What to expect in an Iyengar Yoga class
Your safety and well-being are our first priority. Class may begin with a few minutes of sitting to help you step out of the busyness of daily life. In the upper level classes, class will begin with a chant, the invocation to Patanjali. Every class will end with savasana or a restorative pose to relax the body.
Our instructors are trained and experienced to know how to modify the poses if you have challenges with your knees, shoulders, back, etc. Please contact or speak to the instructor before class if you have concerns.
Your class may focus on a different area of the body each week or a different category of postures but the principles remain the same. The class will not be the same every week. In the level I and Level I-2 classes, standing poses are introduced and emphasized to build a foundation.
In an Iyengar yoga class, classical yoga postures are taught with an emphasis on alignment so that strength and flexibility develop concurrently. This has tremendous benefit in our daily life. When we can stand and sit well, pain free, we are better able to enjoy life.
“If you open the armpits the brain becomes light. You cannot brood or become depressed.” B.K.S. Iyengar
“Why should you practice yoga? To kindle the divine fire within yourself. Everyone has a dormant spark of divinity in him which has to be fanned into flame.” B.K.S. Iyengar
Here is a visual snapshot of what an Iyengar Yoga Class may look like:
Iyengar Yoga South Bay Welcomes You
Your body is your child-look after it
“Your body is your child. Look after it.” B.K.S. Iyengar
Standing Tall as a Mountain-Tadasana
The Mountain’s Foundation
“In each asana, if the part of the body in contact with the floor is good, the asana is performed well.” B.K.S. Iyengar
Arms to Uplift the Mountain- urdhva hastasana
“If you open the armpits the brain becomes light. You cannot brood or become depressed.” B.K.S. Iyengar
Creating and Maintaining a Triangle, Utthita Trikonasana
“Unless freedom is gained in the body, freedom of the mind is a far cry.” B.K.S. Iyengar
Creating and Maintaining a Triangle, Utthita Trikonasana
Creating and Maintaining a Triangle, Utthita Trikonasana
Extended Stretch of the Side Trunk, Utthita Parsvakonasana
Extended Stretch of the Side Trunk, Utthita Parsvakonasana
Seated Angle Pose Upavistha Konasana
Seated Angle Pose Upavistha Konasana
Bound Angle Pose- Baddha Konasana
Opening the body with a Prop
“If your brain is silent but attentive while performing asanas, your practice is non-violent.” B.K.S. Iyengar
Opening the body with a Prop
“If your brain is silent but attentive while performing asanas, your practice is non-violent.” B.K.S. Iyengar
Opening the body with a Prop
“If your brain is silent but attentive while performing asanas, your practice is non-violent.” B.K.S. Iyengar
Opening the body with a Prop
“If your brain is silent but attentive while performing asanas, your practice is non-violent.” B.K.S. Iyengar
A Seated Twist – Bharadvajasana
A Seated Twist – Bharadvajasana
Downward Facing Dog Pose=Adho Mukha Svanasana
To extend, to lengthen out=Uttanasana
”Activity and passivity must go together in asana.” B.K.S. Iyengar
Inverting the body, Variations of Viparita Karrani
“Words fail to convey the total value of yoga. It has to be experienced.” B.K.S. Iyengar
Inverting the body, Variations of Viparita Karrani
“Words fail to convey the total value of yoga. It has to be experienced.” B.K.S. Iyengar
Inverting the body, Variations of Viparita Karrani
“Words fail to convey the total value of yoga. It has to be experienced.” B.K.S. Iyengar
“Health is firmness in body, stability in mind and clarity in thinking. If a mirror is clean, it reflects objects clearly. Health is the mirror of man.” B.K.S. Iyenga