Why Iyengar?
Yoga is firstly for individual growth,
but through individual growth, society and community develop.
Yoga
Yoga is a word from Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-European language of India, derived from “yuj,” meaning “to yoke.” Harnessing and uniting the powers of mind and body under the guidance of one’s intelligence is one aim of yoga. Traditions of practice include self-mastery, pursuit of the sacred, and meditation. Techniques that develop body (hatha), mind (jnana), emotions (bhakti), actions (karma) and soul (raja) are yogic paths of self-realization.
Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar Yoga was developed over 75 years by BKS Iyengar (see below). It can be practiced at all stages of life and can have far-reaching benefits that can empower the practitioner in every aspect of daily living. Some of these include:
Improved physical and psychological health (including helping address anxiety, depression, insomnia, back and neck pain, poor digestion, tension, fatigue, menstrual problems, and arthritis);
Alleviated postural/structural problems;
Release of emotional tension and development of greater emotional regulation;
Increased focus and concentration;
Increased energy;
Greater physical and mental self-awareness.
Iyengar Yoga does not require you to be flexible or know anything about yoga to begin. Iyengar structured and categorized poses, or asanas, to allow a practitioner to progress surely and safely from basic postures to more advanced ones as they gain flexibility, strength, stamina, coordination, balance, discipline, courage, and sensitivity.
Some of Iyengar Yoga’s unique features, that have been adopted by others, include:
Alignment—meaning maintaining an intended pose while respecting the body’s boundaries. Iyengar yoga encourages the use of props to assist students without putting them at risk of injury. Effective alignment can help to achieve balance between body, mind and breath.
Sequencing—refers to the order that the postures are practiced. This enables a safe and structured progression of the poses, along with the ‘opening’ and balance of the physical and emotional body.
Timing—unlike Vinyasa Yoga, Iyengar yoga poses are held for longer periods of time. When stability is achieved in a pose, it’s then possible to safely intensify the depth of the posture. This helps develop strength and flexibility, along with sensitivity and awareness between the body and mind.
Props—BKS Iyengar was an innovator with regard to the use of props such as bolsters, blankets, blocks, wall ropes, and belts, as teaching devices. These are often used to assist students within a pose, providing support to less or flexible experienced students and to foster greater extension, awareness and flexibility to more advanced practitioners.
Gradual, steady progress is emphasized over more quick and fleeting results. Each class tends to be a unique sequence of poses created by the Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher (CIYT, see below) to guide participants through a safe and systematic progression. Through repeated practice, you start to develop greater facility, realize more benefits, and more deeply appreciate the connections between mind, energy and body.
Certified Iyengar Yoga Teachers (CIYTs)
A worldwide, standardized instruction system differentiates Iyengar Yoga from other methods. Certified Iyengar Yoga Teachers (CIYTs) undergo rigorous training and evaluation to earn their certifications. Only CIYTs are permitted to describe their method of instruction as Iyengar Yoga. CIYTs are trained to provide clear demonstrations of each posture and are skilled in using simple props to maximize the opening and awareness of the body, providing support to the less flexible and extra extension to the more advanced student. CIYTs have passed a thorough standardized assessment and maintain ongoing education and practice. To be granted a certification credential, of which there are 5 levels, teachers must pass an assessment of standards in three categories: a demonstrated practice of asanas, a written exam, and demonstrated teaching skills. CIYT certification is considered one of the most comprehensive form of certification available in the U.S. Aspiring teachers often have years been practitioners for many years before starting the process. More information about the certification system can be found on the IYNAUS website.
BKS Iyengar (1918-2014)
B.K.S Iyengar was taught yoga in his youth by his brother-in-law, T. Krishnamacharya, an influential teacher that is considered by many “the father” of modern yoga. Iyengar refined his practices for over 80 years developing an inspired approach to yoga through intense practice and self-study. His seminal book, Light on Yoga, has been continuously in print since originally published in 1966. It describes more than 200 yoga postures, or asanas, and includes more than 600 photographs of Iyengar demonstrating these. It has been described as “the Bible of modern yoga” for its encyclopedic presentation of the asanas. Iyengar promoted yoga as an art, science and philosophy, and made practice accessible to ordinary people regardless of race, gender, age, religion, or physical capacity.
In 1952, Iyengar befriended the renowned classical violinist Yehudi Menuhin who became his student and gave him the exposure that provided international recognition. He made the first visit to the United States in 1956 to Ann Arbor, MI, where he would return several more times. In 1975, he established and taught classes at Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) in Pune, India, in memory of his late wife. He continued daily practice there until shortly before his death.
Iyengar’s son, Prashant, and his granddaughter, Abhijata, are the chief teachers carrying on his teachings at RIMYI. Before her death, his daughter Geeta was also an influential instructor. In addition to Light on Yoga, Mr. Iyengar is the author many other books, including:
Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Light on Prãnãyãma: The Yogic Art of Breathing
Core of the Yoga Sutras: The Definitive Guide to the Philosophy of Yoga
Iyengar Yoga for Beginners: An Introduction to the Classic Poses
The Iyengar Legacy: Geeta, Prashant, and Abhijata
Coming soon!