New Updated Website

Please visit our new updated website at www.orangetreeyoga.com for the latest information on Iyengar Yoga classes and holidays with Rachel Lovegrove.  The Yoga Cafe site will be re-launched next year but until then, wishing all yoga surfers a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Hatha Yoga - One Aspect of a Whole Way of Being

Often as a teachers of a specific “style” of yoga, we get asked by our students and the curious, what is the difference between Hatha Yoga and Iyengar Yoga. The answer is, none. Hatha Yoga refers to the physical practice of postures (asanas), breathing (pranayama) and meditation which is just one aspect, but a very important aspect of the whole philosophy of yoga. Teachers and students who follow the Iyengar method of yoga call it that but BKS Iyengar himself does not call what he does Iyengar Yoga! Any school of yoga where physical practices are taught are teaching Hatha Yoga. The two syllables, Ha (sun) and Tha (moon) refer to the opposing forces in all things and together the word symbolizes the physical practices of yoga.

But the physical practices of yoga are only one aspect of this universal tool for the whole of mankind. Yoga is a way of life, a tool for modern living, a universal way of being. It is not governed by one particular religion or doctrine but was intended for all peoples of any race, creed or religious persuasion. Some people choose to practice only one element of the study of yoga, such as the physical or Hatha studies. Others go deeper into the subject by studying the philosophy, entering into a “yogic” way of life, trying to understand the nature of the ‘mind’—its different states of being, struggles, afflictions and the methods yoga gives us to evolve it to achieve self-realization. Here is a brief introduction to the other 5 yoga systems:

Raja (ashtanga) yoga - Also known as the King of Yoga studies - Concentration of the mind and senses.
Bakti Yoga - This is the Yoga of selfless love, compassion, humility, purity of mind and spirit.
Jnana Yoga - The Yoga of knowledge - practical philosophy/metaphysics both theory and practice.
Kriya Yoga - It’s meaning is in getting rid of obstructions from the body and mind that inhibit our growth.
Karma Yoga - Selfless actions for others.

For more information, visit www.bksiyengar.com, www.iyengaryoga.org.uk or go to my books page for publications on Hatha Yoga and the other systems of yoga philosophy and practice.

YOGA FOR LIFE

 

Scientists trying to measure some of yoga’s effects on health have discovered some interesting results: 

• Studies by the Oregon Health and Sciences University found that a six-month Iyengar yoga program helped people with multiple sclerosis combat fatigue, and also improved the energy level and quality of life of healthy seniors.
• According to an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association, doing yoga helped improve grip strength and reduce pain in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. 
• Adult asthma patients practiced yoga in clinical trials to help reduce the use of inhalers and induce more relaxed and positive attitudes.
• Transcendental Meditation, which is associated with yoga practice, was found to reduce stress, lower blood pressure and is more effective than heart disease education programs in reducing fatty buildup in arteries, according to a study in the American journal Stroke.

Another study in Washington (http://the-aps.org/press/journal/07/22.htm) found that Iyengar Yoga helped to promote well being for sufferers of breast cancer because of the effects that yoga practice has on the immune system and it’s response to certain “triggers”.

BKS Iyengar and students of yoga all over the world, however, have long known the benefits of a regular yoga practice.  At his centre in Pune, India, Mr Iyengar runs a daily medical class for local students, people with serious illnesses, amputees, complications in pregnancy, or people recovering from accidents or injuries. 

 

Each person is given their own personal programme with specially adapted poses (with his famously innovative and intelligent use of “props”) and treated as an individual in order for them to receive the best possible transformation through yoga.  This dedication has been passed on to his teachers through a rigorous training system that encourages continued professional development and learning, in order to provide the best teaching possible for people of all levels of fitness, ability and health.

 

However, many of us as practitioners, even though we may not have the skill and knowledge of a great master, know instinctively that yoga has a profound effect on our lives AND our health.  

When people ask me what the point of yoga is, what the goal is, what it will do for them, will it cure this or that ailment; I have to stop and wait - the answer really depends on what the individual’s own goals are and does rely on regular practice.  For me, it can be expressed in three words: Yoga is Life.   My mother took me to my first class when I was 12. I remember being amazed at how calm and peaceful the group of normally harassed and stressed out mothers and housewives were as they stretched and relaxed in various poses.  Now that I’m a teacher, I see that same phenomenon in my own students, and I’m glad to say that these days there are more men in the class than there were in the 1970’s!  Coming to a yoga class gives people space and time for themselves, even just an hour a week can make all the difference and it doesn’t matter which style of yoga you choose, as long as it feels right for you.  Iyengar teachers are rigorously trained under the auspices of BKS Iyengar.  But many other yoga schools and their teachers are no less dedicated and committed to providing students with the best possible support and learning.

Whatever your reason for choosing to come to a yoga class, be it because of a search for a healthier way of life, physical fitness, weight loss or toning, or perhaps for more serious conditions such as heart disease and cancer or to deepen your spiritual development, yoga provides us with so much more than we bargained for if we allow it to.  For yoga is a spiritual practice, which connects us to our truer selves, the part of us that is calm, well, centred and peaceful, which holds us steady and strong no matter what turbulence may come our way.

