About Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar Yoga is based on the teachings of world renowned yoga master and author B.K.S. Iyengar (12/14/1918 – 8/20/2014), author of the classic yoga text Light on Yoga. His daughter, Geeta, and son, Prashant, are also accomplished teachers and authors on the subject of yoga. The Iyengar family’s teaching and knowledge are derived from the yoga sutras of Patanjali, an ancient summation on the path of yoga considered to be at least 2500 years old. The tenets of Iyengar yoga are:
- Precise alignment in the poses, utilizing anatomical detail
- A strong emphasis on standing poses to develop strength and stamina
- A systematic progression of poses to develop the student’s ability within a class, and from class to class
- Use of props, such as blocks, straps, blankets and chairs to adjust postures to meet individual needs
- Ways to use yoga to ease a variety of ailments and stress
- Highly developed teaching methodology, including the precise use of language, demonstration and teaching of specific points of action in a pose, and individual correction and adjustments of students
- A complete approach to physical, mental, and spiritual transformation, bringing the practitioner to physical health, mental clarity and serenity
B.K.S. Iyengar is considered to be one of the greatest yoga masters to have ever lived, and is largely responsible for the enormous popularity of yoga in the United States. His book, Light on Yoga, is the most published book on yoga ever written. In 2004, Time Magazine named him as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.