Iyengar yoga is a form of Hatha yoga that has evolved the use of props to support and enable asana (the yoga postures).

Yoga makes us aware of how to move safely in our own body, to learn its challenges and limitations and find ways to move with them and beyond them.

All I want when any student enters Loft Studio, is for them to leave feeling better than when they came in. All of us have different requirements because of the jobs we do and the exercise and hobbies we enjoy. The amount of much time we spend seated, posture when we stand and our genetics will influence our bodies, which of course, also change over time.

Some people arrive in class with limited mobility and so we could work together to develop flexibility. Equally, a very flexible student may need to develop strength.

Students recovering from illness and injury need to find ways to work that aid recovery. Fearful students need encouragement to get used to moving their bodies in ways they may not have moved since childhood. Intermediate students need help approaching ever more challenging postures. There is, as I am very fond of saying, always more.

Many of us are aware of needing to find better balance in our lives, and yet, do not look for that in our bodies.

For example, as we stand, are we balanced left and right? Do we over lift the front of the body and compress the back of the body? Are both feet facing forward? Does one arm extend better than the other? Is one knee turning inwards? Any postural imbalance or compression, may lead to chronic pain or injury. A balanced body is a healthy body, which in turn, helps us to maintain a healthy mind. How do we begin to
learn these differences?

Iyengar Yoga has occasionally been dubbed ‘yoga with furniture’. But the importance of the use of the furniture, or props as we like to call them, cannot be overstated. Using the right piece of equipment can help balance, understanding of posture, enable longer stays in poses and sometimes just open the door on understanding.

It is an endlessly fascinating subject and one I feel passionate about.

I hope to welcome you Loft Studio soon, and, have you leave feeling better than you did when you arrived.