What is Iyengar yoga?
Iyengar yoga emphasizes posture
and the development of balance and alignment. Sometimes making use of belts,
blocks, pillows, and balls it was designed to be flexible to students' varying
capacities – it's renowned for attention to detail and precise alignment
of postures.
Iyengar focuses on three main aspects.
In practice one learns ever finer adjustments in asana and pranayama. Classses
are also sequenced in certain ways; varying the routine modifies the practices'
mental, emotional and spiritual effects. Finally postures are held for a relatively
long time to stabilise and intensify.
Correct body alignment allows the body to develop harmoniously
and in an anatomically correct way so the student suffers no injury or pain.
As all bodies are different and people have different weaknesses and strengths
props are used to help the body into the correct positions required.
Today Iyengar is one of the most widely practiced yoga techniques
in the West. It was developed in India by B.K.S. Iyengar who systematised
over 200 asanas (positions) and 14 different types of pranayamas (breathing
exercises) ranging from the simple to the incredibly difficult. These have
been structured and categorised so as to allow a beginner to progress from
basic postures to the most advanced as they gain flexibility, strength and
sensitivity.
