Iyengar Yoga: Alignment, Props and Evidence

Origins and approach

Iyengar yoga is named after B.K.S. Iyengar of Pune, India. His teacher was T. Krishnamacharya, and the Iyengar family continues the method through the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) in Pune. [1][2] The Iyengar Yoga National Association of the United States (IYNAUS) says the system was created and developed over 75 years ago by Iyengar and that its focus on precision, timing, sequencing and props helps the practitioner develop awareness in any asana. [3] IYNAUS says teaching is oriented toward gradual but steady progress rather than quick results. [3] His book Light on Yoga has been continuously in print since 1966. [2] Krishnamacharya's students also included Pattabhi Jois, who developed the Ashtanga method. [4] See the history of yoga.

Props and what a class involves

Iyengar Yoga UK says Iyengar pioneered the use of yoga props including mats, blocks, bolsters, belts and bricks. [1] It says beginners start by learning the asanas, and as they gain experience they are taught to work in a more refined way and pranayama is introduced. [1] It adds that many teachers and studios can provide the equipment. [1] That page also says teachers are trained to correct students and, if permitted, may make hands-on adjustments, and advises always telling your teacher about any health problems before class. [1] Props are covered in yoga props and when they help, and consent for touch in hands-on adjustments, consent and touch.

Iyengar Yoga UK also says that many people find that through regular practice their long-term health issues are resolved. [1] That is a marketing claim: it is not backed by the trials below, which measured specific outcomes and did not show cures.

Teacher certification

IYNAUS says only Certified Iyengar Yoga Teachers (CIYTs) may describe their instruction as Iyengar Yoga, and that non-certified teachers may not use terms such as "Iyengar-style" or "Iyengar-influenced" in business advertising. [5] Teachers must pass an assessment in three categories, there are five levels of certification, and RIMYI in Pune sets the requirements and provides certificates. [5] This describes the association's own certification and trademark rules. A certificate records that a teacher passed that assessment; it does not tell you whether a class suits your health. See Yoga Alliance and other credentials and how to find a yoga class or teacher.

What research shows

These are mostly unblinded trials against education, usual care or exercise, and the Cochrane reviewers noted that outcomes were self-assessed. [6]

The falls trial was funded by Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council. [11] Its authors said the Iyengar yoga-based program should not be recommended for fall prevention in its current form, while noting gains in planned physical activity and balance confidence and six musculoskeletal adverse events but no serious ones. [11] PubMed lists an erratum for this paper, so check it for corrected figures. The abstracts of the back-pain trials do not state funding. The small trials mostly measured self-reported pain and disability. See yoga for low back pain and yoga for balance and fall prevention.