IYENGAR YOGA – An Holistic Medicine
“Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.” BKS Iyengar
The above quote by the world’s foremost exponent of Hatha Yoga, BKS Iyengar, encapsulates the benefits both physical and mental that a regular yoga practice can bring. I have practiced Iyengar yoga for 20 years and taught for 10. It has made me strong & flexible; it has improved my posture, balance, coordination and concentration. It has kept me free of illness by bolstering my immune system and has helped me to deal with the ups and downs of life in a calm and measured way.
For students of yoga, physical problems or injuries are greatly improved and stress and other mental problems eased. Yoga for them quickly becomes an essential habit. For those with serious illnesses such as MS or cancer, it provides relief from symptoms and from the stress caused by the disease. For those who seek to improve their overall fitness, both mentally and physically, regular practice delivers just that and so much more.
Iyengar Yoga is a style of Hatha yoga (referring to the part of the philosophy of yoga which is concerned with the physical practice of postures and breathing), so named by the students of BKS Iyengar to differentiate it from other schools of yoga. One of it’s main features, is the attention to detail, looking at the alignment of the bones, joints and muscles in the body in each pose to bring the maximum benefits to the student. BKS Iyengar developed the innovative use of “props” such as belts and blocks to assist people who were unable to perform some of the postures so that they too could benefit from the health giving properties of the poses. He has worked tirelessly for over 70 years to help people who want to learn yoga, teach yoga but in particular, those who need help with illness or injury. At the Iyengar Institute in Pune, India, ‘medical’ classes are taught daily, vigorously overseen by Mr Iyengar and his daughter, Geeta, where local people and international visitors can come for personalised programmes to help alleviate any ailment. He has even been visited by famous sports people such as Australian cricketer, Justin Langer, to help correct problems.
Mr Iyengar is much revered and respected as one of the most key figures in the dissemination of yoga throughout the globe, and one of the most compassionate and dedicated servants of human kindness. Millions of people over the world have adopted his methods and at the age of 90, he is still energetically practicing, teaching and writing daily.
Yoga is both a physical and spiritual practice. It works on the whole body both external – muscles, tendons, bones & joints and internal – heart, liver, kidneys etc and also on the major body systems – endocrine, cardiovascular, immune, excretory, circulatory, digestive, lymphatic, respiratory & reproductive. It acts like a body maintenance programme, helping to get rid of toxins, improve circulation, regulate hormones, tone the liver, improve the blood flow to our organs including the brain and skin. It also helps us to learn to relax, to take time to focus on ourselves and create a reservoir of peace and calmness inside that we can draw on in times of stress or hardship.
