Your iyengar experience

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

After a couple years of doing hatha yoga classes, I started going to Iyengar yoga classes three months ago.

One of the things I liked about the Iyengar classes (in the beginning) was that there was a lot of adjustments made and it was refreshing in comparison to the limited adjustments in previous classes. I also felt like I was working deeper.

The last month or so, I’ve started walking out of these Iyengar classes - quite frankly - feeling like a worthless piece of crap…that no matter what I do, it’s not right and certainly not good enough. There also seems to be a lot of talk about ‘breathing through my side ribs’ and ‘not breaking my energy column’ that I simply find hard to follow.

The instructor is constantly adjusting us. She also gives no positive feedback or encouragement (to me or anyone else). The class size is very small - the most we have is 4 people - and I’d say at least every 2nd to 3rd week, I have a private lesson because I’m the only student.

Saying that - she is a very gentle soul and I believe a good person.

My question: Is this typical of Iyengar classes? I fully accept that the ‘worthlessness’ thoughts are coming from my own head - the instructor is at most probably bringing them out into the open for me to look at (and I’m not so sure it isn’t the increased meditation/introspection I’ve been doing that is bringing these thoughts up - it just seems to happen more often after class).

Since I don’t have other Iyengar options where I live, I’m just curious whether what I am experiencing is typical Iyengar style or not.

???:confused:

Thanks for your feedback!

#2

I attended an Iyengar class once and the teacher was quite frankly like a sergeant major constantly adjusting people and telling them what they were doing wrong. I don’t remember her praising anybody - it seemed a very critical atmosphere and not at all what yoga should be about. This is in complete contrast to all the other hatha style classes I’ve ever attended where the teachers are very gentle and encouraging.

I know which I prefer!

#3

Hi I joined iyengar classes 2 months back after practicing sivananda yoga for about 2-3 years. Like you, I also found iyengar classes to be very different and tough. Teachers are very strict and most of the time they are shouting… I also found it very expensive compared to other classes I had attended. I was very uncomfortable and thought of leaving it many times… It used to shatter my confidence I had gained after my prior practice. I also used to miss pranayam and meditation session. But I for some reason continued.

But now I have started appreciating the detailing and correctness they put in the poses. and now I look forward to the class. Its like learning from scratch. I think that they could be more gentle but what they are teaching is great. and no other school can teach poses like them. But it is just my observation. For me, I have decided to continue as long as I getting something to learn.

#4

I joined an Iyengar class parallel to gentle flow classes last year in June or so and it I had experienced it like you. The teacher was shouting, and would sometimes not even take the time and patience to explain what exactly I am doing wrong (“What are you doing?? Oh no, you have to … no!!! What are you doing!!!”). I was nervous before class and felt shabby afterwards. Once there was even a woman leaving the class before it even began - loudly sobbing.

From the beginning I noticed that I learned to do poses correctly and gained a lot of strength. So I decided to continue and try to take the criticism less personal and the jokes with more humour. I think, some of my shabby feelings resulted from understanding that I am wrong, instead of doing a pose wrong in just that situation. The poses had their benefits and interestingly I had some of my best relaxation experiences in this class :eek:

I am just back from my last class, because I am moving to a different city. If I had to decide again, I would do the class again. I got a lot more self-confident and somewhat detached from other’s opinions. I practice for myself, not to make any teacher happy. Super nice teachers have their disadvantages. I noticed that they sometimes watch you doing things wrong and don’t tell you, or even ask you to do things you are not ready for.

Wish you all the best, whatever you decide :smiley:

#5

My teacher’s training from age 7 was with Iyengar. And the asana we teach comes directly from that practice. It is absolutely masterful.

However we don’t teach the Iyengar system. We’ve combined the philosophy of Sri Aurbindo with the asana and pranayama from the Iyengar practice. This, for me, is a kinder, gentler practice.

The two Iyengar classes I attended (in New Jersey, no less) were very different. And yes, one of the teachers was almost militaristic in the delivery of the teachings. The other was very sweet. Both were Iyengar certified teachers.

It is, to me, very important for a yoga teacher to find their own voice, their own authentic personality and some trainings do not help foster the blossoming of such things.

#6

I have a deep respect for Iyenger. Light on Yoga was the first yoga book I read, my sister gave it to me as a gift. So I will always have a soft spot for Iyengar.

Now I practice more Sivananda/Satyananda style. Here is my funny experience with the 1 Iyengar class I went to.

