What is Iyengar Yoga?

IYA Inaugural Newsletter 1985.

Link to pdf of full article.

IYA Inaugural Newsletter 1985

Prop Agenda by Arjun von Caemmerer

How many Iyengar Yoga practitioners does it take to change a light bulb? Just one…along with a trestle, a bolster, a chair, two blocks, four blankets and a strap. This joke, well-worn though it is by now, is thread with a truth. Albeit obliquely, it rightly links Yogacharya Sri BKS Iyengar to the props now commonly used in yoga practice. Iyengar developed these out of necessity, having encountered students who were unable to perform the classical āsanas (yoga postures) without significant distortions. Props are, therefore, one of the bonuses of his teaching experience.

It is illuminating to compare the difference in the prop requirements in the two seminal publications (each intended for use by the home practitioner) that bookend the life work of Sri BKS Iyengar, Light on Yoga (1965) and Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health (2008). In the Introduction to Light on Yoga, Iyengar states that “to perform [āsana] one needs a clean airy place, a blanket and determination, whilst for other systems of physical training one needs large playing fields and costly equipment. Āsanas can be done alone as the limbs of the body provide the necessary weights and counter-weights”. In the nearly 600 photographs in this book, not a single prop is depicted, although a few are mentioned in the text (for example, the recommendation to use the corner of two intersecting walls to help develop an accurate sense of alignment in Śirṣāsana, (headstand).

In contrast, the basic 20-week Course in The Path to Holistic Health requires the practitioner to have at their disposal a generous number of props: a mat, 5 wooden blocks, 4 bolsters, 3 blankets, 2 stools, 2 foam blocks, a bench, a rounded block, a chair, a strap, a bandage and access to a suitable wall. Clearly, many would-be yoga practitioners may have neither the resources to purchase, nor indeed the space to house, all of this equipment. It is of course feasible that some students might have access to a shared pool of props or to the facilities of a well-equipped yoga school.

The prospective home practitioner may need, therefore, to find a middle path between these two ends of the spectrum. It might be helpful here to return to basics: to clarify what props actually are, what purposes they serve, what hidden disadvantages they might entail, and, finally, which props could be considered essential for the home practitioner.

The dictionary definition of “prop” includes both its use as a noun: “a support, especially one not an integral part of the thing supported” and, as a verb: “to support or keep from falling”. Both of these definitions are of practical utility, and seem surprisingly consonant with the Sanskrit word dharma, about which Iyengar quotes from the Mahābhārata: “Patitam patantam patiṣyantam dhārayati iti dharmah. Dhāraṇat dharmaḥ ityāhaḥ”. “Dharma is that which supports, sustains, and upholds those who have fallen (physically, morally or spiritually), or those who are falling or about to fall”.

Yoga practice itself props the practitioner and, in the strictest sense, it could be argued that there is no ‘thing’ that is not a prop, as any ‘thing’ exists only in an interdependent relationship with all other things. This is evident in the different domains of practice where body, senses, breath, mind, intelligence and consciousness each support (and in their turn are supported by) all the other components.

Props have manifold purposes. Although I may refer to single examples in the next few paragraphs, the basic principles discussed can be generalized to the entire corpus of āsana.

First, props help physically support and stabilize—to ground—the practitioner in relation to the earth. In this sense (in the absence of a non-slip surface on which to practice) a sticky mat is the most fundamental prop. Second, props can assist with approaching the intent of a ‘classical’ āsana whilst minimising the unhealthy distortion that generally accompanies forcing a body that does not have the requisite movement into a shape. For example, Light on Yoga shows Trikoṇāsana (triangle posture) with the bottom palm flat on the floor behind the front leg. Using appropriate support (a block for the bottom palm) can reduce distortion in the neck and throat region and facilitate ease of breathing for those without sufficient mobility for the classical position. Because props can allow a modification of the classical āsana into one that is more easeful, they can also be helpful where energy might need to be conserved, for example in the low-energy state that follows infections or sometimes accompanies physiological states (such as menstruation). Further, they can help to maintain a difficult posture for sufficient time to fully and effectively marinate body, mind and breath in the āsana, so enabling the practitioner to access the benefits of āsanas that might otherwise remain elusive. This is well-illustrated by the previously mentioned 20-week course in The Path to Holistic Health, which includes supported versions of āsanas which are very difficult to do well in their unmodified form (such as Viparita Dandāsana, inverted staff pose, an intense backbend with headstand positioning).

