The
Yoga Studio: Iyengar Summary
Courtney Miranda
October 10, 2012
Dr. Laura Douglas
CSOCS 3452
Yoga, in the
most simplistic definition is the modification of the mind. Through various
breathing techniques (asanas) and postures (pranayama), one can develop a
deeper awareness of the self emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. The
distinctions among the different types of yoga not only vary in its own
subgroup but in its culture, studio, and instructor. I chose to explore the
practice of Iyengar yoga and the particular structure at The Yoga Studio in
Dartmouth, Ma.
During my long
weekend, I decided to attend a yoga class at the studio I always drive by and
want to take a look in. The studio is quite small, standing on the side of one
of the busiest highways of Dartmouth. It is almost impossible to not miss it
when driving. There are large frosted windows wrapping around the building, and
a welcoming feeling when walking up the steps. My first impression of the
studio was a warm and welcoming environment with a modern spin on the yoga
culture. The natural lighting from the large windows made it comfortable and
the smiling woman at the little desk surrounded by bamboo and yoga mats for
sale helped me immediately. There was mostly all women chatting in their
matching yoga gear and tights with tea. Most of the conversations consisted of
what new creams were said to work in a specific magazine and what food was
better to get from Whole Foods. I came ten minutes before, and the class was
almost full when I approached the room we were in. The instructor was a woman
by the name of Mege Posner, and she was a very soft-spoken woman who radiated a
passion for teaching in a methodical style. I noticed little wooden cubbies to
put belongings and shoes outside the class. The class was an open level, but I
started to feel intimated when I noticed the skill level of the other people. I
also noticed I was the youngest one. The age difference could have been because
I chose to go to a morning class on a Saturday. I did choose the back of the
room, not only from intimidation, but so I could easily observe the class fully
and openly while continuing the practice myself. The space was very light and
clean, with mirrors and bamboo walls. One interesting observation is the pile
of blocks the instructor told us we were to use during the class. I have taken
a few yoga classes, but I have never integrated the blocks. I always assumed
the blocks were for those who need the extra support but the studios I have
been to never have enough to everyone attending the class. The instructor had
her little corner set up with a round yoga mat, a block, chair, and an ipod and
speaker. She did not actually announce when we were to start, it seemed like
people instantaneously knew when to start and jumped in.
The practice
was very slow, seemed to have an emphasis on alignment. Our instructor almost always
told us to use the block or the strap in order to make sure the alignment can
be perfect. Each pose had at least ten steps before actually reaching
completion. When the posture was set, then we sat in it and breathed for at
least ten times which for me made me completely anxious and agitated because my
body was uncomfortable and in pain. There was always a build up to one pose
throughout the whole practice. For example, when we were in Trikonasana
(triangle pose) we used the blocks to allow us to bring us closer to our
alignment in the pose. She kept checking in to see if we were balanced on all
sides and kept bringing us back to our breath. The breath I was told, is to be
smooth and effortless, but I felt myself in tomas. Each step was slow and was held
for at least ten breaths. Oddly enough, as slow as it was, there was a
gymnastics aspect to it in the slight rigidity I saw through out the room. When
going into each pose, the instructor kept mentioning that the practice is very
beneficial with someone with injuries. Another example was the emphasis on re
aligning the shoulders in tadasana gomukhasana. We spent at least twenty
minutes alone to get into one pose such as a shoulder stand or spinal twist.
Even though the practice is not about the skill level, I could see the
flexibility and agility through out the room. Patience is not my strong suit
when involving slow body movement and postures, and I discovered a long
intention span is required for this type of practice. The meditation at the end
was my favorite part, and I can admit to feeling a release and sense of
accomplishment when realizing I made it through the class. Overall, I am pleased
about my choice of placement but unsure if I experienced Iyengar’s philosophy. The
studio and the class seemed very westernized and molded to fit the culture of
the town. I am not doubting that the atmosphere was completely beautiful, but
the class seemed like a glamorized fitness program at times.
The Yoga
Studio’s main message was to promote a systematic and complete approach through
yoga postures. “The technique
encourages a deep understanding of the physical body which leads to not only a
physical transformation but also a mental, emotional and spiritual
transformation” (Posner 2012). The
thought is through perfect alignment in the body, then the breath becomes easy
and grounded resulting in a clear mind. The website quoted the founder of
Iyengar, “The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind and the
harmony of the soul create the symphony of life” (Iyengar, Posner 2012). I
thought this quote was powerful and rang true to the essence of the practice in
its compassion and reverence, however, I do not feel as though I would have
received the intentions of the studio until after looking it up on the website
and further research.
