This past week the yoga world lost a shining star, BKS Iyengar. Guruji as he is affectionately called by his devotees was the author of “Light on Yoga” and founder of the famed Iyengar Yoga Method. As a graduate of the Iyengar Yoga teacher trainer program and former yoga practitioner, I feel both the Pilates and Yoga worlds owe BKS much gratitude. I also see many similarities between Joseph Pilates and Mr. Iyengar a few of which I will highlight in this post.
Alignment is everything
Having taught everything from cheerleading, gymnastics, Iyengar Yoga, modern, jazz and ballet dance to now Classical Pilates, my experience spans the spectrum of movement. I’ve grown to appreciate those teachers I’ve had in my life and honor their wisdom. The Iyengar Yoga method from my perspective is rich, diverse and based on solid, well-crafted anatomical principles, a method worthy of respect.
First and foremost the Iyengar method works intelligently with the architecture of the bones and joints within the axial and appendicular skeletons. There is great emphasis placed on maintaining proper posture and alignment in all poses, whether standing, sitting or inversions.
A good example of this concept is the placement of the hands in either a downward dog position or like the crow pose featured above. I utilize this with all my clients, the principle that the weight must be divided equally on the hand, and to look at the structure of the whole wrist, elbow and shoulder placement.
Additionally Iyengar emphasizes the oppositional forces in relational joints. Simply stated the energy direction of your lower arm turns inward, while the energy direction of your upper arm moves outward. This creates strength and balance in the arm, prevents injuries and enhances overall biomechanical function. This concept is utilized in numerous positions and relationships throughout the body.
Support tools and props
When an individual is not capable, through the uniqueness of their own body, there are blocks, ropes, blankets and other props utilized to assist them in achieving a full movement experience. Thus, they are not forced into a position that the body is either not ready for or possibly never will be due to structural issues. That said the individual still has a total moving experience through the utilization of props.
Much like Mr. Pilates developed and designed his apparatus; reformer, wunda chair, Cadillac, Barrels etc. to support his method of exercise, Mr. Iyengar developed his signature blocks, ropes and other props to enhance, support and teach the asanas (yoga Sanskrit word for postures).
There you have two men exemplifying the belief you must teach the body in front of you. In Kinesiology we learn the concept “flexibility is site specific” meaning no two joints have the exact same range of motion or ability to bend. For example, my right hip has much more flexibility than my left, whereas my left knee has a greater ability to bend than my right knee.
This site-specific quality is not only based on you the individual but also in comparison to others. Thus, if one teaches based on a philosophy that each person should be able to do an exercise or asana in exactly the same way you’ve lost some key principles. One, being a loss of attention to the laws of kinesiology and two, a lack of respect for the body in front of you.
Developed a comprehensive system
In this age of weekend certifications and online instruction a certain element of devoted study has been compromised, in my opinion. Coming from a background in the performing arts I have a hard time understanding the unwillingness to “take class” by many students, whether that be Pilates or ski lessons. I witness many individuals who want to embark on a career as a Pilates’ teacher with minimal study behind them.
I’m not looking to place blame but to call the situation for what it is. Our society has created an overwhelming emphasis on tests, certifications and pieces of paper that distinguish you as being “proficient” in some form of physical training. This paper however does not demonstrate that you have the specific method in your body.
Both Mr. Iyengar and Joseph Pilates placed strict control and guidance on to those individuals who would become teachers of their method. In the early days, or as is passed down from the words of Jay Grimes, you were handpicked to teach Pilates. After years of studying one day either Clara or Joe, would say, OK you teach today.
In the case of the Iyengar system the program is very intense with multiple yeas of study built in. You cannot become certified in a weekend or two. For example in the program I graduated from in Amsterdam, under the tutelage of Nanda Peek Thiel and Cle Souren, after 8 years of study I enrolled in a 3-year certification program.
Each consecutive year the student must complete coursework in anatomy, philosophy, teaching principles as well as performance of the asanas and pranayama. Every year one must pass the exams of each component. Upon the final completion in year 3, one receives a certification as introductory level teacher. In my case I continued on and received another level of certification, and to the best of my knowledge there are 4 more levels in order to reach senior level teacher.
Needless to say it’s a long process in the Iyengar Method and thus teachers are well trained and invested in the practice. Coming from a movement background I strongly believe one needs to have the exercises in their own body before attempting to teach.
Desire to make it accessible to all
One of the underlying principles in Joseph Pilates “Return to Contrology” was the idea that anyone and anywhere could practice his method. He set out a complete system of exercises with detailed instruction and the rest was up to you and your discipline to follow the path.
Similarly BKS Iyengar in Light on Yoga brought the definitive guide to yoga asanas and pranayama to the common person. You could follow his instructions with photos to demonstrate the poses. He opened the eyes of westerners to the practice of yoga as no one before has.
I strongly believe one of the greatest gifts Mr. Iyengar achieved in bringing yoga particularly to the US was he opened doors to individuals who feel disenfranchised in sport or other exercise program. Yoga brought these individuals a chance to participate in both the postures and meditation within a non-competitive environment that encouraged spirituality (not religion) and built a supportive community for them to thrive.
It is not small feat that close to 20 million people in the US now practice yoga. From my perspective that is highly reflective of the master teachings of BKS Iyengar.
Closing note
As individuals we represent a collage of the teachers, role models and inspirational figures that influenced our lives. Daily homage to those who taught us is a ritual not to be forsaken.
I’m honored to have been in Pune, India for the celebration of Guruji’s 80th birthday, a moment treasured in time. I am also grateful for the inspiration Joseph and Clara Pilates brought to us with the Classical Pilates Method.
As practitioners of either field, Yoga or Pilates, we have much to learn from each other. While I no longer practice yoga the solid movement principles and philosophy I learned will be with me forever, thank you Guruji.
“Penetration of our mind is our goal, but in the beginning to set things in motion, there is no substitute for sweat.”
BKS Iyengar from Light on Life
