Iyengar Yoga is a style of teaching, named after B.K.S. Iyengar. Iyengar classes are characterized by a “come and see” method. The teacher demonstrates an asana, stressing a particular aspect of it, while students
gather around and watch. Then, students return to their mats to practice the pose themselves, applying the principles the teacher just demonstrated. Everyone will hold the pose as the teacher checks each student, making adjustments as necessary.
Attention to alignment is a large part of this teaching method. Iyengar yoga provides a firm foundation for every student because of its attention to detail. Making sure the body is aligned correctly prevents injuries and also makes the student aware of how his or her body moves.
B.K.S. Iyengar is a master of using yoga for therapeutic purposes. By following his method, you learn to hold the pose so it brings the most benefit to your body. It is common to see props used in an Iyengar class. Props like blocks and straps are often used to increase the accessibility and benefit of each pose. His classic work, Light on Yoga, describes each asana in minute detail.