But props have a purpose parallel—and just as important as that of developing more effective musculoskeletal and organic actions: they can help to develop sensation in parts of the body that are difficult to feel. Just as the variety of different āsanas help to bring hidden sensations to the surface, so too, props can act as amplifiers of sensation, allowing the apprehension of feelings that may be intellectually acknowledged but which are not readily perceived. For example, holding a block between the thighs in Tadāsana can help to cultivate a sense of relative right and left balance between the actions of the two legs, so facilitating evenness and a sense of alignment. Using the block can also assist in balancing the simultaneous movements intrinsic to this āsana (an upward and backward movement with the thigh muscles which is coupled with the downward and forward movement with the coccyx); and to feel the relatively more subtle action of drawing the inner leg upwards. That is, props can facilitate finding the correct sense of direction in the āsana.

For a mature practitioner, props can also permit a deeper exploration of the biomechanics and bioenergetics of the āsana. When different aspects of the āsana are deliberately varied through the use of a prop, the practitioner has an opportunity to study how the āsana is affected. For example, simply varying the block for the bottom hand in Trikoṇāsana (placed closer to the knee or closer to the ankle; turned to a higher or lower height; placed in front of or behind the leg etc) allows the practitioner to observe in each variation what different sensations emerge or diminish, which actions are required or become no longer necessary, where space is expanded or contracted, how the breath is altered, how the sense organs are affected and so on. Investigating and understanding these variables is an aspect of svādhyāya, self-study. The cultivation of such subjective understanding potentially allows a yoga teacher to employ those variations that might be indicated for the needs of a particular student. This is the basis for the skilful deployment of props in remedial or therapeutic yoga sequences.

It is essential to remember that props bring their own baggage. They can be expensive, bulky and unfriendly to the environment. Props—in common with any other tool—have their own learning requirements for safe and effective use. Blocks, for example, can be unstable. (The author had a significant injury to a thumb tendon that occurred overbalancing whilst teaching Ardha Chandrāsana with a tall block.) It takes time to learn to use a prop well and students need to have a clear idea of why the prop is being used in the first place. The input of an experienced teacher is invaluable here.

An āsana that is fully supported by props conserves bio-energy more effectively than the same posture done actively (as relatively less muscular action is required to maintain the posture). But, in my experience, supported postures, especially if held for a prolonged time, can be more problematic for those students with musculoskeletal weakness or instability, than the same āsana done actively. One example would be supported Setu Bhāndha Sarvāngāsana (pictured below). Some students who have a tendency to back pain cannot tolerate this āsana for long, or will experience pain when coming out of the posture. In contrast, these same students will often find that the less supported and more active posture is more relieving. This may be counter-intuitive as there is often a misconception that supported āsanas are necessarily going to be ‘easier’ than their more active counterparts.

Props need to be appropriate to the practitioner. For example, in order to rest the head on a support in the standing forward bend, Uttānāsana (see picture below) the practitioner’s height, ratio of leg length to torso, as well as their relative stiffness or flexibility will have to be taken into account. If used unnecessarily, props might not only block or inhibit the range of movement but also restrict the field of sensation. This potentially impoverishes the capacity to learn from a yoga practice. Props may also contribute a to a sense of dependence, at worst leading to a mental rigidity that sees the āsana as only able to be performed in a particular way.

If one of the intentions of yoga practice is to develop flexibility in mind and body, one cannot be overly prescriptive about which props are necessary for home practice. A short list of props suitable for home practice would include a mat, a belt and a block. Blankets are generally readily available, and can be rolled to approximate a bolster; chairs, too, can often be adapted for one’s use. These few props would generally allow the practitioner to practice a wide range of āsanas that might benefit from some external support (including standing postures, seated postures, forward bends, backbends, inversions and supine postures). But if the intention behind the practice is understood and the practitioner somewhat creative, the immediate environs can frequently also be adapted, using whatever is at hand: walls, balconies, tables etc.

