‘Yoga is an art, a science and a philosophy’ *
On 21st June 2018 we celebrate International Yoga Day and this year we also mark the anniversary of the founder of Iyengar Yoga, BKS Iyengar who was born in 1918.
My exposure to yoga began on the physical (asana) level. Like many other professionals my life was frequent long drives going from meeting to meeting, many hours at the computer and lots of standing to deliver courses. It was no surprise I would regularly complain of back complaints and frozen shoulders! My cranial sacro therapist after treating me many times suggested that ‘as I wasn’t going to change careers I should look after my body to prevent injury’. And thus I was introduced to yoga. I began Iyengar classes, a very structured and systematic yoga.
Fast forward to today, my yoga journey has taken a different course. I was curious about this unique form of yoga and after years of workshops and retreats decided on beginning teacher training. This was of real interest to me, exploring the philosophy and application - studying the sutras of patanjali, learning anatomy and applying the knowledge to teaching others. My own Iyengar teacher, Helen Graham, is one of the most experienced in the UK, teaching across Europe and working with the Institute in India. Her extensive experience and care has helped with creating special sequences during times of illness and is a constant reminder how little we as teacher trainees really know about yoga! This year teachers and practitioners of Iyengar yoga give thanks to BKS Iyengar through a series of events and activities, to celebrate 100 years, including International Yoga Day itself.
For those of you who have only been exposed briefly to yoga if at all allow me give a brief introduction. Yoga is often described as the ‘union’ between mind, body and spirit. It incorporates five disciplined practices - ethical, physical, physiological, mental and spiritual. Most yoga practitioners only study the physical (asanas) although some also study physiological (pranayama).
Our Geruji, BKS Iyengar, developed his own interpretation of yoga which has over 200 asanas and 14 different types of pranayama. It is the most practised form of yoga in the world today and has had many western followers including the renowned violinist Yehudi Menuhin. Iyengar yoga is differentiated through a focus on technique, sequence and timing. The use of props helps the practitioner to achieve perfection in any asana.
Now if you haven’t realised how powerful yoga can be for those with a busy work life, with an ambition to always remain in control as well as engage with others I leave a final quote:
‘There should be honesty in approach and honesty in presentation. When performing a pose, you have to find out whether your body has accepted the challenge of the mind, or whether the mind has accepted the challenge of the body.’^
If you want to develop your professional skills and be a RainMaker - improving your approach to business development and client relationship management, helping you have honesty in approach and honesty in presentation, and accepting the challenge of the mind, then click here.
Make sure you keep an eye on the Kissing With Confidence Instagram page tomorrow for the teams favourite poses and why this helps them with their business development activities.
If yoga philosophy interests you, click here to find your nearest Iyengar practitioner.
*BKS Iyengar - Light in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
^ BKS Iyengar - The Tree of Yoga
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