He might have a pot belly but his physical abilities are well beyond flat belly people. No one at the age of 70 could do what he's doing, even young people. Pot belly or not he's healthy and fit that's what matters! Just look how the flesh and skin are at rest even in the most streneous backbends, no sign of tension at all. Amazing!
I love watching Sri Iyengar demonstrate Asana, simply because by most people's standards, yes, he does look fat and old and strange, but then to see him practice with such physical and mental depth, and to see some of the crazy things he can do, just goes to show that the outer flesh is irrelevant! This man is a master! And then to read his books shows that he goes way beyond Asana in his personal practice and teachings. His knowledge and application is truly encyclopaedic.
Hey, Please tell more about this AWE-INSPIRING VIDEO!!!! How old is Guruji here,...what a true master, just letting people film his so close.....he is a true YOGA TEACHER!!! May he live at least until 120yrs old!!!!!! Namaste'
I clicked on to watch this lovely clip and after reading all these awful negative disrespectful comments I feel very depressed. I understand the argument fully that true yoga is not about asanas. I came to Iyengar yoga as a non-spiritual person purely as a form of physical exercise I enjoyed, and there my spiritual journey began! Is it 'bastardised and westernised'? I believe not! It is merely a more modern tool to achieve the same end!
Very non-yogic,you holier than thou yogis should be ashamed
I think nearly all the comments on body shape here are coming from indoctrination by white Western skinny media!!! His body is beautiful, all of it. And so is yours.
Truth lies in spirituality and devotion, people like BKS are living proof. Whenever in doubt about your practice or spirituality in the face of arrogant science, just return to the roots to find guidance.
Iyengar spent most of his childhood seriously ill, yoga is what brought him back to health. And don't forget, this is not a young man here, I guess he's about 70 in this video...
i find him appearance somewhat weird...don't get me wrong...i mean for someone in that shape..he looks unhealthy bloated...does he suffer from a condition or does like to eat alot??
everytime i see him i can't get my mind around it on how he is build! i mean no disrespect
@strfish7 that was just a reply to someone saying that he looks unhealthy and bloated i was saying it was because of his massive lungs which are very impresive.
The pursuit of perfect alignment within the posture requires a mind that is completely absorbed in the process of doing the pose. Complete absotption is meditation and meditation is yoga.
It's gymnastics, this has little or nothing to do with yoga
But before you uptight clowns deal to me I have been several times to his institute in Pune, I have studied with him and his teachers over many years, I have played cricket in the back yard of this place with him and the great nephews, he invited me to sit with him at his 81st birthday celebrations...I know what I am talking about.
He also would tell you this more and more as the years have gone by, that this is just gymnastics.
To invest this much energy into such a well-crafted, persuasive comment, then withhold the REAL definition of yoga??? That's just not fair to us nor YOU, my friend.
Nonsense, that is not necessarily my role, besides, there are limitations as to the amount you can write.
Hey if you really want to understand what yoga is really about then do the research and avoid getting sucked into this highly commercialised, bastardised western approach to what they like to call yoga.
its very amazing. But why he like all other old men now walk/move like a old stiff robot? Is there a exercise to avoid this? Same like jack lalanne also exercise whole his life but ALSO walk now like a old stiff robot?
I don't see any different between BKS Iyengar who exercise whole his life and a old men same age that never had exercise, both walk and move the same, like stiff robots. So if yoga can't do it, what exercise can do it ?
88aik, actually, this is REAL YOGA, Iyengar is the legend. I don't know where the hell you have learnt yoga, but I'm so sure that your guru must be some of Iyengar's students-if your guru is an expert.
Asana, or physical practice, is only one of the 8 arms of yoga. BKS Iyengar is THE WORLD'S FOREMOST LIVING EXPERT ON YOGA, having written LIGHT ON YOGA, the authoritative text. This IS real yoga. Mr. Iyengar is now 90 years old and fit as a fiddle from doing REAL yoga.
If this was filmed in 1991 then he would be 71 or 72 here...pretty good for a septogenarian...a lot of people in America at this age are suffering from all sorts of debilitating age related illnesses.
Forget physicians or even Iyengar himself who prescribes postures like a crazed alopathic doctor for certain ailments and tells people how to correctly do things (according to his own ego or something hes been told or read). Its important to work things out for ourselves,so we understand who we really are. Then you go beyond any yogi dude and discover yourself rather than following in the footsteps of a physician or yogi!
Seems like Indian yogis get big bellies as they age. Jois did, so did his son Manju. Saraswati is also a rather large woman. Maybe it's all the carbs!
they all seem to be living to their 90s (Krishnamacharya lived to 100, Indra devi 103, Pattabhi Jois 94, Iyengar 90 and still kicking) and stay in excellent health both physically and mentally. So maybe one needs to eat less protein and more carbs for good health.
Iyengar was actually physcially disabled as a child. "He was a sickly child with a distended belly and an inability to hold his head up straight (Britannica) "
He turned to Yoga for relief; mastered it and then incorporated tools to make yoga more appealing for everyone.
for a start he's not 90 in this vid, it was filmed in the 80's so that puts him around 65. Secondly, learn how to compose a sentence! Thirdly, he's working thru stuff just like us all, - don't believe everything a himalayan tripper says to you, try yourself and make your judgements from there.... in other words, be yogis.
well i would like to say that ascendet masters exist,this is not case....watch Excellent Yoga explanation from Yogi in remote Himalayas ... them man whitch do practise on video is crazy..wathc this backbend and his face and head after,is read,it is to much blood to head,becose he bend too much the spine incorect manner....loks he would like to take all air the world....this is greeed ....how have ben said,dont be slave.open your eys and think your way,dont let stream take u to darknes tony
Screw modern physician. They suggest surgery for everything. Mr Iyengar is 91 and you should go and see how he walks and how much energy he has got. He is a living example of why backward bending should be done!!
this guy is one of the leading yoga people, I've seen a few books written by him... seems like he knows his stuff lol but yes, for an old man... he's doing quite well
I practice yoga and pranayama. The peace and happiness it has broght to my life is just incredible. You might be a sceptic but once you have done it for sometime with sincereity, there is no way you can remain sceptic. It is criminal of the Indian education system not to teach yoga in schools. Our entire social mindset would change at a national level. It is commendable not to do something but not before you have tried it. Then you will be qualified to make any critisism you want.
