We hope we've answered some of the most common frequently asked questions here. However, if you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask. You can contact an individual teacher or complete the contact us form here on the website.
No. The focus of Iyengar yoga is on postural alignment which can alleviate postural/structural problems. Flexibility is not important, and can even be a hindrance. Both your flexibility and strength are likely to grow through practicing yoga.
Yoga can help to develop a deeper knowledge of yourself, which can contribute to greater self-confidence.
It is best not to eat a full meal less than 3 hours before class, or a light meal less than 2 hours.
A course is often a set of classes lasting, say, six or eight weeks. Most classes run weekly, and are available to students on a drop-in basis, sometimes with a higher fee than if you commit to a course. Workshops are generally one-off events, often taught by visiting teachers, are longer than classes, and more intense.
An introductory or beginners’ class or course will set you on the right path. Make sure you tell your teacher if you haven' tried yoga before, so they can give you extra assistance if required.
Clothes that do not restrict your movement. It helps if your teacher can see your knees and feet so most students wear tights or shorts, and a T-shirt. Yoga is generally practiced in bare feet.
Unless your teacher makes it clear otherwise, equipment will be provided. Some people, however, like to take their own yoga mat.
Iyengar yoga is for anyone irrespective of age, gender, health, religion and circumstances in life. Iyengar yoga is not competitive. You will not be judged against other people.
You can attend regular classes up until your 10th week of pregnancy, but you must avoid some postures, so please tell your teacher. 10-14 weeks yoga is not advised. From 14 up to the birth, you may participate in a class provided you have an established practice with a regular teacher. There are some dedicated pregnancy classes.
Yes. Please let your teacher know at the start of class, as some postures are not suitable. Your teacher will provide you with alternatives.
Only those over 16 years. There are some classes run especially for children and teenagers.
iYoga Glasgow is a local institute of Iyengar Yoga UK (IY UK), run by a voluntary committee that complies with IY UK requirements. All the teachers on this website are fully qualified and are holders of the IY UK Certification Mark.
Iyengar yoga is characterised by precision and alignment in the execution of the postures (asanas), sequencing of the asanas towards a desired result, timing in the length of time the asanas are held for maximum benefit, and the use of props if required to help a student gain the maximum benefit from each asana. Iyengar yoga concentrates on postural alignment and body awareness. For more information see IY UK website FAQ’s.
You can find full details on how to join iYoga Glasgow on our Memberships page.
Yogacharya Sri B.K.S. Iyengar has developed what has come to be called Iyengar yoga from a firm spiritual, philosophical and practical base. Iyengar yoga is a way of life, rather than a physical activity. A very successful teacher training programme has run for many years and took its final intake of trainees in January 2018. A new system of preparing for teaching assessment is being finalised this year. Details of the new system will be set out on this page when available. Candidates for teaching assessment must have practiced Iyengar Yoga regularly for a minimum of 6 years before presenting for assessment. Candidates should not only have achieved a high standard in their personal practice in the Introductory asanas, but also have a preliminary awareness of the subtlety of Iyengar yoga and its philosophy. Good luck!
The Yoga Extension is running a series of workshops over he Christmas and New Year holidays.
See Events & Workshops for more details.
Join our Candlelit Practice at The Yoga Extension or online on Saturday 18th December.
See Events & Workshops for details.
Prashant Sir, the son of BKS Iyengar said: That yoga is experienced differently by each person, depending on what age or stage of fitness or health we are at when we begin practicing. As a young flexible person, it can be all about achieving those advanced poses, but an older or physically injured or impaired person will be happy with some increased flexibility or stamina.
Mostly, yoga is seen as a physical practice that has added mental health benefits. We tend to introduce poses as being good for this or helpful for that. But of course, it’s so much more.
By the time that you’re hooked and yoga has become a part of your daily life, you will have discovered a community and may have allowed your commitment to the practice of yoga to change much of your day-to-day life. It may have affected your choices in regard to bedtimes, diet, consumer goods and even your circle of friends – but what of wider society and “your” yoga practice?
