BKS Iyengar

BKS Iyengar is the world’s most recognized authority on yoga postures (asana) and yoga breathing (pranayama). Until his death in August 2014, he had been practicing and teaching for over 80 years.  He is the author of several books translated into many languages, including the classics Light on Yoga and Light on Pranayama.
His contribution to yoga has been acknowledged internationally and TIME magazine named him one of the 100 most influential persons of the 20th century.
The Oxford English Dictionary now includes “Iyengar yoga” as one of the few distinct definitions of a modern form of yoga.

In Iyengar yoga classes at the Family Yoga Centre, you will learn this practice and it’s techniques in a progressive and exact manner from extremely well-trained teachers. You will develop strength and flexibility, improve stamina, correct postural misalignment, and learn deep relaxation.  As you progress, your mental concentration and body awareness will deepen.

Iyengar yoga is a complete approach to physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, bringing vitality, mental clarity, wisdom, and emotional serenity.

“Your body lives in the past,  Your mind lives in the future.
They come together in the present when you practice yoga.”
~BKS Iyengar

Why learn Iyengar Yoga?

Highly Trained Teachers
All Iyengar Yoga instructors are trained to rigorously high standards. Iyengar teachers study and train for approximately 5 years before they receive the first level of certification as an Introductory teacher and it is expected that they continue training and professional development work each year.

For All Levels of Students
BKS Iyengar firmly believed that Yoga was for everyone. With this in mind he developed and refined a variety of yoga props including ropes, belts, blocks, benches and chairs. These allow practitioners of all ages and fitness levels to achieve correct alignment, a deeper understanding of the poses and an ability to hold them for a longer period of time helping them to experience what Iyengar often referred to as “meditation in action”. When a prop is used, it is used to bring a different feeling, and understanding of the asana being taught.

Iyengar Yoga stimulates the Brain
Students cultivate mental sharpness in an Iyengar yoga class. It demands you to be present, creative, aware and deeply observant. Longer holds allow for this. This type of practice requires both physical and mental discipline.

Focus on Alignment
The Iyengar yoga style of teaching asana is marked by precision in the alignment of bones, muscles and joints.  This focus on correct alignment encourages weak parts to strengthen and stiff areas to release. As the body moves into better alignment, less muscular effort is used and a greater sense of being in the pose is experienced.

Learning through Progression
Students are given the opportunity to build a stable foundation as they learn progressively. Class levels are offered from the very beginner level of Foundations to the Intermediate levels 3 & 4. Students progress through these levels when ready.
Each class is sequenced throughout the session teaching students the poses in a progressive, effective way enabling them to develop a deeper understanding of the asanas by the end of the session. Through this progression students learn the art and science of Yoga.

World-wide
Iyengar Yoga is the most practiced form of Yoga. There are Iyengar Yoga centres, and institutes spread around the world. No matter where you travel, chances are good that you will be able to find a class to join.

Continuing the Legacy of BKS Iyengar
BKS Iyengar has had a profound impact on the practice of yoga around the world. Whether you practice Iyengar yoga or another form of yoga, chances are your teacher will have been influenced by BKS Iyengar. He has left us many books, articles, research, thoughts and reflections about yoga. His scientific, artistic and practical approach is represented by all Iyengar teachers and through these teachers he is supporting all of us on our journey.

 

Yoga is like music. The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life.

~BKS Iyengar