@dipankasen I agree, plus criticizing the man's physique is a bit unfair I feel. He is ancient. I think many people can only pray to resemble BKS when they reach his age.
Supralee, you apparently are not very well trained in the yamas and niyamas -- particularly those involving kindness and nonviolence. Your critical, mean spirited remarks about a man who has devoted his life to the study of yoga -- in all its aspects -- reveals more about you than about Mr. Iyengar. Before you insult him further, may I recommend you read his books, in particular, Light on Life.
What does one acheive by doing all these wierd moves? I'm sure there are plently of people in the world who live happily and healthy without doing all these circus stuff?????
Yoga's an old practice for self-improvement. Hatha yoga is for improving your life through the body, breath, morality and health.
Benefits of these exercises: they promote flexibility, tone, circulation, and a general balance of the systems and fluids, as well as a clear, calm mind, which can be very powerful.
Your skepticism is good, and if you're interested in yoga's effects, read more. Don't let the spiritual mumbo-jumbo turn you off the verifiable physical benefits.
I realize your question is rhetorical, and you are coming from a perspective that what you are observing in this video is silly. But this is a practice that goes back thousands of years, and Mr. Iyengar has been studying it and teaching it for about 75 years. He turned 90 this year, and still practices daily. I have been athletic all my life, but studying and practicing Iyengar yoga as changed my life, giving me increased awareness, balance, strength, and even, I think, some wisdom.
You don't know me, where I am from, what I know about yoga or how long I have studied it. You call yourself "need4peace" --- may I suggest that one way to achieve peace is to avoid making presumptions and judgements about people and practices that you don't know. Yes, I am sure there are people who are healthy and happy who don't practice yoga. There are also millions of people, including myself, whose lives have been improved because of Mr. Iyengar and his teachings.
These insane moves (which take years to build up to doing) may help you discover the peace that you need. They are much more helpful than being insulting and hurtful. I wish you peace, whatever path you choose to find it.
Not necessarily. There is evidence that practicing yoga can help prevent or reduce the symptoms of different ailments, including diabetes and heart disease (this is information I found in medical journals). I think regular practice of the asanas can definitely help a person with strength, balance, flexibility, and emotional wellness. Practice of the pranayamas helps with calmness and concentration, among other things. Practice of the yamas and niyamas helps make the world a better place.
Well. I was just trying to find out how much you know about yoga and pranayama and as expected you know nothing. Pranayama cures incurable diaseses you moron. Your ignorance is evident from your comment. Type swami ramdev and see for yourself what all pranayama does...
I am curious why you chose the name you did for this -- need4peace. Do you believe calling people names like "moron" is a way to achieve peace? Do you believe attacking people because they may have different beliefs and experiences than you is a way toward peace? Pranayama is a vital limb of yoga. But so are the moral and ethical teachings, including kindness and non-violence.
Wow. There are so many clueless people in the world acting like experts. Mr. Iyengar has lived his life in service to yoga. Mr. Iyengar is a force of nature. Be grateful for the work he has done, making yoga accesible to all. Sorry if the "work out" doest give you the "burn" your looking for. If your looking for a burn in your abs go set your stomache on fire. If you want to learn to use asanas to access your mind and then your soul, study yoga.
Get a life you haters!!! This is a man who was 73 years old when this video was taken. He can still perform some of these exercises at the age of 90. Ignorant fools, the lot of you. Behind his belly is decades of yoga practice, can you not see how healthy he is. Lets see your percfect muscular bodies do half the things he does.
Iyengar is going to be 90 in coming Dec. At this age he still practices yoga and felxible. There is a reason why Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world..
and yoga and how Iyengar looks for his age is totally ridiculous !
Please be down to earth and compare his ATTITUDE (not his body) with the majority of the population !
Do you prefer the big majority of people who contemplate their own little aches and turn to tranquilizers and medicines for a relief ? The only fact that he turns to his inner strength and uses it like this is worth taking him as a source of inspiration !
Simply read "The tree of yoga" by b.k.s.iyengar and you will know that the practical depth of knowledge he has about yoga. He works from his own inner experience. Previously I have been practicing yoga asanas simply has a physical exercise. But now, after reading his book, an element of spirituality has been added. He is my source of inspiration.
And BKS Iyengar is quite intelligent, and his knowledge of the human anatomy is really amazing and extensive. I find him to be an extraordinary human being.
ayengar has trained hard in postures and as i am fully positive today i can see that he has find several right ways to perform postures without injuires:)
he was able to do exactly that on a wide scale and devoid of a lot of the commercialism & "scandal" that has accompanied some other yogis. so give him a little credit.
his use of props is brilliant to help people with limited movement or flexibility achieve similar psycho-spiritual benefits as others. and considering he was personally tasked along with a few others to bring yoga to the west by one the supposedly most highly regarded yogis (krishnamacharya - who also taught pattabhi jois of ashtanga fame)of our time is itself fairly remarkable.
i'm not an iyengar devotee but having practiced a few different types of yoga, i think his style engages the body and mind on all levels. from my experience it felt like it could lead to a deep understanding of the body through precise attention to each movement versus following a routine without really linking the intellect with the bodily practice.
the fact that people are focusing on the size of his belly and deeming it unattractive only means they have a limited understanding of yoga and it's purposes. one of the reasons his chest, because it's not really his belly but his entire upper body including his back, is so large is because of pranayama. he has a whole book on the subject entitled "light on pranayama". also, a strong body does not necessarily mean a thin or muscular body.
yoga is not necessarily supposed to give you a body which is based on a particular ideal of beauty. the man is 73 years old and is holding those poses with calm attention and without strain and mostlikely meditating in each pose. yes, yoga is to be used in unison with sitting meditation but it's supposed to quiet the mind while connecting to the body in order to focus during sitting meditation.
