The Iyengar Method: Precision, Props & Practice
Iyengar yoga is not about flow; it is about physics. We use precise alignment and props to fix your posture, remove energy blockages, and build a rock-solid mind.
I am demonstrating Paschim Namaskar, or reverse prayer pose. I break down the pose step-by-step, emphasizing the foundation in Tadasana and the correct movement of the shoulder blades to open the chest and improve posture.
Here, I teach the arm preparation and full expression of Gomukhasana (Cow Face Pose). This detailed instruction shows how to mobilize the shoulder joints safely, which is crucial for relieving stiffness in the neck and upper back.
A chair and blocks are used here to help a student achieve a deeper, more aligned forward bend. This demonstrates how props make complex poses accessible and more effective.
A typical scene from my class, where students use belts for Supta Padangusthasana. The belt allows for a deeper hamstring stretch while keeping the spine and pelvis stable on the floor.
I provide a hands-on adjustment in Trikonasana (Triangle Pose). My guidance ensures the student finds the correct rotation in the torso and extension in the spine.
Using ropes for support is a hallmark of the Iyengar method. This student is using the rope wall to decompress her spine and open her shoulders in a way that would be impossible without the prop.
This video shows students practicing a supported headstand against the wall. This builds confidence and strength for inversions while ensuring safety.
This collection of images captures the essence of my classes. You will see students of all levels using various props, receiving individual adjustments, and practicing together with focus and dedication. Each photo is a glimpse into our journey of alignment and discovery.
This collection of images captures the essence of my classes. You will see students of all levels using various props, receiving individual adjustments, and practicing together with focus and dedication. Each photo is a glimpse into our journey of alignment and discovery.
This collection of images captures the essence of my classes. You will see students of all levels using various props, receiving individual adjustments, and practicing together with focus and dedication. Each photo is a glimpse into our journey of alignment and discovery.
About The Iyengar Method: Precision, Props & Practice
Expect to pause often. In my classes, we use ropes, chairs, and blocks not as crutches, but as architectural tools to force your body into its correct alignment. If you are used to standard flow classes, this will feel very different—we deconstruct every pose until you are mathematically aligned, ensuring your joints are safe and your energy is properly directed.
The Iyengar method is a science of the body. Most people practice movement without understanding that if your skeleton is misaligned, you are simply reinforcing bad habits. By using props, we bypass your current physical limitations—whether that is tight hamstrings or a recovering injury—and get you into the full, therapeutic expression of the asana.
This is how we tackle structural issues like chronic back pain or joint stiffness. You are not just stretching; you are recalibrating your entire nervous system. We work with rope walls and trestles to provide traction and support, allowing you to access postures that would otherwise be impossible.
My students often find that when the physical body is finally placed in the correct architecture, the 'stuck' emotions—what we sometimes call emotional blockages—begin to release naturally. This is a direct, honest dialogue between you and your anatomy. Come prepared to work hard, listen closely to instruction, and accept that the props are there to make you stronger, not to make the work easier.
Nivedita Joshi
I approach yoga as a scientist, because your body is the most complex machine you own. My classes at Yogakshema are about deconstructing your movement, fixing your alignment, and ensuring that by the time you leave the mat, you have actually unlocked something new.
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