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What is Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar Yoga focuses on the structural alignment of the physical body through the development of asanas. Through the practice of a system of asanas, it aims to unite the body, mind and spirit for health and well-being. Iyengar Yoga is considered a powerful tool to relieve the stresses of modern-day life which in turn can help promote total physical and spiritual well-being. Iyengar Yoga class is highly verbal and precise, with misalignments and errors actively corrected with the use of props. Iyengar yoga is meant for people of all ages, genders and cuts across geographical, lingual, social and economical barriers.
Distinguishing Characteristics
The emphasis given to precision and alignment in all postures be it the standing, sitting, twisting, inverted, forward bending, backward bending or supine postures. The aspect of "timing" where students are taught to stay for longer duration of time in each posture so as to experience it. The use of props such as wooden blocks and equipment, belts, ropes so that the practitioner can strive to achieve perfection in the posture; the practitioner can then learn to perform the posture with the same precision without the props The use of props to help the aged, the diseased and disabled to perform the classical postures and attain the benefits of the same – something they would never have been able to do so independently. The aspect of technical language and sequencing - an Iyengar Yoga practitioner is aware of the sequence in which different groups of asanas have to be performed; and how the effect of an asana would vary and be dependent upon the sequence in which the asanas are being performed.
In Short
Iyengar Yoga is for everyone. Ensuring correct alignment, developing core strength and flexibility using various props as and when needed. The class is sequenced in two ways Sequencing within the asanas – how to get in and out of the asana correctly and sequencing of a class from start to finish. Detail is giving to correct timing in each asana and the use of technical language and intricacies. Iyengar yoga ensures a safe and beneficial practice for everyone.
Practising Iyengar Yoga regularly can:
1. Increase flexibility, agility and coordination;
2. Tone, firm and strengthen muscles;
3. Improve posture;
4. Improve circulation;
5. Balance the functioning of organs and glands;
6. Regulate weight control;
7. Increase stamina and endurance;
8. Relieve many back, neck, and other health problems;
9. Enhance performance in sport and other physical activities;
10. Improve concentration and mental clarity;
11. Reduce stress and teach relaxation; and Create a feeling of confidence and well being.
 WHO IS BKS IYENGAR
Who Is Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar?
The life of Yoga Master B.K.S. Iyengar is of epic proportions. Born into sickness and financial distress, he overcame great obstacles with raw determination, perseverance, dedication, and divine grace. His life is an amazing testament to the transformational powers of Yoga. Read his personal accounts in "70 Glorious Years of Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar" and "Iyengar:His Life and Work".
Bellur Krishramacharya Sundararaja Iyengar (Sundara) was born on December 14th, 1918, during a world-wide influenza epidemic, which struck bothhe and his mother. They both survived, but it took a toll on his health.By the time he was thirteen, he had been sick with malaria, typhoid, andtuberculosis. He was not expected to live past 20 years of age. InIyengar's words, a "flash of destiny" would prove that prediction quitewrong. That flash of destiny was Yoga.
In 1934 Iyengar visited his sister in Mysore while her husband, Sri. T. Krishnamacharya, traveled and taught Sanskrit and Yoga. Krishnamacharya had studied Yoga in Nepal, practiced various darshanas in Varanasi, and was a sanskrit scholar.
When he returned home, he suggested that Iyengar stay with them, attend school,and work on his health through Yoga. Iyengar agreed, and his brother-in-law taught him some yoga postures (asanas). It was then that Krishnamacharya became his guru. Unfortunately, Iyengar couldn't even touch his fingers to his knees and his guru lost all interest in teaching him. It wasn't until Krishnamacharya's main student suddenly left that his attentions turned back to Iyengar.
This was a very difficult time for the young Iyengar as his guru gave few instructions, yet demanded that Iyengar be prepared for public demonstrations. Reading Mr. Iyengar's personal accounts of those times is riveting as he summoned incredible determination to progress. Iyengar wrote, "sometimes the body and at other times the mind refused to cooperate", "each day was an ordeal but God's grace forced me to make one more attempt for every failure".
He gradually began conducting classes at various locations and in 1943 married Smt. Ramamani and settled in Pune. She was a dedicated and loving wife and he a responsible husband. Times were tough as he struggled to provide for the household, yet through it all he maintained a vigilant early morning Yoga practice.
In 1946 Iyengar had a prophetic vision. Lord Venkateshwars, his family deity, blessed him in a dream, telling him that his vocation was to practice and teach Yoga. He was told that from then on he would not have to worry about his survival. On the same night his wife also had an auspicious dream. In it, Devi Laksmi (the goddess of abundance and prosperity) came to her and gave her a coin, saying she was returning something she had borrowed from him long ago. Iyengar wrote, "from 1934 to 1946 Yoga was attached to me, but today it is I who am attached to Yoga". His fortune had changed, his passion for Yoga sparked.
Today Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar still lives in Pune, India. His Yoga Institute is named in memory of his beloved wife Ramamani. Having become the greatest yogi of the 20th and 21st centuries, he is a living example of the power of Yoga. He has six children, thus proving to the world that a householder can scale the heights of Yoga. Hisdaughter Geeta and son Prashant live with him at the Institute and together they teach classes to students who arrive from all over the world.
He has toured 25 countries, has published numerous books on Yoga, has received hundreds of prestigious awards and recognitions, and continues his practice of Yoga daily.
Prashant, Geeta, Guruji
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