Iyengar Yoga
One of the most popular schools of yoga, Iyengar Yoga is now highly followed by thousands of disciples and practitioners in India and abroad. You may be acquainted with the name of B.K.S Iyengar if you are familiar with different schools of yoga, in India particularly. Do not forget to visit the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute when you visit Pune in India next time. B.K.S Iyengar is the proponent of this well-reputed yoga school in India. One of his popular saying is:
“When I practice, I am a philosopher,
When I teach, I am a scientist,
When I demonstrate, I am an artist.”
Iyengar yoga has some unique postures. This school of yoga emphasizes on tools and props for performing the asana or postures. Props like belts and blocks are popularly utilized for performing the postures. Iyengar yoga is highly influenced by Yoga Sutra, written by yoga guru Patanjali. It is a traditional form that stresses on the eight limbs of yoga. You might find following seven categories of Iyengar yoga being used:
- Standing
- Sitting
- Supine
- Forward bends
- Backward bends
- Twists and
- Inversions
Iyengar Yoga is a comprehensive form of postures providing stability to both body and mind. This yoga is also advantageous for the purpose of mental flexibility and balance. In addition to the use of tools and props while performing the yoga postures, Iyengar yoga also stresses on the importance and the practice of dhyana or meditation. While the asana provides you with physical strength and flexibility, meditation helps you to develop a close mental balance.
People familiar with Iyengar Yoga often find the postures of this yoga similar to Hatha Yoga. It is a comprehensive mode of yogic practice that endeavors building the mental and physical positivism. You can expect a great deal of relaxation by practicing this yoga posture every day. Experts often comment on this yoga being perfect for bursting out the everyday stress from life.
Despite similarities Iyengar yoga is a bit different from other forms of yoga that are popular. You need to perform the yoga postures with the help of props and tools. The necessity to perform postures with the help of props and tools make this yoga form unique. The impact of these yogic postures is far more effective and quickly felt than other types of yoga. You can highly focus on the body alignment when you are practicing the postures. B.K.S Iyengar, the pioneer of the Iyengar School is the proponent of this yogic structure. You will find the practitioners working out with various props like straps, benches, sand bags, cushions, blocks and so on.
Benefits of Iyengar yoga are prominent and easily achievable. People feel interested in performing these postures as they are easy to do and the benefits are quite prominent. Most satisfyingly, you can perform Iyengar yoga to relieve some specific ailments and disorders. People suffering from high blood pressure, backache, insomnia, depression and menopause can join Iyengar yoga for remedy. Ramamani Institute in Pune, India is popular for variable yoga courses meant for different age groups.