Yoga, the body-mind-soul technique, has several secondary branches: Ashtanga, Kundalini, Bikram, Vinyasa, Jivamukti, Iyengar, Hatha Yoga, and Yin. What distinguishes them is the specific part of the body or the ailments to which they are directed, as well as the techniques that each of them follows.
Iyengar Yoga takes its name from its founder BKS Iyengar, the man who played a key role in introducing yoga to the West. It is a traditional form of yoga that emphasizes breathing exercises (pranayama) and asanas to correct postural alignment. Another prominent feature of Iyengar yoga is the use of accessories.
This form of yoga has several benefits for the body and is one of the most accessible. Here is a list of 7 reasons why I love Iyengar Yoga.
1. Stress buster: asanas along with breathing exercises harmonize the body and mind. With better control over your mind, you can silence all internal conversations in a stressful situation. It is like meditation; you focus on your body and your breathing. Each asana is followed by the child’s pose, which allows your body and mind to relax. Hence, it keeps physical and mental stress at bay. Not only that, practicing it regularly develops mental clarity and improves concentration.
2. Develop postural strength: the way Iyengar yoga benefits health is by creating an awareness of one’s own body. The poses support the correct anatomical structure. There are a variety of asanas to teach you to stand, sit, sleep, etc. Asanas also strengthen the central parts of the body such as the shoulders, back, arms, and legs. These corrective measures also reduce stiffness in the joints and ligaments. Developing body strength is very vital, especially as the body ages.
3. Accessibility – Does the idea of yoga make you nervous? Do those back push-ups and leg stretches leave you wondering if you can do it? Iyengar Yoga is easy to learn and follow as it allows you to work at your own pace. Iyengar Yoga takes into consideration the limitations and fitness levels of each individual. The use of accessories makes it more accessible. These include wooden blocks, belts, blankets, cushions, cylindrical pillows, etc. They allow the person to hold a pose for a longer period, gradually increasing resistance.
4. Greater flexibility: Iyengar Yoga stretches the muscles to their maximum potential. Inversions, stretches, twists, and bends affect the flexibility with which you can move your body. Even if you lack flexibility when starting out, you have the accessories as an initial learning aid.
5. Back pain: This type of yoga is specially designed for people who experience chronic back pain. Back and neck problems are usually due to poor posture or muscle tension. Iyengar yoga helps overcome pain by correcting poor postural habits such as slouching.
6. Controlled appetite – In Iyengar Yoga, there is a special principle that teaches one how to regulate the appetite by resisting cravings.
7. Strengthening of immunity: the disease is usually the result of a dysfunction of the system or an organ. Iyengar yoga improves blood circulation in the body and strengthens the respiratory system. It has also been shown to improve the digestive and nervous system by improving its function. By ensuring that all of your systems are in tip-top shape, you ensure that the body receives proper nutrition and builds resistance against infection and disease.
When exercising your body, Iyengar Yoga not only targets a particular muscle group, it exercises the entire body. Strengthen and tone the muscles of your body. Breathing exercises leave you with more energy at the end of the day. The energy generated is properly channeled throughout the body. As the focus in Iyengar Yoga is on the alignment of the body, the chances of injury and pain are also minimized.
