B.K.S. Iyengar, renowned yoga guru, dies aged 96

Indian yoga guru B.K.S Iyengar, who played an important role in the global expansion and popularity of yoga, has died aged 96.

Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar, who died in India earlier today following kidney failure, first opened his yoga school in 1973 in the western city of Pune.

He trained hundreds of teachers in his unique approach to yoga, which included the use of props such as belts and ropes to help practitioners achieve the poses.

Born into a poor family in Bellur village in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, Iyengar suffered from ill health as a child including typhoid and tuberculosis. As a teenager, he discovered he could improve his strength by practising yoga, and when he was 18 he moved to Pune to practise yoga and teach its techniques to others.

Iyengar created his own brand of yoga, called Iyengar yoga, and established studios in 72 countries where yoga practitioners are taught ways to improve breathing, concentration and meditation.

By the mid-1950s word of Iyengar yoga had spread in Europe, where he began teaching many new converts, including violinist Yehudi Menuhin and author Aldous Huxley.

The popularity of Iyengar yoga spurred him to write a book called Light On Yoga, explaining the 216 yoga postures that formed what he called the science and art of yoga. The book became a global best seller with more than three million copies sold and has since been translated into 17 languages.

According to Greg Walsh from Samadhi yoga in Dublin, Light on Yoga is the "original modern text book for yoga".

“Iyenger was the cornerstone of modern yoga as it is practised across the globe,” said Mr Walsh.

“Iyenger yoga is very analytical style - its very into working the body safely, caregully and in great depth.”

“He had a very exploratory mind and worked with people of all ages, of all capacities and modified poses so that people could do them with injuries and disabilities.”

Iyengar, easily recognisable by his bushy eyebrows and silvery locks of shoulder-length hair, practised yoga until two months ago and even did headstands in his 90s.

Iyengar yoga’s physically challenging poses and breathing techniques have been adopted by mainstream medical practitioners to help patients suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure and chronic back pain.

In 2004, Iyengar was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine.

The Indian prime minister Narendra Modi tweeted today that he was "deeply saddened" by the news of Iyengar's death and that "generations" would remember the "fine guru, scholar and a stalwart who brought yoga into the lives of many across the world."

Indian president Pranab Mukherjee said: "The nation has lost a personality who devoted his entire life to the teaching and dissemination of India's ancient knowledge and wisdom to millions all around the world."

Iyengar taught his students to understand the "mind, body, heart and soul" in their search for a more fulfilled life. He wrote in his book Light on Life: "You do not need to seek freedom in a different land, for it exists with your own body, heart, mind and soul."

Colm Walsh, director of Yoga Dublin Studios, says it’s important yoga followers continue to follow Iyengar’s core “philosophy”.

“It’s important that we recognise the wisdom he imparted through his teachings - that yoga is a positive force and energy in the world,” said Mr Walsh. “We must remember it’s not just about being physically fit, it’s about mental awareness that can bring a positive contribution to society.”

Additional reporting from Agencies