Iyengar Yoga - Frequently Asked Questions

ABOUT YOGA & IYENGAR YOGA

Who is BKS Iyengar?  

Belur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar, (aka Yogacharya BKS Iyengar) (Born December 14, 1918 in Belur, Karnataka, India) is the founder of Iyengar Yoga. He is considered one of the foremost yoga teachers in the world & has been practicing & teaching yoga for more than 60 years. He has written many books on yogic practice & philosophy, & is best known for his books Light on Yoga, Light on Pranayama, & Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. He has also written several definitive yoga texts. Iyengar yoga centers are located throughout the world, & it is believed that millions of students practice Iyengar Yoga.

BKS Iyengar was born into a poor family. He had a difficult childhood. His home village of Belur, Karnataka, India, was in the grips of the influenza pandemic at the time of his birth, leaving him sickly & weak. Iyengar’s father died when he was 9 years old, & he continued to suffer from a variety of maladies in childhood, including malaria, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, & general malnutrition.

At the age of 15 BKS Iyengar went to live with his brother-in-law, the well-known yogi , Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya in Mysore. There, he began to learn asana practice, which steadily improved his health. Soon he overcame his childhood weaknesses.

 

With the encouragement of Krishnamacharya, BKS Iyengar moved to Pune to teach yoga in 1937. There his practice developed as he spent many hours each day learning & experimenting in various techniques. As his methods improved, the number of students at his classes increased & his fame spread. In Pune, his brothers introduced him to Ramamani, & they were wed in an arranged marriage in 1943.

 

In 1952, BKS Iyengar met & befriended the famous violinist Yehudi Menuhin. Menuhin arranged for Iyengar to teach abroad in London, Switzerland, Paris & elsewhere. This was the first time that many Westerners had been exposed to yoga, & the practice slowly became well known.

In 1966, “Light on Yoga,” was published. It gradually became an international best-seller & was translated into 17 languages. It succeeded in making yoga well known throughout the globe. This was later followed by titles on pranayama & various aspects of yoga philosophy. BKS Iyengar has authored 14 books.

In 1975, Iyengar opened the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune, in memory of his departed wife. He officially retired from teaching in 1984, but continues to be active in the world of Iyengar Yoga, teaching special classes & writing books. He still lives a simple life and works tirelessly to spread the knowledge of yoga throughout the world, with most of his profits going to the development of the Bellur Project, a fund set up to help the impoverished villagers of his place of birth. Iyengar’s daughter Geeta & son Prashant have gained international acclaim as teachers. Iyengar has been named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine. For more detailed information, visit the official Iyengar website at www.bksiyengar.com
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What is Yoga?

Simply put, yoga is an eight-fold system of mental, physical & spiritual development which has been in existence for over 2500 years & was

 brought to the West by, among others, the great yoga master, Tirumalai Krishnamacharya & his two students, Pattabhi Jois & BKS Iyengar. Although now in their eighties & nineties, these two expert masters of yoga both continue to teach & develop the most popular & prolific styles of yoga known throughout the world today, namely Astanga Vinyasa & Iyengar Yoga.
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“Spirituality is not some external goal….. but part of the divine core of each of us, which we must reveal. For the yogi, spirit is not separate from body.” BKS Iyengar

What is the difference between Iyengar & Hatha Yoga or other types of yoga?

There is a misconception that Iyengar Yoga is different from Hatha Yoga. Hatha Yoga is one of the 8 limbs of yoga philosophy that refers to the physical practice of yoga postures, breathing and meditation and is simply a term that has been in use for centuries. One of the original uses of the word “Hatha” was as the name of a major branch of yoga practice developed by Goraksha and other adepts, meaning “forceful yoga”. The actual word “Hatha” translates as meaning Sun/Moon and it’s meaning is to balance the duality within the mind and body, rather like the Yin/Yang philosophy. So therefore, whatever “style” of yoga is practiced whether it’s Shivananda, Iyengar, Astanga, Power Yoga, is all Hatha Yoga. Some students choose to practice with lots of different teachers blending different styles of yoga, whilst others prefer to choose one path. Iyengar yoga teachers concentrate on developing their learning based on the teachings of BKS Iyengar so a well-practiced teacher will have an indepth knowledge of the subject.
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What happens in a typical Iyengar yoga class?

Iyengar Yoga concentrates on postural alignment & body awareness. In general the class will start with a few moments of quiet to prepare for the yoga. This is followed by some stretches to mobilise the body. Standing postures are then practiced in which one learns the fundamentals of how to adjust & align the body correctly, which has to be learnt before more advanced postures can be successfully mastered. The practice could then focus on specific postures for that day such as backbends, more standing postures, forward bends, inverted postures, recuperative postures or breathing exercises called pranayama. The class will end with recuperative & re-energising postures. Students will often say they walk away from an Iyengar Yoga class taller, straighter & full of energy in spite of having worked quite hard. They also say that they can sleep better and feel more at peace with themselves.
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What are the main benefits of practising yoga?

