily at our attempts.

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On the way back in, there was only one bridge remaining—a very low bridge; the four of us had to duck in order not to hit our heads. As we passed under, Guruji, now standing, gave a big smile and slapped the bridge. He laughed hardest at this one.” — Charles Udell, Introductory II

“It was October 2001, and I was on my second visit to the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI). I had just recently failed my first Iyengar Certification Assessment, which back then was the entry to becoming a certified teacher. I frequently spent afternoons in Guruji’s library. One day I approached his desk, and he nodded for me to sit down. I told him how crushed I felt after not passing the assessment and how nervous I got in front of the assessors. He talked to me very kindly and told me a bit more than I remembered afterwards as I was awestruck to be having this moment with him. But what I do remember clear as a bell is him saying, “You have to replace the fear complex with positivity!” Ever since that day, whenever I have felt stuck or frozen or lacking self confidence, I remember those words and take action, no matter how small.” — Nadine Sims, Introductory II

“I saw B.K.S. Iyengar early on in the glistening light of the teachings from my teachers—all conveying through their filters the teachings of the famous guru himself.

“In 1998 I went to India, studying with Geeta and Prashant, and with reverence and curiosity, glancing at the Master in his daily practice and studying in the library. I reveled in this precious pilgrimage to the source.

“Years later, I attended B.K.S. Iyengar’s classes in Colorado—at long last directly encountering his grace, wisdom, and intelligence. When he ceremoniously entered the room, there was a feeling of illumination, as though divine love suffused the space. Tears rolled down my cheeks, as I was suddenly immersed in a direct experience of why this man was indeed Guruji to so many.

“B.K.S. Iyengar’s 90th birthday tour and festivities took me to Bellur where I witnessed the joyful, highly energetic presence of a man whose spirit seemed ageless, as he hopped on and off festival stages. I feel deeply blessed to have encountered his radiance directly and through the generous and intelligent offerings of the senior teachers who were his immediate and devoted students.” — Elizabeth Kerwin, Introductory II

“On my first trip to Pune, Mary Dunn suggested I take Guruji a box of Sees, as he loved chocolate. I was 34 years old, my body seriously committed to lordosis. During class, I was literally hanging out in Utthita Trikonasana. All of a sudden my lower back felt like a lightning bolt had hit it. Guruji stood there, his eyes twinkling. I smiled and he said, ‘You will remember where I hit you.’ That was three decades ago; I still remember.

“We could hear his footsteps! At the 1993 Ann Arbor convention, Guruji used a walkway above us to observe the classes we taught. I was teaching Utthita Parsvakonasana. I made sure that everyone’s knees were correctly aligned before he appeared. Upon arrival, he immediately pointed out all the knees, backs, and arms that needed aligning. It was as though the voice of God had spoken from above!

“I believe that one of Guruji’s greatest gifts was modeling his commitment and dedication to his art. He showed up on the mat in the yoga hall day after day after day, year after year after year. He taught me as much by his actions as by his words. To honor our Guruji, I suggest we recommit to our teaching and our practice—and eat chocolate!” — Julie Lawrence, Intermediate Junior III

with thoughts of Guruji in my heart

Tadasana as my consciousness penetrates from the bones through the flesh where the soles of my feet touch the floor “press the big toe mound down”

Photo: Andy Richter 2013

Adho Mukha Svanasana “lift… descend…” disseminating your dedication to the art of yoga

Utthita Trikonasana “equal and opposite stretch” the voices echo as I practice

Adho Mukha Svanasana “effortless effort” your energy permeates my consciousness

Uttanasana “ground and extend” your unwavering self-awareness

5 minutes seated quietly “observe the root of the tongue—the tension in the inner ears” penetrating into the layers of the Self “from effort to surrender” in an ever-widening circle of all your children in gratitude I remain your humble student — Carmen Viola, long-time teacher, on the communal practice

Iyengar Yoga Association of the South Central United States “My husband Jeff and I spent June and July in Pune this summer. Guruji was not in the practice hall in June, but he was outside almost every evening. I was so amazed by his generous spirit, making himself visible for all those who came through to study at the Institute. Then, on the last day of June, he came into the practice all. I was in a rather serene state, having just experienced a beautiful Prashant class. Prashant talked about creating literacy in our practice and he ended with this lovely exhortation to embrace the unique character that each individual embodiment has this time around. That, he said, so poetically, is ‘the majesty of divine creation.’

