Yogacharya* B.K.S Iyengar

B.K.S. Iyengar (1918-2014), affectionately called 'Guruji' by his students, which essentially means “respected teacher” who you deeply follow, was the greatest philosopher, scientist, student and teacher of Yoga in modern times. He made Yoga accessible for everybody across the world, and helped everyone regardless of their physical condition to benefit from it. He is the reason that Yoga as popular as it is today. 
 

Guruji bestowed good health upon countless people worldwide, revolutionizing the Art of Yoga. Every aspect of his teachings originated from his sincere practical experiences. By closely examining his physical body during asana practice - the movement of his skin, muscles, and joints he discovered how perfect symmetry allows introspection.
 

The term 'Iyengar Yoga' was coined by BKS Iyengar's students to emphasize that their teacher is Iyengar, and they follow his distinct style of practice. However, Guruji himself never referred to it as 'Iyengar Yoga'; instead, he asserted that "there is no Iyengar Yoga, but Patanjali* Yoga. It is Patanjali Yoga, for he is the one who showed me the way".
 

* Yogacharya - an honorific title used to refer to someone who has attained mastery in the subject of Yoga.

* Sage Patanjali was a compiler and codifier of Yoga teachings, and his work, the "Yoga Sutras," is one of the most important and influential texts in the field of Yoga.