Why Iyengar Yoga is the Goldilocks Practice of Yoga
It is hard to find a yoga practice that checks every box… challenges the body, provides ease, connects the mind and breath. It can feel like you’re on a constant Goldilocks Journey to find the one practice that is, well, just right.
As much as I wish we could blanket all yoga under the same umbrella and just say it’s all the same, it is not possible.
There are different types of yoga, just as there are various painting or dance styles. Each style suits one person better or worse. One style lights someone’s fire, while the other bores them to death. It is important to note, that we are all different and inclusion also means providing options.
So how might Iyengar Yoga do what other styles of yoga have failed to do? How might this practice check all the boxes for both beginners and advanced yogis, alike? Why should we care to introduce this practice into our regime?
Iyengar Yoga is a cornerstone of yoga. It’s a practice that welcomes both beginners and seasoned practitioners, providing a strong foundation while continuously offering room to grow.
B.K.S Iyengar Born 1918 and died in 2014 at age 95. He was considered one of the foremost yoga gurus.
What is Iyengar Yoga?
Iyengar Yoga, developed by B.K.S. Iyengar, is known for its precise attention to alignment and its use of props to support each posture. It is a slow, yet demanding practice. We hold our postures for longer so the correct muscles can engage, and lengthen, and you have time to become aware of your body.
This makes it highly accessible for beginners. Props like blocks, straps, and blankets help you ease into poses safely and comfortably.
Why Iyengar Yoga is Perfect for Beginners
For newcomers, Iyengar Yoga offers a slow, methodical approach to learning the fundamentals of yoga. It teaches students to focus on proper alignment, helping to prevent injury and build a strong foundation for their practice. Props make poses accessible, so no matter your flexibility or experience level, you can move with confidence.
Why It’s a Challenge for Advanced Yogis
For advanced practitioners, Iyengar Yoga is an opportunity to deepen your practice and refine your alignment. The attention to detail encourages a more mindful experience in each posture, helping to uncover subtleties that even seasoned yogis may overlook. The longer holds and focused awareness challenge both strength and concentration, allowing for profound growth on and off the mat.
In Class:We follow the Iyengar Course method based on Light On Yoga. Every 2-3 weeks we progress to the next course allowing our students to grow confident in the asanas presented while providing time for newcomers to make their way in. Once we progress to Week 9 of our Course our Iyengar Tuesday class registration closes to newcomers and a new Iyengar beginner class will open for the public. This allows our space to naturally build our Iyengar Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced classes.
Online: Follow this link to find our Iyengar Course page. This will take you through the previous courses and upcoming Iyengar Yoga courses we are exploring at AIMwell. Feel free to practice these at home or read through to come to class with alignment and background knowledge for each pose.
Enhance your yoga practice and try an Iyengar Class today.
