IYENGAR YOGA
Iyengar yoga focuses on achieving alignment in the body to improve posture, flexibility and strength.
One of the main features of Iyengar yoga, that differentiates it from other forms of yoga, is the use of props, such as blocks, belts and bolsters, to aid in easing areas of stiffness, activating weaker muscles and finding precision in the poses.
The props, when used correctly, are incredibly therapeutic and accelerate the effects of the practice by aligning the skeletal body. This stops the body from cutting corners that keep us stuck and brings an end to poor habits that have built up over years of over-compensating due to injury, poor posture, sitting hunched over a laptop, stress and anxiety, plus many more.
Iyengar yoga teachers are trained to rigorous standards over a minimum of 6-7 years, so are well-equipped to support your individual needs, no matter your background. It doesn’t matter how old you are or how stiff you think you are, with the use of props, everyone can practice Iyengar yoga.
What are the Benefits?
Iyengar yoga isn’t just a tool to help you touch your toes - its strengthening aspect should not be overlooked! The health benefits of strength-training and building muscle is no secret! Iyengar yoga targets the small muscles that often get neglected in place of the bigger, bulky muscles we typically associate with strength. If underused, these smaller muscles can lead to pain, discomfort and weakness. This is why many people report improvements in back problems and general pain in the body after practicing Iyengar yoga for sometime.
These benefits, in particular, are becoming more and more widely known across the sporting industry. Many sports teams and professional athletes now incorporate Iyengar yoga into their training regime to improve their flexibility, stamina and prevent injuries. Among many, Ryan Giggs, credits Iyengar yoga to keeping him playing football for so long and Rohan Bopanna, the oldest tennis world no.1, often praises how it strengthened his knees and improved his game after learning that his cartilage had fully worn out.
However, the benefits don’t stop here! From improving our sleep and resilience to stress to increasing our mental clarity, focus and longevity - the advantages of getting on the mat are endless.
What to expect in a class?
Iyengar yoga is sometimes referred to as a ‘slow’ form of yoga, eluding to the illusion that the body isn’t worked as hard as other forms of yoga, which is not the case at all! 5 minutes into a class, you will, in fact, realise this is not a cop out. Unlike fast-flowing forms of yoga, we spend more time correcting the alignment to receive the benefits of each pose. The beauty of this, is that, with so much to focus on in the poses, there is little time for mind wandering and overthinking, bringing a sense of calm and peace.
The classes are both dynamic and rejuvenating and structured in a way that will leave you feeling like you are floating on a cloud by the end.
What people say …
GEE ATHERTON (3 x Downhill Mountain Biking World Champion)
“Through a lifetime of racing I've had my share of injuries, I've been surprised by how effective Hannah's Iyengar Yoga sessions have been at relieving my hip and shoulders compared to all the other forms of rehab I've tried. As an athlete, it's important to spend time on techniques that you notice a difference in and I now try to incorporate yoga regularly into my training programme.”
TIMMY HANSEN (2019 Rallycross World Champion)
“Hannah has taught me yoga in an easy and light hearted way. Guiding me through all the positions with surprisingly small but effective adjustments. A flow and simplicity you can only get from someone with deep knowledge and years of practice.”
“Yoga does not just change the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees”
BKS IYENGAR