B. K. S. Iyengar, Founder of the School

<h2> B.K.S. IYENGAR - FOUNDER OF THE SCHOOL</h2>In 1989 Sri B.K.S. Iyengar visited the Soviet Union at the invitation of the USSR Ministry of Health. Until then, yoga in our vast country was practised mainly from books obtained by some miracle (among them Iyengar's own "Yoga Dipika", known in English as Light on Yoga), and even then in secret. The Soviet authorities disapproved of such classes to the point where holding them or attending them could land you in prison. Fortunately, with the beginning of perestroika the situation changed, and after that events moved quickly, as everyone tried to make up for lost time. It was far from easy: in the West no one had ever forbidden the practice of yoga, and people there had far more opportunity and means to travel and study with renowned teachers or invite them over, to train teachers of their own, to open centres and run workshops.But we did not lose heart. We went on practising and gathering every scrap of information we could find. At first everything rested on enthusiasm alone. Our classes were held wherever we could hold them: in schools, in theatres, in people's flats. Throughout those years we received enormous support from France. Faeq Biria, one of the leading teachers and one of Guruji's finest students, hosted our teachers in France and himself came to Russia regularly, running workshops, holding examinations, giving interviews to the press and taking part in television filming. Gradually a circle formed of people who had realised that for them yoga was not a passing enthusiasm but something for the long term, and that they wanted to practise by Iyengar's method specifically.Iyengar yoga centres opened first in Moscow and then in other cities. Those who had practised for a long time and held higher-level certificates taught classes in Moscow and travelled around the country with workshops, translated articles and teaching manuals published abroad and wrote their own, trained new teachers and took part in examinations. In short, the Association in Russia effectively existed, but because of a number of difficulties it could only be registered as a legal entity in 2003. Now, though, anyone who wishes can join the Association, take part in its work and benefit from that work.Iyengar yoga associations exist in practically every country where this tradition has taken hold. They bring together both teachers and students, that is, everyone in whose life the practice of yoga plays an important part, who seeks to deepen their knowledge continually and to be in contact with like-minded people. Here are just a few of the Association's main areas of work:Organising and running workshops with leading Russian and foreign teachers Developing programmes and organising and running teacher training courses Holding examinations for certificates at various levels, both independently and with the participation of leading foreign teachers Maintaining a constant two-way link with the Institute in Pune. First, to receive all the necessary information concerning teaching methodology and various formal and organisational matters. Second, to keep the Institute informed about the development of Iyengar yoga in Russia.<ul><li>Monitoring the standard of classes and their conformity to the Iyengar method</li><li>Collecting and processing Russian and foreign material on Iyengar yoga</li><li>Publishing periodicals, books and teaching manuals on Iyengar yoga</li><li>Supporting the development of Iyengar yoga in the regions</li><li>Notifying Association members of all significant events in the world of Iyengar yoga in Russia and abroad.</li></ul>