Iyengar Yoga
Certification
To maintain the authenticity of Iyengar Yoga as taught by BKS Iyengar and to ensure that the highest level of teaching standards are adhered to, Iyengar yoga teacher trainees undergo a three to six years intensive training period in which an in-depth knowledge of asanas, pranayama, the teachings of BKS Iyengar and the Iyengar family and The Sutras of Patanjali are learnt. On a yearly basis teachers continue to attend workshops to increase their knowledge to share with their students.
Theory of Alignment
Iyengar yoga as taught has a firm focus on the correct alignment of the musco-skeletal body not only as a means to avoid injury but also as a starting point to begin the journey inwards – towards one’s inner self.
“in every posture, the body, the mind, action and motion as well as each breath of the physical, physiological, mental and intellectual sheaths have to be evenly balanced”
BKS Iyengar
Practising yoga asanas on the mat becomes a metaphor for how we choose to walk through our daily lives.
Through one’s sadhana (practise) one begins to link the gross physical actions with the inner body, the mercurial mind and one’s intelligence which brings into play the power of discrimination : the ability to see what is working and what is not working – and in so doing – adjust.
Correct physical alignment of the body enables the practitioner to align their mind, intelligence and consciousness to experience the stillness within.
Use of Props
“yoga asana is now accessible to me“
Justine, aged 65yrs beginner student
The beauty and gift of Iyengar Yoga is to make use of various props which aid, support & guide the practitioner through their practise, so that the yoga asanas remain accessible to all.
The use of props in a yoga lesson :
- assists those who are unable to do the classic pose
- aids students with injuries
- enables extension & relaxation at the same time
- monitors & directs the students to perform the asana in the correct manner
- avoids injuries to the student