B.K.S. Iyengar is the founder of the Iyengar tradition of yoga. He is known for expanding the practice of yoga to the west, his innovation of the use of props, and his many publications ranging from foundational to philosophical and therapeutic yoga. He established the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute ("RIMYI") in Pune where students and teachers worldwide go study with the Iyengar family. In August 2014 his daughter Geeta and son Prashant continued to teach the tradition he started. Since December 2018 his son Prashant and granddaughter Abhijata carry on the tradition.
Iyengar yoga certification is accomplished by a three to five year apprenticeship followed by an assessment process. RIMYI issues the certificates and Iyengar Yoga Association of Canada oversees the assessments. To maintain certification, teachers are required to continue their professional development and studies on an ongoing basis.