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With a deep sense of loss, the members of the Iyengar Yoga Association of Canada/

Association Canadienne de yoga Iyengar mark the passing of Yoga Master, BKS Iyengar, on August 20, 2014 in Pune, India, at the age of 95.

BKS Iyengar was acknowledged as the world's greatest living yoga master, until his death this week. He visited Canada several times and had an immense impact on yoga in this country. Today, 250 teachers certified in the rigorous Iyengar method teach across Canada in dozens of communities. Another 100 are currently training to be teachers in this method.

Please click here to read the full press release and get a good overview of BKS Iyengar's influence in Canada

Arriving in Pune, I was both excited and curious to see if things had changed much at RIMYI since my last visit in 2009. I wondered if we would still see Mr. Iyengar in the practice hall keeping a sharp eye on Abhijata and Raya while coaching their asana work or observe him deeply absorbed in his own practice. I wondered if Geeta might honour us with the strength of her teaching for some of our classes over this one month session. Such were the images imprinted in my memory.

However, we soon learned that Mr. Iyengar was unwell with a fever. For the first several days we caught glimpses of Guruji sitting at his desk, watching the many students coming from and going to classes. We were all feeling concerned for his well-being and recovery. Our spirits lifted one sunny day when he appeared in a wheelchair on the front porch, his granddaughter, Abhijata by his side. I was privileged to have this opportunity to touch Guruji's feet and bow Namaskar as he returned a beautiful smile.

In the days that followed, Guruji's condition steadily declined until he could no longer remain at home and he was transferred to hospital. Soon it was Geetaji we saw sitting at the desk inside their home, a look of grave concern written on her face as her father's condition became increasingly critical.

On August 20th, we awoke to the news that Guruji had taken his last breath at 3:15 a.m. that morning. The rest of the day seemed dreamlike and surreal as the reality of it all began to penetrate our awareness. A steady procession of students, friends, and neighbours came to pay their respects to the family and bow down to the now, lifeless body of Guruji. I was moved to tears as I met the deep sadness in the eyes of family members, especially Geetaji and Prashant who have so closely followed in their father's footsteps.

It was a most precious experience to attend the intimacy of the cremation ceremony which the family so generously opened to us all. Amidst prayers, chanting, and ritual, Guruji's body was laid to rest in sandalwood and the funeral pyre was lit. As the flames rose higher and brighter, I thought how great a light this man has brought to the world. His brilliance will continue to shine through his teachings and in the hearts of all who have loved him. As we contemplate the words of our beloved teacher, Guruji, let us continue to carry forward, and keep the torch of his yoga teachings bright:

"It is my profound hope that my end can be your beginning" - BKS Iyengar (1918 - 2014) 

My first and only brief interaction with the great yoga master BKS Iyengar was on our second day of classes as we left the Saturday morning women's class. There he was sitting outside his office in a wheelchair with Abhijata in the most gracious, selfless manner. The night before, August 1st, I had spotted a glimpse of those famous bushy eyebrows while he sat behind his desk working. It was like spotting a celebrity. I was so excited to see him because we had heard he had been ill with pneumonia upon return from his month-long stay in his home village of Bellur. However, this morning, as he sat there so graciously connecting with his students, new and old, I was overcome with emotion. My heart was touched by his giving spirit, but I was struck by his frailty, as his condition reminded me of my grandmother before she passed away. I had the foreboding sense that the end of an era was close at hand.  I was grateful for my moment to bow to him and have that received in the most humble manner.

With the news that he had gone to the hospital, there was a vigil like feel to our days, yet business went on as usual at the institute, everything unbelievably calm. As his condition deteriorated and it was clear his body was shutting down, the inevitable transpired. I feel sadness for the loss of a master but I do not feel sad for BKS. To quote his family physician Dr. Manoj Naik from The Times of India: "All along, he kept insisting that he is content. He said he had accomplished his work of restoring glory to yoga. 'You can do whatever you want to my body,' he said. His last words to me were, 'I have lived a Majestic Life.'"

Namaste

Join us for an Evening with Ajahn Sona, 7 pm at the Kelowna Yoga House.

Admission is by dana (donation).

No registration necessary.

Please bring a food item to share for a potluck lunch.

Admission is by dana (donation).

Location: Kelowna Yoga House, 1272 St. Paul Street

For more information

contact Laurie: 250-764-1022

Kelowna Yoga House is hosting two Iyengar Yoga Workshops with Marlene Mawhinney

• Advancing 3-day Workshop
• Introductory Workshop

Marlene (Senior Intermediate III level of certification) is one of Canada's most senior teachers and has taught yoga classes/workshops to thousands of people, from children to those in their 90's, throughout Canada and abroad. She has developed and oversees a comprehensive teacher-training program.

Sign up online before September 30th to benefit from special pricing!

Click here for all details of these upcoming workshops.

As a first-timer to the Institute, there is a certain amount of anxiety and trepidation that accompanies you here. I have heard the stories of the strict teachings of Geetaji and Guruji, and this energy seems to have permeated every square inch of RIMYI. As a student with a chronic condition, my main objective coming here was to honour my circumstances and not create himsa or violence in my body. Well, it looks like I came to the right place.

Mr. BKS Iyengar, Guruji, is no longer among us. The Lion of Pune left his mortal body Wednesday August 20th, 2014.

An ardent devotee of Patanjali's teaching, he made yoga the focus of his life. He lived yoga, he breathed yoga, he elevated yoga to art, to science. He revived its philosophy. Throughout his long life Guruji taught yoga to everyone who was willing to be taught regardless of age, sex or ability. He welcomed the whole world.

On August 20th we prostrated in front of his body, we escorted him to the pyre, we watched the flames engulfing the body of the giant. His mortal body ceases to exist but his immortal teaching lives on.

The Lion of Pune is not dead. His spirit lives on in all of us.

Throughout the next couple of weeks we did our practice and attended classes, and all the time we wondered about Guruji.  It was an unspoken thing--how was he doing, would we see him again, what was happening?  No one was saying much.  It seemed to be business as usual at the Institute.  After it was revealed that he had been taken to the hospital, we began to check the Internet every day for news--and there was very little.  When it became evident that he was slowly failing, our hearts and minds turned from our own concerns to constant thoughts of Guruji.  It was like a vigil, until finally the news was released very early on the morning of the 20th of August:  he was gone.

The rest of that day was quiet.  At the Institute, we talked softly as we moved with the others towards the residence where Guruji's body was laid.  Each of us had the incalculable privilege of saying a last namaste as we knelt by his side.  I had not expected to be moved to tears. In the early afternoon, we attended the cremation ceremony--a simple affair, as if to honor a man of the people who was greatly cherished by his community. There was no pomp and circumstance, just the family performing the rites in the company of friends and students.  Though there were probably about 200 of us there, it felt intimate. 

Mr. BKS Iyengar, Guruji, is no longer among us. The Lion of Pune left his mortal body Wednesday August 20th, 2014.

An ardent devotee of Patanjali's teaching, he made yoga the focus of his life. He lived yoga, he breathed yoga, he elevated yoga to art, to science. He revived its philosophy. Throughout his long life Guruji taught yoga to everyone who was willing to be taught regardless of age, sex or ability. He welcomed the whole world.

On August 20th we prostrated in front of his body, we escorted him to the pyre, we watched the flames engulfing the body of the giant. His mortal body ceases to exist but his immortal teaching lives on.

The Lion of Pune is not dead. His spirit lives on in all of us.