Iyengar yoga recommended to me; I have questions

[Jainarayan]

I found a local Iyengar yoga school. An excerpt from their site:

Level 1 Iyengar

This class is very focused on precise body alignment. Based in the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar, It is yoga taught with highly verbal instructions. Errors are actively corrected so that students can find the correct form for their body in each pose. Props such as belts, blocks and blankets are used in the class to help people adjust into proper alignment in poses. This style helps to prevent any pain or injury in the poses. In this class you will build strong legs and increase vitality. The class moves slowly and this helps to bring more awareness. It takes time to move into a pose and to become stable. This class will help your practice to change and expand. Take this class to bring a positive effect to your nervous system.

Unfortunately the prices are beyond my finances, and there is only 1 Iyengar yoga class per week.

Drop In $18
10 classes (valid 90 days) $150
30 classes (valid 180 days) $400
75 classes (valid 240 days) $750
Monthly Unlimited $165
3 Months Unlimited $450
Yearly Unlimited $1400



I cannot sit cross-legged for more than 15-20 mins. without my foot going numb (compressed nerve even after my back surgery), and I am extremely inflexible.

However, I found some books written by Guruji himself. I was wondering if anyone could give an opinion on them: which one is better, should I even attempt using a book, etc. I would get my own blocks and supports, mat and anything else recommended. The books are:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/iyen...=9781405317382

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/iyen...=9780756642839

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bks-...=9780756633622

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ligh...=9780805210316

Thanks for anything you can suggest.

[Eastern Mind]

Vannakkam: I saw Iyengar in person once. My take was that it was all hatha, no philosophy, and incredibly strict hatha at that. Some people got injured trying to do the 'basics' . So I came away with a "Be cautious," feeling. But that was just me. There were people there going all gaga.

Sounds like you need a far gentler approach.

Aum Namasivaya

[realdemigod]

Namaste Jainarayan,
I hope the school you found is affiliated to B.K.S. Iyengar and you better do some research on it before you decide to join. I would suggest the book mentioned below as it is quite comprehensive. Even though after reading the book you might think you could do many of the asanas (poses) from the book but Guruji advises it's always better to learn from a proper yoga instructor. But there will be always some asanas very simple which a beginner can do effortlessly. The book even gives a regiment from beginner to advanced and also by weeks. And I see you are from US and yoga there is commodity now and a market worth billions of dollars. All I can say is please don't go by the name of Iyengar yoga as many people who learnt directly from the students of Guruji or from their students' students.. you never know but still use Guruji's name just to attract people and make money. (Even this started happening in India)

I heard from my teacher who learnt directly from Guruji that Guruji never makes a beginner to do advanced asanas and even in our class we use lots of props (a trademark of Iyengar yoga) just to educate your body till flexibility comes in. Same asana can be done by a beginner with props in one way and in another way by someone advanced and some don't even use props.

It could be also possible people from this school learnt Guruji books and try to teach on their own.

http://www.amazon.com/Light-Yoga-B-K...=light+on+yoga

If you think you can learn from dvds I would suggest Richard Freeman videos as he is really good and learnt from Pattabhi Jois a contemporary of B.K.S Iyengar.

I'm grateful that I was born in India and have the opportunity to learn Iyengar yoga for just 8$ per month..three classes a week

Good luck

[Jainarayan]

Namaste.

Vannakkam: I saw Iyengar in person once. My take was that it was all hatha, no philosophy, and incredibly strict hatha at that. Some people got injured trying to do the 'basics' . So I came away with a "Be cautious," feeling. But that was just me. There were people there going all gaga.

Sounds like you need a far gentler approach.

Aum Namasivaya

Yes, I need a very gentle approach. This question was spurred by another discussion about integrating meditation and yoga. It was recommended that Iyengar was the route to go to avoid the 'New-Age-removed-from-Hinduism-yoga'. I will bear your caution in mind, of course. Thanks.

Namaste Jainarayan,
I hope the school you found is affiliated to B.K.S. Iyengar and you better do some research on it before you decide to join.

Given the pricing and schedule I think joining is out of the question. So, not to worry about that. In reading further about the school, only one teacher is certified in Iyengar yoga:

XXXX has been practicing yoga for 10 years. In her quest for knowledge and as a vehicle to improve her personal practice, she found herself drawn to the endless refinements of the Iyengar method.

