What to Expect from Iyengar Yoga Practice

No other form of exercise promises benefits like Yoga does. Yoga not only keeps the body fit, but also heals the mind.

However, did you know that Yoga can also cure disability? Yes, Iyengar Yoga can.

Iyengar Yoga and Disability

Iyengar Yoga was founded by B.K.S Iyengar with the objective to heal everyone through Yoga. In fact, he himself gained relief from a muscular-skeletal disability through dedicated Yoga practice. It was then that he founded the Iyengar Yoga practice, which is capable of providing relief from many such disabilities.

However, this does not mean that Iyengar Yoga is meant only for curing disabilities. It is known as Meditation in Action. Iyengar Yoga practice focuses on a variety of physical and mental emotions including grounding, strengthening, stimulating, relaxing, and energizing. What’s more, as this form of Yoga does not require heavy muscular effort and flexibility, it can be easily practiced by anybody and everybody. It is the perfect form of Yoga for beginners.

Expectations from Iyengar Yoga

So, if you are hunting for the best path to a fit body and mind, choose Iyengar Yoga.

Being a newcomer to the class, it is important to understand how the class would be like.

Here’s what you can expect from an Iyengar Yoga class.

• As Iyengar Yoga is perfect for beginners, it begins with simple standing poses. For practitioners who are unable to stand and practice, the poses are modified to their seated versions. The teachers advance to the next step of bends, twists, and others only when they find the practitioner practicing the initial poses comfortably.
• The next step is to teach Pranayama. Pranayama refers to the breathing exercises. Pranayama teaches the practitioners to control their breath, which in turn, cleanses their internal system.
• An important part of an Iyengar Yoga class is that it discourages competition. Practitioners are encouraged to practice the poses at their own pace. Some practitioners may be fast, while others might be slow.
• The sequence of Iyengar Yoga poses are designed to match the unique characteristics and level of skill of each practitioner. The teachers proceed only after they are satisfied with the practitioner’s level of understanding.
• With increasing levels, Iyengar Yoga practice may not remain as simple as it is in the nascent levels. However, Iyengar Yoga uses props like ropes, wooden blocks, and others to enable practitioners to get the pose right with due support from these props. What’s more, the props also help practitioners to hold the pose for a longer time and achieve fullness in all poses. This also avoids excess stress on certain muscles while practicing the pose.

People who can do it

• Everyone from kids to adults can benefit immensely from Iyengar Yoga practice.
• Only sincere and dedicated people can practice Iyengar Yoga.
• The right clothing is important for the right Iyengar Yoga practice.

Hence, Iyengar Yoga practice is one the best among the many Yoga forms and benefits people across all ages and varying characteristics.

The author is a yoga instructor in a Yoga workshops Los Angeles. He is involved in writing articles to highlight the things that you need to consider when you participating in yoga for beginners, Iyengar Yoga Practice, yoga therapy.