Is it something to do with the time of year that makes ones mind turn to India, to Mysore (or Chennai). Perhaps it's practicing regular (pretty much) Ashtanga in the morning again (although still Vinyasa Krama in the evening) that's making it ever more tempting.
AYRI may not be my thing (too busy now for my liking, sorry) but I've have started to think about seeking to study with BNS Iyengar (the other Iyengar, the Ashtanga one - Biography below).
Gregor Maehle mentions that he studied pranayama with him for some time, and at the bottom of this post are links to cheat sheets of his Asana series, very similar to structure of the Ashtanga series we're familiar with.
He also teaches mudra.
But perhaps what's most tempting for me is seeing the pictures of his shala, the black & white pictures from a long time ago and the more recent picture, hardly seems to have changed a bit and reminds me of pictures of Pattabhi Jois' 'old shala'.
BNS Iyengar Biography from the official
BNS Iyengar website
Hemmige Agrahara is a small village situated on the banks of the Sacred River Cauvery, to the western side of Srirangapattana (first and former capital of the Wodiyar Kings) before the River turns eastwards. This stretch of the river is called ‘Paschima Vahini’ (western flow). Hemmige Agrahara is a holy place as it is considered an abode of, with magnificently beautiful temples dedicated to, Lord Varadaraja Swamy and his consort Poornadevi. Hemmige Agrahara is also a learned hamlet, as its residents there devote all their time and energy to preserving the long traditions of devotion, knowledge and above all, to the value of education.
It is in this holy place that Sri B.N.Sundaraja Iyengar was born, the second son of Sri L. Narasimha Iyengar and Smt Chokkamma, on the 19th of September 1927, on Kaarteeka Bahula Dwadashshi day of Pravhava Naama Samvatsara. (The twelfth day of ascendancy of the moon in Kartheeka, month of Prabhava Sumvatsara) His education began in the village of Balladere. Balladere Narasimha Sundaraja (BNS) Iyengar has brought fame to his Holy Birthplace by reaching the pinnacle of glory in Yoga.
An exponent of Yoga
When he was just entering his teens Sundaraja Iyengar happened to meet a Yoga expert of renown who recognised a growing talent in the young boy and took him under his tutelage. Here he drank the ocean of Yoga knowledge in twelve years of hard and rigorous practice and came to understand the wealth of Divine Education.
By the age of twenty five BNS Iyengar was a Master of Yoga. He also passed his Degree Examination in Science (B.Sc. 1951) at Mysore University.
Later he joined Maharaja’s Samskruta Patashala (Sanskrit School) in Mysore and studied Saanga Yoga Vidya (a chronological study of Yoga). This is not an achievement that can be easily attained, it needs years of commitment and dedication. Sundaraja Iyengar was fortunate to acquire the guidance of Vidwan T. Krishnamacharya and Yogasanavisharada.
Vidwan P. Jois. Under their watchful eyes and with devoted study he attained mastery in not only Yoga but also in Veda, Upanishad, Patanjali Yoga shastra and sutras. After completing his yoga studies he educated himself in the Bahgvad Gita and especially in Saanga Saahitya (formal education in Sanskrit literature). He has travelled across India and has been invited to seminars in Italy and UK to spread the knowledge of yoga.
On the 18th of April 1984, BNS Iyengar started a School of Yoga at the Parakala Mutt in Mysore. Sri Patanjala Yogashala was inaugurated by Vidwan Sri K Pattabhi Jois. In 1985 the head of the Mutt Sri Sri Swamy Ramunuja, conferred on him the title of Yogavisharada in the presence of Sri Srikantadatta Narasimaraja Wadiyar, scion of the erstwhile and ancient Royal Wadiyan Dynasty of Mysore .
The yoga shala was running under the grace and blessings of the swamyjis. Sundaraja Iyengar is well versed in yoga related ayurveda, astrology and musicology. He has also mastered vinyasa vidya (astanga yoga knowledge) and nyasa nidya (philosophical knowledge) which are considered the path to Moksha (Liberation).
Inspired by BNS Iyenga, his students have established yogashalas in many countries. He has been acclaimed for his knowledge and contributions in various books and articles, especially for his teachings in Yoga Philosophy
Disciples of Shree Patanjala Yogashala have competed and earned many trophies in intrastate, interstate & international competitions. Recently, Hemmige Sri Vaishnava Sabha has conferred upon BNS Iyengar the title of Yogaratnakara, Pearl of Yoga.
As we all know yoga is philosophy in practice, science in training and above all, a divine art in demonstration. Sundaraja Iyengar is an embodiment of all the virtues of yoga. A true Master in demonstrating the delicate balance and comfort, grace and poise and the charm and beauty of Divine Knowledge.
BNS Iyengar currently conducts Yoga Research and daily practice in Asana, Pranayama, Yogamudra and Philosophy at Kanchen Home.
See an Interview with BNS Iyengar, 3rd Video below
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UPDATE: This is interesting BNS Iyengar mentions in the interview above that he studied with Krishnamachrya in 1954. The biographies I have of Krishnamacharya put him in Madras/Chennai at this time. The Mysore Yoga Shala closed in 1950 and Krishnamacharya was invited to Madras, he stayed in a rented room but was soon in enough demand for him to start renting a small flat in the same year. He began to teach more regularly it seems because two of his sons, Srinvasana and Sribhashyam moved to Madras to join him and assist in the teaching. In September 1952 Krishnamacharya was appointed lecturer at the Vivikananda college and in 1956 he moved into a larger apartment whereupon his wife and the rest of his family joined him.
This suggests that Krishnamacharya was travelling back and forth between Madras and Mysore at the time BNS Iyengar mentions he was studying with him, even allowing for his memory putting him a year or two out.
How long/often did BNS Iyengar actually study with Krishnamacharya and were these in a one to one setting or in group classes, more interestingly what was the structure of the lessons, how close or how far from the Ashtanga Series that Pattabhi Jois was teaching and that BNS Iyengar went on to teach himself. Or where the studies Bns Iyengar had with krishnamacharya mainly theoretical, lectures on particular texts.
Has anyone attended any of BNS Iyengar's classes or workshops? I hear the one in May 2014 had a Q and A session at the end of each day, can anyone shine a light on any of the above questions?
And a link to a blog writing about the blogger's time studying with BNS Iyengar
many thanks to Anon for passing it along and especially to Nancy for giving permission to post it this morning and share with the community at large.
