What is Iyengar Yoga?

Iyengar yoga has become a hugely popular form of yoga in the West, owing to the intelligence of the method, its safety and the rigorous approach Iyengar teachers take to the teaching of asana (yoga postures). The beauty of Iyengar yoga is that it makes yoga accessible to anyone, through the use of props; bolsters, blocks and belts; clear instruction and careful adjustments. The technique emphasises precise alignment of the body and prioritises quality of movement over quantity. Students are encouraged to work steadily with awareness and control, rather than to push the body to do something before it is ready.

The use of props deepens awareness of how the body moves in a pose and helps students understand where and why there may be stiffness and ease in certain parts of the body. Asanas tend to be held for longer, allowing tight muscles to lengthen and relax. The longer holds of poses also serves to focus attention and improve concentration, otherwise known as dharana (single pointed attention) a stage necessary to cultivate before meditation, dhyana.

“It is through the alignment of the body that I discovered the alignment of my mind, self, and intelligence.”

“Action is movement with intelligence. The world is filled with movement. What the world needs is more conscious movement, more action.”

B. K. S. Iyengar

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