B K S Iyengar: The man who read pain through posture

The author pays a tribute to yoga guru B K S Iyengar, who touched many lives, including his

Yogacharya B K S Iyengar was an embodiment of skills who, with his intellectual and spiritual practices, had masterminded the techniques of yoga sutras, penned down by Sage Patanjali thousands of years ago. He has been instrumental in proliferating the yoga sutras among the masses and helping millions of lives to attain physical and emotional equilibrium.

Guruji came into my life in 1980 when I was suffering from the most traumatic pain due to a slip disc. Umpteen doctor visits and all sorts of medical advice by physiotherapists did not provide any relief. Guruji had a sixth sense and he could understand your ailments by merely watching your postures and movements. Just four sittings under the auspices of Guruji not only healed my back, but also strengthened my faith in yoga's healing power, a life-transforming evolution. I have since devoted 90 minutes, four times a week, to yoga. My youngest son, Malav, had an accident at the age of 21, when a car went over his foot. He often complained of a drilling pain. In spite of trying all alternative medicines and going to the best of the physiotherapists in USA and India, he finally found respite in the yoga taught by Guruji and was completely cured.

As a science student, I was not a firm believer in the existence of god. However, the divine power and radiance that emerged from Guruji made me look upon him as a 'Demi God'. Determined to spread the awareness of and benefits of Iyengar yoga to society, we started the Iyengar yoga centre on our residential premises in Home Villa (Mumbai) in 1998. Today, the centre has experienced teachers who have been guided by the Yogacharya himself and caters to thousands of aspirants from different walks of life seeking medical attention. Yogacharya Iyengar has been a legend - the icon who has mastered the yoga sutras. He was, in the true sense of the word, a rare 'ratna' (gem) of India.

Guruji, you will continue to exist amidst us. We humbly bow to you with all humility for giving us the opportunity to serve you.

The writer is the non-executive vice-chairman of Asian Paints