Iyengar practice

To date, I feel as though this type of yoga (Iyengar) has been the most physically demanding practice that I have done so far. While doing this Iyengar yoga, the instructor often reminded us about the benefits of our movements and how they affect us on a physiological level. I enjoyed these comparisons because I am an Exercise Science major and have confidence in my knowledge of the body. While difficult, I found the positions manageable and only had to modify one or two because my body was unable to move in the instructed way.

One aspect of the Iyengar practice that stood out to me was the use of asanas and Sanskrit. The Sanskrit  (traditional language of the yogis/Indian culture) was a new experience for me and found it interesting to hear the connection between the word and the action. The asanas are one of the main aspects that set Iyengar yoga apart from other yogas. I enjoyed the standing asanas, especially the Tadasma which emphasized stretching of the shoulders.

The final aspect of the Iyengar yoga that stood out to me was the guided voice of our teacher as well as an emphasis on pranayama. The fact that our instructor helped us through each step and explained its purpose allowed me to take more pride in my movements. With an expectation of how the asana would help me, I was able to full-heartedly submerge myself in the practice. Pranayama is awesome too because I often struggle with calming down after being angry and was able to utilize basic breathing skills I learned in our session to help me relax.  

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