Sadly, the yoga world is not immune to fad or fashion. It is worth recalling the wry admonition of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika: not through wearing the clothes of a yogi is yoga achieved (nor, in this context, by amassing the accoutrements of unnecessary props). The author recently travelled overseas—the constraints of space allowed the carriage of only mat, belt and block as props, but, as the accompanying photographs show, in this circumstance, necessity can again become the mother of invention.

A basic set of home (or travelling) props: mat, belt and block

Supported Sarvāngāsana using the hotel’s chair and pillows

Setu Bhandha Sarvāngāsana: lack of indoor space made this necessary

Supported Uttānāsana: using steps for a headrest

F R O M T H E V A U L T : Yoga Vaani, #19, December, 1990

How to Perform Asanas

by BKS Iyengar

The structure of the asana cannot change as each asana is an art in itself. But when yogic students present, each presents as if it is the best presentation. This is the philosophy of illusion (bhranti darshana).

One has to study each asana arithmetically, mathematically and geometrically, so that the real shape of the asana is brought out and expressed in presentation.

Unfortunately, the practitioners of yoga today perform an asana or asanas according to their pliabilities and mobilities, without giving a thought to distribute the asanas evenly as required in their frame. I think one has to mould the body to the requirement of an asana but not to adjust the asana to fit into one's structural body. This is wrong practice. Also, the distribution of weight of body should be even in the muscles, bone·, in mind and in intelligence. Resistance and movement should move in concord while performing asanas. As the Upanishads proclaim, use the body as a bow, asana as an arrow, keeping the soul as target. Then asana has the physical, physiological, psychological, intellectual and spiritual bearing.

While performing, though, the sadhaka is a subject and asana an object, so the asana should become the subject and the doer an object so that sooner or later both the doer, the instrument -the body and object - the asana become one or three in one. This is how an asana has to be done.

Like a well-cut diamond, cut the jewel of body (the joints, bones and so on) to fit into the fine network of an asana.

Involve the whole body with senses, mind, intelligence, consciousness and self while performing them. Do not create room for holes to appear in the body or mind while doing the asanas.

Study the aspect of an asana. It may be a right-angle triangle or change in angles, round or circular, rainbow shape or oval shape, straight lines or diagonal lines. Note all these points of each asana by observation lines. Note all these points of each asana by observation and study and make yourself to act in the field - the body to present the asana in its own pristine glory.

The cells of the body which have their own memories and intelligence are kept healthy in this way of performance and makes the gems of the body (secretions) wealthy.

When the cells are healthy, physiological (Pranamaya Kosha) becomes healthy and the mind which moves nearer to the sensations of the body are drawn away from the body through precise practice of asanas and brings closer to the soul or jeevatman.

This is the effect of asanas, and the asanas should be done in such a way that they lead the mind from the attachment of body towards the light of the soul for the sadhakas to live in the abode of the soul

What is the most challenging thing about running a yoga studio?

Of course, there are all the challenges of running a business and making it viable, but I think one of the most challenging points is marrying that to your development as a practitioner, a teacher and being the one responsible for the unique culture of your school. I belong to the greater fraternity that is Iyengar Yoga, and I am the product of a senior teacher lineage (in my case Peter Scott). But understanding, developing and communicating to others how B.K.S Iyengar’s teachings manifest in me is the most fundamental and critical issue.

Not having the sufficient level of certification (I’m currently JI2) to run a teacher training program has been a real and frustrating handicap in the development of that process.

Not only does teacher training provide another income stream, though that would be useful, but more so that it would encourage progression, for me, for the student body and the school.

Over the years I have steered students keen to undertake teacher training towards senior teachers in Melbourne, which has had some success but on some occasions, they have discontinued because of the difficulties associated with having to travel or because I am their teacher and they wanted to develop under my tutelage.

All of this then leads to the issue of ‘staffing’. Over the years it has been challenging to staff the school with certified Iyengar Yoga teachers and when I have, they have often been of a different lineage to me and were not able to a provide a cohesive learning environment. They have never been students of mine or my school and have no inherent commitment beyond earning a wage.

