My name is Susan Johnson. I am a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher, an IYNAUS volunteer, and the creator and host of the podcast On the Light. Above all, I am a devoted student of Iyengar Yog.
Through my podcast, I seek to illuminate the life and teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar and the auspicious subject of Yog which he so generously shared with the world. Along the way, something unexpected emerged.
In episode 24, Family Memories with Vanita and Savita, we began talking about food. They shared stories of their mother’s cooking, of Geetaji in the kitchen, and of meals that nourished the family and guests. Half-jokingly, we said, “We should make a cookbook.”
A few episodes later, while speaking with Corine Biria, she said, “Iyengar Indian food is the best Indian food.” That was the moment something clicked inside me and I became serious about creating an Iyengar Cookbook.
With the encouragement and blessing of Prashant Iyengar and his sisters, I’ve been given the go-ahead to bring this project to life. I’ve gathered two dear friends, both longtime students and teachers of Iyengar Yoga, who share my enthusiasm and care for this work. Together, we plan to travel to India this July to document these treasured family recipes directly from the source.
Our intention is to honor the family recipes and the traditions that go with them.. Through video, stories, and careful documentation, we hope to preserve the authenticity of these recipes and the lives woven around them. The result will be a cookbook that speaks not only to yoga practitioners, but to food lovers and anyone drawn to Indian culture, history, and home cooking.
Your support will help cover documentation, translation, and publishing costs. Every donor will receive updates as this project unfolds. By contributing, you are helping preserve a living piece of the Iyengar lineage—one rooted in nourishment, care, and daily practice.
Will you help us bring the Iyengar family’s kitchen to the world? Your generosity keeps these flavors and stories alive for future generations, and I am deeply grateful for your support.
With thanks,
Susan Johnson
Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher, Podcast Host, and 5th Grade Teacher
Saint Paul, Minnesota
