BKS Iyengar Quotes from the Inspirational Yogi
Published June 24, 2023
Learn about “the father of modern yoga” with these BKS Iyengar quotes.
BKS Iyengar is short for Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar, the man known as the “father of modern yoga” due to founding the style of yoga as exercise, which is called Iyengar Yoga.
He was born in Karnataka, India, in 1918 and died in Pune, India, in 2014 at 95.
BKS was a yoga teacher and an accomplished author that Time Magazine named one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2004.
He is credited with popularizing yoga as exercise, first in India and then worldwide.
BKS married Ramamani in 1943, and they had six children.
Read these BKS Iyengar quotes to learn more about the influential man.
Top BKS Iyengar Quotes
Here are ten popular quotes from the renowned yoga teacher and author.
1. “Be inspired but not proud.” — BKS Iyengar
2. “Nothing can be forced; receptivity is everything.” — BKS Iyengar
3. “Life itself seeks fulfillment as plants seek sunlight.” — BKS Iyengar
4. “Do not stop trying just because perfection eludes you.” — BKS Iyengar
5. “You must purge yourself before finding faults in others.” — BKS Iyengar
6. “True concentration is an unbroken thread of awareness.” — BKS Iyengar
7. “All games are meaningless if you do not know the rules.” — BKS Iyengar
8. “Know your capacities and continually improve upon them.” — BKS Iyengar
9. “Confidence, clarity, and compassion are essential qualities of a teacher.” — BKS Iyengar
10. “Love begets courage, moderation creates abundance, and humility generates power.” — BKS Iyengar
BKS Iyengar Quotes About Yoga and Life
B.K.S. shares many thoughts and opinions on yoga and its impact on life.
11. “You have to create love and affection for your body, for what it can do for you.” — BKS Iyengar
12. “Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.” — BKS Iyengar
13. “Focus on keeping your spine straight. It is the job of the spine to keep the brain alert.” — BKS Iyengar
14. “Do not aim low, you will miss the mark. Aim high, and you will be on a threshold of bliss.” — BKS Iyengar
15. “The world is filled with movement. What the world needs is more conscious movement, more action.” — BKS Iyengar
16. “It is through the alignment of the body that I discovered the alignment of my mind, self, and intelligence.” — BKS Iyengar
17. “There is no progress toward ultimate freedom without transformation, and this is the key issue in all lives.” — BKS Iyengar
18. “You do not need to seek freedom in a different land, for it exists with your own body, heart, mind, and soul.” — BKS Iyengar
More B.K.S. Iyengar Quotes
Here are a few more B.K.S. quotes about yoga and the impact it makes.
19. “The hardness of a diamond is part of its usefulness, but its true value is in the light that shines through it.” — BKS Iyengar
20. “Yoga allows you to find an inner peace that is not ruffled and riled by the endless stresses and struggles of life.” — BKS Iyengar
21. “Yoga is like music: the rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life.” — BKS Iyengar
22. “Life means to be living. Problems will always be there. When they arise, navigate through them with yoga- don’t take a break.” — BKS Iyengar
23. “Change leads to disappointment if it is not sustained. Transformation is sustained change, and it is achieved through practice.” — BKS Iyengar
24. “When you see a mistake in somebody else, try to find if you are making the same mistake. This is the way to take judgment and to turn it into improvement.” — BKS Iyengar
25. “We must create a marriage between the awareness of the body and that of the mind. When two parties do not cooperate, there is unhappiness on both sides.” — BKS Iyengar
How Did BKS Iyengar Get Involved in Yoga?
BKS had influenza when he was born and grew up a weak and sickly child.
In 1934, his brother-in-law invited him to Mysore to improve his health by practicing yoga asanas.
This was a turning point in his life, and not only did it help his health, but it also led him to develop Iyengar Yoga and help the health of many people.
Share these BKS Iyengar quotes with your friends interested in yoga, and post any comments about BKS in the comment section below.
