Defining the Iyengar method

 

Iyengar Yoga is a complete approach to physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual transformation, bringing physical health and vitality, mental clarity, wisdom, and emotional serenity.

Iyengar Yoga uses the physical reality of the body to know our minds and the deepest parts of ourselves as human beings.  The infinite perfectibility of the postures or asanas provides a pathway into the development of our intelligence and our ability to concentrate and sustain focus.  This intelligent practice develops our ability to grow and to separate what is worthwhile and productive from what to leave behind.

 

The method offers:  

• A safe and systematic progression of yoga postures to develop each student’s ability and skill, both within each class and from class to class

• Sequencing that develops strength, flexibility, stamina, concentration, and body alignment

• Highly developed teaching methodology

  • Precise use of language

  • Demonstration and teaching of specific points to develop understanding and intelligent action

  • Individual correction and adjustment of students, when necessary

• Integration of the yoga philosophy with the practice of asana

• Relevance of practice and incorporation into daily life

• Ways to use yoga to ease various ailments and stress

• Use of props, such as blankets, blocks, and straps, to facilitate learning and adjust yoga postures to individual needs

• Qualified and rigorously trained instructors committed to excellence in teaching

 

 

What is Iyengar Yoga?

Iyengar Yoga is based on the teachings of the yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar, author of the classic yoga treatise Light on Yoga, who began teaching in Pune, India, in 1936 at the age of 18. His work continue tos inspire students all over the world. His daughter, Geeta, and his son, Prashant, are also accomplished teachers and authors of yoga texts.

 

The Iyengar family’s teachings are deeply grounded in the yoga sutras of Patanjali, an ancient summation of the path of yoga considered to be at least 2,500 years old. B.K.S. Iyengar’s intense practice and almost seventy-five years of teaching have produced significant innovations in the teaching of the art and science of yoga. To learn more about B.K.S Iyengar visit www.bksiyengar.com

 

 

What to expect from this method of yoga

·  Qualified and rigorously trained instructors committed to excellence in teaching

·  A safe and systematic progression of yoga postures to develop each student’s ability and skill,    both within each class and from class to class

·  Sequencing that develops strength, flexibility, stamina, concentration, and body alignment

·  Individual correction and knowledge of how to adjust postures for common physical                      problems

• Precise use of language

• Demonstration and teaching of specific points to develop understanding and intelligent action

• Individual correction and adjustment of students, when necessary

·  Integration of the yoga philosophy with the practice of asana

·  Incorporation and relevance of practice into daily life

·  Ways to use yoga to ease various ailments and stress

·  Use of props, such as blankets, blocks, and straps, to facilitate learning and adjust yoga                postures to individual needs

 

 

What are props and why do we use them?

B.K.S. Iyengar introduced props into the modern practice of yoga to allow all practitioners access to the benefits of the postures regardless of physical condition, age, or length of study.  Props help all practitioners (including the most advanced) gain sensitivity to the use of effort and receive the deep benefits of postures held over significant time periods.  Props are introduced from the beginning for students with specific physical limitations and gradually in regular classes to enhance personal understanding of a posture and its effects and to develop skill and confidence. 

Props include sticky mats, blankets, belts, blocks, benches, wall ropes, sandbags, chairs, and other objects that help students experience the various yoga poses more profoundly. Props may be used in class to encourage students, bolster confidence, and create optimal body alignment.

Allowing students to practice asanas (yoga postures) and pranayamas (breathing patterns) with greater effectiveness, ease, and stability, props provide support for the body and allow the mind to relax and more profoundly receive the benefits of the yoga.

 

 

How does Iyengar Yoga differ from other styles of yoga?

The Iyengar method develops strength, endurance, and optimal body alignment, in addition to flexibility and relaxation.  The Iyengar method develops self-awareness, intelligent evaluation, and profound inward reflection. 

Standing poses are emphasized at the beginning to build strength and ease of movement, increase general vitality, and improve circulation, coordination, and balance.

Postures for deep relaxation are introduced from the beginning. Gradually, sitting and reclining postures, forward bends, inversions, backbends, twists, arm balance, and flowing sequences are introduced.

 

Iyengar Yoga emphasizes precision of alignment in the yoga poses. Why is this important?

People tend to stretch from their more flexible areas and rely on their better-developed muscles for strength, thus reinforcing postural habits. Iyengar Yoga encourages weak parts to strengthen and stiff areas to release, thus awakening and realigning the whole body. As the body moves into better alignment, less muscular work is required and relaxation increases naturally.