Introduction to the Iyengar Yoga style

Jennifer Bonvechio is a San Francisco-based finance professional. She works as a partner at Baker Street Advisors, LLC. A University of Notre Dame graduate, Jennifer Bonvechio spends her free time paddle boarding, biking, and practicing yoga.

Iyengar yoga is an organized system of hatha yoga invented and popularised over 75 years ago by B.K.S. Iyengar. He authored one of the first guides to hatha yoga postures and pranayama that was easily accessible for practitioners. This book was titled Light on Yoga.

This form of Hatha yoga uses asanas (postures) and pranayama (breathing) to improve the physical alignment of the body. These poses are carried out with the aid of props, such as benches, bricks, straps, chairs, and bolsters, which provide students with the best possible alignment while their bodies are opening up.

A central school of thought in Iyengar yoga is that there is a correct way to perform each pose and that with consistent practice, every student will one day achieve perfect poses. Furthermore, this yoga style is popular because it allows people of all ages, health levels, and fitness levels to enjoy the benefits of yoga.