Combining Satyananda Yoga with Iyengar Yoga

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hello all

I’m currently on a Satyananda Yoga course which is helping me to deepen my yoga practice. I have a daily practice which takes apprx 1 hour 20 mins and covers Asana, Pranayama and Meditation.

I want to attend a class which will help me with my Asana practice and for this I feel quite drawn to Iyengar yoga.

I realise that there are differences between the 2 types of yoga. One example is that the Satyananda approach to Asana is based on how you’re feeling inside whereas the Iyengar approach is more concerned with body alignment (this seems like an external focus to me.)

Is anyone open to discussing these 2 yoga styles and how it may work out practicing both at the same time.

Thanks

#2

Idk much about satyananda yoga but in the iyengar discipline there is an unspoken difference between teaching and becoming a pose. In class students are learning how to set their bodies in alignment so that when they do their practice they can experience the pose rather than get hung up on alignment cues.

#3

I have gone through a satyananda yoga teacher training in the 90ies.
Haven’t gone through it in advanced style with kriya yoga et.c
I have also forgot some of the practices.

This is because my main sadhana lies in another tradition with kundalini shaktipat
as form of practice. To let the shakti spontaneusly lead one into the kriyas and pranayamas that are meant to be good for the blocks that my particular samskaras are made of.
So there is not the same focus on actually [I]practice[/I] techniques. Rather letting the shakti do the work. This process is sustained by means of mantra, meditation, contemplation and chanting.

Iyengar practice I have made some. It’s a good practice to build strength and stamina. I think it’s good to do some of both.

Satyananda yoga is as you say more inner directed.

For example in surya namaskar there is mantras that can be associated with each
pose. And also a focus on particular chakras in different poses.
Yoga nidra after asanas can also be made with chakra awareness and dharanas built in the practice that the edges of meditation and asanas are thinned out.

#4

I have taken a number of Satyananda yoga classes and practiced different meditation techniques accordingly during a couple of years. I am also practicing Ashtanga vinyasa yoga according to Sri K. Pattabhi Jois four-five days per week. I see no conflict between these practices, I rather think they complete each other. But I know that some people who are more devoted to the Satyananda school don’t agree with this view. One of my friends seems to think I am being disloyal to the “true” teachings for continuing my Ashtanga practice. Whatever. I usually don’t mention my different practices to people, since I hate discussions about which school is “better” or more genuine.

My suggestion would be that you explore your choices of practice yourself without asking permission. But that’s just my opinion.

#5

I think that in order to be certain that our practise is the right one for us then trying other styles and traditions is absolutely necessary.

You may find Iyengar yoga rather one-dimensional compared to Satyananda yoga but it will give you an excellent foundation in asana. Don’t expect to do any pranayama or meditation though.

What you experience during asana practise is unique to you. An Iyengar class doing Down-faced Dog may look very regimented, but who knows what’s happening internally?

#6

You will learn pranayama in an iyengar class however the techniques seem to differ from other lineages. Seated meditation is not directly taught however it is the reason the postures came about. Asana is only one of the limbs and its purpose is to prepare the body so that it releases its pull on the ; this is taught.

#7

Thanks for these replies.

I am taking it all on board.

I am really enjoying the Satyananda approach towards Asana, Pranayama and Meditation.

I am going to explore the Iyengar path though to see if it feels right for me and strengthens my Asana work.

I also feel an instinct to explore other meditation methods as I remember going to Buddhist retreats and meditation sessions in the past that worked well for me.

#8

Ryanlikealion,

If you may allow yourself liberty to ‘think’, also dwell on these points:

  1. The history of the the two styles, and the reason why they do what they do?

  2. Is there any principle that is common to and/ or above both the styles?

  3. Is any style a tool to reach that principle or an end in itself?