B.K.S. Iyengar died Aug. 20 at the age 95 from a viral illness. He had been the dominant figure behind the modern yoga movement for decades. His life’s work transformed a relatively obscure ancient tradition from India into a popular, modern practice throughout the globe. Iyengar, a most humble character, has not only improved the quality of life for tens of millions of practitioners, he also vicariously fostered a massive industry.

A sickly boy, born during the 1918 flu epidemic, Iyengar also suffered from tuberculosis and malaria. The 11th in a family of 13 children, his father died while Iyengar was still young and his early prospects were quite dim. As a teen, he was sent to live with his older sister and her husband, Krishnamacharya, who had taken an interest in reviving the ancient practice of yoga in India.

Soon after beginning his training, Iyengar was tasked by his teacher to provide yoga demonstrations throughout India. Because of his weak constitution, as a young man, he had to be particularly focused and creative in his pursuit. He is credited with developing a teaching style dedicated to the precise form and action in the execution of each pose. He also initiated the widespread use of props such as straps, bolsters and blankets to enable almost anyone, regardless of physical limitation, to engage in the practice.

I began to do yoga during the mid-’70s in the foothills of the Himalayas. During nearly 40 years of practice, Iyengar yoga has seen me through as many years of taekwondo, a highly active Korean martial art. Whether preparing for a triathlon, recovering from a marathon or during a long blue water crossing on a traditional-style Polynesian voyaging canoe, yoga has played a central role in helping me maintain strength, balance flexibility and equanimity.

Unlike most conventional team sports, yoga is a low-impact activity with minimal risk of injury, including traumatic brain injury.

It is also a symmetrical activity. Swinging a golf club, baseball bat or throwing a ball with the same arm or kicking a ball with the same leg can be a setup for injury. Yoga emphasizes equal and symmetrical use of both sides of the body.

Yoga is also different from activities like dance or gymnastics in which the performer is often trying to achieve a specific appearance for an audience. Instead, it focuses on the internal experience of alignment and balance.

Among the most common misconceptions is that the practice is not real exercise and that it offers little more than relaxation or flexibility training. Depending upon the specific method, yoga can offer profound cardiovascular exercise. It also makes for strength training not only for the big, obvious muscles but also for the core muscles of the trunk that are so important in posture and the health of the spine.

Yoga offers far more than musculoskeletal, cardiovascular or psychospiritual health. It can be employed to support the health of other organs, the endocrine system and the nervous system. Routine practice of suitable postures, performed correctly, fosters pervasive health in the majority of students.

One of Iyengar’s core strategies was to separate his religious beliefs from his practice of yoga and related specialized breathing techniques. This, in combination with an emphasis on the precise execution of each pose, and the use of props to accommodate students, enabled yoga to spread far and wide. Today the practice populates studios, gyms, schools and myriad public facilities.

While Iyengar was clearly the prime mover in modernizing yoga for people in all walks of life, he certainly never had nor wanted a corner on the market. As his teaching model rapidly spread throughout the world, others looked to create niche franchises, some hoping to muscle in on the fitness industry. Yoga schools that use the term "power" in their name or ones that turn up the temperature in the room during class would not have derived from Iyengar. There are also forms of yoga that focus primarily on meditation, practices of the heart and even daily work that stem from other lineages.

Over the years, I have also been deeply impressed by the level of rigor involved during teacher training.

While the beloved Iyengar will be missed by millions, he successfully brought a profound, ancient tradition into the modern day and integrated it into the lives of many. His students, teachers and many publications ensure that his work will live on. Today, the momentum of Iyengar yoga is inexorable.

Ira "Kawika" Zunin, MD, MPH, MBA, is a practicing physician. He is medical director of Manakai O Malama Integrative Healthcare Group and Rehabilitation Center and CEO of Global Advisory Services Inc. Please submit your questions to info@manakaiomalama.com