“My Body Is My Temple And Asanas Are My Prayers” BKS Iyengar

The BKS Iyengar Yoga Association of Australia (IYA) is devoted to preserving and sharing the teachings of Guruji Yogacharya - Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja (B.K.S) Iyengar across Australia. Since its founding in 1985 by a small but dedicated group of 19 students and teachers, IYA has worked to promote Iyengar Yoga as a holistic and transformative practice, both nationally and internationally.

To uphold this vision, the association maintains rigorous standards for practitioners, assesses teachers through a structured certification process, enforces ethical guidelines within the community, and safeguards the IYENGAR name. As the official liaison to the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) in Pune, India, the IYA fosters a direct connection between Australian practitioners and the Iyengar family and lineage.

IYENGAR YOGA is distinguished by its focus on precision, alignment, sequencing, timing, and the innovative use of props—an approach meticulously refined by B.K.S. Iyengar over 75 years. Rooted in the eight limbs of yoga, as described by the ancient sage Patanjali, this method offers a structured yet deeply intuitive path toward strength, resilience, and self-discovery. Today, it stands as one of the most widely practiced forms of yoga worldwide.

The BKS Iyengar Yoga Association of Australia is more than an organization—it is a guardian of tradition, carrying the profound wisdom of Iyengar Yoga forward. With a dedicated community of approximately 800 teachers, students, and seekers, the association upholds the integrity of this lineage, ensuring its depth and discipline endures. As Iyengar Yoga continues to inspire and transform lives, IYA remains steadfast, safeguarding its legacy and illuminating the path for all who seek its teachings.

Naarm (Melbourne), Australia

Between 2023-2025, MILAM PROJECTS embarked on a project proposal and analysis with BKS Iyengar Yoga Association Australia (IYA) to outline the creation and development of an online repository resource. This initiative aims to co-design a strategic framework with Ramanani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) to preserve, protect, and archive the teachings of Iyengar Yoga and increase and support community engagement and learning. This archival effort specifically encompasses the historical and archival resources of luminaries such as B.K.S Iyengar, Geeta Iyengar, Prashant Iyengar, and Abhiyata Iyengar, as well as tracking the evolution of these studies and practices, over the decades and generations.

Additionally, the project aims to bolster the international network of Iyengar Yoga Associations globally and establish a collaborative learning portal that as both a ‘living and breathing’ resource for certified Iyengar teachers, teacher trainees, yoga practitioners, and enthusiasts.

The absence of robust archival mechanisms thus far has raised concerns regarding the safeguarding of B.K.S Iyengar's teachings, which serve as the foundational elements for many schools, teacher resources, and curriculums. The ultimate goal was to construct an online global resource that acts as a dynamic and collaborative repository. Through strategic design, community engagement and a collaborative research process, the IYA intends to provide a comprehensive framework that not only preserves but also shares the evolution of the remarkable journey undertaken by the Iyengar family, alongside their lifelong interactions with other inspired senior Iyengar teachers and individuals.

Video by Hexagon Media

“Yoga does not just change the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees.”

BKS Iyengar

“Love begets courage. Moderation creates abundance and humility generates power.”

BKS Iyengar

“When I practice, I am a philosopher. When I teach, I am a scientist. When I demonstrate, I am an artist.”

BKS Iyengar

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