The Legacy of B.K.S. Iyengar: Why Alignment Matters
B.K.S. Iyengar transformed modern yoga through discipline, precision, and an unwavering commitment to alignment. His teachings emphasized that yoga is not about acrobatics—it is about awareness in every part of the body. Understanding his legacy helps us appreciate why alignment remains central to Iyengar yoga today.
Who Was B.K.S. Iyengar?
Born in 1918, Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar overcame childhood illness through dedicated practice. He went on to become one of the most influential yoga teachers in history, authoring classics like Light on Yoga and Light on Pranayama. His method introduced props, therapeutic adaptations, and a scientific approach to asana.
Why Alignment Was Central to His Teaching
1. Alignment as Awareness
Iyengar taught that when the body is aligned, the mind becomes steady. Each pose becomes a form of meditation—an inquiry into precision and presence.
2. Safety and Therapeutics
Alignment prevents injury and allows practitioners of all ages and abilities to experience the benefits of yoga. This therapeutic focus is why Iyengar yoga is widely respected in medical and rehabilitation settings.
3. Discipline and Integrity
For Iyengar, alignment was not about perfection—it was about integrity. Doing a pose with honesty, even if modified, held more value than forcing an ideal shape.
B.K.S Iyenagr in Malaika Padma Pune Shorts
Alignment Beyond the Body
Iyengar believed that physical alignment leads to inner alignment—of mind, breath, and intention. As he famously said:
“It is through the alignment of the body that I discovered the alignment of my mind, self, and intelligence.”
How His Legacy Lives On
Today, Iyengar yoga studios around the world honor his teachings through:
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Sequenced practice
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Use of props
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Detailed instruction
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Emphasis on consistency over intensity
Alignment remains the thread that ties his lineage together.
Alignment in Apparel and Practice
Even clothing plays a role in alignment-based practice. Garments that reveal the movement of the legs, hips, and pelvis—like traditional Iyengar shorts—allow practitioners and teachers to observe form clearly, just as B.K.S. Iyengar intended.
B.K.S Iyenagr in Malaika Padma Pune Shorts
The legacy of B.K.S. Iyengar is one of precision, compassion, and inner discipline. Alignment is not just a technique—it is a pathway to self-understanding.
Honor the lineage with apparel designed for his method—Malaika Padma’s organic cotton Iyengar yoga shorts, inspired by tradition and made for today’s practitioners.