The manifold activities of the centre are inspired by the lives and lessons of the revered sage Patanjali and the renowned Yoga-masters Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar, Srimati Geeta Iyengar and Sri Prashant Iyengar of the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute, Pune, India.
B.K.S.Iyengar was the foremost pupil of the distinguished Yoga-master T. Krishnamarcharya. B.K.S. Iyengar was born in 1918 in Bellur, Karnataka and commenced practicing Yoga at the age of 14. Over eight decades of intense and steadfast practice B.K.S Iyengar evolved a wide range of methodologies and techniques. He discovered numerous esoteric facets of this profound science. Using his own being as a laboratory he created and propagated unique ways of practicing and imparting the science of yoga. B.K.S. Iyengar’s therapeutic work earned him the reputation of being the foremost healer in the yogic tradition. Furthermore, numerous Yoga props were invented by Yogacharya Iyengar to enable people to safely and beneficially practice yoga. Iyengar Yoga is accessible to all irrespective of their age, caste, gender, ethnic or cultural background. B.K.S Iyengar was the author of the authoritative and best selling works such as Light on Yoga, Light on Pranayama and Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. He taught thousands and touched the lives of millions. B.K.S Iyengar was regularly honoured both in India and overseas. Honours bestowed on him included the prestigious Padmavibhushan, Padmabhushan, and the Padmashri from the President of India, and doctoral degrees from renowned institutions of learning. Late in his life, B.K.S. Iyengar turned Bellur into a model village. Yogacharya Iyengar passed away on August 20, 2014.
Srimati Geeta Iyengar is the foremost woman exponent of yoga in the world. This illustrious daughter of BKS Iyengar has been practicing and teaching yoga for over five decades. A graduate in Ayurveda and philosophy, she has been propagating Yoga with single-minded devotion and penetrating insight. She is the author of Yoga, a Gem for Women and has taught yoga worldwide.
Sri Prashant Iyengar, a musician, philosopher, and Yoga teacher par excellence who unfold esoteric truths of Yoga philosophy and practice through his intense researches of the connections of body and mind. Prashant Iyengar is extremely well versed in the classical scriptures, has authored many books, and shares his unique gems of insight with yoga students from all over the world.