It is in no way a criticism of those teachers, but they are not products of nor fully integrated into the culture of the school.

What is the most rewarding?

I have been in the same place for 14 years now. I have observed students go through all sorts of ups and downs and it gives me great satisfaction to witness how vital a constant practice and the school is to their wellbeing.

Through relationship dramas, marriages, pregnancies, family deaths, career upheavals and health issues, students often tell me that yoga is their time, on the mat and at the school that has enabled them to cope.

Like all schools, many students come through the doors a few times, and you never see them again; however, you see when someone is profoundly captivated by the possibilities that Iyengar Yoga has to offer, and you know that it will be with them for life. There is no better reward.

Describe your demographic.

Geelong is undergoing a shift, and so are those attending classes. Traditionally the average student has been close to 50 years old, but there are also some in their 20s and others in their 70s.

Predominantly women, though I suspect I have more men in my classes than most other schools given, I am one of the few male teachers around, and I even run a specific male class.

Over the last few years, people have been less inclined to drive into Geelong CBD to attend classes, and there are more and more yoga schools in the surrounding suburbs, so numbers have decreased.

However, we are starting to get a few younger students and more office workers coming to classes, particularly with the offer of our new lunchtime classes.

Until about four years ago, we operated purely on an enrolment basis, and most people enrolled for and attended one class a week. Now we have unlimited passes, and class credit and students attend two, three and even more classes per week.

We seem to get less of the fitness-oriented students into our classes than other schools. Not much Lululemon or fluoro tops in our classes!

How do you market your business?

We try to encourage ‘word of mouth’ referrals, and we hold regular events at the school, such as concerts, International Yoga Day celebrations to boost our profile.

We put flyers in some local businesses, and we always keep brochures outside the front door as we located in an area of high level of foot traffic.

We also write directly to surrounding corporations, and place editorial content in local media whenever possible but stopped paying for print ads some years ago. Increasingly we invest time and money into social media, predominately Facebook.

How do you feel Iyengar Yoga sits in the wider yoga community?

I sense that we are sort of begrudgingly respected but considered to be somewhat elitist, insular and not a lot of fun!

There are now quite a few new yoga schools around me and they nearly all seem to share a growing number of casual, mostly younger teachers who seem to do ‘cool’ somewhat better (than me at least!). Plus they are all offering teacher training programs.

What I can say is that very few people who come through my door for the first time have much knowledge about Iyengar Yoga, if they have even heard the term before.

They come in cold, or they have heard that Geelong City Yoga is the place to go if they have some physical issue or are a bit older. About 15 percent come looking for Iyengar Yoga, and even then, it is nearly always because they have practiced the method somewhere else.

What is your one (or most important) piece of advice for someone wanting to start a yoga school?

If you are starting a school, be clear that it will take over, or more accurately become your life. You will scarcely ever be able to go away for any length of time, and you will probably not make very much money, so you really need to love teaching! And like any other business, keep your overheads as low as possible!

Anything you would do differently if you started from scratch tomorrow.

It seemed much simpler when I started, or maybe I just had the energy and blind optimism of a younger man!

There were far fewer people doing yoga, but there was also much less competition. I started Iyengar Yoga in 1991 and did my teacher training in 94/95. Iyengar Yoga was the new, cool yoga; the yoga younger people were doing as opposed to the Hatha style that mums were doing in the dusty local hall. When I started the school in 2004, I didn’t doubt that it could work. There were no other permanent yoga schools in Geelong, and the Iyengar style was a strong currency. There were no social media platforms to negotiate, and the fitness and fashion industries had not overrun yoga. It had not yet been so commoditized.

If I were starting out tomorrow, I would want a reasonable amount of money behind me. I also firmly believe it requires a team effort of complementary skills. Finally, I would ensure that the school had a clear path to teacher training. I would not undertake to open a school unless either a partner in the business or I could offer teacher training or I had an understanding with a senior teacher to be able to provide training at the school.

What did you do before you became a yoga teacher/started a school?

Before starting the school, I worked a lot in community theatre and in organizing social and environmental projects.