Iyengar "Light on Yoga" and methods

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hi There,

After some months of taking Yoga classes I became frustrated with the classes and teachers although I enjoy the asanas and flows very much.

I have decided to take on my own practice at home but am worried that this might be wrong to do - perhaps I might hurt myself? develop wrong form? Perhaps I should supplement my home training with local classes?

I bought Iyengar’s book and am going through the 300 week program (well, only the first week now but plan to get to week 300 in 15 or 20 years :slight_smile: I am really enjoying the step-by-step details - something I was lacking in my classes

The one thing I’m left wondering - each program lists the individual asanas one after the other. Each asana starts in tadasana. So does this method bring one back to tadasana after each pose? or am i supposed to combine them to make more of a “flow” (eg warrior 1 into warrior 2 as opposed to tadasana > warrior 1 > tadasana > warrior 2 > tadasana)

Can someone explain what Iyengar intended with this program? He doesn’t give any real details about it other than the listing of weekly exercises.

Additionally, he makes no mention of supports - like blocks. he does mention using the wall for inversions though. I assume it’s encouraged for me to use blocks when following his program?

thanks!

#2

Iyengar himself chose to walk a different path and so he made all the difference.

Iyengar is huge into props for safety and form and without a teacher props may well be key to proceeding on your journey injury free. My 400 page glossy photographed Iyengar Yoga for Motherhood book has props used on nearly every page.

The good news is that most of the professional props that are generally to be found in a professional Iyengar Yoga class may be substituted by simple home furniture: instead of a bench you can use two chairs;instead of atrestle use a windowsill or a dining table.

And now a note from legal:

Always, in your particular case, consult your health care provider and obtain full medical clearance before practicing yoga or any other exercise program. Yoga must always be practiced under the direct supervision of a qualified instructor. Practicing under the direct supervision and guidance of a qualified instructor may reduce the risk of injuries. Not all yoga poses are suitable for all persons. Practicing under the direct supervision and guidance of a qualified instructor, in addition to the direction of your healthcare provider, can also help determine what poses are suitable for your particular case.

The information provided by this yogi is strictly for reference only and is not in any manner a substitute for medical advice or direct guidance of a qualified yoga instructor.

#3

Going to classes with a good teacher would be the best idea…then you can practice at home as well and use your book to help.
Th Iyengar method does not flow asanas together…you do one …do the other side…do another one which follows on from/builds on/ counters the previous one…Vinyasa or Flow yoga with link asanas together moving fluidly from one asana to another building a sequence of asanas befor repeating the sequence on the other side…try some classes to see if you prefer the Iyengar type of class or a more flowing type of practice…