The Iyengar Difference

Iyengar Yoga is accessible to yoga practitioners of all levels from beginners to experts. By balancing the body, it will bring balance to the mind. Well-known for "Alignment Techniques", it is a highly evolved form of Hatha yoga. A typical Iyengar Yoga Centre has its walls peppered with hooks affixed with ropes and harnesses, a sturdy wood railing and is fully equipped with the full range of well-known Iyengar Props (ropes, blocks, blankets, chairs, bolsters and straps) to Setu Bandha Benches, Backbenders and more.

With the use of these props, yoga becomes accessible to even the less open bodies, bringing the ideal alignment and skilful action when performing yoga asanas.

• Asana & Benefits
• Pranayama & Meditation

Asana & Benefits

Iyengar Yoga is renowned throughout the world for its therapeutic and unique approach to yoga with its innovative use of props to help students adjust or support themselves in accurate and correct positions without stress and strain so that they can continuously work on a range of motion that is safe and effective. The use of props help students develop strength, flexibility, balance, and stamina while cultivating discipline, courage, sensitivity, and compassion contributing to the student's confidence and clarity of each asana.

Structured and categorized asanas make it suitable for all ages, body types, and levels of conditioning including those who are physically impaired. Correct physical alignment allows the body to develop harmoniously resulting in eliminating aches and pains as well as improving posture.

Under the supervision of a suitably experienced teacher, it can be used to treat many ailments, including extremely serious medical conditions as well as allow students to progress safely at their own pace, from basic postures to the most advanced as they gain flexibility, strength and sensitivity in mind, body and spirit.

Pranayama & Meditation

The yogic system of breathing starts once a firm foundation in asana has been established as physically the student requires the alignment, flexibility, lung capacity and training necessary to sit and breathe correctly while practicing. Pranayama gives numerous physical benefits including toning the circulatory, digestive, nervous and respiratory systems, activating the internal organs and creating a feeling of energy and calmness. Equally important, it also brings the mind and senses under control and makes the individual fit for the experience of meditation.

Mastery of the body is the gateway to mastery of the mind. The intensity and depth to which pranayama is practiced on the physical level affects and changes the mind and spirit. Smooth subtle and controlled breathing is far easier to master than the mind, when the breath becomes smooth and steady so does the mind. In Pranayama one learns to withdraw the senses from external objects.