7 Reasons To Practice Iyengar

1. Increased Flexibility

Iyengar is a slow, gentle practice guiding the practitioner into stretches that are held for approximately one minute. The use of props is to enable any practitioner, from beginners to advanced, to hold postures without causing pain or injury.

2. Toned Muscles

Because Iyengar engages the whole body, the attention goes not just to the main muscle, but instructs the practitioner to think about where the muscles are connected to other body parts and engage those as well. The result is an awesome full body toning experience.

3. A Calmer Mind

Once you enter an asana or pose, Iyengar encourages you to focus on the alignment and ignore all other thoughts in your head and being in the moment. You can think of it as a type of meditation, and, like meditation, the more you practice it, the calmer your mind will be—on the mat and off of it.

4. Pain Relief

Studies have supported the power of Iyengar yoga to relieve back and neck pain. By focusing attention on alignment, much of the slouching, hunching, and muscle weakness that leads to back and neck pain can be overcome in Iyengar.

The practice also helps stretch the muscles of the back and relieve pain-causing tension.

5. Improved Posture

With minor adjustments to improve alignment, the small muscles that are often ignored become stronger. The result is that you’ll find yourself sitting and standing straighter, which will give you more energy, less pain, and increased confidence!

6. Protection from Disease

Disease often results when the normal processes of the body don’t happen the way they should. Iyengar yoga helps improve the overall functioning of the body—from the circulatory and lymph systems, to the nervous system and digestion.

When the body’s systems are doing their jobs, organs are nourished, toxins are eliminated, and the risk of some diseases goes down.

7. Improved Breathing

Whether you realize it or not, many of us hold our breath during times of stress. The more you practice breathing through Iyengar yoga, however, the less you’ll end up holding your breath unconsciously, and oxygen to your brain is a good thing!