Iyengar Props
Iyengar Props
Alle you need for your Iyengar Yoga practise
Mr. B.K.S. Iyengar is on of the world’s most famous yogis. He has been noted by Times Magazine as one of the top 100 most influential people in the world. His style Iyengar Yoga - although he himself prefers to say he is practicing pure Patanjali yoga is synonymous with alignment, precision and detailed practice. Literally millions of people throughout the world are practicing Iyengar Yoga and his use of props has influenced other yoga schools and styles too.
Mr. B.K.S. Iyengar can be seen as the teacher that started using props in yoga practice. Iyengar started using props himself by putting stones on his legs that were stiff because he had to cycle throughout Pune every day to give his classes. Later he began to use them in his classes mostly with to help students with medical problems or students that were not able to do the poses or to stay long enough in the poses to experience the beneficial effects. With the help of a carpenter he started doing poses while the carpenter drew the shapes of the poses. Together they would perfection them. So if you lie over our backbender, imagine Mr. B.K.S. Iyengar performing Viparita Dandasana (Staffpose) in front of a carpenter and enjoy the deep opening effect the pose has on your chest and the healthy stretch of your spine!
Should you want to read more about the props we can refer to 70 Glorious Years of Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar in which he elaborates on the development and the use of props. Or mail us and we will send you a copy of the article.
Iyengar Yoga focuses on technique so that even a beginner will have a thorough understanding of how to practice the asanas in order to obtain the maximum benefit. By using a few simple props, students with different capabilities can gradually build up strength, confidence and flexibility without the threat of strain or injury.
Mr. B.K.S. Iyengar in Path to Holistic Health.
The props Iyengar helped to develop are:
(pictures will follow soon!)
- Viparita Dandasana bench: You can perform a number of poses like...
- Setubandha Sarvangasana Bench: Helpful for practising...
- Ropes: hooked into or on the wall, they can help you perform the most difficult back bends without fear. Off course you can also use ropes to perform supported head stand (Sirsanana) without any strain on the chest or respitory muscles.
- Chair: Helpful for practising...
- Bricks: Helpful for practising...
- Tresler: Helpful for practising...
- Belts: Helpful for practising...
- Bandages: Helpful for practising...
- Pillows: Helpful for practising...
- Sand bags: Helpful for practising...
