Iyengar Yoga: What Is It and What Are the Benefits for Beginners

Iyengar Yoga is one of several modalities of yoga based on the teachings of master BKS Iyengar. It is a modality whose main objective is to bring Yoga closer to anyone, regardless of their difficulties in practicing yoga. physical exercises.

In this practice, the asanas are taught with great technical rigor and a focus on alignment, the beginning student quickly gains vitality by taking prana flow to your cells, awakening body awareness and improving your overall health.

Iyengar Yoga encourages use of props

Iyengar Yoga also differs from other modalities by encouraging the use of external materials during the practice of asanas, allowing certain obstacles to be overcome. With the use of props (support material), the Iyengar method increases the possibility of staying in the asanawhich increases student confidence.

The “props” are little blocks, pillows, belts, boards and chairs that help to enter the postures

The other advantages of using props: they ensure a better understanding of the student about their alignment, increase the possibility of movement in the posture and make the most complex poses safe to enjoy.

Added to the focus on physical alignment, technical rigor and the use of props makes Iyengar Yoga a widely safe and therapeutic modality that can be practiced even by people suffering from physical problems. You “props” (supports) work as “assistant teachers”, they are blocks, cushions, belts, boards and chairs that help the entry into the postures respecting individual limits while extracting the necessary alignment and balance from the practitioners.

Iyengar Yoga: Accessible for Those with Physical Restrictions and Injuries

All the perfectionism of the Iyengar Yoga method contributes to the development of a healthy and firm body with a stable mind and a collaborative spirit.

We can sum up Iyengar in one sentence: “Yoga for All”. This method allows the practice not only to those used to sports activities, but also to people with physical restrictions such as injuries and postural problems or even sedentary people.

Master Iyengar’s modality helps to develop a firm body and a stable, focused mind, in addition to awakening a collaborative spirit, skills that are desirable today in all areas of life.

Benefits of practicing Iyengar Yoga

Briefly, the practitioner will obtain the following main physical benefits:

Strength: postures tone the whole body (isometry);
Resistance: increases physical performance;
Flexibility: cultivation of the healthy body through correct stretching;
Posture: achievement of an effortless upright posture;
Energy: improvement of the functioning of the glands, renewing the disposition daily;
Health: a permanent state of well-being through a stable body and mind.

And concomitantly, the following emotional and mental benefits:

Concentration: the “entry” into each posture extends and increases concentration;
Emotional stability: direct contact with the body develops positive emotions, a sense of security and calm;
Peace: body stability, disciplined mind and fluid breathing generate a sense of confidence and peace;
Freedom: constancy in practice leads to freedom from negative behaviors and emotions.