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Frequently Asked Questions
I want to start
classes
What can I expect
to do during an Iyengar yoga class?
What
are the effects of Iyengar yoga practice?
Does
Iyengar yoga have a philosophical basis?
Do
I have to be young and fit?
Can Iyengar yoga alleviate medical conditions?
Is
a religious faith necessary?
How
do I join a teacher training course?
I want to start classes
To find your nearest class, try our Finding
a Teacher page.
If you cannot find a local teacher then email: admin@iyengaryoga.org.uk.
Your teacher will answer any questions you may have about
equipment and clothing required for the class. In general,
teachers can provide a minimum amount of equipment for a
new student. Loose-fitting clothing is enough and you should
be prepared to practise in bare feet. You should tell the
teacher if you have medical conditions, such as post-operative
conditions, hypertension, heart problems, high or low blood
pressure, back, neck or knee problems, menstrual disorders
etc. You should not eat for at least two hours before an
Iyengar Yoga class or four hours in the case of a heavy
meal.
What can I expect to do during an Iyengar yoga
class?
Iyengar yoga is characterised by precision and alignment in
the execution of the postures (asanas), sequencing of
the asanas towards a desired result, timing in
the length of time the asanas are held for maximum benefit,
and the use of props if required to help
a student gain the maximum benefit from each asana. Iyengar
Yoga concentrates on postural alignment and body awareness.
This is not just for the alignment of one body part with
another, but also for the proper functioning of the human
being. If the body is aligned with precision then the breath
is aligned with the same precision. If the breath is balanced
then the mind, emotions and senses become balanced.
The teaching of yoga postures in an Iyengar
Yoga class is essentially similar wherever you go; each teacher
will teach the postures which he/she has selected for the
class for a specific reason, but the manner of teaching postures
is the same worldwide. This means a student can go to any
teacher and fit in to the class immediately.
In general the class
will start with a few moments of quiet to prepare for the
yoga. This is followed by some preliminary to mobilise
the body, open and activate the body and to quieten the brain
to encourage a focussed, concentrated state of mind. Standing
postures are then often practiced in which one learns the
fundamentals of how to adjust and align the body correctly.
This has to be learnt before more advanced postures can
be successfully mastered. Standing poses therefore form
the foundation of even the most advanced postures and have
to be studied continuously.
The practice could then focus
on special postures including
backbends, more standing postures, forward bends, inverted
postures or recuperative postures which prepare the student
for the practice of pranayama or breath control. Pranayama
is normally taught in a class designed specifically for this
practice and students usually begin pranayama after about
two years regular asana practice, although observation
of normal breathing patterns and some basic pranayamas may
be introduced during the relaxation/recuperative period
at the end of each asana class. The class will end with recuperative
and re-energising postures.
Often classes are arranged to teach types
of postures, such as backbends or forward bends standings,
forward extensions, backbends, recuperative poses in a sequential
programme throughout the month. The high standard of training
of teachers ensures a good record of safety for the students.
Students will often say they walk away from an Iyengar Yoga
class feeling straighter and full of energy despite of having
worked quite hard.
What are the effects of Iyengar yoga practice?
With regular guided practice the effects
are a general feeling of physical health and psychological
and mental well-being. This is not to say that ill-health
will not arise, it may. If it does it is likely that yoga
will help one to face it and maybe manage it. The focus of
Iyengar yoga on postural alignment can alleviate postural/structural
problems. It can also release emotional tensions. The yoga
is demanding in effort and in attention to detail within
the posture, which increases concentration and focus helping
to relieve the mind and body of stress. It can help to develop
a deeper knowledge of your Self, which can contribute to
greater self-confidence.
Does Iyengar yoga have a philosophical basis?
Iyengar Yoga is firmly based in the
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, an Indian sage who lived about
1700 years ago. The one-line statements of the Yoga Sutras
guide the yoga practitioner towards peace of mind and harmony
and ultimately to bliss (Samadhi). The philosophy is explained
in several of Mr. Iyengar's books. The simplest is perhaps
in the introduction of Mr. Iyengar's book "Light on
Yoga". However,
other descriptions can be found, with different emphasis,
in his other books such as "Light on the Yoga Sutras
of Patanjali", his translation of the Yoga Sutras, "Tree
of Yoga ", "Light on Ashtanga Yoga" and
the latest publication "Light on Life" (please
see the Books page).
Some writers and practitioners have split
yoga into raja yoga, jnana yoga, bhakti yoga and hatha yoga.
They consider each to be separate schools of practice. Mr.
Iyengar follows the teaching of Patanjali in that he considers
raja, jnana, bhakti and hatha to be constituent parts of
the whole practise of yoga, not to be practised individually.
The second chapter of the Yoga Sutras begins with a definition
of Kryia Yoga, the yoga of action, which has three tiers,
tapas (self-discipline), svadhayaya (self-study), Isvara
pranidhana (surrender to God). Kriya Yoga includes the three
great paths of yoga: karma marga (the path of action), jnana
marga (the path of knowledge), bhakti marga (the path of
devotion). Those of us who practice Iyengar Yoga practice
Kriya Yoga. Mr. Iyengar has described his yoga as Patanjali
Yoga, however it is commonly known as Iyengar Yoga, giving
credit to his teaching and example.
Do I have to be young and fit?
Iyengar Yoga is for anyone irrespective of age, gender,
health, religion and circumstances in life. Iyengar Yoga
is not competitive. You will not be judged against other
people. A distinctive feature of Iyengar Yoga is the use
of equipment, called props, to enable a student to develop
strength, flexibility and control in a posture in order to
achieve their full potential. In this way a student works
to his or her maximum ability within a general mixed class.
The teacher is trained to select the correct prop and to
supervise the individual student. Can Iyengar
yoga alleviate medical conditions?
Mr. Iyengar has achieved remarkable
success in the treatment of a wide range of medical conditions,
ranging from skeleto-muscular through to emotional. He has
passed much of this knowledge on to his Intermediate Junior
and Senior teachers. They are qualified to give help in cases
where they have competence. Note; only teachers who hold
Intermediate Junior and Senior qualifications and who have
the necessary experience can give help with serious conditions.
If you would like further information on this, please contact
IYA (UK) or your local Institute or
visit our Finding a Teacher page
for remedial classes. Is
religious faith necessary?
People from many religious traditions can
and do practise Iyengar yoga. Teachers will not promote a
religious viewpoint however, yoga is based in the Hindu tradition
and some references may be made to the source of ideas or
names of postures in order to clarify background detail.
How do I join a teacher training course?
Please see the Teacher Training page.
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