Iyengar Yoga is designed to be "do-able" by anyone, yet continue to challenge people who have practiced their whole lives! The Iyengar approach to Hatha Yoga assumes that you will benefit from the poses and the process, so teachers use props, easy to follow instructions, and lots of personal attention to make sure that all students succeed from the very first class.
This approach is frequently used to supplement medical treatment because of its unique accessibility and high rate of success.
What Is Yoga Anyhow?
Iyengar
Yoga is a study which uses movement, stillness, concentration, release
and abandon to help you get and stay in touch with yourself. Some say it
keeps you in touch with the inter-dependent web of existence. Others say
it's a great workout, reduces the effects of stress, stretches and frees
your muscles, teaches you ways to concentrate better throughout your
day. Some athletes and performers study Yoga to stretch and tone muscles
hardened by heavy use. Many use Yoga to help them recover from injuries
and avoid future injury because it's a balanced approach to
simultaneously improve strength, flexibility, balance and concentration.
Yoga is a form of exercise for your body and mind. You are not required to learn creeds, sing songs, learn special routines, make donations to anyone or any group, wear uniforms, or do weird stuff.
Some advanced students and practitioners want to become more deeply involved in the discipline of Yoga. That's not unusual. Some people who play soccer, play chess, program computers, or do just about anything decide to do it as well as they possibly can.
Chris has studied the literature and has studied with the senior Iyengar teacher Patricia Walden. Yoga is a form of study central to the education of countless generations of Asian aristocracy. The genuine, complex spiritual traditions central to the practice of many Yogis is applicable even through modern times. Yoga can be practiced by almost anyone in differing ways and with differing, personal meanings.
What is "Iyengar?"Actually, it's a "who." B.K.S. Iyengar is a man
who celebrated his 92nd birthday in December, 20011. Perhaps more than
any other yogi he has influenced how Westerners learn and practice Yoga.
He has been practicing and teaching Hatha Yoga since his early teens. When he started learning Yoga he had serious physical challenges that might have made it impossible for him to continue. He discovered that, if he could find a way to help his body and mind achieve success, the success would improve his body and mind so that it became increasingly easy to achieve greater success.
Building on that knowledge, Iyengar designed a set of simple props that helped him position himself into the Hatha Yoga poses. This helped him overcome the challenges that faced him quickly, thoroughly, and safely, and helped him teach others to do the same.
Iyengar's teachers and students observed this rapid success and told others how they, too, could learn quickly and overcome obstacles. Soon, students were traveling from around the world to Iyengar's studios in Pune ("Pooh-nah") India (near Bombay,) to learn his techniques. Many of them were teachers who incorporated his methods in their own classes.
Iyengar's most dedicated international students wanted to continually improve the teaching methods pioneered by Iyengar, and ensure that those improvements were communicated quickly and consistently to the many "Iyengar-based" teachers around the world. To accomplish this, they formed associations of teachers, and set standards that they and others must maintain to earn "Certification." Iyengar himself is involved in that process. Chris is working towards her certification which will take several years.
What is a Certified Teacher?Certification by the B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga National Association of the United States (IYNAUS) promises that the teacher understands and follows the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar.
A
Certified Iyengar Yoga teacher lhas studied extensively with B.K.S.
Iyengar in Pune ("Pooh-nah") India, and has passed a rigorous
examination by her peers. The exam tests her understanding of the poses
and how they benefit the student. It tests her knowledge of anatomy and
kinesiology, and the effects of various poses on the body. It tests her
knowledge of the yoga literature and her ability to place those texts in
a modern context. Finally, she is challenged to teach a group of mixed
level students; her teaching is observed by a panel of Certified senior
teachers who both judge and help improve her work. It's a grueling
process that candidates must enter voluntarily. Most study and prepare
for several years. The majority of candidates must apply and take the
tests several times before they earn Certification. Once Certified,
teachers must return periodically to Pune and refresh their studies with
Iyengar, to maintain their Certification.
This process is intended to ensure that your experience of Yoga will be fun, relevant, safe, and complex.
What Are "Class Levels?""Levels" are often used in class schedules to help students determine which class to choose. In reality, you should consider your experience and enroll in the class you believe will best suit you, but Peentz will observe your work and guide you to the most appropriate class -- that in which she can give you the most helpful personal attention.
Level I: Learning and refining the basics of Iyengar yoga.
Level II: For students continuing after at least 1 year of Iyengar yoga experience.
Level III: For seasoned students who maintain a regular personal practice that includes inversions and backbending.
Yoga Fundamentals: For the student new to Iyengar yoga, returning to yoga after some time, or someone who needs to begin at a slower pace due to life circumstances such as pregnancy, aging, recovery from illness or injury.
Content from my teacher Peentz Dubble's site peentz.com
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