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What is Iyengar Yoga?

Yoga can be practised by anyone, whatever one’s state of mind or health

B.K.S. Iyengar

About the Iyengar method

The Iyengar yoga system of teaching is methodical and progressive, emphasising detailed correctness and absolute safety.

When necessary, it uses supports called ‘props’ that allow students to progress in their practice of postures safely at their own pace, to suit their body. Beginners work in a basic way on simple postures according to their capabilities. As they develop they then move on to more refined ways of working as well as to more complex postures.

  • Iyengar yoga is suitable for everyone, whatever your ability, age, body shape or level of flexibility
  • You’ll learn through a carefully graded and systematic programme of Asana (posture), suited to your ability
  • Teachers gradually introduce Pranayama (breath control) once students have a firm foundation of Asana practice
  • Practice helps you to relax and energizes the body and mind, bringing vitality, flexibility, strength, concentration, self-confidence and mental calm
  • Iyengar yoga can help you overcome and prevent many stresses, strains, aches and pains. It promotes a firm foundation for health and well-being

BKS Iyengar in trikonasana
B.K.S. Iyengar in Trikonasana

The Roots of Iyengar Yoga

Yoga is one of the oldest systems of personal development in the world. This system of balancing the body, mind and spirit was formulated by ancient yogis, who understood our essential nature and realised a way to utilise our inner resources to live in harmony with ourselves and the environment.

B.K.S. Iyengar evolved precise posture (Asana) and breathing (Pranayama) techniques with a firm philosophical base in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

Patanjali lived about 1700 years ago in India. He is credited with texts on Ayurvedic medicine and grammar as well as the yoga sutras which encapsulate yoga philosophy in just 196 sutras (aphorisms).

Read more about Patanjali

Read more about B.K.S. Iyengar

IYENGAR Yoga Teachers

There are over 1200 qualified Iyengar yoga teachers in the UK and Ireland. The Iyengar method is taught by thousands more teachers around the world and there are over 20 national associations worldwide

It takes at least six years of practice and training to qualify as an Iyengar yoga teacher. High standards are maintained through ongoing training and regular professional development and teachers commit to teaching only Iyengar yoga without mixing with other styles. In this way the purity of the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar and his family are maintained.

These high teaching standards are part of the reason Iyengar yoga is the most widely performed method of yoga worldwide. 

The Certification Mark logo is the guarantee of this quality. All teachers listed on this website are certified with this licence to teach have up to date training.

If you’re searching for a teacher outside of the UK and Ireland, you can check if a teacher is certified on the official B.K.S. Iyengar website

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