Iyengar of Pune, India, who is one of the foremost yoga masters in the world. It is based on the Classical Yoga of Patanjali, which involves the integration of the eight limbs of yoga (see What is Yoga?). The Iyengar method works on the principle of meditation in action. Practitioners concentrate closely on the movements in the yoga postures (asanas), bringing the body into balance by increasing mobility, stability, strength and alignment. At the same time, this intense concentration draws the attention inward, quieting and integrating mind and body. Iyengar Yoga has been popular in both the East and West for several decades and currently has hundreds of thousands of practitioners all over the world. Classes are energizing and challenging yet deeply relaxing. Poses range from the stimulating and active to the restful and restorative. The hallmark of the Iyengar approach is the ability to adapt the poses to the needs and challenges of the individual student, making it appropriate for all ages and levels of fitness. After decades of teaching therapeutic classes in India, B.K.S. Iyengar has developed postures and sequences to help students with ailments. In a more general context, Iyengar Yoga is a dynamic and challenging form of yoga which can assist healthy students in learning advanced poses safely. With precision in regular, long-term practice, students can progress towards maturity and proficiency in all aspects of the work.
