True North Yoga

Yoga is an ancient art, science, and philosophy that emphasizes performing one’s daily responsibilities with awareness, integrity, and compassion. From Sanskrit, the word “yoga” translates as union of the mind, body, and spirit. For many, that includes an ongoing practice of yoga postures. Working through the instrument of the body, yoga teaches one to observe and integrate body, breath and mind, to pe*****te beyond the outer, physical layers and reach the inner sheaths of one’s being.

Distinguished by a high degree of attention to physical alignment, Iyengar Yoga encourages the spread of intelligence throughout the body and the growth of self-awareness. This system of teaching is methodical and progressive, emphasizing safety and alignment. Students will hold poses longer than they might be used to in a flow-style yoga class, while at the same time, learn how to calmly abide in the body.

The founder of Iyengar Yoga, B.K.S. Iyengar, has made yoga relevant to modern life and accessible to a broad base of individuals, no matter their abilities. Iyengar revolutionized the art of yoga by introducing and incorporating the use of supports – called props – to facilitate learning and accommodate safe, appropriate progress. His first book, Light on Yoga, is called the “bible of yoga” and has been the source book for generations of yoga enthusiasts.

Iyengar’s teachings evolved from practicing precise postures (asanas) and breathing techniques (pranayama). According to this unique perspective, the asanas and pranayamas are the means to explore the more internalized limbs of yoga, including dhyana (meditation) and kaivalya (absolute freedom).

The diversity of practice is a distinguishing element of Iyengar Yoga. Teachers devise sequences of poses, which build skill and understanding, from posture to posture, and from class to class. Students don’t do the same sequence every day. Even though many poses may be repeated, there is a lot of diversity in the sequencing, which can help prevent injury and overuse.