Are you not an Iyengar devotee? If not so, I think you are very courageous to defend a person who is internationally known to be a great and very charming yogi, and who is, by the way, born in december 1914. All those having made their jealous comments should first of all have a nice introspection! And then... what is beauty? Let me finish this comment with my son (14) who made this comment about Iyengar: 'A nice skin he has.....And don't you agree?
December 1918, but close enough. An quite an amzing man to be able to move like he does. BKS Iyengar reminds me of a cat, he is so gracefulin the way he moves, you would think he was younger than he is.
All Please ignore that supralee person - dont waste your time explaining things to him - he doesnt have a clue about what he is commenting on - he keeps on saying BKS does not do breathing - has he not read Lt On Yoga? - he has a big section on pranayama.
He has that 'pudginess' due to breathing. Considering..that he is almost...100 years old, I think..he is perfect. His body got enough of Yoga. Bless his heart. Namaste.
If only our leaders could prepare as well as he. So thought out & he never jumps into a pose but builds it breath by breath. We need more real movements like this.
He demonstrates, very well, the possibilities of the bodies. Though it is only for those who are well prepared as in all things we must learn the scales before the symphony. He is still great inspiration & at least he is not one of the flaky ones.
Meditate on scales & follow his movements baby step by baby step. You'll feel better.
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strong body means young looking body he looks older!so he shows that body postures cant make body strong and beautiful, this is what we can see.but if your aim is to be like her then while training like he we can be like he,but i dont want have that kind of body with big belly!cenolbaj is only man who has understand that this thing is only acrobacy and so he has understood the show and limits that kind of training.others are shuting their eyes
It has VERY LITTLE to do with yoga. It is just quite admirable bodily acrobacy/gymnastics, nothing more.
Today, people are quite misled and think that yoga means bodily practices. In fact bodily practices are just 1% of yoga and serve just to the purpose of making body strong enough to be able to sit down for extended periods of time.
There is actually quite a danger in presenting such extreme body practices as something great and worth to master. Everybody has different body and abilities and you can easily injure yourself while trying to do this kind of unnecessary extremes.
That's absurd- obviously these practices carried to this degree suggest a nervous system that's in super fine shape-that being a prerequisite for super fine seated meditation- so what are you talking about?
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The man is just a man. It is up to each and everyone of use to train to our full potential. By American standards Mr. Iyengar does not have a particularly aesthetic body. His book light on Yoga was a powerful book. I have my doubts as to whether he has continued his practice with the type of discipline required to make a strong physical body. I believe he, like all humans, is mortal, and the excess around his belly is simply a sign of this.
His teachings are no more his than is the teachings of Patanjali his. I do not believe in gurus. There is but one Universe one God, this is the only truth. A human is not God. No human is god, therefore every human must learn for themselves the truth of what is.
you'r right about the one god thing, gurus teach us how to discover god. you do not believe in them; you are supposed to learn from them. how else are we to learn? can you learn if you have no experiences or knowledge? or information?
What is learning? What I mean is what did the person who first created for instance language do? An answer is perhaps they observed prehistoric birds chirping. Did the person learn from the birds? Yoga is a divine act of uniting the atman with the Universal. This is not an act that requires a Guru. This is an act that requires self reflection, self identification that I am part of the divine or in fact I am the divine.
to be, a part of the divine; you must sink your senses real deep to have an inkling of god. thats what all the teachers have been saying. teachers like buddha,jesus, even mohamed, patanjali and a host of others before them. sikhs, bahais etc2. being part of the divine is understanding what the divine requires of us to do in this life (for now). if you dont use them as guides how else can you speedup your 'self identification' ? you are goin to take a real long time. dont 'pray' to them.
your hero mister iyengar is very trained man in postures but yoga no way is postures! and as you see this thing did not make him younger looking neither is his body good looking !thats not yoga in no way and his pranayama is typical joke!why you are afraid truth!iyengar is gymanstic teacher-that is the real truth!
Mind your language mister, dont talk about things you have a slightest idea about. if you say this in Pune we will break your legs and send you home westerner.
nah! breathing is a life force - air moves the body & mind like gasoline in a motor - Mr Iyengar is a master at performing the practice of yogic asanas! Well fed! Not a subscription to the art form: of a Size 0 model.
obviously you have some axe to grind with mister Iyengar- I suspect you weren't strong enough to stay with the Iyengar system and Dropped Out- it's not too late just start going to classes again which you obviously need.
beautiful practice. BKS has a very sophisticated pranayama practice and an intelligent approac h to the integration of pranayama and asana. He inspires me in so many ways.
Do you really think Mr Iyengar does all this postures without breathing???? If he does he's even more amazing... any way what's the point of showing such a lack of respect? For Mr Iyengar or anyone else...
people think that this man is great yogi i dont agree, thats a point!so he is good postures teacher and you are funny if you think that if he breathes in doing that that is the same thing when yogis are training their body-warm through breath!
Namaste!....
Neung8 2 weeks ago
those with silly comments are simply ignorant, thus forgiven!!
davebu1959 3 weeks ago
Guruji, you my inspiration and my HERO.
May the joy be with our Guruji
vikrantsawant 2 months ago in playlist Iyengar Yoga
This is a great clip!
