ABOUT IYENGAR YOGA
What is Yoga?
"Yoga is the cessation of the movements of consciousness." - Patanjali, in Yoga Sutras. In a more broad sense Yoga is one of the six philosophic systems of India. Yoga is connected to personal development through the balance between body, mind and spirit. It was systematized by Patanjali, a great Indian sage, over 2000 years ago in the classic text known as "Yoga Sutras".
What is IYENGAR® Yoga?
The name comes from Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja (B.K.S.) Iyengar (14/12/1918 - 20/08/2014), one of the most influential yogis of all times, Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar began practicing Yoga with T. Krishnamacharya, his brother-in-law and master. It was presented to the West by the famous violinist Yehudi Menuhin. He lived most of his life in Pune (India) where he found the RIMYI - Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute. He is the author of many of the best books on Yoga such as “Light on Yoga”, “Light on Pranayama”, “The Art of Yoga”, “Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patañjali”, “The Tree of Yoga", "Light on Astanga Yoga", "Light on life”, “Core of the Yoga Sutras”.
"Light on Yoga" was published for the first time in 1966 and since then has been re-published many times in several languages. It was the first work published about yoga that explained the poses, techniques' performance and the benefits of each one of them.
Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar was nominated by TIME MAGAZINE (April 2004) as one of the 100 most influential personalities of 2004 in the category of "Heroes and Icons". He was considered by many as the ultimate exponent of yoga having dedicated his whole life to the study, practice, teaching and spreading of yoga. The so called IYENGAR® Yoga has entered since 2004 the new Oxford Dictionary of English and is based on the Yoga Sutras by PATANJALI, and has the following characteristics:
What makes IYENGAR® Yoga different from other yoga styles?
The IYENGAR® method focuses mainly on the development of strength, endurance and correct body alignment. Also works flexibility and relax. It focuses mainly on standing poses that make legs strong and increase vitality, improve circulation, coordination and balance. IYENGAR® Yoga is meditation in action. As the students make the poses, the mind has to be focused on the actions of that pose and in the movement of breathing. And as mind unites with the body and the breathing, the student enters a meditative state. Self-knowledge happens through the realization and letting go of normal states of tension and psychological resistance. With the regular practice, the student's ability to relax and concentrate improves allowing a greater self-awareness.
1. Technique
- Detail and precision when performing the poses.
- Emphases is given to standing poses (toning, develop strength and the correct alignment, release tensions and improve circulation).
- Inverted poses with props and back bending poses, have calming effect
- Using props: ropes, wood blocks, belts, benches, chairs, blankets - make the practice easier.
2. Poses' sequence according to the intended general or therapeutic benefits.
In IYENGAR® Yoga poses and pranayama respect a specific order according to different factors such as the level of practice of the person, specific conditions (therapeutic, pregnancy, etc.) and/or the purpose of the session in question (normal practice, recuperative, etc.) This order takes into account the energy, psychological and mental aspects, so that the practice of Yoga in a given session or set of sessions produces an optimal impact and effect.
3. Time spent on the poses.
IYENGAR® Yoga helps each person to progress according to their abilities.
- a methodical and progressive approach that emphasizes the correctness of details and total safety. - a practice that demands a lot of attention, reflexion and introspection and which contributes to release stress, calm the nerves, develop will power and concentration. Increases flexibility, strength, health and vitality.
The regular practice of yoga will influence us at the organic (physiologic), mental and spiritual levels as well as physical level. IYENGAR® Yoga cultivates the eight disciplines of yoga (yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, prathyara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi) and is much more than gymnastics and deep breathing. With practice and understanding we become aware that Asana (pose) is different from stretching or gymnastics as Pranayama (breath control) is different from deep breathing and Meditation is different from self-induced trance.
Certification
The pyramid, the registered brand of B.K.S. Iyengar, that proves the authenticity and commitment of the teacher that uses it to IYENGAR® Yoga. The IYENGAR® Yoga Teachers Certificate is a way to guarantee that the persons teaching under the name of B.K.S. Iyengar are qualified to do so and have received training and are qualified in this method, maintaining the accuracy, integrity and vitality of the IYENGAR® Yoga community. Certification keeps, promotes and protects B.K.S. Iyengar's teachings by submitting future or current teachers to a strict standard training programme, practice and involvement in the IYENGAR® method, according to the guidelines determined by RIMYI, Pune, India. IYENGAR® Yoga teachers are respected worldwide due to the demanding training they are submitted to. Their training consists of intense studying and practice of asanas and pranayama as well as studies in literature, philosophy, anatomy, physiology and teaching techniques. In addition to that, to be admitted into a teacher training the candidates need to have practiced IYENGAR® Yoga for several years. In their training they learn how to teach persons of all ages and capabilities in a safe accessible way. The teachers are periodically tested and re-tested and the exams are long and difficult. They are required to maintain a program of study and to develop more and more their knowledge and skills. Training never ends. You cannot get a IYENGAR® Yoga training certificate for the rest of your teaching career. The certified teacher has to regularly be accessed in his/her practice in order to keep the teaching certificate.
More information about Iyengar Yoga:
BKS Iyengar official website
http://bksiyengar.com/
Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute
http://rimyi.org/
Asociacion Espanola de Yoga Iyengar
http://www.aeyi.org/
Patxi Lizardi - Madrid Iyengar Yoga Center
https://eyimadrid.com/
Faeq Biria - Paris Iyengar Yoga Center
http://centreiyengar-paris.fr/le-centre-iyengar/le-fondateur-faeq-biria/
Jordi Marti - Barcelona Iyengar Yoga Center
http://https://www.iogabcn.cat/
Jayne Orton - Birmingham Iyengar Yoga Center
http://www.iyengaryoga.uk.com/our-teachers/jayne-orton
Digital and Interactive exhibition about the life and work of BKS Iyengar
http://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/iyengar-a-yogi-s-life/ZgLCKGRRbVhaJg