2. Iyengar´s main source of reference from the Yoga-tradition

First it must be asked what Iyengar means when referring to traditional Yoga. Which traditions of the manifold history of Yoga are essential to him? Next the way in which he himself determines his relation to the traditions must be examined. Where does he see conformity and where differences? Also the relationship of Iyengar´s Asana and Pranayama practise with the traditional forms should be looked into. Finally it would be particularly interesting to know the reasons he gives for the peculiarities of his method.

In his "message for the 70th birthday" Iyengar says. "What I do is pure, authentic, traditional Yoga." [1] What he means by pure, authentic, traditional Yoga he explains in the same speech, as follows: "The Yoga I teach is purely Astanga Yoga, known as the eight limbs of Yoga, expounded by Patanjali in his 196 terse sutras, each of which reflects profound experimental knowledge, supplemented with Hatha Yoga texts, the Gita and others."[2]

Here an answer is given to our first question of what Iyengar refers to when he speaks about the tradition of Yoga. His primary source of reference, he says, are the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, particularly the Astanga Yoga as described in the second and third chapters of the Sutras. A glance at the introductory chapters of "Light on Yoga" and "Light on Pranayama" confirms this, for when answering the question "What is Yoga?" he mainly builds upon Patanjali there.

[1]   Light on Yoga Research Trust (Ed.), 70 Glorious Years of Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar, Bombay, Light on Yoga Research Trust, 1990, p. XXVII.
[2]   Ibid. p. XXVIII.