I chose to enter the teacher training course to widen my skills base, to possibly bring about a change in direction, but mostly because it felt like the most sensible and also inevitable thing to do at the time. I’d been “doing” Iyengar yoga for nearly 30 years and attending classes for 10 of those, mostly in Glasgow, but only became an iYoga member because it was a requirement on entering the training.
Post-qualification and I’m humbled by the diversity of individuals that I have had the privilege to teach – their differences in personality, attitude and physicality. I try to take as much time as possible to allow them to teach me about the wonderful variety of the human condition; make each person as welcome as possible and to accept my small role in their yoga journey.
What practicing and teaching yoga has taught me, is the power of yoga – not just as a physical exercise that builds resilience and enables us to integrate our body, mind and breath; or as a philosophy that drives us to delve deeper into ourselves, inspires love and acceptance of ourselves and others… But, how by taking that philosophy off the mat and into our everyday interactions and life choices, we can change the lives of others for the better too. Either by simple acts of kindness or empathy, or by taking positive action, we can “live” yoga. And so to answer Prashant’s question: Yoga to me is an inspiration, a consolation and a service.
by Tina Freeland
There will two Professional Development workshops for teachers and trainees on “Embracing the Menopause”.
These will be in the studio with Frances McKee on 20th November and online with Helen Graham on 28th November.
See Events & Workshops for details.
Senior Iyengar Yoga Teacher, Frances McKee (The Yoga Extension), has been busy making her own short podcast series on Soundcloud and has featured on a couple of recent podcasts. Here’s where you can find them:
Frances has her own ‘short-cast’ featured on Soundcloud. 5 – 10 minute meditations on yoga and wellness.
In the latest episode, Frances discusses how yoga and healthy living can reduce the emotional symptoms of menopause and menstruation.
Frances talks with Ken Volante about discovering Iyengar yoga and the continuing gifts and benefits that the practice of yoga can bring.
In this episode, Kate Faragher holds the space for Frances to meander through her childhood and love for theatre and music and how she came to meet Eugene Kelly and start the cult band, The Vaselines.
We discover how the band gave way to a career in teaching and how a gentle whisper found her spending more time on the yoga mat before embarking on a career as an Iyengar yoga teacher.
https://listentothewhisper.podbean.com/e/listen-to-the-whisper-frances-mckee
The focus of these three workshops will be on appropriate sequencing of postures in your practice.
The three workshops will cover: seated and hip opening asanas, forward extensions, backward extensions, inversions, restorative asanas and also including pranayama.
These workshops are suitable for students with over 3 years regular practice of Iyengar Yoga.
See Events & Workshops for more details.
The Yoga Extension Summer School: A Retreat Inwards
The Yoga Extension Summer School will be running three IN STUDIO workshops over 4 days with Frances Mckee and Andrew Paine, on 28th, 30th, and 31st July.
General Workshop at The Yoga Extension with Katie Rutherford
The Yoga Extension is delighted to welcome Katie Rutherford from Edinburgh. This is a general level workshop suitable for those who attend General or Intermediate classes or have more than 2 years of Iyengar Yoga experience, and will take place on 28th August.
October Yoga Retreat: Kilgreggan House with Frances Mckee
Frances Mckee is hoping to lead a Yoga retreat on October 22nd – 24th, at the beautifully located Kilgreggan House in Argyll & Bute.
See Events & Workshops for more details on all events.
Iyengar Yoga in Action are running an online workshop to raise funds for Black Minds Matter.
See Events & Workshop for more details.
Greetings from Bellur !!
We are very happy to announce the online yoga sessions by Sri Jawahar Bangera from 15th to 18th July 2021, webcasting from Dr.BKS Iyengar International Yoga center – Bellur.
See Events & Workshops for details.
21 June will be the UN International Day of Yoga, which has been celebrated around the world each year since 2015 following a suggestion by Guruji in 2012.
In 2015 Geetaji wrote:
“We are all yoga sādhakās and sādhanā is our very breath, our prāna. The United Nations has declared 21st June as the International Yoga Day, which will be celebrated all over the world. For us every day is yoga day. However to respect this special day, to respect Guruji, we have thought of a special practice programme for this day. Many students from across the world approached me if they could have a special sequence of practice for this day… the (summer) solstice.” – Geeta Iyengar
You can download the original sequence suggested by Geetaji here
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