Lay a strong foundation for your yoga practice with the iyengar method. Dina explains what is iyengar and shares the five things to know before your first class. Try it this week for #everyonetriyoga.
“You do not need to seek freedom in a different land, for it exists with your own body, mind and soul.” – B.K.S.Iyengar
what makes the iyengar method different?
Iyengar was developed by Yogacharya Sri B.K.S. Iyengar of Bellur, South India, who was listed by Times Magazine as one of the most influential men of the 20th century. Whilst it is typically associated with detail, precision, alignment and prop use, in fact, it offers much more.
It is a highly intelligent method, in that it accommodates the needs of each individual student mentally, physically, energetically and emotionally. It is, therefore, not a fixed practice, as it varies with each person who has different requirements from week-to-week and from one stage of life to the next. Depending on the teacher’s experience. the practice can be fine-tuned to each student and their varying conditions.
5 things to know before your first iyengar class
1. It’s an ideal method to start your yoga practice with, because, initially, you will be taught each individual posture thoroughly with utmost precision and detail. Such awareness and practice will enable your body, as well as the physiological system, to function to their best.
2. You will be challenged physically and mentally, as the mind will continually be required to come present and focus. As a result, you will experience meditation in action, where you will become totally aware and absorbed in the poses as they are being done.
3. Typically, you are taught different poses each week, which are rotated monthly. One of the weeks will be a restorative class and for more experienced students pranayama will be introduced. Dynamic practice will also be taught when the students have learned the details of each pose.
4. You will be in the capable hands of a teacher who has had minimum of 5 years practice and 2 years of teacher training, on top of triyoga’s requirement of a minimum five years of experience.
5. A healthy and well functioning mind and body is a prerequisite to tread the path of yoga, and starting with this method will certainly lay the foundation for a safe and progressive journey.
Dina is a highly experienced and qualified Junior Intermediate Level 3 iyengar yoga teacher, who has been teaching for over 19 years and practising for over 22. She learned directly from Mr Iyengar and his family on many occasions, as well as from other world-renowned yoga and meditation masters.
