What is Iyengar Yoga? | Iyengar Yoga Australia

The Iyengar Yoga method is renowned for its focus on precision, timing and use of props. Created and developed over 75 years by Yogacharya BKS Iyengar, the Iyengar method is firmly based on the traditional eight limbs of yoga taught by Patanjali over 2,500 years ago.

Iyengar Yoga will help you to achieve mental, physical and spiritual stability and strength. BKS Iyengar created props, such as bolsters, benches, bricks, straps and sand bags, to help students experience the full benefits of asana and pranayama.

In an Iyengar Yoga class, you can expect detailed instructions from the teacher, who will often demonstrate poses to help students deepen their understanding of the postures and develop an overall awareness of body and self. You will also be encouraged to work at your own capacity, and deal with injuries or conditions you may be working with.

“I have no right to brand my practices or teachings as Iyengar Yoga. My pupils, who follow me, call it Iyengar Yoga. The only thing I am doing is to bring out the in-depth, the hidden qualities of Yoga to the awareness of you all. What I do is pure, authentic traditional Yoga. It is wrong to differentiate traditional yoga Iyengar Yoga, as it is also not fair to brand Yoga, as Raja-yoga, Hatha-yoga, Laya-yoga, Kundalini-yoga, Taraka-yoga and so forth. There is no distinction between one Yoga and another. Yoga, like God is one.”
— BKS Iyengar

Benefits of Iyengar Yoga

Improved physical health, increased flexibility, higher energy levels and enhanced mental stability and focus are just some of the benefits of Iyengar Yoga. As a regular practitioner, you can also expect to improve your overall wellbeing, strength, posture and mobility. While it is not a ‘quick-fix’ for health problems or conditions, those who practice Iyengar Yoga often report they eat better, sleep better and feel better overall.

Benefits of Iyengar Yoga

Beginning Iyengar Yoga

Everybody can do Iyengar Yoga – from absolute beginners to experienced yoga students. If you are a brand new student, you will be able to join any Iyengar Yoga class for beginners, where you will be closely guided by your teacher to develop confidence and capacity at your own pace in a systematic way.

Beginning Iyengar Yoga

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BKS Iyengar

BKS Iyengar devoted his life to the practice, study and teaching of yoga. Born 14 December 1918 in Bellur, India, Iyengar overcame extreme poverty and illness early in life through his study of yoga. As well as being a devoted student and teacher, Iyengar was a prolific writer. His book Light on Yoga (1966) remains the seminal text for Iyengar Yoga students and teachers around the world. BKS Iyengar is widely credited for bringing yoga to the West.

Who is BKS Iyengar?

Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI)

The Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) welcomes students and teachers of Iyengar Yoga from all around the world. It was established on 19 January 1975 in Pune, Maharashtra, and was the home and practice hall of BKS Iyengar during his lifetime. The RIMYI is a popular place of pilgrimage for Iyengar Yoga students, offering classes, workshops and educational seminars run by the Iyengar family.

Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI)

Recent Articles

News Yoga Sequences Community

21 Jun 2023

Iyengar Yoga Australia is celebrating International Yoga Day! This year’s yoga sequence is by James Hasemer from Central Yoga School!

According to the UN, International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga – and we know, yoga is more than a physical activity. In the words of B. K. S. Iyengar; “Yoga cultivates the ways of maintaining a balanced attitude in day-to-day life and endows skill in the performance of one’s actions.”

Download the sequence via the link and have Happy World Yoga Day everyone! 🙏🏼 🧘‍♀️

Happy International Yoga Day 2023!

🧡 Iyengar Yoga Australia is excited to celebrate International Yoga Day by showcasing some of our community members demonstrating this year’s yoga sequence by James Hasemer from Central Yoga School!

Teachers and students from around the country have generously contributed 1 or 2 poses for this fun video to help celebrate the day and as a guide for your practice.

How will you commemorate the art, philosophy and science that is Iyengar yoga?

Download the sequence via the link and have Happy World Yoga Day everyone! 🙏🏼 🧘‍♀️

IYD2023 Sequence

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News

1 Jun 2023

Mid-Year Assessment Results — April/May 2023

Congratulations to the following Teachers who were successful at the April/May 2023 Mid Year Assessments.

Level 3 Assessment – Yoga Mandir, Canberra 28-30 April

Congratulations to Bridget Hughes.

Level 1 Assessment – Balmain Yoga Studio, Sydney 5-7 May

Congratulations to Sally Marsland, Jingyan Cui, Michele Ashford, Salome Harris, Genevieve Tilley, Kerri Larken, Jackie Ruddock.

Level 2 Assessment – Redfern Yoga Space, Sydney 19-21 May

Congratulations to Kathryn Bywaters, Sabrina Sonntag, Leonie Wierenga.

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Yoga Sequences

16 Jun 2023

On Iyengar Yoga & Running - Water, Mud & Thorns - Arjun von Caemmerer.

The article describes the author's personal experience with running and its relationship to their Iyengar Yoga practice. The author initially started running as a way to strengthen their ankle after an injury, but discovered a newfound enjoyment in the activity. They discuss their current running routine, and their goals for the future. The author also explores the biomechanics of running and how they relate to the principles of asana in Iyengar Yoga. They discuss the importance of proper foot landing, body alignment, and the role of the arms in running. The author also reflects on the similarities between the movements in standing postures and the movements involved in walking and running. They highlight the importance of maintaining a steady rhythm and making adjustments to the changing terrain while running, similar to holding and adjusting asanas. The author concludes by discussing the constant variables and refinement of effort in both running and yoga, emphasizing the convergence of path and goal for the dedicated practitioner.

Link to pdf of full article.

Water, Mud & Thorns - On Iyengar Yoga & Running - Arjun von Caemmerer

Arjun von Caemmerer is certificated as a Level 3 Iyengar Yoga teacher and is a medical practitioner, specialized in general practice. He has, with Naomi Cameron, run the Hobart School of Iyengar Yoga, since 1995. He has had roles with IYA as a teacher trainer, assessor, and moderator, and has served on the Teachers’ and Ethics Committees. In 2006 Arjun–with the imprimatur of BKS Iyengar–transferred the RIMYI audiocassette version of Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra to triple CD. He is the author of Yoga Coda (2009), Essential Yoga The Yoga-Sūtra of Patañjali (2014), Pieces of 8 Versions of Patañjali’s Yoga-Sūtra (4th Ed, 2016), and Vice Versa new & selected poems (Collective Effort Press, 2016). His most recent book of poems is Bible Stories (2019). The single-line poems in this article are from Running Writing, an ongoing series.

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