As a student and teacher the deeper she dug the more she realized that the surface had hardly been scratched and found herself truly enjoying the endless learning and discovery it brought. She has been following and studying Iyengar yoga intensely for the last 7 years.

After completing the teacher training program at the Iyengar Yoga Institute of New York led by senior teachers James Murphy and Mary Dunn. She was awarded certification in the Iyengar method as a Intro One Teacher.

Currently XXXX is continuing her studies in New York and also working with world renowned Iyengar teacher Patricia Walden in Boston to further her qualification as a teacher and yogi .She is completing an additional two year teaching program finishing in June.

Her passion is simply to guide students towards a better understanding of this method and then to observe the students and teach according to what their practice requires. Keeping it simple... XXXX believes interest is the most important thing a student can bring to yoga.

I would suggest the book mentioned below as it is quite comprehensive. Even though after reading the book you might think you could do many of the asanas (poses) from the book but Guruji advises it's always better to learn from a proper yoga instructor. But there will be always some asanas very simple which a beginner can do effortlessly. The book even gives a regiment from beginner to advanced and also by weeks.

Fortunately I'm not one to try to attempt too much. I've learned my limitations... the hard way. I'm in no hurry to master any asanas. Any little bit I do today is more than I did yesterday, I always say.

And I see you are from US and yoga there is commodity now and a market worth billions of dollars. All I can say is please don't go by the name of Iyengar yoga as many people who learnt directly from the students of Guruji or from their students' students.. you never know but still use Guruji's name just to attract people and make money. (Even this started happening in India)

Yes, it's common practice to co-opt a famous name. One example is the upsurge in Sōka Gakkai because Tina Turner practices it. This is why I'm reluctant to just jump into something.

I heard from my teacher who learnt directly from Guruji that Guruji never makes a beginner to do advanced asanas and even in our class we use lots of props (a trademark of Iyengar yoga) just to educate your body till flexibility comes in. Same asana can be done by a beginner with props in one way and in another way by someone advanced and some don't even use props.

I will definitely need props.

It could be also possible people from this school learnt Guruji books and try to teach on their own.

http://www.amazon.com/Light-Yoga-B-K...=light+on+yoga

If you think you can learn from dvds I would suggest Richard Freeman videos as he is really good and learnt from Pattabhi Jois a contemporary of B.K.S Iyengar.

I'm grateful that I was born in India and have the opportunity to learn Iyengar yoga for just 8$ per month..three classes a week

Good luck

The book you recommended looks like a later edition of this one http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ligh...=9780805210316 which I would probably go with, rather than the B&N copy.

I envy you. Yeah, there are benefits to living in India. When I order puja items or books, or anything else I can't get here, the prices are very low. It's the shipping that kills you. A $20 order can be $13 in shipping, for example. But it's usually worth it.


Thanks much.

[Vasa]

Namaste.

If you have a Nintendo Wii, Wii Fit Plus w/ Balance Board is like 60 to 80 bucks and there are several beginner asanas as well as more advanced. It is designed for people to ease into the postures. If you don't have a Wii you can get the whole package with system game and balance board for around 180 bucks.

I found a lot of benefit in it, my 52 year old mother with degenerative disk disease also found it beneficial. Once you develop some flexibility it will be easier to move on to more difficult asanas without straining yourself.

[Sahasranama]

You said somewhere that you were doing TRX exercises. TRX has very good mobility DVDs and some of the movements are yoga inspired. You can do this at home. This is very good preparation for yoga asanas.

Also, you don't necessarily need to follow yoga classes every week. That's what they tell you, because they want a steady income. You could go every two or three weeks and practice at home the rest of the time.

Light on yoga is a very good book, but there are a lot of advanced postures in it. You will need a good beginners book too, like this one: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bks-...=9780756633622

If you are looking for yoga anatomy books, these are the best I think: http://www.bandhayoga.com/

Iyengar is no saint, he is just as commercial as any other yoga teacher and he will say anything to attract more costumers. He is often criticised for teaching physical only yoga. This is not entirely true, there is certainly a meditative aspect to doing hatha yoga postures. Focusing on physical alignment is not something to shun, it's good to prevent injuries.