The advent of 20th century saw Yogis exploring the potential of this spiritual science for physical and mental development, Stress Management, and disease curing.
The masters who rendered invaluable contributions to Yoga for its evolution as a Science for Human Excellence, are -
1.Swami Sivananda (late) a practicing doctor who took up to sanyasa; a great master and a prolific writer, who authored more than 360 books covering the entire spectrum of Yoga and spirituality. Some of his important works are Yogic Home Exercises, Yoga Asanas, Thought Power, Concentration and Meditation, Mind its mysteries and control.
2. Swami Vishnudevananda (late) Student of Swami Sivananda. He authored the much celebrated book “The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga”.
3. Swami Sathyananda Saraswathi Student of Swami Sivananda. Author of some of the greatest works on Yoga, like Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha, Yoga Nidra, Meditations from the Tantras, Kundalini Tantra.
4. B.K.S. Iyengar A great exponent of Hatha Yoga, his book Light on Yoga is a comprehensive work on Hatha Yoga, covering both theory and practice. Presenting the highest number of Asanas performed by the author himself, it is acknowledged universally as a reference book on classical Asanas. Light on Pranayama is his other important work.
5. Swami Kuvalayananda (late) – His important works are Pranayama, Popular Yoga Asanas. He is one of the pioneers who subjected Hatha Yoga techniques to research studies.