About Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar yoga is concerned with the awareness and understanding you have and develop of yoga, and not ‘how flexible you are – or not’.
The Iyengar method is methodical and progressive, it emphasises detailed correctness and safety while practicing. The key elements are attention to alignment, specific sequencing of postures, the use of props, and modifications and timings.
Students can expect to be given verbal and occasionally physical corrections as well as props which can either support, intensify or give direction to their understanding of poses and pranayama.
WHAT SHALL I WEAR?
Comfortable clothing you can move and stretch in, so leggings, shorts and a t-shirt are best. You may want a warm top for less strenuous poses. We practice in bare feet.
DO I NEED ANY EQUIPMENT?
All studios I work in are fully equipped, but you are always welcome to bring your own mat if you like.
WHAT IF I HAVE HEALTH ISSUES?
Iyengar Yoga is well researched and documented to help with various health problems, however as classes are of a general nature, any serious medical conditions should be discussed with me first as it may be best to refer you to a more senior teacher.
WHAT KIND OF TRAINING DOES AN IYENGAR YOGA TEACHER HAVE?
All Iyengar yoga teachers are trained to rigorously high standards. After training regularly with a qualified teacher for a minimum of three consecutive years, candidates undertake a two year teacher training programme followed by the Introductory Level 2 assessment. Once qualified, teachers must continue training regularly and complete professional development training each year in order to maintain their membership of the Association. In this way the care and precision that characterises Iyengar yoga is maintained.
These high teaching standards are part of the reason Iyengar Yoga is the most widely performed method of yoga worldwide. Our Certification Mark is the guarantee of this quality.
WHO IS BKS IYENGAR?
BKS Iyengar devoted his life (1918-2014) to the practice and understanding of yoga and the study of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. During more than seventy years of teaching, he developed the innovative and inspired method of yoga, which is taught under his name. Iyengar Yoga is not only one of the world’s most widely practiced methods of yoga; its principles are now incorporated into the teaching of yoga under many names as well as into many other forms of exercise, therapy and movement.
The tradition of further developing this art and science continues through the teachings of his children (Dr Geeta Iyengar and Prashant Iyengar), grand daughter (Abijihata Sridhar Iyengar) and other senior teachers at the Ramamani Iyengar Yoga Institute in Pune, India.
In 1966 his book ‘Light on Yoga’ was published, and is known as the definitive guide to the philosophy and practice of yoga. It is regularly used by Iyengar practitioners and teachers to further their understanding and refinement of yoga asanas.
