A yoga practitioner in the Western world has many choices when it comes to the ancient practice of yoga. Various styles, each with their own distinct flavor, have sprung out of the teachings of popular gurus. "Yoga Journal" argues that most yoga in the West has been influenced and informed by the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar. Yoga is widely recognized as a health and wellness system, and MayoClinic.com notes that yoga is linked to decreased stress and anxiety levels. Additionally, practicing yoga can increase flexibility and strength and aid your weight loss efforts and may help you manage chronic illnesses.
B.K.S. Iyengar
B.K.S. Iyengar is widely accepted in the yoga community as one of the foremost gurus of the modern yoga practice. His influential book, "Light on Yoga," an in-depth study of yoga asanas, is required reading on most yoga teacher training programs. He studied yoga under the tutelage of Sri T. Krishnamacharya, the modern father of yoga. Iyengar was the first yoga teacher to teach large groups of students in India and worldwide. In 2010, he is still alive and at the age of 91 continues to practice yoga.
Poses
Iyengar yoga poses are unique in their focus on precision and alignment. Static poses are held for longer periods of time, when compared to the flowing, dynamic styles of vinyasa flow or Ashtanaga practices. Teachers guide students into the poses and refer to anatomical focus points to bring students deeper into the poses. Poses are linked by their function and focus and can include standing poses, twists, forward bends, backbends and inversions.
Props
The asanas used in Iyengar yoga classes are the same as other Hatha yoga classes, such as downward-facing dog, triangle and plank pose. The difference of an Iyengar class is the use of props to help students align themselves properly in every pose. Yoga blocks, straps, bolsters, folding chairs and pieces of wood are employed to assist each student into their appropriate level of the pose. Because of the use of props in Iyengar classes, they are suitable and recommended for both beginner, older and rehabilitating students.
Class Sequencing
Iyengar yoga follows guidelines regarding proper sequencing of poses in a yoga class. Downward-facing dog is used in between poses as a preparation for the upcoming pose. Twisting poses are performed after back and forward bending poses. Backbends create heat in the body and should be sequenced before forward bends, which are cooling to the body and mind. A practice should always end with savasana --corpse pose-- a five- to 10-minute supine relaxation pose.
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