In traditions like Yoga it is good to acknowledge your teachers.
Mr Iyengar was by far the biggest influence in my study of Yoga. In 1971, I found his book “Light On Yoga” and practiced as best I could. In 1975, I met teachers who had trained with him in Pune, India. I studied directly with Mr Iyengar in 1977 at his institute in Pune, India. I have never met anyone like Mr Iyengar. He had a presence that filled whatever space he was in.
Another major teacher was Angela Farmer. She brings a joy and lightness to the practice. She has a deep understanding of Yoga and is an excellent teacher. Her center is in Greece. Her courses are highly recommended.
I learned a lot from Patricia Walden, when I lived in Boston from 1996 to 1999. I consider her to be the best Yoga teacher in the USA. I worked as her assistant on a two year teacher training course and learned at least as much as our student teachers.
Dona Holleman is another teacher who was a major influence. I attended workshops with her in Edinburgh and here in Seattle. Dona wrote one of the best books on Yoga, “Centering Down” (2004).
Teachers from other traditions :
Ajahn Chah – Buddhist Meditation. I studied with monks who trained with Ajahn Chah.
Sensei Morihiro Saito & Mr Foster Aikido. Mr Foster awarded me Black Belt in Aikido in 1988. I also was lucky enough to study briefly with Sensei Tamura. He had the same kind of space filling presence that Mr Iyengar had.
David Swenson – Aṣṭāṅga Yoga is a cousin to Iyengar Yoga. Both styles came from Krishnamacharya