I often get asked about my background and training in yoga, and there are varying degrees of recognition when I refer to "Iyengar yoga" and "Vinyasa yoga." I'll shed some light on these two styles of yoga, and how they can complement one another in a well rounded yoga practice.
B.K.S. Iyengar is a well known Indian yogi, who wrote the book "Light on Yoga," in 1966. He has written many texts, and trained many of our western teachers, and their teachers as well. His style of teaching asana (yoga postures) is firmly rooted in alignment and body mechanics. Teachers are very precise in the placement of the feet and the balance of weight, which muscles are active, and which are allowed to relax and stretch. This is an excellent foundation for any yoga practice, and works especially well for those with injuries or hyperflexibility. You will learn to find your strength in each posture and support your stretch with balance and integrity.
Vinyasa yoga refers to a flowing practice that moves with the rhythm of the breath. In the west, Ashtanga Yoga, as taught by Sri Pattabhi Jois, who was taught by Krishnamacharya, along with B.K.S. Iyengar, is a well known style of vinyasa yoga. Vinyasa refers to movement that flows with breath, the connection between the postures. The breath sets the rhythm for the movement, and there is a natural flow as the body follows breath.
With a strong foundation in Iyengar Yoga, I teach a flowing class which is rooted in healthy, safe alignment. We can follow the breath and embrace the opening and folding in of the breath. At the same time, we learn subtle awareness of balance on the feet, movement and centering of hips and alignment of knees. These practices are not isolated in their beauty, but can complement each other to bring balance into our lives.
