What is Iyengar Yoga: Understanding the Iyengar Style of Yoga

Iyengar Yoga is a form of yoga that was developed by the Indian yoga teacher B.K.S. Iyengar. It emphasizes the precise alignment of the body and the use of props to support and deepen the practice. The use of props, such as blocks, straps, blankets, and bolsters, is a key aspect of Iyengar Yoga, and it allows practitioners to work with their individual limitations and develop a deeper understanding of the postures.

Props are used in Iyengar Yoga to help students achieve proper alignment, develop strength and flexibility, and cultivate awareness of the body and breath. For example, blocks can be used to support the hands or feet in standing poses, allowing students to maintain proper alignment and deepen the stretch. Straps can be used to extend the reach in forward bends or to deepen the stretch in seated poses. Blankets can be used to provide padding and support in seated poses or to create a more stable foundation in shoulder stands. Bolsters can be used to provide support and relaxation in restorative poses.

The use of props in Iyengar Yoga is not a crutch or a sign of weakness. Instead, it is a way to work with the body's limitations and to develop a deeper understanding of the postures. By using props, students can work safely and effectively, and they can experience the benefits of the postures without putting undue stress on their joints or muscles.

Iyengar Yoga emphasizes the importance of proper alignment in the postures, and the use of props can help students achieve this alignment. For example, in Warrior II pose, a block can be placed between the thighs to help students maintain proper alignment of the hips and knees. In Triangle pose, a block can be placed under the hand to help students maintain a straight spine and open chest.

Props can also be used to modify the postures for students with injuries or physical limitations. For example, in Downward-Facing Dog pose, a student with wrist pain can use blocks to support their hands and relieve the pressure on their wrists. In Shoulder Stand pose, a student with neck issues can use blankets to support their shoulders and neck and avoid straining the neck muscles.

Iyengar Yoga is a highly therapeutic form of yoga that is often recommended for students with injuries or chronic conditions. The use of props can help students work safely and effectively, and it can help them develop strength, flexibility, and awareness in their bodies. By working with props, students can learn to listen to their bodies, to work with their limitations, and to develop a deeper understanding of the postures.

In addition to the use of props, Iyengar Yoga emphasizes the importance of precise alignment, mindful movement, and the cultivation of awareness in the body and breath. It is a highly structured and methodical form of yoga that emphasizes the practice of asanas, or postures, as well as pranayama, or breath control. Iyengar Yoga is also known for its use of longer holds in the postures, which can help students develop greater strength, endurance, and concentration.

In conclusion, Iyengar Yoga is a highly therapeutic and precise form of yoga that emphasizes the use of props to support and deepen the practice. Props such as blocks, walls, chairs, straps, blankets, and bolsters can help students achieve proper alignment, work safely and effectively, and develop a deeper understanding of the postures. Iyengar Yoga is an accessible form of yoga that can be practiced by students of all levels and abilities, and it offers a path to greater strength, flexibility, and awareness in the body and mind. 

History of Iyengar Yoga

Iyengar was born in 1918 in Bellur, a small village in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. He was the 11th of 13 children, and he grew up in a poor family. As a child, Iyengar suffered from a number of health problems, including malaria, tuberculosis, and typhoid fever.

Iyengar was introduced to yoga by his brother-in-law, the renowned yoga teacher Krishnamacharya, when he was 16 years old. At first, Iyengar did not take to yoga, as he found it difficult and frustrating. However, he eventually began to see the benefits of the practice, and he began to study with Krishnamacharya in Mysore.

In the 1950s, Iyengar began to teach yoga in Pune, India. At first, he had only a few students, but he quickly gained a reputation as a skilled and dedicated teacher. Iyengar developed a unique approach to yoga that emphasized the precise alignment of the body, the use of props to support and deepen the practice, and the cultivation of awareness in the body and breath.

