Iyengar yoga practice,
also known as yoga for beginners is a renowned yoga practice
popularized by the famous Dr. BKS Iyengar. It seems like yoga practice
without the frills. For; soft music, waterfalls in the background and
long sequences of poses are absent in these classes.
What it has
However,
it is characterized by complete emphasis on the correct pose,
prevention of injury, slow and healthy progress and; not to forget the
kind and supportive teachers keen on providing strength and flexibility
to different students with unique requirements. So, although
frill-free, this form of yoga boasts of countless benefits.
The Unique PROPS
Another
important characteristic, which makes Iyengar yoga unique, is the use
of props like belts, blankets, wooden blocks, ropes, chairs etc. The use
of props drives fear away and lifts the confidence of students. Props
are for self help and enable students to attain the right posture easily
and also hold it for a longer time without getting injured.
For
instance: Support under the shoulders helps students to stay upright in
the pose without over stretching and injuring their neck. Similarly,
practicing shirshasana near the wall not only enables the attainment of a
complex pose, but also eliminates the fear of falling and injuring
oneself.
Students
are therefore, able to benefit from the challenging poses, which they
are unable to do otherwise. Props help even beginners to attain the pose
and gradually reach the peak pose. For; success in yoga is not about
flowing from one pose to another, but is about balancing a pose for a
longer time. Props therefore, help in doing so and thereby, gaining the
maximum benefits from Iyengar yoga practice.
Importance of PROPS
A variety of props are used in Iyengar yoga practice. They
are designed to suit the unique needs of different students. Some of
them help students to get into a right pose and posture, while others
support an injured student to practice yoga comfortably.
So, here are the countless benefits of using props.
- Every person has a different and unique body structure. A pose that seems right to a fellow student may just not feel comfortable or right to the other; thanks to their different bone structure. A little support with the appropriate prop helps in overcoming the discomfort.
- People with injuries or other health issues like heart problems, etc may often turn to yoga for improvement in health. The use of props help these students move ahead on the yoga path without undue physical injury and stress.
- Despite knowing the benefits of a specific pose, the fear of injury often limits students from practicing it. Props successfully help to overcome this fear.
- Props help students to hold and rest in a particular pose and relax their bodies.
- The muscles may not be strong enough at the onset of yoga practice. However, props help students to attain flexibility and also strengthen their muscles eventually.
Iyengar yoga and props are synonymous to each other and thus, enable students to attain maximum physical and mental benefits.
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