KinoYoga 2 months ago
NOW, HE IS AT 92 yrs age
samacumen 3 months ago
He's the real King of YogA | The Real Master
Nelonthenet1 6 months ago
Yoga will kick your ass, even if you're already in good shape.
hudson0815 6 months ago
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sick hindu what fuck that benefit nothings and every one can do that with practice
does that change your color and did you become younger you black arse hahahha
strangerlover11 7 months ago
@strangerlover11 That's such an ignorant and racist comment. Instead of learn and better yourself you chose to critize...
Rangieg 7 months ago
@Rangieg well I am not ignorant like him torturing himself......hahahhahaha
strangerlover11 7 months ago
Born in 1918, he was thus 73 years old. I wish i were like him when I'm 73 years old too
yogayantra 9 months ago 2
He might have a pot belly but his physical abilities are well beyond flat belly people. No one at the age of 70 could do what he's doing, even young people. Pot belly or not he's healthy and fit that's what matters! Just look how the flesh and skin are at rest even in the most streneous backbends, no sign of tension at all. Amazing!
leopoldville1 10 months ago
A yoga practitioner shouldn't have a pot belly.
gmeet1 10 months ago
Fake !!!
gHELLg 10 months ago
I love watching Sri Iyengar demonstrate Asana, simply because by most people's standards, yes, he does look fat and old and strange, but then to see him practice with such physical and mental depth, and to see some of the crazy things he can do, just goes to show that the outer flesh is irrelevant! This man is a master! And then to read his books shows that he goes way beyond Asana in his personal practice and teachings. His knowledge and application is truly encyclopaedic.
j1g2w3 11 months ago
Hey, Please tell more about this AWE-INSPIRING VIDEO!!!! How old is Guruji here,...what a true master, just letting people film his so close.....he is a true YOGA TEACHER!!! May he live at least until 120yrs old!!!!!! Namaste'
SpritMatterMan 1 year ago
Prabhu Igengar is great, is a very good master, is generous, is intelligent, pacient, and He has a sweet heart, this things are not easy to find.
Thanks Swami Igengar.
mariaelenataiano 1 year ago
I clicked on to watch this lovely clip and after reading all these awful negative disrespectful comments I feel very depressed. I understand the argument fully that true yoga is not about asanas. I came to Iyengar yoga as a non-spiritual person purely as a form of physical exercise I enjoyed, and there my spiritual journey began! Is it 'bastardised and westernised'? I believe not! It is merely a more modern tool to achieve the same end!
Very non-yogic,you holier than thou yogis should be ashamed
gaynormullin1 1 year ago
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@gaynormullin1
Prabhu Igengar is great, is a very good master, is generous, is intelligent, pacient, and He has a sweet heart, this things are not easy to find.
Thanks Swami Igengar.
mariaelenataiano 1 year ago
and isn't that a beautiful room! Wow, makes me feel cool and peaceful just looking at it.
smashingdots 1 year ago
I think nearly all the comments on body shape here are coming from indoctrination by white Western skinny media!!! His body is beautiful, all of it. And so is yours.
smashingdots 1 year ago 2
old perv loves to be in damm underwears all the time
cadaverock 1 year ago
He is Not an old perv at all, funny but shows your ignorance more than anything else, allow yourself to be free.Namaste'
SpritMatterMan 1 year ago
Truth lies in spirituality and devotion, people like BKS are living proof. Whenever in doubt about your practice or spirituality in the face of arrogant science, just return to the roots to find guidance.
colloredbrothers 1 year ago
When he's in asana he becomes another being. When he comes out he quickly reverts back to BKS.
99yoga99 1 year ago
Iyengar spent most of his childhood seriously ill, yoga is what brought him back to health. And don't forget, this is not a young man here, I guess he's about 70 in this video...
droidster888 1 year ago 9
@droidster888 73, to be correct. truly impressive...
Gurubres 11 months ago
i find him appearance somewhat weird...don't get me wrong...i mean for someone in that shape..he looks unhealthy bloated...does he suffer from a condition or does like to eat alot??
everytime i see him i can't get my mind around it on how he is build! i mean no disrespect
56bloodhorn 1 year ago
his lungs are so huge it makes him look bloated i think
redrock505 1 year ago
@redrock505
Please think before you type...you display your ignorance for all to see.
strfish7 1 year ago
@strfish7 that was just a reply to someone saying that he looks unhealthy and bloated i was saying it was because of his massive lungs which are very impresive.
redrock505 1 year ago
The pursuit of perfect alignment within the posture requires a mind that is completely absorbed in the process of doing the pose. Complete absotption is meditation and meditation is yoga.
quercusvulgaris 1 year ago
Such controversy and celebration over a series of body movements. Surely there is more than meets the eye going on here.
RiverKWhite 1 year ago
@RiverKWhite
You have obviously not practiced yoga. You have no basis to comment. Please be quiet.
strfish7 1 year ago
@strfish7 I do practice yoga everyday, I was just poking fun at the agression found here on YouTube.
RiverKWhite 1 year ago
@RiverKWhite
Did not "hear" the facetiousness...carry on. You are right...there is a LOT of hostility to yoga on Youtube.
strfish7 1 year ago
@RiverKWhite
You have obviously not practiced yoga. You have no basis to comment. Please be quiet. Have you ever practiced headstand? I thought not.
strfish7 1 year ago
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BIKRAM YOGA, that's the way to go!
NOalRAZZISMO 2 years ago
@NOalRAZZISMO
bikram is McDonalds yoga.
louiegalloway 1 year ago
Anybody have tickets for KISS?
Doctorkardos 2 years ago
looks like he ate too many mangos or something
HarmonicsExplorer 2 years ago
It's gymnastics, this has little or nothing to do with yoga
But before you uptight clowns deal to me I have been several times to his institute in Pune, I have studied with him and his teachers over many years, I have played cricket in the back yard of this place with him and the great nephews, he invited me to sit with him at his 81st birthday celebrations...I know what I am talking about.