Not long after that, Guruji arrived in the practice hall for the first time that month. Abhijata helped him across the room. He sat and received people’s pranams. He did a long Dwi Pada, well-supported, and a long rope Sirsasana to start off. Abhijata and Raya helped him in and out of poses with such care and attentiveness. There was a lovely interaction between him and his great grandchild. They both seemed truly delighted in each other’s being. I was moved to tears by the beauty of this glimpse of B.K.S. Iyengar’s example of the majesty of divine creation.” — Anne-Marie Schultz, Intermediate Junior I

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“In July, 1986, before Chandru Melwani shot the classes, I was allowed to shoot photos of the medical classes. They were taught primarily by Guruji, Geetaji, Prashantji, and Shah, and several others assisted.

“One night Guruji was sitting behind a slim 20-year-old girl, his fingers in her ears. My friends sitting on the steps taunted me, ‘Bruce, ask him what he is doing.’

“I whispered, ‘No, I can’t. I don’t want to get in the way.’ “‘Bruce, Bruce, ask him what he is doing.’ “Rolling my eyes, I responded, ‘No!’ but after several more demands, I relented.

“‘Guruji,’ I asked, ‘What are you doing?’ “‘Fool,’ he answered, ‘can’t you see I have my fingers in her ears?’ I was chastened.

“He continued, ‘Before she was deaf; now she can hear. That is God’s gift to me.’ This was the young woman he wrote about curing in The Tree of Yoga (page 110).” — Bruce Roger, Introductory II

“On my first trip to Pune, in 2008, I ventured down to the library to ask Guruji a burning question. I was unsure about how to approach him, so I asked the librarian for a book on Samkhya and sat at the table and pretended to read. Guruji was working on a book. ‘What is it!’ He demanded in his gruff voice. ‘I… have a question.’ ‘Yes?’ he said, looking above his half glasses. ‘It’s about the skin and the muscle. How do you move the skin without moving the muscle?’ He banged his fist on the table furiously and said, ‘You people. You don’t read my books.’ ‘Yes, Guruji, I do read your books, but still I don’t get it. And Patricia says some things take 30 years to learn.’ ‘Well, that is another way,’ he said, in a milder voice. Then he looked at Lois Steinberg who happened to be sitting across from me at the table: ‘Show her how to move from the muscle!’ Lois stretched her arms out to the sides rigidly. ‘Now show how to move from the skin.’ Lois elegantly extended her arms with sensitivity and grace. ‘Oh. Okay,’ I said, still in my intellect and not really satisfied.

“Later that week in the practice room, I approached Guruji gingerly to sit and watch as he worked with a local student on Bharadvajasna. He looked at me and pointed to the student’s back skin and explained, ‘This must be loose and move first, like this,’ drawing his finger along the back waist. ‘And now he can move strongly, with the muscles.’ He held the shoulder bones and gave a firm adjustment to the twist. I was touched that after an initial rebuke, Guruji took my question seriously and was willing to teach me. I’m glad I asked because I got an answer that led to a change in my practice. I stopped thinking so much about instructions and started feeling them instead.” — Pauline Schloesser, Intermediate Junior I

Iyengar Yoga Association Southeast Our region joins with the greater Iyengar community in expressing our heartfelt gratitude for the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar. The call to honor Guruji on Tuesday, Aug. 26 was widely met in our region with many studios participating. We are grateful for the updates and leadership provided by the national association. In thinking of Guruji and holding him in our hearts as we practice, Sutra 1.37 came to mind: vitaraga visayam va cittam. This sutra says that one of the ways we can overcome the obstacles is by focusing the heart and mind on an image of a saintly person or divine object.

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bounty of his teachings, and the blessing of the many communities that he has formed in countries all over the world that will guide us. As Sutra 1.37 promises, as we call Guruji and his teachings to heart, we will gain the confidence and strength to move forward. We look forward to the opportunity to continue in the coming months and years to honor this man and his legacy. In the more immediate future, we are looking forward as a region to hosting the national convention in May 2016. Certainly this will provide us a great opportunity to celebrate and honor Guruji.

Iyengar Yoga Association of the Southwest The Southwest region honored Guruji with celebrations throughout the area. The B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga Center of Las Vegas, Archana Yoga (Gilbert, Arizona), the B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga Studio of Tucson, and Scottsdale Community College (Arizona), each hosted memorials for our beloved teacher.