Regular practice develops all round physical, mental & spiritual wellbeing. It is extremely beneficial for the prevention of injury & ill health as well as improving existing conditions. The practice of yoga will help to:

• Mobilise joints & strengthen muscle weakness
• Aid in balance & coordination
• Increase flexibility & movement
• Improve posture & correct misalignments
• Improve circulatory disorders & hormonal imbalances
• Increase performance in sports & improve recovery time
• Assist in mental health problems such as stress, depression & anxiety & all the related health problems
• Develop self-awareness and assist with self-development. Ultimately it is believed that yoga can help one to align body, mind and spirit and move towards and more peaceful and cohesive existence.

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“Postures diluted by misalignment & sloppiness lose their strength, shape, form & benefits.” BKS Iyengar

How can you train to be an Iyengar teacher?
To become an Iyengar Yoga Teacher takes many years of training under the Iyengar Yoga Association system. The high standard of training of teachers results in an excellent record of safety, knowledge & skill for the students & enjoyment of classes. Iyengar Yoga teachers are governed in this country by the Iyengar Yoga Association (UK), which has direct links with the main Iyengar Yoga Association in Pune, India. Only teachers who qualify under this system can use the Iyengar trademark name & certification mark, a mark of excellence & understanding in yoga teaching. For further details on this system & on Iyengar Teacher Training, please visit www.iyengaryoga.org.uk.
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What are Yoga Asanas (Postures)?

The work in asanas brings balance & harmony to body, mind & spirit so that not only are effects felt on the physical level, but also on a deeper & more spiritual level too, therefore yoga asanas (postures) should not be confused with mere exercise, callisthenics, which help strengthen & develop muscles. Asanas are special positions of the body that strengthen, purify & balance the endocrine, nervous & circulatory systems as well as strengthening bones, flexing joints & extending & toning muscles. If you practice asanas regularly, your body will gradually achieve greater endurance, your spine will become more flexible, your body will rid itself of toxins, you will breathe more easily, you will gain energy, your circulation will improve, your blood pressure will normalize, you will have an easier time coping with stress, & you will have more pleasant thoughts & fewer negative emotions. And considering all this, your overall mood will improve—in other words, you will gain vibrant physical & emotional health.
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“The body is our initial means of awareness. Mobility & action. The practice of Yoga changes the prevailing state of body, mind & spirit.” BKS Iyengar

Who is Yoga For (i.e. Am I too old/young/stiff/unfit)?

Iyengar Yoga is for anyone irrespective of age, gender, health, religion & circumstances in life. Iyengar Yoga is not competitive. You will not be judged against other people. A distinctive feature of Iyengar Yoga is the use of equipment, called “props”, to enable a student to develop strength, flexibility & control in a posture to achieve their full potential. In this way a student works to his or her maximum ability at whatever level of practice they have attained. The teacher is trained to select the correct prop & supervise students individually with correction, encouragement & support.

Classes are taught according to the needs & level of practice of the student. No-one should be forced into performing a posture they are not ready for & it is the teacher’s skill & experience that will guide the student towards the best level of practice for them.
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“Anyone can practice yoga, & it’s validity today is for everyone” Sir Yehudi Menuhin

YOGA – A Preventative Medicine

“Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.” BKS Iyengar

The above quote by the world’s foremost exponent of Hatha Yoga, BKS Iyengar, encapsulates the benefits both physical and mental that a regular yoga practice can bring. I have practiced yoga for 20 years and taught for 10. It has made me strong & flexible; it has improved my posture, balance, coordination and concentration. It has kept me free of illness by bolstering my immune system and has helped me to deal with the ups and downs of life in a calm and measured way.

For my students, physical problems or injuries are greatly improved and stress and other mental problems eased. Yoga for them quickly becomes an essential habit. For those with more serious illnesses such as MS or cancer, it provides relief from symptoms and from the stress caused by the disease.

Iyengar Yoga is a style of Hatha yoga (referring to the physical practice of postures and breathing), so named by the students of BKS Iyengar to differentiate it from other schools of yoga. One of it’s main features, is the attention to detail, looking at the alignment of the bones, joints and muscles in the body in each pose to bring the maximum benefits to the student. BKS Iyengar developed the innovative use of “props” such as belts and blocks to assist people who were unable to perform some of the postures so that they too could benefit from the health giving properties of the poses. People from all over the world have adopted his methods and at the age of 90, he is still energetically practicing and teaching daily.

Yoga is both a physical and spiritual practice. It works on the whole body both external – muscles, tendons, bones & joints and internal – heart, liver, kidneys etc and also on the major body systems – endocrine, cardiovascular, immune, excretory, circulatory, digestive, lymphatic, respiratory & reproductive. It acts like a body maintenance programme, helping to get rid of toxins, improve circulation, regulate hormones, tone the liver, improve the blood flow to our organs including the brain and skin. It also helps us to learn to relax, to take time to focus on ourselves and create a reservoir of peace and calmness inside that we can draw on in times of stress or hardship.

For a holidays/workshops with Rachel please contact: rachel@orangetreeyoga.com or visit www.orangetreeyoga.com or call +44207 558 8658

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