He also would tell you this more and more as the years have gone by, that this is just gymnastics.
cspace1234nz 2 years ago
To invest this much energy into such a well-crafted, persuasive comment, then withhold the REAL definition of yoga??? That's just not fair to us nor YOU, my friend.
isurelike 2 years ago
Nonsense, that is not necessarily my role, besides, there are limitations as to the amount you can write.
Hey if you really want to understand what yoga is really about then do the research and avoid getting sucked into this highly commercialised, bastardised western approach to what they like to call yoga.
cspace1234nz 2 years ago
"Light on Yoga" B.K.S Iyengar
zspacecadetz 1 year ago
he is 70 years old in this video!
vijishellboy 2 years ago
His age is 91.
gaktube 2 years ago
look at the description, this is not a current video
vijishellboy 2 years ago
its very amazing. But why he like all other old men now walk/move like a old stiff robot? Is there a exercise to avoid this? Same like jack lalanne also exercise whole his life but ALSO walk now like a old stiff robot?
bifi34 2 years ago
also, why do ppl die?
mwanamume 2 years ago
also, why doesn't he look like a model for a health club?
mwanamume 2 years ago
I don't see any different between BKS Iyengar who exercise whole his life and a old men same age that never had exercise, both walk and move the same, like stiff robots. So if yoga can't do it, what exercise can do it ?
bifi34 2 years ago
do what?
jeanneadele 2 years ago
Mr. Iyengar, you are truly amazing.
whatagrl44 2 years ago 3
88aik, actually, this is REAL YOGA, Iyengar is the legend. I don't know where the hell you have learnt yoga, but I'm so sure that your guru must be some of Iyengar's students-if your guru is an expert.
churinura 2 years ago
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Real yoga is something different than this type of rigorous gymnastics.
88aik 2 years ago
Asana, or physical practice, is only one of the 8 arms of yoga. BKS Iyengar is THE WORLD'S FOREMOST LIVING EXPERT ON YOGA, having written LIGHT ON YOGA, the authoritative text. This IS real yoga. Mr. Iyengar is now 90 years old and fit as a fiddle from doing REAL yoga.
MeltsInYourHand 2 years ago
If this was filmed in 1991 then he would be 71 or 72 here...pretty good for a septogenarian...a lot of people in America at this age are suffering from all sorts of debilitating age related illnesses.
catgumart 2 years ago
Forget physicians or even Iyengar himself who prescribes postures like a crazed alopathic doctor for certain ailments and tells people how to correctly do things (according to his own ego or something hes been told or read). Its important to work things out for ourselves,so we understand who we really are. Then you go beyond any yogi dude and discover yourself rather than following in the footsteps of a physician or yogi!
realitydan 2 years ago 3
Seems like Indian yogis get big bellies as they age. Jois did, so did his son Manju. Saraswati is also a rather large woman. Maybe it's all the carbs!
boodiba 2 years ago
they all seem to be living to their 90s (Krishnamacharya lived to 100, Indra devi 103, Pattabhi Jois 94, Iyengar 90 and still kicking) and stay in excellent health both physically and mentally. So maybe one needs to eat less protein and more carbs for good health.
sampit999 2 years ago
No, this is not a typical yoga belly.
Iyengar was actually physcially disabled as a child. "He was a sickly child with a distended belly and an inability to hold his head up straight (Britannica) "
He turned to Yoga for relief; mastered it and then incorporated tools to make yoga more appealing for everyone.
goosejones8 2 years ago
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will yoga make my belly look like that??/ eeww
mizdierbeatz 2 years ago
schwimmen ist schwimmen, laufen ist laufen, yoga ist yoga, und alles hat seine wahrheit. om
Igelmaedchen 2 years ago
for a start he's not 90 in this vid, it was filmed in the 80's so that puts him around 65. Secondly, learn how to compose a sentence! Thirdly, he's working thru stuff just like us all, - don't believe everything a himalayan tripper says to you, try yourself and make your judgements from there.... in other words, be yogis.
suzisea 2 years ago
well i would like to say that ascendet masters exist,this is not case....watch Excellent Yoga explanation from Yogi in remote Himalayas ... them man whitch do practise on video is crazy..wathc this backbend and his face and head after,is read,it is to much blood to head,becose he bend too much the spine incorect manner....loks he would like to take all air the world....this is greeed ....how have ben said,dont be slave.open your eys and think your way,dont let stream take u to darknes tony
ANTONINZIVALA 2 years ago
According to modern physicians backbend should't be done, period.
As for the rest, everyone is on its own path, I hope your path has a heart, it seems to me that Iyengar believed strongly that his path had.
fvittorio 2 years ago
Screw modern physician. They suggest surgery for everything. Mr Iyengar is 91 and you should go and see how he walks and how much energy he has got. He is a living example of why backward bending should be done!!
sampit999 2 years ago
What is your source for saying that modern physicians recommend not doing backbends? I'm curious to see the data on this.
dospooks 2 years ago
the lombar spine and the movements dont look specialy healthy
im very curious about vertebras abrasion and breath volume,and energie pasing thrue this part
ANTONINZIVALA 2 years ago
I think he's doing okay...his spine looks great at 90 years old as he holds his backbends calmly over props for about 1/2 hour, 45 mins.
yodougie1 2 years ago 2
Im curious about the breathing aswell.. It looked like he waited till he was done with each stance to exhale.
dardonZ 2 years ago
Wow !
