About Iyengar Yoga

Yoga became popular in the West in large part through the teaching of B.K.S. Iyengar. His method of learning yoga is now the most widely practiced in the world.

Accessible
Iyengar yoga is accessible to anyone. Regular practice increases suppleness, strength, and stamina, improves posture and concentration and quietens the mind to promote well-being.

High Teaching Standards

All Iyengar yoga teachers undergo a rigorous programme of training lasting years. Many of our teachers at the Iyengar Yoga Institute, Maida Vale, London have decades of experience, traveling regularly to India for instruction.

Safe

The Iyengar yoga technique emphasises precision and alignment. Quality ofmovement is prioritised over quantity. You learn to move with ease in your body while working within your limitations. This makes the yoga postures (asanas) safe to perform.

Use of Props

Yoga Postures are held for longer than in some other methods, allowing tight muscles to lengthen and relax, and helping to focus awareness. Yoga Props such as blankets, blocks and belts may be used to improve your understanding of poses or to help if you have difficulties.

Structured
The practice is progressive, building a stable foundation before attempting more demanding work. Beginners start with standing yoga poses and are gradually introduced to a fuller range of sitting and reclining yoga postures, forward extensions, inversions, twists, backbends and arm balances.

Trademark

Only certified teachers teach genuine Iyengar yoga. All of ours hold the Iyengar Yoga Teachers Certification Mark (to the left of this text), a sign of excellence, clarity and depth of understanding. To use this logo, they have to be properly trained and maintain their development.

Balanced
Each group of yoga postures develops the body in different yet reciprocal ways and has different qualities: grounding, energising, strengthening, stimulating, calming. Yoga Classes at all levels devote time to relaxation. Once the body and mind are strong enough to sit or lie for extended periods without distraction, students learn pranayama (yogic breathing).

Variety
No two yoga classes are the same: teachers select yoga poses from the different groups of poses to emphasise the various aspects of the practice. Integrated mental and physical practice

Iyengar yoga has been described as meditation in action. Practising the yoga postures with awareness has an integrating effect and works to harmonise mind and body.

“The practice of yogasana for the sake of health, to keep fit, or to maintain flexibility is the external practice of yoga. While this is a legitimate place to begin, it is not the end,” says B.K.S. Iyengar. “Even in simple asanas, one is experiencing the three levels of quest: the external quest, which brings firmness of the body; the internal quest, which brings steadiness of intelligence; and the innermost quest, which brings benevolence of spirit.”

What can you expect from Iyengar Yoga classes?

A safe, methodical progression of yoga postures
Technique – precision, alignment and awareness in performing the yoga postures
Sequencing to develop strength, flexibility, stamina, concentration and relaxation
Clear demonstration and explanation by well-qualified teachers
Individual correction and adjustment by the teacher when necessary