Do you have questions about how the classes / audio downloads work? Are you not familiar with Iyengar Yoga and would like to learn how it can benefit you? For answers to these questions and more, please read on.  If your question(s) is not answered here please visit the contact page to reach us.  Thank you for your interest and dedication to your yoga practice. 

How are these yoga downloads organized?

  • The downloads are broken down by types of classes: Asana, Pranayama, Advance Asana, Advanced Pranayama classes, and special topic workshops. 
  • Within each type of class, the downloads are primarily organized by sessions, such as “Winter 2015”.
  • For easy and quick reference the downloads are further broken down by weeks, for example, “Winter 2015 - Week 1”.
  • The calendar date of each class is located on the detailed page of each download along with the above information. 
  • Feel free to download any class which is suitable for your level, but do keep in mind that classes are taught progressively and designed for students to build on based on what was taught in the previous weeks.  We encourage you to revisit the classes as necessary to help deepen your practice and internalize the asanas (poses).

 

Why are there breaks in the weekly sessions? 

  • At times there are breaks in the session when John is away teaching at other studios and conferences.  The following are suggestions as to how to use these downloads when John is out of town. 
  • For example, in the Winter Session John travels to teach his Annual Jamaica Retreat.  Classes will be listed in the Winter Session as, “Week 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, then 9, 10, 11, etc.”  You probably noticed weeks 6, 7, and 8 were not listed.  Those were the weeks John was teaching under palm trees and not in the frigid conditions of Washington, DC Winters. 
  • If you are interested in having the best results in your practice with these downloads, download the classes in order. *Please note downloads of select workshops are also available on the Workshop page to help support your practice if you don’t want to miss any of John’s instruction.
  • In limited instances, there may be breaks in the weeks due to technical issues with the recording.  We will always do our best to minimize these type of occurrences.

 

What are the requirements for each level and what can I expect?

  • Level I downloads introduce beginning students and students new to Iyengar Yoga to the fundamentals of posture and breath.
  • Level I/II downloads are for students who have completed Level I and prefer a gradual transition to Level II. This level is also ideal for those with previous yoga experience who are new to Iyengar Yoga.  Plow (Halasana), and Shoulder Stand (Salamba Sarvangasana) are introduced.  
  • Level II downloads are for students who have completed the introductory (Level I) course. The basic poses will be refined with an emphasis on all the standing poses.  Headstand (Sirsasana) is introduced.  
  • Level II/III downloads are for students firmly established in their practice who are ready to move beyond the basics.  Inversions are a regular part of these classes.  Pre-requisite: 5 minute freestanding Sirsasana and Salamba Sarvangasana.
  • Level III downloads are for students with previous Iyengar training who are strong in all the basic poses and can do Sirsasana, Salamba Sarvangasana, and Halasana with confidence. Pre-requisite: 10 minute freestanding Sirsasana and Salamba Sarvangasana.
  • Advanced Asana downloads are offered periodically and are limited to students who meet the listed prerequisites detailed in each specific download. 
  • Pranayama I affords those interested in working with the breath an opportunity to move beyond the elementary level incorporated into regular asana classes.  Prerequisite one year of study and practice of asana in the Iyengar Method.
  • Pranayama II, III, IV yoga downloads are for students who have completed the preceding levels.
  • Pranayama V downloads are for students who have completed Level IV or have received extensive Iyengar training in pranayama elsewhere. 
  • Pranayama VI downloads are for students who have extensive Iyengar-style pranayama training and who have been practicing digital pranayama for two years or more. 

 

Do I need props?  Which ones? 

  • BKS Iyengar’s development of yoga props revolutionized yoga.  The utilization of props is now used in yoga classes of all styles.  The skillful use of equipment enables everyone regardless of age, strength, or flexibility to benefit from the study and practice of yoga. 
    • John typically uses the following list of props in his classes:
      • Blocks: 2 are recommended for standing poses.
      • Belts: generally 1 belt.
      • Blankets: about 3-5 wool or white Pune blankets.
      • Bolster: 1 to 2 round bolsters.  Roughly 27” x 13” x 7” each.
      • Backless Yoga Chair.
      • Wall space: Roughly 4’ - 8’.  Should be ample and uncluttered to accommodate vertical and horizontal freedom of movement.  

 

Are these yoga downloads Audio or Video?         

  • These downloads are live audio recordings of classes and workshops that John teaches regularly at Unity Woods Yoga Center, where he is the Director, and at other studios around the country and the world.  These uncut recordings are made available for you to practice with and to help deepen and refine your practice in the form of downloadable audio classes.
  • John believes that yoga is an internally directed practice, and that practicing along to a video, while it may be helpful in observing a particular movement or position, does not foster an internally directed practice.  However, videos can be helpful to learn about particular movements or positions in asanas in lieu of in-person guidance from an experienced and skillful teacher.  Please visit John’s YouTube and Vimeo channels for instructional videos on asanas (poses) and discussions on yoga. 

 

I attend John’s classes regularly in person, are these yoga downloads appropriate for me? 

  • The downloads are valuable for various reasons to students who regularly attend John’s classes in-person.  You may have missed a class.  You can download the class you missed and “take” it at a later time to maintain the continuity and progression of what John is teaching.  Or the class may have been so illuminating that you may want to download it to experience it again.  Sometimes you may simply not understand the instructions the first time through.  Having the option to download the class would be helpful in all of these instances.  John wants these yoga downloads to serve as a worthwhile tool for review and further study for his students’ practice. 

 

What is Iyengar Yoga?

  • Iyengar Yoga, based on the teachings of yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar, is rooted in the 2,500 year old classical yoga tradition of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.  One of the world’s most widely practiced forms of yoga, Iyengar Yoga emphasizes alignment of body, breath, mind, and spirit within each yoga pose.  This precision builds strength and stamina, balance and flexibility, avoids injury and maximizes benefits, and provides a deep sense of well-being.  Iyengar Yoga is far more than physical exercise.  What elevates the practice of asana from exercise to yoga is intelligent action and the infusion of awareness throughout your entire being when practicing the poses.  When you refine what might otherwise be purely mechanical movement with intelligent action, you transform your practice into a meditation in motion that illuminates the previously dark, unconscious areas of your body and mind with the light of awareness.

 

I have a question that is not addressed here.  What should I do?

  • Please go to our contact page.  Fill out the form and ask your question(s).  We thank you for your interest.