Saahira 2 years ago
wow....gaw...ammazzing for an 80 year old man???! (:
suziesmoothie 2 years ago
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suziesmoothie 2 years ago
this guy is older than moses
Shokeybutsi 2 years ago
why can't he be more properly attired.
ffour 2 years ago
For a man whos on the verge of extinction to do these moves is quite incredible? Way to go oldie...
need4peace 2 years ago 2
this guy is one of the leading yoga people, I've seen a few books written by him... seems like he knows his stuff lol but yes, for an old man... he's doing quite well
maxcharbonneau 2 years ago
how old is he? 120? 130 may be? lol...
need4peace 2 years ago
I practice yoga and pranayama. The peace and happiness it has broght to my life is just incredible. You might be a sceptic but once you have done it for sometime with sincereity, there is no way you can remain sceptic. It is criminal of the Indian education system not to teach yoga in schools. Our entire social mindset would change at a national level. It is commendable not to do something but not before you have tried it. Then you will be qualified to make any critisism you want.
dipankasen 2 years ago 22
hey did it also cure any disease as claimed by swami ramdev?
need4peace 2 years ago
@dipankasen I agree, plus criticizing the man's physique is a bit unfair I feel. He is ancient. I think many people can only pray to resemble BKS when they reach his age.
marlenesmits 1 year ago 2
Supralee, you apparently are not very well trained in the yamas and niyamas -- particularly those involving kindness and nonviolence. Your critical, mean spirited remarks about a man who has devoted his life to the study of yoga -- in all its aspects -- reveals more about you than about Mr. Iyengar. Before you insult him further, may I recommend you read his books, in particular, Light on Life.
schminkey38 2 years ago 2
What does one acheive by doing all these wierd moves? I'm sure there are plently of people in the world who live happily and healthy without doing all these circus stuff?????
need4peace 2 years ago
Yoga's an old practice for self-improvement. Hatha yoga is for improving your life through the body, breath, morality and health.
Benefits of these exercises: they promote flexibility, tone, circulation, and a general balance of the systems and fluids, as well as a clear, calm mind, which can be very powerful.
Your skepticism is good, and if you're interested in yoga's effects, read more. Don't let the spiritual mumbo-jumbo turn you off the verifiable physical benefits.
druidmechanics 2 years ago
Agreed, but I'm sure there are so many who dont practise yoga and are in good shape if not better than those who practise yoga ~~
need4peace 2 years ago
I realize your question is rhetorical, and you are coming from a perspective that what you are observing in this video is silly. But this is a practice that goes back thousands of years, and Mr. Iyengar has been studying it and teaching it for about 75 years. He turned 90 this year, and still practices daily. I have been athletic all my life, but studying and practicing Iyengar yoga as changed my life, giving me increased awareness, balance, strength, and even, I think, some wisdom.
schminkey38 2 years ago 2
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need4peace 2 years ago
You don't know me, where I am from, what I know about yoga or how long I have studied it. You call yourself "need4peace" --- may I suggest that one way to achieve peace is to avoid making presumptions and judgements about people and practices that you don't know. Yes, I am sure there are people who are healthy and happy who don't practice yoga. There are also millions of people, including myself, whose lives have been improved because of Mr. Iyengar and his teachings.
schminkey38 2 years ago
BTW, one does not need to be in an argument in order to pose a rhetorical question.
schminkey38 2 years ago
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need4peace 2 years ago
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need4peace 2 years ago
These insane moves (which take years to build up to doing) may help you discover the peace that you need. They are much more helpful than being insulting and hurtful. I wish you peace, whatever path you choose to find it.
schminkey38 2 years ago 3
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need4peace 2 years ago
Not necessarily. There is evidence that practicing yoga can help prevent or reduce the symptoms of different ailments, including diabetes and heart disease (this is information I found in medical journals). I think regular practice of the asanas can definitely help a person with strength, balance, flexibility, and emotional wellness. Practice of the pranayamas helps with calmness and concentration, among other things. Practice of the yamas and niyamas helps make the world a better place.
schminkey38 2 years ago 2
Well. I was just trying to find out how much you know about yoga and pranayama and as expected you know nothing. Pranayama cures incurable diaseses you moron. Your ignorance is evident from your comment. Type swami ramdev and see for yourself what all pranayama does...
need4peace 2 years ago
I am curious why you chose the name you did for this -- need4peace. Do you believe calling people names like "moron" is a way to achieve peace? Do you believe attacking people because they may have different beliefs and experiences than you is a way toward peace? Pranayama is a vital limb of yoga. But so are the moral and ethical teachings, including kindness and non-violence.
schminkey38 2 years ago
I'm all for peace buddy...Get a life and stop bothering me...
need4peace 2 years ago
Listen to this guyyyy.....eyyyyyyy
heinekensalo 2 years ago
What did you mean by spiritual mumbo-jumbo? Lol.
dardonZ 2 years ago
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need4peace 2 years ago
Wow. There are so many clueless people in the world acting like experts. Mr. Iyengar has lived his life in service to yoga. Mr. Iyengar is a force of nature. Be grateful for the work he has done, making yoga accesible to all. Sorry if the "work out" doest give you the "burn" your looking for. If your looking for a burn in your abs go set your stomache on fire. If you want to learn to use asanas to access your mind and then your soul, study yoga.
mrrwitness 3 years ago
Get a life you haters!!! This is a man who was 73 years old when this video was taken. He can still perform some of these exercises at the age of 90. Ignorant fools, the lot of you. Behind his belly is decades of yoga practice, can you not see how healthy he is. Lets see your percfect muscular bodies do half the things he does.
tejaswy123 3 years ago
He doesn't have a beautiful body, but amazing flexibility for his age!
tealeh2 3 years ago 2
really, is this from decades of practice
or does he have some vertebrae missing?
ahditi 3 years ago
Iyengar shows this is 'Yoga'.
And people call it 'Iyengar Yoga'.
But other Yogis don't even mention this is Yoga or not.
