What is Iyengar Yoga?
What is Iyengar Yoga? That's a good question! And one that as a practitioner of the method for almost 20 years, you would think I could easily answer. But Iyengar Yoga is so much more than the sum of its parts.
When I define Iyengar Yoga, I often feel I'm doing a disservice because at its core Iyengar Yoga is responsive. This means that it "changes" depending on who is practicing, when they practice, and why they practice. Iyengar Yoga is quite literally the antithesis of one-size-fits-all yoga!
For some, Iyengar is slow, methodical, and particularly suited to accommodate their sore knees and cranky backs. For others, Iyengar is strong, dynamic, and a challenging complement to other wellness practices. For some, Iyengar is characterized by the use of props, for others it's about playful inversions, and for others still, the crux of the method is its attention to detail and the resulting alignment of mind and body.
I'm reminded of a quote from BKS Iyengar, after whom this approach to yoga was named:
"Words cannot convey the value of yoga – it has to be experienced." ~ BKS Iyengar
So true! Every experience I've had with Iyengar Yoga is different. And yet, in spite of all this difference, there is something uniquely Iyengar in each of the ways the method is interpreted and conveyed.
Let’s explore 4 facets that contribute to the Iyengar Yoga experience...
Check out Stephanie’s Iyengar Yoga series, on Yoga Anytime. Enter TENCER at checkout for a 30-day free trial.