What is Iyengar Yoga?
Yoga the Iyengar way is based on the teachings of BKS Iyengar (December 18, 1918-August 20th, 2014). Suitable for all ages and abilities, Iyengar Yoga classes vary from gentle to vigorous and are focused at developing the student's inner awareness. Iyengar Yoga promotes integration of body, mind and spirit through the practice of traditional yoga postures (asanas), sun salutation (surya namaskar) and breathing techniques (pranayama) and encompasses the 8 Limbs (Ashtanga) of yoga. Alignment, sequence, timing, strength, mobility, stability are all key characteristics to the Iyengar way of teaching. To assist all bodies to achieve postures, Iyengar Yoga often uses props to assist the student through their practice.
BKS Iyengar practiced, wrote about, published, taught and evolved this method well into his 90's. Mr. Iyengar never referred to his own teaching as “Iyengar Yoga”. He stated that “yoga is one” and described the yoga he taught as traditional “Patanjali Yoga”. Patanjali, an Indian sage, outlined the eight-limbed (ashtanga) path of yoga in the Yoga Sutras over 2500 years ago. BKS Iyengar had a remarkable way of teaching students to not only "do" a yoga pose, but to "feel" it, to "be" in it. He wanted to make yoga accessible to all so he invented the use of props to allow all students to work towards alignment. BKS Iyengar had a profound influence on sharing the gift of yoga throughout the world and his teaching continues to live on through his son Prashant Iyengar and granddaughter Abhijata Iyengar. Dr. Geeta Iyengar (December 7, 1944-December 16, 2018) the eldest daughter of BKS Iyengar was also a very generous teacher who had immense knowledge of Ayurveda and is considered a pioneer of women's health and yoga.
"Becoming an Iyengar Yoga teacher begins with a long term and dedicated practice. After applying for and being accepted into a teacher-training program endorsed by Sri B.K.S. Iyengar, the rigorous teacher-training process, which can take up to five years begins. An assessment process, overseen by a national association to international standards, follows where candidates are carefully observed and evaluated. After passing two levels of assessment teachers are able to display the Certification Mark demonstrating a commitment to maintaining the purity, excellence and high standards of Iyengar Yoga." - Iyengar Yoga Associataion of Canada
BKS Iyengar practiced, wrote about, published, taught and evolved this method well into his 90's. Mr. Iyengar never referred to his own teaching as “Iyengar Yoga”. He stated that “yoga is one” and described the yoga he taught as traditional “Patanjali Yoga”. Patanjali, an Indian sage, outlined the eight-limbed (ashtanga) path of yoga in the Yoga Sutras over 2500 years ago. BKS Iyengar had a remarkable way of teaching students to not only "do" a yoga pose, but to "feel" it, to "be" in it. He wanted to make yoga accessible to all so he invented the use of props to allow all students to work towards alignment. BKS Iyengar had a profound influence on sharing the gift of yoga throughout the world and his teaching continues to live on through his son Prashant Iyengar and granddaughter Abhijata Iyengar. Dr. Geeta Iyengar (December 7, 1944-December 16, 2018) the eldest daughter of BKS Iyengar was also a very generous teacher who had immense knowledge of Ayurveda and is considered a pioneer of women's health and yoga.
"Becoming an Iyengar Yoga teacher begins with a long term and dedicated practice. After applying for and being accepted into a teacher-training program endorsed by Sri B.K.S. Iyengar, the rigorous teacher-training process, which can take up to five years begins. An assessment process, overseen by a national association to international standards, follows where candidates are carefully observed and evaluated. After passing two levels of assessment teachers are able to display the Certification Mark demonstrating a commitment to maintaining the purity, excellence and high standards of Iyengar Yoga." - Iyengar Yoga Associataion of Canada
To learn more about Iyengar Yoga please visit the Iyengar Yoga Association of Canada's (IYAC) website:
For more information on BKS Iyengar click here:
8 Limbs (Ashtanga) of yoga
While much of the focus of Iyengar yoga is the physical postures and breath work, it also incorporates and explores all the 8 limbs (Astanga) of Yoga:
1. Yama (ethical guidelines) consisting of Ahimsa (minimizing harm), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (moderation), Aparigraha (non-possessiveness)
2. Niyama (moral observances) consisting of Saucha (cleanliness), Santosha (contentment), Tapas (intense drive), Svadyaya (Self-study), Ishvarapranidhana (surrender to a higher purpose)
3. Asanas (physical postures or poses)
4. Pranayama (breath control)
5. Pratyahara (withdrawal of senses)
6. Dharana (concentration)
7. Dhyana (meditation)
8. Samadhi (absorption)
1. Yama (ethical guidelines) consisting of Ahimsa (minimizing harm), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (moderation), Aparigraha (non-possessiveness)
2. Niyama (moral observances) consisting of Saucha (cleanliness), Santosha (contentment), Tapas (intense drive), Svadyaya (Self-study), Ishvarapranidhana (surrender to a higher purpose)
3. Asanas (physical postures or poses)
4. Pranayama (breath control)
5. Pratyahara (withdrawal of senses)
6. Dharana (concentration)
7. Dhyana (meditation)
8. Samadhi (absorption)