Funny thing.
takkkkkqua 3 years ago
he is a true inspiration for yoga practitioners around the world
blackzori 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I was hoping he would put his legs behind his head and bounce on his ass over a picnic table.
thimoneus 3 years ago
What do you mean, I don't see a picnic table.
hyebiz 3 years ago
I guess that's part of the problem.
thimoneus 3 years ago
Iyengar is going to be 90 in coming Dec. At this age he still practices yoga and felxible. There is a reason why Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world..
suttar1800 3 years ago 11
This comment has received too many negative votes show
No he is on that list because all the hollywood mofos go running to him.
sonofthedestroyer 3 years ago
@suttar1800 bullshit
cadaverock 1 year ago
This discussion on gymnastics
and yoga and how Iyengar looks for his age is totally ridiculous !
Please be down to earth and compare his ATTITUDE (not his body) with the majority of the population !
Do you prefer the big majority of people who contemplate their own little aches and turn to tranquilizers and medicines for a relief ? The only fact that he turns to his inner strength and uses it like this is worth taking him as a source of inspiration !
That's real spiritual development !
eve517 3 years ago 13
Simply read "The tree of yoga" by b.k.s.iyengar and you will know that the practical depth of knowledge he has about yoga. He works from his own inner experience. Previously I have been practicing yoga asanas simply has a physical exercise. But now, after reading his book, an element of spirituality has been added. He is my source of inspiration.
mysticrosemale 3 years ago 2
@eve517
I totally agree. I don't practice Iyengar, but this man deserves our respect for his accomplishments and his service to the world.
strfish7 1 year ago
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nice pants, man!
damiongoodpaster 3 years ago
Extraordinary !
i d like to understand fully the benefit from such intense
postures
anne0203 3 years ago 2
in life it is better to bend than to break. you see?
bcl1980 3 years ago 2
he makes it look like its so easy
rsakshay2 3 years ago
dont forget he was born in 1918!!
mikeschumi902 4 years ago 9
And BKS Iyengar is quite intelligent, and his knowledge of the human anatomy is really amazing and extensive. I find him to be an extraordinary human being.
stretch4859 3 years ago
Imagine how good it would feel to be this flexible at that age!!!
The body must feel great.
sowhat207 4 years ago 5
This comment has received too many negative votes show
it looks like his vertebral column is about to snap into 2 pieces
jperinchelli 4 years ago
ayengar has trained hard in postures and as i am fully positive today i can see that he has find several right ways to perform postures without injuires:)
supralee 4 years ago
he was able to do exactly that on a wide scale and devoid of a lot of the commercialism & "scandal" that has accompanied some other yogis. so give him a little credit.
ezrad777 4 years ago 2
his use of props is brilliant to help people with limited movement or flexibility achieve similar psycho-spiritual benefits as others. and considering he was personally tasked along with a few others to bring yoga to the west by one the supposedly most highly regarded yogis (krishnamacharya - who also taught pattabhi jois of ashtanga fame)of our time is itself fairly remarkable.
ezrad777 4 years ago 2
his use of props is brilliant to help people with limited movement or flexibility achieve similar psycho-spiritual benefits as others. agreed.
sk9utube 4 years ago 2
i'm not an iyengar devotee but having practiced a few different types of yoga, i think his style engages the body and mind on all levels. from my experience it felt like it could lead to a deep understanding of the body through precise attention to each movement versus following a routine without really linking the intellect with the bodily practice.
ezrad777 4 years ago 4
the fact that people are focusing on the size of his belly and deeming it unattractive only means they have a limited understanding of yoga and it's purposes. one of the reasons his chest, because it's not really his belly but his entire upper body including his back, is so large is because of pranayama. he has a whole book on the subject entitled "light on pranayama". also, a strong body does not necessarily mean a thin or muscular body.
ezrad777 4 years ago 6
yoga is not necessarily supposed to give you a body which is based on a particular ideal of beauty. the man is 73 years old and is holding those poses with calm attention and without strain and mostlikely meditating in each pose. yes, yoga is to be used in unison with sitting meditation but it's supposed to quiet the mind while connecting to the body in order to focus during sitting meditation.
ezrad777 4 years ago 3
Are you not an Iyengar devotee? If not so, I think you are very courageous to defend a person who is internationally known to be a great and very charming yogi, and who is, by the way, born in december 1914. All those having made their jealous comments should first of all have a nice introspection! And then... what is beauty? Let me finish this comment with my son (14) who made this comment about Iyengar: 'A nice skin he has.....And don't you agree?
margaben 4 years ago
December 1918, but close enough. An quite an amzing man to be able to move like he does. BKS Iyengar reminds me of a cat, he is so gracefulin the way he moves, you would think he was younger than he is.
stretch4859 3 years ago
I agree with supralee. I don't particularly like his style of yoga.
VisionCommenter 4 years ago
This guy was born December 1918. In this demonstration, he was 72 years old. Unreal!!!
SuperDaveOkie 4 years ago
All Please ignore that supralee person - dont waste your time explaining things to him - he doesnt have a clue about what he is commenting on - he keeps on saying BKS does not do breathing - has he not read Lt On Yoga? - he has a big section on pranayama.
TamilIndian1 4 years ago
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Looks like he eats too many donuts. His pudginess is unattractive.
ralkramralkram 4 years ago
He has that 'pudginess' due to breathing. Considering..that he is almost...100 years old, I think..he is perfect. His body got enough of Yoga. Bless his heart. Namaste.
Lorettar 4 years ago
Obviously you have eaten way too many donuts and it's affected your brain.
ambroulard 4 years ago
i have always thought he is properly fed & not a subscription to size 0
maxina111 4 years ago
If only our leaders could prepare as well as he. So thought out & he never jumps into a pose but builds it breath by breath. We need more real movements like this.
manatai 4 years ago
He demonstrates, very well, the possibilities of the bodies. Though it is only for those who are well prepared as in all things we must learn the scales before the symphony. He is still great inspiration & at least he is not one of the flaky ones.
