ShaktiYogaStudio

BKS Iyengar classroom

A Systematic Teaching Method with a Therapeutic Approach

A teaching method of yoga developed by B.K.S. Iyengar (1918–2014), one of the most impactful yoga teachers worldwide who was recognized by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. This is a multifaceted, highly methodical, and systematic teaching method, which, primarily due to its therapeutic approach, is particularly popular and respected by teachers and practitioners worldwide, regardless of the yoga style they are following. Learning yoga through the Iyengar method begins with an in-depth study and application of asanas (physical postures) and pranayama (breathing techniques). Its main characteristic is the emphasis on correct alignment and posture, thereby enhancing yoga’s therapeutic properties, and its adaptability to individuals of all ages, body types, and physical conditions.
Iyengar yoga differs from other yoga styles in three key aspects: technique, sequencing, and duration.

TECHNIQUE

Correct anatomical alignment allows the body to develop harmoniously while preventing injuries. Since every body is different, the use of props, where and when needed, helps the practitioner achieve the correct posture and work safely and effectively.

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υφίσταται τραυματισμούς κατά την εκτέλεση των άσανα. Δεδομένου ότι κάθε σώμα είναι διαφορετικό και κάθε άνθρωπος έχει διαφορετικά δυνατά και αδύνατα σημεία, στην Iyengar Yoga σημαντική είναι η χρήση βοηθημάτων, όταν και όπου απαιτείται, ώστε το σώμα να πάρει τη σωστή στάση και να «δουλέψει» με ασφάλεια και αποτελεσματικότητα.

SEQUENCING

The order in which asanas and pranayama are performed creates a dynamic that enhances the practice’s effectiveness. Different combinations produce varying results not only on a physical level but also on mental and emotional levels.

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οι διαφορετικοί συνδυασμοί των άσανα επιφέρουν διαφορετικά αποτελέσματα όχι μόνο σε σωματικό, αλλά και σε διανοητικό και ψυχονοητικό επίπεδο.

DURATION

In Iyengar yoga asanas are not performed mechanically. Instead, time is dedicated to entering a posture, stabilizing in it, and remaining there long enough to reap its benefits.

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ώστε να μπορεί να παραμείνει περισσότερο χρονικό διάστημα και να αποκομίσει τα οφέλη της.

Under the guidance of a certified and experienced Iyengar teacher, students are taught the correct technique for an asana, including how to enter it, detailed instructions during its execution, and how to exit safely. The teacher explains clearly the mechanics of the asana (alignment, extension, direction, stability, precision), anatomical details, and specific nuances essential for safe execution. Props are used as educational tools for achieving optimal posture when needed. Additionally, students are taught proper breathing techniques during practice and the appropriate physical and mental preparation for pranayama, which is taught with clear instructions.
In Iyengar yoga the teacher does not simply demonstrate an asana, expecting students to mimic it. Instead, they provide precise and highly detailed instructions that encourage students to focus on their bodies. These instructions aim not only at external alignment but also at keeping the student’s attention anchored in the present—on what they are doing, how they are doing it, why they are doing it, and what they feel. The instructions are tailored to the student’s level, starting with basic guidance for beginners and progressing to more refined and specialized instructions for advanced practitioners.
Through this step-by-step and methodical approach, students are gradually led into what is often referred to as “meditation in action”, a hallmark of Iyengar yoga. Beyond physical awareness, practitioners embark on a personal journey of self-discovery, gradually transitioning from the external to the internal, achieving a deeper understanding of their innermost selves.