Bikram vs Iyengar

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hi all. I know someone will be more informed than I am about this. Can someone comment on whether Bikram would be more beneficial to someone with knee issues than would Iyengar?

A friend of mine has knee pain and his chiropractor (don’t get me started there) has recommended Bikram yoga. I suggested he start gently with some Hatha/Iyengar.

I believe his problem is alignment (isn’t it always?) as he also has neck, hip and other pain from time to time. I’ve gone through some very basic sequences with him. (breathing, sage pose, twisted sage, then into sun salutations, a few hip openers and thats about it) just to give him some place to start. He reports it felt “good” but his hips hurt. Less knee pain after.

I know very little about Bikram other than it is “hot” and supposed to be wonderful for joint openers. My concern is that my friend has never done ANY yoga and if he starts with Bikram he may overstretch and really do some damage.

Anyone have any suggestions to offer here?

#2

Hi Alix,

Totally outside of yoga and I had sofar success in all 6 cases I worked with. Knees refer to the ego, usually people with knee problems have a problem with a stubborn ego and pride, they won’t give in or they are very inflexible in their attitude towards something or somebody. All of this is usually based in fear and if you can help the person to discover the root of all of this fear and with the help of gentle yoga asanas, I find that the knee problem becomes somthing of the past. I like to include more of the triconoasanas to increse the flexibility in the knee joints, but very slow and only a few at a time.

#3

Wow. Pandara, did you hit the nail on the head with that! Ok, I will do as you suggest. I think that is completely workable.

#4

Hi Alix,

Glad I could be of help. Louise L. Hay’s book Heal Your Body is invaluable for such cases and if you can get hold of it, buy or order it. :wink:

#5

[QUOTE=Pandara;8839]Hi Alix,

Totally outside of yoga and I had sofar success in all 6 cases I worked with. Knees refer to the ego, usually people with knee problems have a problem with a stubborn ego and pride, they won’t give in or they are very inflexible in their attitude towards something or somebody. All of this is usually based in fear and if you can help the person to discover the root of all of this fear and with the help of gentle yoga asanas, I find that the knee problem becomes somthing of the past. I like to include more of the triconoasanas to increse the flexibility in the knee joints, but very slow and only a few at a time.[/QUOTE]

I’ve heard before that knees refer to the ego. I’m curious if problems in other joints in a body also refer to some specific mental imbalances?

Thanks

#6

Hi Mirjana,

Yes, each body part refer to something else, see the titel of the book above in my message to Alix. For example, problems in the wrists refer to the fact that many people deny themselves certain things or that they feel powerless to support themselves may it be financially, emotionally or physically.

The book I mentioned above is enlightening to say the least, I have solved many of my own issues/problems/dis-eases/illness by solving the underlying issue which is usually based in fear.

#7

That’s very interesting. In summer I had problems with my right wrist. I was asked to work a lot because people were on holidays. And I went over my limits because was difficult for me to say no, especially when the people are nice. So I got an infection on a side of my thumb between the carpals and radius. And I still didn’t give it a rest. I continued working and practicing. So I got a second warning, I twisted my ankle. Finally I said OK,I got it:-) It is not honest to anybody when you are doing something just out of obligation feeling. So I did some changes and it took quite some time to recover my wrist but the lesson was good.

Thank you Pandara also for the book recommendation. I’m gonna find it.

#8

Hi Mirjana,

Yes, I do belief our bodies can tell us more if we just listen.

About the ankle you twisted: the ankle represents inflexibility and guilt about something or somebody. It also represents the ability to receive pleasure and happiness in life. I think you can clearly see how your body tried to draw your attention, I am always amazed by how accurate this is. I am really glad you could work things out. :slight_smile:

#9

I’ll lend a bit of a different perspective. And to lend it I will assume we are talking about asana practice and not yoga practice. If I am incorrect here please adjust me.

The Bikram practice is static in its sequence. The poses are the same every time and in the same order. Logically one might assume then that the result would be consistent or “the same”. Keep doing what you’re doing you’ll keep getting what you’re getting. Therefore the student must be malleable to the practice and he/she must fit it.

In an Iyengar practice the asanas are sequenced in different ways with different preparations and, when taught by a good teacher, the instructor “splits” their mind and can teach the class one pose while also working specifically with a student who is injured, ill, or in need of a different approach or posture. In this way the class can have a different outcome each time. The residue of the practice - student set aside - can be different each time out. In this way the practice can fit the student.

So an appropriate question in this case is “does this person need a practice that fits them or do they need to fit a practice?”

Many people seem to confuse climate with yoga. Is it yoga that purges one’s toxins or is it perspiration? Is it possible to “feel great” after 90 minutes of activity in a sauna? Perhaps. I do not know. Maybe the greater question is whether a Bikram student can find the same sense of Self with the same practice in a room that is 73?. Again I do not know. But it would be fun to study.

One other thing that I think is relative to mention. Certain concepts are appropriate for teachers but should not be thrust upon students. Why? Because the daises should not be watered with the garden hose on full blast unless one wants to obliterate their petals and strain their stem.

It is a very sound therapeutic approach for the student to examine the emotional work that is presently reflected in the physical body - no question. That, in conjunction with asana/pranayama and nutrition make up the three-prong approach in Purna Yoga. In the case of this particular student who has no yoga background at all, it would be prudent to consider developing a trust relationship with the student long before broaching the subject of emotional manifestation in the physical body.

#10

InnerAthlete, a very good perspective indeed. Thank you. In this case, the person is well known to me and is a friend first. I could indeed discuss emotional base for pain etc very easily. I believe your comment about the student fitting the practice or the practice fitting the student is very apt. In his case, I believe the practice needs to fit the student for a time. He has never done anything like this before and is very tentative.

I would never presume to call myself a teacher, but feel I can show him what [B]I [/B]do in my practice and encourage him to join a class. Having very little or no knowledge of Bikram except anecdotal references that were less than positive I sought help here.

Thank you for your input folks. If any other inspiration strikes I am open to more ideas.