Meditate on scales & follow his movements baby step by baby step. You'll feel better.
manatai 4 years ago
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strong body means young looking body he looks older!so he shows that body postures cant make body strong and beautiful, this is what we can see.but if your aim is to be like her then while training like he we can be like he,but i dont want have that kind of body with big belly!cenolbaj is only man who has understand that this thing is only acrobacy and so he has understood the show and limits that kind of training.others are shuting their eyes
supralee 4 years ago
It is more supergymnastics than Yoga ...
cenolbaj 4 years ago
you are right, i am very happy to find that not all man think that this is yoga!
supralee 4 years ago
It has VERY LITTLE to do with yoga. It is just quite admirable bodily acrobacy/gymnastics, nothing more.
Today, people are quite misled and think that yoga means bodily practices. In fact bodily practices are just 1% of yoga and serve just to the purpose of making body strong enough to be able to sit down for extended periods of time.
cenolbaj 4 years ago
There is actually quite a danger in presenting such extreme body practices as something great and worth to master. Everybody has different body and abilities and you can easily injure yourself while trying to do this kind of unnecessary extremes.
This kind of show is good maybe for a circus ...
cenolbaj 4 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I think you have too much gas in your brain from your intestine and you should be in the circus and expel it by pressing your belly against a camel.
ambroulard 4 years ago
That's absurd- obviously these practices carried to this degree suggest a nervous system that's in super fine shape-that being a prerequisite for super fine seated meditation- so what are you talking about?
ambroulard 4 years ago
iyengar is the cornerstone to todays yoga practice. spritual and physical perfection is what he teaches. nothing more.
mikoth 4 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
The man is just a man. It is up to each and everyone of use to train to our full potential. By American standards Mr. Iyengar does not have a particularly aesthetic body. His book light on Yoga was a powerful book. I have my doubts as to whether he has continued his practice with the type of discipline required to make a strong physical body. I believe he, like all humans, is mortal, and the excess around his belly is simply a sign of this.
YigalWeinstein 4 years ago
he has no understanding in breathing so his body are not strong neither young!
supralee 4 years ago
you are right about him being just a man, but it is in the phylosophy and essence of his teachings that we need to really resonate with.
mikoth 4 years ago
His teachings are no more his than is the teachings of Patanjali his. I do not believe in gurus. There is but one Universe one God, this is the only truth. A human is not God. No human is god, therefore every human must learn for themselves the truth of what is.
YigalWeinstein 4 years ago
you'r right about the one god thing, gurus teach us how to discover god. you do not believe in them; you are supposed to learn from them. how else are we to learn? can you learn if you have no experiences or knowledge? or information?
mikoth 4 years ago 2
What is learning? What I mean is what did the person who first created for instance language do? An answer is perhaps they observed prehistoric birds chirping. Did the person learn from the birds? Yoga is a divine act of uniting the atman with the Universal. This is not an act that requires a Guru. This is an act that requires self reflection, self identification that I am part of the divine or in fact I am the divine.
YigalWeinstein 4 years ago
to be, a part of the divine; you must sink your senses real deep to have an inkling of god. thats what all the teachers have been saying. teachers like buddha,jesus, even mohamed, patanjali and a host of others before them. sikhs, bahais etc2. being part of the divine is understanding what the divine requires of us to do in this life (for now). if you dont use them as guides how else can you speedup your 'self identification' ? you are goin to take a real long time. dont 'pray' to them.
mikoth 4 years ago
My Guruji is beautiful...
annwe6 4 years ago
the more you say that the blinder you came!
supralee 4 years ago
your hero mister iyengar is very trained man in postures but yoga no way is postures! and as you see this thing did not make him younger looking neither is his body good looking !thats not yoga in no way and his pranayama is typical joke!why you are afraid truth!iyengar is gymanstic teacher-that is the real truth!
supralee 4 years ago
Mind your language mister, dont talk about things you have a slightest idea about. if you say this in Pune we will break your legs and send you home westerner.
yogveda 4 years ago
I AM READY COME AND BREAK!but truth in truth not less, but of course you all are frighting truth!open your eyes!if you can do it yet!
1!
supralee 4 years ago
nah! breathing is a life force - air moves the body & mind like gasoline in a motor - Mr Iyengar is a master at performing the practice of yogic asanas! Well fed! Not a subscription to the art form: of a Size 0 model.
maxina111 4 years ago
he is not well fed but as his body warm is in low stage the body loses his youngness and no asana can help anymore.
supralee 4 years ago
obviously you have some axe to grind with mister Iyengar- I suspect you weren't strong enough to stay with the Iyengar system and Dropped Out- it's not too late just start going to classes again which you obviously need.
ambroulard 4 years ago
This is actually edited highlights. In real life Iyengar typically spends bare minimum of ten minutes in each asana - meditating all the time.
j2thadog 4 years ago
This is his practice that day. And he did not spent 10 minutes in each asana.
frikaloopa 4 years ago
meditating is good word to say nothing!out of life is your meditation!
supralee 4 years ago
hes the james brown of yoga
piflacoco 4 years ago 2
this is great footage and helps to see
TEXGLAM 4 years ago 2
beautiful practice. BKS has a very sophisticated pranayama practice and an intelligent approac h to the integration of pranayama and asana. He inspires me in so many ways.
janeccameron 4 years ago
Do you really think Mr Iyengar does all this postures without breathing???? If he does he's even more amazing... any way what's the point of showing such a lack of respect? For Mr Iyengar or anyone else...
omletsadaeg 4 years ago
people think that this man is great yogi i dont agree, thats a point!so he is good postures teacher and you are funny if you think that if he breathes in doing that that is the same thing when yogis are training their body-warm through breath!
supralee 4 years ago
but you have right in one thing-there is no point to respect one man and show no respect to others:)i will take this thing to close attention:)
supralee 4 years ago
I dont want people leave any comment on guruji and who dont know the value of yoga
chezamick 4 years ago