Iyengar yoga - started by BKS Iyengar
Iyengar yoga poses - Traditional yoga style
Iyengar yoga style is created by Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar, a much respected Indian yoga guru.It is an established yoga practice based on the principles of the Sage Patanjali, who formulated the yoga sutras.
BKS Iyengar
This is a form of Hatha yoga and has integrated all the eight aspects of Ashtanga yoga. It strictly follows the traditional ashtanga yoga method. B.K.S.Iyengar has his yoga center 'Ramamani Iyengar Memorial yoga institute' which is located in Pune, Maharashtra, India.
This is a popular style of yoga worldwide. Every year, students from different country stay and learn Iyengar method of yoga at the institute in Pune.
Iyengar yoga teaching style has worldwide recognition. He has many followers and there are many centers teaching Iyengar yoga.
B.K.S. Iyengar was born in1918. Now, B.K.S.Iyengar is more than 90 years old and still continues to practice yoga. His daughter Geeta and Son Prashant teach yoga at the institute.
This year, in 2014, he was awarded Padma Vibhushan - Second highest award given to a civilian in the republic of India to recognize exceptional service in any field.
B.K.S.Iyengar was physically weak as a child and practiced yoga to improve his health. He learnt yoga from a scholar and a yogi, Sri T. Krishnamacharya in Mysore, Karnataka, India.
Speciality of Iyengar yoga poses - Use of props
The specialty of this yoga style is that, props are used to perform asanas.The use of props is new to yoga and was started by B.K.S. Iyengar. The props used are belts, blankets, wooden blocks, benches, straps, sandbags, chairs, pillows, bolsters etc.
Iyengar yoga is user friendly and sate for all. It is great for beginners as well as advanced students .The props help the students to get the body in ideal alignment for that pose, even if his body is not yet flexible enough.
Use of props the Iyengar method makes yoga poses easier for the student. The props are used according to the students needs. The props are used in the yoga studio.
If you are practicing at home, you can use what you have at home Even tired or sick persons also can do some of the asanas with used props without feeling any strain and can get benefit from it.
Everyone can practice using props. There is attention to detail and there is emphasis on body alignment.
This yoga is helpful in relieving the modern life stress. Yogasana (yoga poses), pranayama (yogic breathing), meditation, all are part of iyengar yoga Iyengar yoga is refered to as 'meditation in action'.
The students get the fundamentals of yoga right. The benefits of regular practice increase and the awareness stretching improves. It is spirituality through physical methods which encourages proper breathing while in a yoga pose. The concentration helps in meditation.
Yoga for health - Iyengar method for yoga health benefits
The physical benefits of yoga are many and Iyengar has developed ways of practicing certain yoga poses to treat various diseases and ailments.Digestive problems , high blood pressure, depression, menopause etc. can be treated with yogasanas and this yoga can be used as physical therapy.
If Iyengar yoga classes are available to you, do make use of them. After attending classes and learning the basics, you may also use the books below to understand yoga better and practice.
B.K.S.Iyengar has written many books on yoga that are bestsellers. The books have lots of illustrations and a student can learn yoga using these books.
