Google doodle marks yoga guru B K S Iyengar's 97th birth anniversary

Instrumental in introducing the ancient Indian practice of yoga to the Western world, B K S Iyengar got honoured on his 97th birth anniversary with a doodle -- showing the yoga guru in various poses within Google's logo.

It has been said that Iyengar could hold a headstand for nearly half an hour well into his eighties and his style -- Iyengar Yoga -- is characterised by tremendous control and discipline, which he exercised in ways not limited to confoundingly long headstands, Google said in a statement.

"To remember the pioneering and deeply spiritual yogi on what would have been his 97th birthday, Kevin Laughlin used a few of the master's poses, or asanas, to help complete the logo on today's homepage," it added.

Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar, now popularly known as B K S Iyengar, was born in a poor family on December 14, 1918 at Bellur in today's Karnataka.

Beloved by followers in every continent, Iyengar advised such aspiring yogis as Aldous Huxley, Sachin Tendulkar, and Queen Elizabeth of Belgium.

He has authored many yoga books including Light on Yoga, Light on Pranayama, Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and Light on Life.