Iyengar
focuses on three main points, alignment, sequencing, and timing. The alignment
through use of props such as blocks or chairs can assist the body in
maintaining and developing perfect alignment. The sequencing is to build up
one’s pose through out the practice and create a better understanding of the
finer adjustments. The pacing or timing is to develop stability and a deeper
emotional awareness and usually means one can hold a headstand for up to eight
minutes. The practice is comparative to a meditation in action and provides a
better understanding of deeper parts of your body through refinement and
precision. During the class, I could feel the methodological style to reach
perfection of postures but I did not sense the transpersonal aspect. The
westernized influence seemed to radiate heavily which is not necessarily a
negative aspect, however, it dilutes the true essence of the practice. Yoga in
general is a universal communication through the body, transcending a deeper
understanding of oneself emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
Like in class,
the movement came from various placements of the body. For example, in a spinal
twist the movement comes from lifting up and out of the hips, not from just
twisting. As we move, we expand we an in breath and an emphasis of stopping and
breathing halfway through the pose. The stopping and softening is thought to
allow more movement. This principle was practiced during Paschimottanasana, when we used a strap around the feet and
lift upwards in order to bend forward to the thighs. Again, there is no
emphasis on the skill level, as said in class, rather a reminder when soft and
breathing, one can then notice how the body’s innate ability to know what to
do.
B.K.S Iyengar, who developed this out of a form of Hatha
yoga with use of props in order to gradually advance through poses, created
Iyengar yoga (Iyengar, 1918). The focus is on the structural alignment of the
physical body through the progress of the asanas. The foundation was created on
the eight limbs of yoga but depending on the instructor and level of practice,
one generally would practice fewer different yoga postures in order to receive
a detailed evaluation of the execution of the posture. I definitely noticed the
similarities in our own class, particularly the last several classes. Even
though the movement was much slower and we covered less poses, I felt as if
time passed quickly and I developed more energy. The class I observed, however,
seemed rigid yet soft, and did not provide the same lasting effect. In class, I
do not feel pressured to be the best or exceed my limits, I have been exploring
how my body handles pain and each week it becomes easier for me to focus and
breath. This exploration of each pose acts as a reminder to slow down and
reduces the pressure to maintain a fast pace. Sometimes when the class is too
fluid, I get lost in thoughts and trying to force myself into the pose, instead
of taking my time. At times, I find it hard to focus on breathing when certain
poses of particularly difficult, or when I know I need to hold the certain pose
for a long period of time. The biggest concern is quieting the mind chatter and
fears of judgment. I did not feel personally attacked or endangered when I was
in the experimental class, yet I found it harder to relax and noticed myself
looking around more not only to gain insight for my paper but through
insecurities and distractions of others doing the same comparing techniques.
When partaking on further research, I found many articles on
the benefits of yoga in multiple subjects such as aging, cancer, blood
pressure, depression, and other physical injuries. This relates back to the
instructor relating many of the poses to each benefit if someone in the room
was suffering from a physical injury. This had me reflecting on my own physical
body after taking the Iyengar class. The day after I felt lighter in my body
and less tension in the areas I hold stress such as my lower back and
shoulders. Instead of forcing myself into the poses I would allow my body to
take over and guide me to where I should go. In one article, the emphasis on
the type of yoga chosen and the environment is key in order to providing a
truly beneficial experience for the physical body. “It is possible
that the differences in fitness outcomes found in the comparison studies of
yoga and exercise might not have been found if exercise were compared to the
more vigorous forms of yoga” (Ross, Thomas, 2009). Iyengar can be beneficial
for those with physical injuries because of the heavy use of props in order to
maintain better posture and focus on breathing into the problem areas. This can
stimulate the cognitive effects on the mind and create a transcendental
experience and a deeper understanding of the self. I understand the need to compare the types of
yoga and the various techniques, but I find it hard to maintain a consistency
since there are numerous studios within this country alone claiming to follow
the philosophy of a form of yoga and create their own spin. Iyengar states in Light on Yoga, “The
study of Yoga is not like work for a diploma or a university degree by someone
desiring favourable results in a stipulated time” (Iyengar, 1918).
In conclusion,
Iyengar yoga helps develop a deeper understanding of the self through
alignment, sequencing, and timing of the body in practice. My experience in the
class seemed to hold the slightest intention of the essence, yet tainted by the
westernized effects of exercising and maintaining a healthy body image instead
of an overall acceptance and compassion with the self and the Universe, Divine,
the whole, or whichever it may be. Like much of our culture, the true
philosophy and essence can be diluted in order to meet the limited attention
spans and feed the consumerism of our country in order to reach complete
satisfaction and a hunger for more. I did see the comparisons between the types
of Hatha yoga in the class and the class I practiced outside. Even though I
find variations in the yoga postures, instructors, and environments, I have
found a distinct correlation and meaning amongst the variations and difference
and it is the self. Through each practice the transformation starts with the
self and radiates out into the world. This can be developed through a
progression and training of yoga postures and integration of breathing in order
to reach complete peace.
Sources
"B K S Iyengar - Home." B K
S Iyengar - Home. Ramani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute, n.d. Web. 09 Oct.
2012. <http://www.bksiyengar.com/>.
Howe,
D.K. "B.K.S. Iyengar: A Long Rewarding Journey." American Fitness
(2011): 45-46.
Iyengar,
B.K.S. Light on Yoga: Yoga Dipika. New York: Schocken, 1979.
Posner, Mege. "The Yoga Studio -
Iyengar Yoga." The Yoga Studio - Iyengar Yoga. N.p.,
2012. Web. 09 Oct. 2012.
<http://theyogastudio.ws/>.
Ross, Alyson, and Sue Thomas. "The
Health Benefits of Yoga and Exercise: A Review of Comparison Studies." The
Journal of Alternative and Complementary
Medicine 16.1 (2010): 3-12.
No comments:
Post a Comment