Who is Iyengar Yoga Suitable For?

Yogic practices came to us from the East and spread with incredible speed. It is impossible to say for sure how many types of yoga exist, because the boundaries of the human body are unpredictable. Let’s take a closer look at Iyengar yoga, which is a type of Hatha yoga .

History

Over time, he developed health problems, and yoga classes became inaccessible. Therefore, Iyengar had to study all possible existing techniques, introducing his own additions and corrections. Thus, he sought to create a universal way of yoga that would be suitable for people with diseases, any age group with different physical characteristics. A series of experiments and experiments led Aingar to the creation of his own yoga technique, in 1975 in Pune the “Raman Maharishi Iyengar Yoga Memorial Institute” was founded.

Features

Let’s pay attention to the specific properties of Iyengar yoga, thanks to which it has gained great popularity.

1. Iyengar Yoga is universal. It is suitable for people of all age categories, regardless of their level of training, flexibility, health status and other individual characteristics of a person. It adapts itself to the person, not vice versa.
2. The basis is the study and practice of yoga poses . Moreover, asanas are performed strictly statically. A person freezes in a pose for a certain time.
3. Asanas have a clear sequence, and rules of execution, violation of which will not benefit the body.
4. The Iyengar yoga complex includes more than 200 asanas, each tested by the founder of the practice.
5. The performance of asanas is accompanied by special equipment - blankets, bricks, belts, rollers, chairs. Iyengar justified this by the fact that a person with health problems, various means will help to take the optimal position for the body, which will facilitate the performance of asanas.
6. The practice of asanas and pranayama , accompanied by the parallel study of yoga philosophy. This affects the individual’s worldview, helps to eliminate destructive emotions and thoughts of a person, cleanses his mind from negative influence. All this has a beneficial effect on the human body.
7. Iyengar yoga not only develops and normalizes the physical qualities of a person, but also brings him into harmony with himself, with other people and the whole world around him.
8. Yoga is a path to health. Iyengar, practicing his spiritual practice, got rid of many diseases, because he paid special attention to yoga therapy. Iyengar yoga aims to eliminate the symptoms of colds, to alleviate the condition with gastritis, colitis, to straighten posture and fight other diseases.
9. The principle of “one week - one group of asanas”.
10. Iyengar yoga includes a special group of programs, developed specifically for women. Women have a more pronounced emotional background than men, the differences also lie in the structure of the body. Thus, certain exercises appeared that are aimed at preserving the youthfulness of the skin and body.
    The main and only difference between Iyengar Yoga and Hatha yoga lies in the detailed construction of asanas, which is achieved through the use of additional means (roller, belts, …), and thanks to them it becomes possible for everyone.

Benefits and Contraindications

Despite all the benefits and lack of contraindications, it is necessary to pay attention to the following warnings to avoid traumatic situations.

• Poses are performed carefully, without overstraining the muscles.
• Before starting classes, be sure to stretch.
• Don’t overdo it. Exercise for a moderate amount of time, and monitor your overall condition.

  Daily Iyengar yoga practice will have a positive impact on the entire body.

  • If you are an inflexible person, then daily exercises will help you achieve ideal stretching and strengthen your muscles.
  • Stimulation and normalization of breathing. Daily exercises will especially help people who suffer from asthma. The respiratory system will be strengthened, and the symptoms of the disease will significantly decrease.
  • Strengthening the lungs.
  • Beautiful posture, and straightening of the spine.
  • Relief of stress and mental strain received during the day.
  • Strengthening immunity.
  • Ensuring sound sleep for those who struggle with insomnia.
  • Slowing down the aging processes of the body.

Practice

Iyengar yoga includes three levels of difficulty, the division of which depends on the person’s training. Each has its own characteristics.

Beginner Level

At this level, beginners learn relaxation, the trainer explains in detail how to take Iyengar yoga asanas in different positions. Here, too, preparation for inverted poses takes place.

Intermediate Level

Mastery of poses continues, the transition to technically complex elements begins. The foundation of knowledge for mastering pranayama is laid.

Intensive Level

Students freely perform inverted poses: headstand and forearm stand. They master deep backbends, pranayama.

Asanas

Iyengar yoga contains many complex asanas, so beginners should start with basic poses.

• Vrksasana - trains the leg muscles, teaches balance and stability.
• Virasana 1 - fights against excess fat on the hips and buttocks, gives flexibility to the back, shoulders and neck.
• Virasana 2 - relieves cramps, improves the efficiency of internal organs located in the abdominal cavity.
• Utthita Trikonasana - works with the leg muscles, opens the chest, relieves pain in the back and neck.
• Utthita Parsvakonasana - as well as the previous one, strengthens the leg muscles, fights joint pain, opens the chest, and also effectively fights fat deposits in the abdomen, improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Tadasana - helps to distribute the entire body weight evenly on both feet so as not to develop spinal curvature.
• Parsvottanasana - relieves slouching, makes the bones of the spine and pelvis flexible, corrects the work of internal organs.
• Salamba Sarvangasana - pays attention to thyroid diseases, treats bronchitis and asthma. Relieves headaches, calms the nervous system. It is an effective means of eliminating constipation and other problems in the female part.
• Shavasana - relaxes and restores strength. Behind the hard-to-pronounce term “Iyengar yoga” lies a health-improving spiritual practice suitable for absolutely any person. If you decide to start practicing yoga, but at the same time you have health problems or are not sure about your physical fitness, then Iyengar yoga is the yoga you should start your journey with.