All styles of yoga spring from the same source – the yoga sutras of Patanjali. So what makes Iyengar yoga stand out from the rest? Well a few things – commonly the use of props is cited, also the rigorous training of teachers. But the thing that makes BKS Iyengar’s system of yoga so special is a trinity of aspects that when combined sensitively and intelligently bring about a depth of understanding that brings the practitioner to their true Self.
Technicalities
The first of these aspects are the technicalities or the very specific instructions that are commonly given in an Iyengar yoga class. Prashant Iyengar says ‘they are not complexities they are intricacies’. It is in this meticulous attention to detail that the student is able to feel the body, get in contact with the body, communicate with the body. The penetration and evaluation of the skeletal-muscular absolutely involves mind, memory and intelligence. With continued refinement of the subtleties in body and breath make you more conscious, sharpening your awareness. Then with all those instructions and actions the mind cannot think of anything else! So it first becomes quiet and then eventually, maybe being able to bring it under control.
Sequencing
In Iyengar yoga, attention is paid to the order in which the asanas are performed, not just in one class but over the month and even years. This helps not just to work towards the more difficult asanas step by step, (and of course we do that) but to experience more deeply the effects of the asanas. The different ways of sequencing have different effects on both body, mind and consciousness. Sequencing the asanas along with particular intricacies of the asana enable you to penetrate more deeply.
Timing
This one seems pretty obvious – the amount of time you stay in an asana. Not all asanas are the same, some require longer timings to get the full benefit, the full penetrations. For instance you cannot fully experience Sirsasana (headstand) in 2 or even 3 minutes. You have to gradually build up the timing to understand and penetrate. Other asana may be detrimental if held for too long, especially if you are using purely your willpower to stay for a particular length of time. In fact each asana has it’s own internal or metabolic timing (as opposed to seconds or minutes timing) according to your practice, the sequence of asanas practiced before and after and the intricacies applied to that particular set of asana.
These aspects on their own are less than the sum of their parts. Blending the three skillfully with purpose will bring a depth of practice, an evolution and a change to the state of your mind.