Iyengar Yoga
by Shivani BhattBKS Iyengar is credited with making yoga reach out to the masses. His school of yoga also known as the Iyengar Yoga, is widely known for the use of different props as belts, blocks etc. to help in taking the various postures (asanas). Like the other forms of yoga, Iyengar yoga too follows the basic tenets given by the great Sage Patanjali.
The Iyengar yoga is a Hatha form of yoga. Though the word Hatha is a made from the combination of two words “Ha” and “tha” meaning sun and the moon, the more commonly understood meaning of the word Hatha is forceful or dynamic. This kind of yoga is done to purify one self. This school of yoga believes in perfecting the form of the body. To achieve this goal Hatha yoga inculcates the various types of pranayam and mudras.
The Iyengar yoga like the Hatha yoga believes in perfecting the structural alignment of the body through asanas. The well being of a person according to this form of yoga lies in the unity of the body, mind and the spirit. Therefore it is considered to be a very effective way to relieve and cope with the everyday stress of life.
Iyengar in his efforts to help everyone benefit from yoga researched and developed the use of various types of props (belts, blocks, cushion, straps etc.) to help the beginner attain the right posture required with great ease. Iyengar also stressed on the standing poses as these postures not only helped in the development of strong lower extremities, but also contributed to the energy and vigour of the person. While this ensured better coordination and balance, it also helped in the faster learning and achieving of the more complicated postures.
The directions for practising the Iyengar yoga are very meticulous and very well defined. The postures to be attained are clearly specified and even minor misalignments are not overlooked. Iyengar yoga has three aspects which makes it all the more unique. They are technicalities, sequencing and timing. Technicalities refer to the precise directions given to take the posture (asana). Sequencing refers to the sequence or order in which these asanas are performed. And finally timing refers to the time the posture is held for maximum benefit. These three aspects work together in building a healthy mind, body and spirit.
This method of yoga is learnt through an exhaustive study of the various yogic postures and breath control exercises. The different asanas and pranayams (breath control exercises) range from the very easy to extremely tough. More than 200 postures and 14 pranayamas have been systematized by Mr. B.K.S Iyengar. It helps a novice to gradually progress through the various levels with comfort and ease while reaping the benefits.
B.K.S Iyengar the propagator of yoga in the west has known to teach many students his form of yoga. Though he has retired from active teaching, he continues to take special classes and also write books on this form of yoga.
Checkout the complete list of Iyengar Yoga Studio at this site.