Iyengar Yoga

Iyengar yoga is often characterised by it’s attention to precision and use of props, but there is much more to it than that.

KKS Iyengar yogaDeveloped by BKS Iyengar (born 1918), this is the style of yoga that many people were first introduced to. He published his first book, Light on Yoga, in 1966. It outlines hundreds of asanas with illustrations and it has since become a modern classic of yoga texts.

He started teaching yoga in the 1936 and continues to this day. His style of hatha yoga has three aspects which will strike you when you begin to practice it.

There is a strong emphasis on correct alignment within the asanas, with nothing left to chance. This helps your entire body to get the most from each position.

The various yoga poses are held for a relatively long period of time. This allows the body to begin to explore the pose and helps to build strength.

Props are used to help the body maintain the poses for the required time and to allow the poses to be deepened. These props include yoga belts and yoga blocks or bricks.

This style can be ideal if you are just starting out as the emphasis is on mastering the individual postures. Also, if you are overweight or are recovering from injury then finding a local teacher could be a great step forward.

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