Iyengar's approach to yoga was highly structured and methodical, and it emphasized the practice of asanas, or postures, as well as pranayama, or breath control. Iyengar was known for his use of longer holds in the postures, which allowed students to develop greater strength, endurance, and concentration. He also emphasized the importance of mindfulness and the cultivation of a deep inner focus.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Iyengar began to travel and teach yoga outside of India. He gained a following of dedicated students around the world, and his approach to yoga became known as Iyengar Yoga. Iyengar continued to refine and develop his approach to yoga throughout his life, and he wrote several books on yoga, including Light on Yoga, which is considered a classic text on the practice of yoga.

Iyengar Yoga is known for its emphasis on the precise alignment of the body and the use of props to support and deepen the practice. The use of props, such as blocks, straps, blankets, and bolsters, allows students to work with their individual limitations and to develop a deeper understanding of the postures. Iyengar Yoga is also highly therapeutic and is often recommended for students with injuries or chronic conditions.

Iyengar Yoga has had a significant impact on the practice of yoga around the world. Many yoga teachers and practitioners have been influenced by Iyengar's teachings, and his approach to yoga has helped to make yoga more accessible and approachable for people of all ages and abilities. Iyengar's emphasis on precise alignment and mindful movement has also helped to reduce the risk of injury in yoga and to promote greater awareness and mindfulness in the practice.

In conclusion, Iyengar Yoga is a highly structured and methodical form of yoga that was developed by the Indian yoga teacher B.K.S. Iyengar. Iyengar's approach to yoga emphasized the precise alignment of the body, the use of props to support and deepen the practice, and the cultivation of awareness in the body and breath. Iyengar Yoga has had a significant impact on the practice of yoga around the world, and it continues to be studied and practiced by yoga students and teachers of all levels and abilities.

Practicing Iyengar Yoga Today

Practicing Iyengar Yoga today involves following the principles and techniques developed by B.K.S. Iyengar while incorporating modern advancements in yoga practice. The practice of Iyengar Yoga today still emphasizes the precise alignment of the body, the use of props, and the cultivation of awareness in the body and breath.

One of the distinguishing features of Iyengar Yoga is the use of props such as blocks, straps, blankets, and bolsters. These props help practitioners to deepen their understanding of the postures and to work with their individual limitations. In Iyengar Yoga, props are used to support and enhance the practice rather than to compensate for limitations or as a crutch.

The use of props allows students to work safely and effectively, and it can help to prevent injuries. It also enables students to hold the postures for longer periods, which is a key aspect of Iyengar Yoga. Longer holds help to develop strength, endurance, and concentration, and they enable students to explore the postures more deeply.  One of BKS Iyengar's students, Judith Lasater is known for her work in Restorative Yoga, a style of yoga that utilizes props to find deep relaxation, rooted in Iyengar's work.

Today, Iyengar Yoga is practiced by people of all ages and abilities. The precise alignment of the postures and the use of props make it an accessible form of yoga that can be practiced by people with injuries, chronic conditions, or physical limitations. It is also a challenging form of yoga that can help to develop strength, flexibility, and concentration.

In addition to the use of props, Iyengar Yoga today emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and the cultivation of awareness in the body and breath. This involves paying attention to the sensations in the body, the movement of the breath, and the thoughts and emotions that arise during the practice. By developing greater awareness, practitioners can learn to listen to their bodies, to work with their limitations, and to deepen their understanding of the postures.

Iyengar Yoga today also incorporates modern advancements in yoga practice. For example, Iyengar Yoga teachers may incorporate the use of technology, such as video and audio recordings, to enhance the learning experience. They may also incorporate other forms of movement, such as dance or Pilates, to supplement the practice of yoga.

In conclusion, practicing Iyengar Yoga today involves following the principles and techniques developed by B.K.S. Iyengar while incorporating modern advancements in yoga practice. It emphasizes the precise alignment of the body, the use of props, and the cultivation of awareness in the body and breath. Iyengar Yoga is an accessible and challenging form of yoga that can be practiced by people of all ages and abilities, and it continues to evolve and adapt to meet the needs of modern practitioners.