About Iyengar Yoga

Who is BKS Iyengar?

What distinguishes Iyengar Yoga different from other styles?

The Iyengar Tradition

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Iyengar Yoga is the world's most widely practiced method of yoga

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The Iyengar method is a lineage taught in the tradition of Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar, a true yoga master with 80 years of intense practice and teaching

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His method is accessible to all individuals being methodical and progressive

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Special emphasis is given to develop strength, endurance, balance and correct body alignment

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poses are done safely and with alignment which develops profound self-awareness

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Students can progress from beginner to more advanced postures as they gain flexibility, strength and sensitivity in mind and body

“My ending should be your beginning”

– BKS Iyengar

Who Is

B.K.S. IYENGAR

B.K.S Iyengar is one of the foremost teachers of Yoga in the world who practiced and taught for over 80 years. B.K.S Iyengar began teaching in Pune, India, in 1936 at the age of 18, and has revolutionized the way yoga is taught around the world. He passed away at the age of 95 on August 20, 2014.

He devoted most of his life to the practice and teaching of yoga and trained thousands of students and teachers around the world. B.K.S. Iyengar has revitalized the ancient art of yoga and made it accessible to modern man in a dynamic, safe, and effective way.

He is, more than any other living yogi, responsible for the growth of yoga in the West. He has earned the title of Yogacharya (yoga master). Millions of students now follow his method. There are over 2,000 Certified teachers in over 40 countries with over 180 Iyengar Yoga associations worldwide.

He saw yoga as an art, a science, and philosophy – not secret or exclusive. A demanding teacher, B.K.S. Iyengar guided his students to practice asanas in different ways emphasizing the importance of the proper sequencing of the asana practice to understand not just how, but why and what happens when you do an asana.

He is the author of the classic “Light on Yoga”, called the “bible of yoga”, which has been the source book for generations of yoga enthusiasts and to date has been translated into 16 languages.

B.K.S. Iyengar is renowned throughout the world for his therapeutic approach to yoga and has been very affective in helping people with many physical ailments, as well as various heart and stress related diseases. His innovative use of supports or “props” modifying classical postures, allows a student who may be ailing and whose body is stiff to be supported in asanas without strain or the risk of further damage. By adapting the classical poses with the use of yoga props he enabled freedom of circulation, breath and healing.

He has also written many books on yogic practice and its philosophy including “The Tree of Yoga”, “Light on Ashtanga Yoga”, “Light on Pranayama”, “Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali”, and most recently “Light on Life”. Among others, his books include eight volumes of Astadala Yogamala which contain collections of his writings and interviews.

In 2004, he was named one of the 100 most influential people in the 20th century by Time Magazine.

“Health is firmness in body, stability in mind, and clarity in thinking.”

– BKS Iyengar

How does Iyengar Yoga differ from other styles of yoga?

The Iyengar method of yoga is accessible to everyone, regardless of age or physical condition.

Iyengar yoga is a very “classical” form of yoga with a dynamic approach emphasizing integration of body, mind and spirit through focused attention and concentration. It is precise and methodical and places specific attention to the body’s correct postural alignment.

From the introduction to basic asanas (postures) and pranayama (breathing techniques) as laid out in a syllabus created by B.K.S. Iyengar, students are taught to build a solid foundation in each and every pose. This allows them to improve gradually, safely and systematically towards higher levels of asana and pranayama. Therefore, beginners and more adept yoga practitioners progress safely in their practice.

Emphasis is placed on the development of mobility, stability, strength and alignment. As practice continues, a student’s ability to concentrate improves, profound inner awareness develops, and the asanas become ‘meditation in action’. Body, mind and breath become integrated, peace of mind is enhanced and all the major systems of the body move towards a state of balance and harmony.

Through the use of props such as belts, blocks, etc., the Iyengar system becomes accessible to everyone from sports enthusiasts to those with various health or physical challenges.

“The regular, persevering, and alert practice of yoga is the foundation for stabilizing the consciousness.”

– BKS Iyengar

Are You Ready to Change?

Come take a class and bring Iyengar Yoga into your life. Be ready for the practice to change you on many levels. For the better of course!

Take a Class

9556 Winchester Road

Vernon, BC V1H 2E2

250-878-1251