Iyengar yoga is a deep and meditative form of yoga that focuses both on the proper alignment of the body and on creating awareness in the mind. Studies have proven that Iyengar yoga can be healing for both the mind and body
Iyengar yoga is a form that pays attention to proper alignment in each pose. The focus is on symmetry and also awareness through meditation and breathing. Benefits of Iyengar yoga include toning muscles, eliminating tension, easing chronic pain and relieving depression.
History of Iyengar yoga
BKS Iyengar, who studied yoga in India from the age of sixteen, developed Iyengar yoga. He created the form to focus on the precision of yoga poses (asanas) and correct breathing practice (pranayama).
Iyengar has written 14 books, the most famous of which is Light on Yoga a key text in the yoga community. At the age of 95, Iyengar is still teaching and practicing yoga.
What makes Iyengar yoga different from other forms?
In Iyengar yoga, the emphasis is on correct anatomical alignment within each asana. The aim is to ensure healthy alignment of joints, ligaments and muscles. Iyengar yoga makes use of props, such as blocks, straps and chairs to help each student achieve correct alignment within the asana and to allow students to go more deeply into the poses. This makes the practice suitable for beginners and experts alike and also those with physical limitations, as the poses can be adapted to the individual with the support of the props. By strengthening weak areas of our bodies and opening and stretching tight ones, our bodies return to their correct alignment.
Poses are held for a longer time than in may forms of yoga, which allows for deeper levels of muscle stretching. The slow pace also helps develop higher levels of awareness, by providing focus and stilling the mind.
Iyengar yoga instructors have to complete a rigorous period of study to attain certification. This means that students can rely on their Iyengar yoga instructor to be deeply knowledgeable about the practice.
The health benefits of Iyengar yoga
Iyengar yoga targets multiple ailments including physical disorders such as high blood pressure and chronic neck and back pain. The practice also targets emotional and mental issues such as depression.
Studies have looked at the benefits of Iyengar yoga and German researchers found that when they compared Iyengar Yoga with a self-care exercise program among people with chronic neck pain, yoga reduced pain scores by more than half. Examining yoga’s effects on different kinds of chronic pain, UCLA researchers studied young women suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. About half of those who took part in a six-week Iyengar Yoga program reported improvements in measures of pain, as well as in anxiety and depression.
As Iyengar instructor’s focus on both alignment and inner awareness, the practice is healing for the mind and the body. By practicing this form of yoga you will develop a thorough and correct understanding of the asanas, which will be useful if you choose to add a different type of yoga to your practice.