Yoga with Gipe

Classes are challenging but the Iyengar method is a therapeutic approach that supports holistic health.

Compared to other forms of yoga you may have experienced; Iyengar yoga is notable for its emphasis on precise body alignment and the sequences in which asanas are practised. You hold postures for longer so that your muscles relax and lengthen, while your awareness is raised.

Rather than being left to simply ‘copy’ the teacher as best you can, in an Iyengar yoga class your teacher will actively help by explaining and correcting any misalignments.

The physical demand of holding a yoga pose builds strength in both body and mind.

Iyengar yoga engages the whole body bringing your attention not only to your muscles, but to your joints, opposing actions in the body, organs and even your skin. You are encouraged to identify where your muscles connect to other body parts and to engage these as well. The result is a full body toning experience and a refinement of awareness to the deeper workings of muscles within your body.

Iyengar yoga encourages you to focus on the precise alignment of your body in a pose. This takes a lot of concentration and can be surprisingly challenging for beginners. To maintain correct alignment you have to focus on what is happening in your body from moment to moment, letting go of distractions to achieve a type of meditation in action. The more you practise, the calmer your mind becomes both on and off the mat.

Iyengar yoga encourages us to become better acquainted with the breath and develop the body to support better breathing. It is impossible to breathe deeply and well with a collapsed body posture so we learn how to strengthen the spine, broaden and deepen the chest to make good breathing possible. Breath control exercises – pranayama – then teaches us how to moderate the respiratory process and recognise the connection between the breath, the mind, and the emotions.

Many studies have supported the power of Iyengar yoga to relieve back and neck pain. By focusing attention on alignment, much of the slouching, hunching and muscle weakness that leads to back and neck pain can be overcome. Research studies have also supported the effectiveness of Iyengar yoga in relieving discomfort caused by conditions including spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis.

You don’t need to be able to touch your toes to do Iyengar, however if you practice it, that may be one side effect you experience. Iyengar is a slow yet demanding practice that guides you into poses that stretch your body and are held for up to several minutes. Most students find that their range of movement is improved by the practice.

Through its focus on alignment, Iyengar yoga helps strengthen the muscles of the body responsible for posture. You learn to become aware of the balance between the left and right side of your body, the front, back and sides so that your skeletal structure is supported by your muscles without constriction or asymmetry. Mindful practice of the postures provides huge relief from postural discomfort and improves postural awareness.