In this blog we feature a section from an article written by Alan Brown for the latest issue of Yoga Magazine, October 2024 – Issue 258

In yoga practice, attention and engagement are crucial. As we progress, maintaining freshness and avoiding routine are key to genuine growth and understanding.

We all take to yoga for our own diverse reasons; and although superficially we seem to be doing a similar practice when we attend classes, we pick up on aspects that appeal to us, work on them and develop them in different ways. Even though classes are always based on the principles and structure that Iyengar yoga teachers learn during training, they also vary according to the inclination and understanding of the teacher. To what extent they deviate from the basic model depends on the experience and, dare I say it, the creativity of the teacher.

In his classes in the home of Iyengar yoga, RIMYI in Pune, India, Prashant Iyengar talks a lot; he loves words and playing with the meaning of words. He uses all kinds of analogies and examples to illustrate and help us better understand yoga. One thing I remember was a comment he made comparing our learning of yoga to undergraduate university courses, and how this involves a degree of specialisation. Yoga is such a wide and diverse subject that it is impossible to study or excel in every branch of it. He went on to mention postgraduate learning, which requires independent study and research into new areas.

As human beings we have different natures and are not all inclined towards the same interests. Our individual physical and mental attributes suit us more naturally to some pursuits and practices than to others. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna advises Arjuna to follow his nature or dharma, and not to try to be something he is not. Knowing what we are is not an easy thing for any of us; we need to explore and learn in order to understand ourselves better and where we should best direct our efforts..

“DON’T BRING YESTERDAY’S POSES TO TODAY’S PRACTICE” – BKS Iyengar

In school education we start with an overview, learning what we are given to learn, initially absorbing without much questioning. As time goes on we understand more and have the opportunity to follow our interests and channel our learning. As Iyengar yoga students we start in a similar way, practising asanas, which provides a doorway to evolve and discover the richness and variety that is available to us in the study and practice of yoga.

When confronted by challenging situations in our practice,how do we avoid being distracted and discouraged by doubts and discomfort? Another great quote from BKS Iyengar: “If doubt comes, let it come. Do your work – let doubt carry on with its work, and see which gives up first”.

Whether a primary level practitioner or post-grad yoga research student, cultivating the ability to direct, focus and maintain our attention is of fundamental importance. Only with attention can practice be called yoga; and the techniques of yoga are not the knowledge of yoga.

Alan Brown has been practising Iyengar yoga for over 40 years and is a Level 3 teacher. He has visited the Ramamani Iyengar Yoga Institute in Pune, India, many times to study with B.K.S. Iyengar.

To read the entire article follow the link below:

To purchase the full magazine featuring this article you can visit www.yogamagazine.com

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