Next Stop Iyengar Yoga
What is Iyengar Yoga?
Iyengar Yoga is that style that cares a lot about alignment, uses props, and has the potential to produce strict (sometimes even mean) teachers. It was developed by BKS Iyengar, who is known as the father of modern yoga, a genius and prolific author- you have seen the yoga bible below? That's his work.
I've studied many styles of yoga over the past 20+ years. Iyengar Yoga offers so much to:
- practice- from alignment to good actions
- learn- proper postures and right mind
- dive deep into philosophy from The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
- grow- physically, mentally, spiritually
- be supported- by props and by my practice
- experience moments of bliss.... aaaaahhhh sometimes its getting all those props just right and I stay for a just a little bit longer... or after a good savasana a moment of clarity
Why it Matters
Iyengar Yoga works! You have the power to transform your body, health and mind.
It makes me a much better teacher! So even though I've been teaching yoga since 2005, I'm training to become a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher. At Inner Balance, we call the class Gentle Yoga, but know you are learning Iyengar Yoga, and that's why the classes are so great! BKS Iyengar was a genius and his revolutionary teachings using props to customize the poses make it the real deal yoga, the type that delivers results.
Thanks to zoom, I continue to take classes and practice with my teachers (who are the opposite of mean and demonstrate the power of consistent yoga practice!) Rosa Santana and Edwin Bergman. I am so grateful to include Abijhata Iyengar, the granddaughter of BKS Iyengar and wise teacher in her own right, as one of my teachers. I am learning so much.
I am also so grateful to be on this path with you, right now. There has never been a better time than the present to study and practice yoga. Yoga works, you just have to do it!
“It is through the alignment of the body that I discovered the alignment of my mind, self, and intelligence.”
B.K.S. Iyengar
~ Notes from India ~
Lord I am so grateful for zoom! Having grown up all over the world (literally lived on 5 continents by 14th birthday). I appreciate getting to be there without having to travel to be there! I am taking classes with Abhijata Iyengar directly from the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune, India.
A few little nuggets from her class:
- "The first time body says come out, ignore it. The second time, ignore again. The third time you can come out."
- "The pose may be uncomfortable while you do it, but afterwards it feels so good."
- "Unite the body and the mind. Yoga means union. Let's start there, uniting the body and the mind."
See you on the mat...
Namaste,
Di
Free Yoga!
I'll be there Wednesdays in July! See you on the mat <3
Full Moon Pause ~
Super Moon in Capricorn
July 13 marked the arrival of the biggest super moon of the year, meaning the moon is orbiting more closely to the earth, appearing larger and brighter. Called the “buck moon” by the Old Farmer’s Almanac, this month’s full moon falls in Capricorn, the zodiac sign’s ambitious and natural-born leader.
Full moons symbolize a chapter closing, presenting the perfect time for us to PAUSE and evaluate how the past month has been and create intentions to move forward.
- Use Capricorn’s assertive nature to set boundaries
- Use the power of July’s super moon to step back and take a look at the bigger picture
- Make a concrete plan to fill in the gaps
What props do I need?
It's great to start with props, but you don't need to go crazy and spend a fortune, especially if you are at home, you'll be surprised what you can use that you already own.
- mat for the studio- or any nonslip surface at home (some folks prefer to practice standing poses barefoot directly on the floor to really connect through the feet)
- Sturdy cotton or wool blanket. I like these:
Thunderbird Supreme Mexican Yoga Blanket
- Strap or belt
- 2 sturdy blocks (or books, stool, low table, chair at home!)
- your arms and legs are your first best props, grab a chair and the wall to support your limbs if necessary
Uttanasana- Standing forward bend, with head support.
Attention Yoga Teachers!!!
Join my amazing teacher, Rosa Santana of YogaRosa and many more fellow teachers at the first in-person event!!
Gather with fellow teachers, improve your teaching, ask quesitons, share your expertise with peers, practice making yoga accessible,
be inspired!
Click on the photo to register:
“Yoga is a light, which once lit, will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame.”
B.K.S. Iyengar