Teacher Lauren Barnert-Hosie, Introductory II, Director of Open Spaces Yoga Center in the remote, small town of Lakeside, Arizona, was moved by the spirit of community fellowship felt during the nationwide practice on Aug. 26. “Not knowing ahead of time how many would join us, we were very touched by the outpouring in our small community,” Lauren said. “Nineteen people attended, many, but not all, Iyengar Yoga students; some came who principally practice on their own. Everyone seemed

to sense that their participation in this communal event was bigger than their individual expressions of loss; we were a community that had lost a Supreme Teacher and were left with his great legacy as a guide to our carrying on in the practice and the living of yoga.”

Scottsdale Community College Yoga Program Director, Carlyn Sikes, Introductory II, expressed her gratitude for Guruji’s guidance. “The thought that came to me in the days after Guruji’s passing was not so much a thought as a desire. The desire is to commit to greater focus and effort in my practice and teach with greater clarity what I have learned and will continue to learn in this system,” Carlyn said.

The B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga Studio of Tucson director Katherine Maltz, Intermediate Junior I, and teachers Judith Whitehead and Terese Ireland, both Introductory II, offer their deepest heartfelt condolences to the Iyengar family. Says Katherine about the profound influence of Guruji, “Studying and sharing Iyengar Yoga has been the greatest honor of our lifetimes, as we in Tucson, Arizona, observed and witnessed Guruji’s power and compassion touch and improve so many. Manouso Manos, Dean Lerner and Rita Lewis-Manos offered workshops in Tucson countless times. Guruji’s love and understanding took hold and exploded into our state. We are humbled and eternally grateful to say Guruji’s name, to practice his yoga, to have studied in Pune, and to have had the opportunity to bathe in his light and genius. Thank you Guruji, we forever hold you in our hearts.” RIMYI archives

Some longtime teachers and students in the Southwest region have had the privilege of studying directly with Guruji in decades past. Senior Teacher Ben Thomas and his wife, Senior Teacher Tommijean Thomas, made their first trip to RIMYI in July of 1979. Their teacher, Manju Jois, had given them a copy of Light on Yoga and told them that they should study with the author. Ben remembers, “We began exploring and learned that Mr. Iyengar was conducting intensives in Pune, India, at RIMYI. We wrote to him, included many pictures of us doing all the poses, and inquired about whether we could attend classes. He responded by letter and invited us to attend the intensive in July 1979. There were 58 students at that first intensive. We were clearly the new kids on the block. I had been a body builder. My wife had been a professional dancer. Guruji noticed us and gave us new names of “Strong Man” and “Show Off.” We thought our photographs were great. We were told, “It is not what you do, but how you do, and you have no clue.” The first class lasted three hours. At the end of that first difficult class, we knew he was a master teacher. We made the decision to learn and endure. The learning began.”

Josie Lazarus, Introductory II, remembers her first trip to RIMYI in 1994. Having just been diagnosed with Grave’s disease, she considered cancelling but was urged by Manouso Manos to go. Josie remembers, “I saw Sri B.K.S. Iyengar welcoming students from the veranda attached to the house. I hung back and waited until the crowd cleared and approached him. After greeting him and introducing myself, I explained my medical situation and asked for his help. Those fantastic eyebrows went up, his eyes flashed, and in a loud voice he replied, ‘You people are killing me!’ and then he said, ‘We’ll see.’ I made my way back to my hotel thinking I had blown it. My trip was ruined. I should just go home now. The next day as I arrived for class, a woman came up behind me and asked me if I was Josie and said to set up behind her in class and do what she did. This was Evlaleah Howard. I did just that. After the second asana, I felt someone tap me on the back and say, “Come with me.” I turned around, and there was Mr. Iyengar himself. He pulled me by the arm to the back of the room and proceeded to put me through my paces on a sequence he told me to do everyday twice a day. At one point he pounded my middle back and said ‘Your back is stupid.’ That month is one of the most memorable of my life. The love and assistance given to me by both Guruji and Geeta Iyengar changed my life and outlook.”

All of us here in the Southwest are deeply saddened by the Iyengar family’s loss and for the passing of our revered guru, but we are left with a profound joy and gratitude for his work and influence in our lives. Ben Thomas says of Guruji’s constancy, “We feel honored to carry on the tradition of teaching yoga as presented by our teacher. His teaching is his legacy. His legacy will continue to inspire so long as all of us continue to share the gift of yoga. His life inspires and gives quality to life within communities and the world. His dedication to mankind is not easily matched. His teaching was selfless. He taught first his children and then teachers. His legacy continues in our minds, hearts, and all other sheaths of our being.”