Yogacharaya BKS Iyengar a world renowned yogi and yoga teacher is credited for bringing yoga to the West. He was named one of the top 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine in 2004. The latest edition of Oxford Dictionary of English defines “Iyengar” as “a type of hatha yoga focusing on the correct alignment of the body, making use of straps, wooden blocks, and other objects as aids to achieving correct postures. ” He has dedicated his life to the study and advancement of yoga. To learn more click here for the official BKS Iyengar website.
What distinguishes the Iyengar method of yoga from other approaches?
The Iyengar system is pure to the original teachings of yoga. It follows the classical yoga method as Sanskrit is used to name the asanas, pranayama techniques and philosophical concepts. Over two hundred asanas and pranayama techniques have been developed by Mr. B.K.S. Iyengar, each incorporating all the steps of Patangali’s eight fold path of Astanga Yoga: yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi.
These methods have been systematized and are based on anatomical principals. For each asana there is a correct position for each body part so that each individual body part as well as the various physiological systems may function to their greatest potential. Numerous aspects of the postures are examined and corrected to penetrate the many anatomical layers of the body. This requires raised awareness, concentration and absorption by the sadhaka.
The constant interchange between body and mind of each subtle movement and action experienced in an asana is a type of meditation, “meditation in action”. Attention is brought to a body part, then concentration of this body part, followed by awareness and concentration of another body part. This continues until the attention is diffused all over the body without any lessening of intensity of concentration. The analytical part of the brain remains passive and the meditative part of the brain observes the body from within, giving a sense of internal peace. This “meditation in action” as described by Iyengar is different from passive meditations performed by other yoga approaches that are usually performed in a seated position, drawing the senses inward in order to commune with the deity within.
Some other approaches to yoga promote the practice of asana and pranayama together. The Iyengar approach recommends at least 2 years of asana practice to strengthen the body, nervous system and lungs before being introduced to the practice of pranayama. Mr. Iyengar has found that if a novice tries to concentrate on breathing while perfecting a posture he loses his balance and the depth of the asana. It is only after he has attained steadiness and stillness in the asanas that he is ready to be introduced to the rhythmic breathing techniques of pranayama. Also, as the range of movement increases in the asanas, the lung capacity increases, as does the depth of the breathing pattern. It is cautioned that pranayama is very powerful and should be started very gradually a few minutes to begin with, gradually increasing with practice.
In addition to the above, Iyengar Yoga also distinguishes itself from other yogas by its therapeutic application of the postures. Modifications to the postures developed by BKS Iyengar allow for maximum benefit for people with disabilities. Mr. Iyengar is recognized worldwide for his knowledge of the body and his expertise in treating complex medical problems. I personally give credit to the Iyengar approach to yoga for optimizing my health and minimizing the side effects of drugs taken during my illness of leukemia.
Iyengar Yoga is for the healthy and the ill, the young and the old, the able and the disabled. Props have been developed by Mr. Iyengar to help those with limitations to achieve perfection in and the benefit of the classical poses. The sequencing and the timing of the poses are approached in a systematic manner to maximize the cleansing, strengthening and balancing of all the body systems. This approach also leads to a calm and focused mind, and prepares it for meditation.
BKS Iyengar is known for his perfectionism, observation of scientific detail and his religiosity of practice. These traits carry over to his teaching training program where his inspiration for yoga and these traits are mentored.
Although I have differentiated between the Iyengar method and other approaches, what should be kept in mind are the words of BKS Iyengar himself “…many may take one path as a key in order to experience self-realization while others take another path, but I say there is absolutely no difference between the various practices of yoga” (BKS Iyengar, “The Tree of Yoga” Shambala Publications,1989 p.15).
The Iyengar Method
What distinguishes the Iyengar method of yoga from other approaches?
These methods have been systematized and are based on anatomical principals. For each asana there is a correct position for each body part so that each individual body part as well as the various physiological systems may function to their greatest potential. Numerous aspects of the postures are examined and corrected to penetrate the many anatomical layers of the body. This requires raised awareness, concentration and absorption by the sadhaka.
The constant interchange between body and mind of each subtle movement and action experienced in an asana is a type of meditation, “meditation in action”. Attention is brought to a body part, then concentration of this body part, followed by awareness and concentration of another body part. This continues until the attention is diffused all over the body without any lessening of intensity of concentration. The analytical part of the brain remains passive and the meditative part of the brain observes the body from within, giving a sense of internal peace. This “meditation in action” as described by Iyengar is different from passive meditations performed by other yoga approaches that are usually performed in a seated position, drawing the senses inward in order to commune with the deity within.
Some other approaches to yoga promote the practice of asana and pranayama together. The Iyengar approach recommends at least 2 years of asana practice to strengthen the body, nervous system and lungs before being introduced to the practice of pranayama. Mr. Iyengar has found that if a novice tries to concentrate on breathing while perfecting a posture he loses his balance and the depth of the asana. It is only after he has attained steadiness and stillness in the asanas that he is ready to be introduced to the rhythmic breathing techniques of pranayama. Also, as the range of movement increases in the asanas, the lung capacity increases, as does the depth of the breathing pattern. It is cautioned that pranayama is very powerful and should be started very gradually a few minutes to begin with, gradually increasing with practice.
In addition to the above, Iyengar Yoga also distinguishes itself from other yogas by its therapeutic application of the postures. Modifications to the postures developed by BKS Iyengar allow for maximum benefit for people with disabilities. Mr. Iyengar is recognized worldwide for his knowledge of the body and his expertise in treating complex medical problems. I personally give credit to the Iyengar approach to yoga for optimizing my health and minimizing the side effects of drugs taken during my illness of leukemia.
Iyengar Yoga is for the healthy and the ill, the young and the old, the able and the disabled. Props have been developed by Mr. Iyengar to help those with limitations to achieve perfection in and the benefit of the classical poses. The sequencing and the timing of the poses are approached in a systematic manner to maximize the cleansing, strengthening and balancing of all the body systems. This approach also leads to a calm and focused mind, and prepares it for meditation.
BKS Iyengar is known for his perfectionism, observation of scientific detail and his religiosity of practice. These traits carry over to his teaching training program where his inspiration for yoga and these traits are mentored.
Although I have differentiated between the Iyengar method and other approaches, what should be kept in mind are the words of BKS Iyengar himself “…many may take one path as a key in order to experience self-realization while others take another path, but I say there is absolutely no difference between the various practices of yoga” (BKS Iyengar, “The Tree of Yoga” Shambala Publications,1989 p.15).