Discussion Forum: General Discussion: Iyengar Yoga: Combining vinyasa with Iyengar

Home : Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum: General Discussion: Iyengar Yoga:
Combining vinyasa with Iyengar

coldboy
Novice

Oct 13, 2004, 8:49 PM

Post #1 of 5 (2098 views)
Shortcut

Combining vinyasa with Iyengar	Can't Post

I am interested in other practitioners experience with vinyasa.I currently live in a beautiful but remote location so my practice is currently without qualified instruction. I have previously trained under a quiet vigorous interpretation of Iyengar yoga under an experienced teacher.

Recently I attended a workshop of Ashtanga yoga which seemed to tip it's hat at Iyengar through he use of props. It also focused heavily on movement through asana or vinyasa. I am finding vinyasa to be helpful in warming up in cooler months and welcome variety to daily practice.

I am interested to hear from experienced Iyengar yoga practitioners any comments or cautions regarding vinyasa. As vinyasa does not seem to be an feature of the Iyengar method.

Bryan Alexander
Enthusiast / Moderator

Oct 14, 2004, 5:17 AM

Post #2 of 5 (2086 views)
Shortcut

Re: Combining vinyasa with Iyengar [In reply to]	Can't Post

Some vinyasa has always been taught in the Iyengar classes I have taken, for example, repeated "sun salutation" sequences, and jumping from posture to posture. But it definitely is not emphasized. That's probably because Iyengar teachers focus so much on the intricacies of proper execution of the postures. That focus is very helpful to eliminate bad habits, to avoid injury, and to increase awareness of the body's needs. When we move through the postures quickly, it's more difficult to pay attention to our habits and to our physical vulnerabilities. So it makes sense that we would want to be very experienced, knowledgeable and aware before doing a significant amount of vinyasa.

ulixeo
New User

Oct 15, 2004, 2:50 AM

Post #3 of 5 (2071 views)
Shortcut

Re: Combining vinyasa with Iyengar [In reply to]	Can't Post

I combine Iyengar practice with Ashtanga and I find it great. Previously to start with Ashtanga I was practicing Iyengar for three years, so when I started practicing Ashtanga I could form the asanas quickly and with precission. However I was very surprised to listen to my Iyengar teacher, who was totally against practicing Ashtanga. So much against it that I can't say to him that I practice Ashtanga, because he would probably wouldn't allow me to attend his classes. Both systems come from the same root (Iyengar and Patabi Jois were both disciples of Krihnamacharya) and that means to me that they can't be very different. Anyway, I find the combination is great for my practice and for my health and keep on doing it as long as I feel like that.

pascal
Enthusiast

Oct 18, 2004, 1:04 PM

Post #4 of 5 (2038 views)
Shortcut

Re: Combining vinyasa with Iyengar [In reply to]	Can't Post

There is vinyasa in iyengar; vinyasa is the proper way to organise sequences of asanas; the problem with ashtanga is that they don't stay a long time in each asana, so they can do it the wrong way (except the great practitionners); if you stay one minute (instead of 5 breath) in asanas, you cannot afford big mistakes, and you discover the utility of props.... the other problem with ashtanga is that they have only one vinyasa for one level ; but you can have different effects if you change the order of asanas; for instance doing sirsasana at the beguinning change the effect, and it is not a mistake; it brings variety in your practice instead of doing everytime the same series. Ashtanga works mostly on the "fire" element...what about the others elements?. i am beguinning in france with faeq biria what we call "preformation" it is the first of the 3 years of studies to become a teacher; and we have to practice vinyasas on a specific way (you would appreciate it because it is a very precise sequence) , but with one minute for each asana...(i can tell you that virabhadrasana 3 for a minute is a quite challenging pose Tongue

)
I must confess anyway that it would be useful if a new edition of "light on yoga" could include some vinyasas. let's ask Pune about it Angelic

coldboy
Novice

Oct 19, 2004, 2:26 PM

Post #5 of 5 (2021 views)
Shortcut

Re: Combining vinyasa with Iyengar [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thank you Pascal that was a very help and thoughtful post.

I also noticed at the Ashtanga workshop that we worked on a small subset of asanas. Some people did seem to not be hold asana correctly and transitions were clumsy. I wondered at the time if this could result in injuries. I think Ashtanga is a system that needs to be approached with caution especially for beginners.

I have started revisiting the sequences in the back of Light of Yoga.

Search for (options)