A couple months ago my girlfriend and I were in San Fran for a weekend. After searching for classes, we decided on an Iyengar class at Yoga Garden at 7am. We got there early (just like their website recommends) at 6:45. No one was there yet, the studio wasn’t even open yet. No big deal, at 6:50 the front desk person showed up and let us in. The teacher then rolled into class at exactly 7am. I was already sitting on 3 blankets, I like that height. My girlfriend who is very flexible only sat on 1, but she doesn’t really need any to be honest. The first thing the teacher told the class was to each take 3 blankets, she then looked at my girlfriend and said in a reproving manner “Thats only one…you need two more.” It instantly created an awkward start, no explanation as to why we needed 3, and as a teacher myself, I would always just get the stuff for my students. Then, no joke, we didn’t do any asanas the whole class that didn’t involve a prop. But it wasn’t just reclining hand to big toe with a strap. We busted out “backbend benches,” giant pillow things for downward dog, and were even told to put the big pillow things on our thighs in shavasan. This class was not labeled as restorative or anything like that.

When we got out we both just looked at each other. It was a surreal, odd experience. 20$ each for that class btw. At least we’ve got a funny memory now, and had a good laugh about it over breakfast.

#7

If it was the last class of the month then it would have either been restoratives or pranayama by design and not labeled.

The assault over blanket count is another matter altogether. Without knowing the intention(s) I couldn’t hazard a guess but the a terse treatment is never called for in Yoga (IMHO)

#8

I as well had a very unfortunate first experience in Iyengar in a NJ studio. I was made to feel very uncomfortable by the owner/teacher. The class was 3 persons. I asked a question on a chair modification of archers pose which she did not know the answer to and the tension increased. At the end of class I apologized for not putting my shoes in the proper location which perhaps I would have known if she had been there early to open the studio(another student opened it) she would not even acknowledge me. When I inquired about the classes for the next day she informed me rather rudely that I could not come to the 8:30 that was not for me but there was a 10:30 am. Then I received an email from her informing me both classes were booked and there was no space for me. I find that very hard to believe. I had such a negative experience I would like to talk to someone at Iyengar about it. It was the most unprofessional, unwelcoming, and rude person I have ever encountered teaching yoga. I travel all over the world doing yoga and I come into each class as the outsider but with an open heart and no preconceptions. I was always intrigued by Iyengar as the use of props was new to me. She knew all of this and the fact that I am going to be doing one on one teacher training in October. What a horrible experience over all. I have experienced militant or yelling Bikram teachers but this was an entirely different matter. Is there any way to inform the “parent organization” of her behavior?

#9

Such unfortunate experiences you have all had with Iyengar. Very sad.

@yogachicJenn,
Contact the Yoga Alliance. Not sure what they’d do though. Not sure who to contact at Iyengar. Have you voiced your concern over your treatment to the person involved? (teacher/owner) That is a good place to begin.

Not all Iyengar teachers teach this way. One (or several) bad apples don’t spoil the whole bunch as the saying goes.

As a style of yoga, Iyengar teaches alignment/modifications and does so impeccably. Safety and mindfulness through alignment. While I have no particular style, I do take my cue from Iyengar with regards to alignment.

Has anyone had a good Iyengar experience?

#10

I’ve practiced yoga for the last 13 years…2 years in basic Hatha and the last 11 in Iyengar classes. I’ve never had a teacher who shouted or failed to explain! My teachers have always been encouraging and instructive…though not always gentle! Some are much more demanding while others are uber-softies! That being said, Iyengar is very detail oriented with adjustments often offered and props encouraged. I do believe that people with certain personalities are drawn to different yogas. I would never, however, tolerate being yelled at or humiliated. In my experience, that was how my martial arts classes were led…and that’s why I no longer take those sorts of classes! Best advice: find a different teacher. The instructor sets the tone of a class…if you are not happy with the class, blame the leader and not the yoga!!! Good luck…and Namaste!

#11

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. As with everything - there is good and bad examples to be found.

I gathered my courage last night after class and broached the subject…said that I knew I was probably opening up a can of worms but “is it typical for a student to leave an Iyengar class feeling like a worthless heap of shit?”.

The teacher handled it well - asking for clarification before delving in further. We had an open discussion - one point was that my yoga/meditation could be bringing up feelings that I’ve kept inside for a long time. She also reminded me that yoga was more than a physical program (which rather annoyed me because I am probably the LEAST inclined of local yoga students I know to be going to yoga for the asana alone).

She also said it wasn’t that she was ‘correcting’ but rather adjusting for me to find MY place, my pose. She also made the observation that I appeared to be a ‘driven’ person and that perhaps I struggle with trying to get things or do things RIGHT (spot on observation…I struggle with the thoughts of if I can’t do it RIGHT, I don’t want to do it).

I can’t say that I left class last night feeling any better/different - other than glad that I’d put my thoughts out there. I’m not ready to stop going to these classes (yet) but I guess what I walked away with last night was a willingness to examine my own stuff further. Perhaps do some journaling and see if I can find a way to continue with the classes without beating myself up. I hear a lot of ‘not good enough’ coming through this experience.

I think I’ll give myself an out though…if by the end of this next term I don’t feel any better about these Iyengar classes, I’ll look for something else. Six months should be a good time frame to figure out if this style is for me or not.

Thanks for listening and contributing.