BEGINNERS COURSE LESSON 2


Welcome to lesson 2 of the beginners course, please remember to be kind to your body. If you have any back issues or joint problems such as the hips, knees ankles etc,  step the feet apart instead of jumping when going into and out of the standing poses. 

PRACTISING WHEN MENSTRUATING
Iyengar Yoga recognises that a woman's practice needs to be modified whilst menstruating due to the changes taking place in her body. It is recommended  that on the week of menstruation to do the menstrual  sequence, this sequence can also be found on the Members Page.  The poses in this sequence help to alleviate abdominal bloating and cramping, pre-menstrual tension, backache and irregular and excessive bleeding. No backbends, abdominals or inversions when menstruating. 
MENSTRUAL SEQUENCE - If you do not have a bolster try using cushions that you have around the house
CLASS 2
Props Required - 2 blocks, 2 blankets and a Belt
​Duration - 1 Hour
SHORT PRACTICE
Props Required - 2 blocks and 2 blankets
​Duration - 20 minutes

AN OVERVIEW OF THE 8 LIMBS OF YOGA


​The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit root 'yuj' meaning to join or yoke. Yoga is considered a philosophy or an ancient art based on bringing union of the individual spirit with the universal soul, or all that is.

Sage Patanjali is believed to have lived around fifth century B.C, he is said to be the first author to systemise the practise of yoga. In his text The Yoga Sutras he describes 8 limbs or stages of yoga which a practitioner is guided by. The 8 limbs of yoga are:

1. Yama - Moral and ethical guidelines. These include:

Ahimsa - Non violence (physical, mental and emotional)
Satya -Truthfulness (to live and speak our truth)
Asteya - Non stealing (not taking what is not freely given)
Brahmacharya - Continence (control over physical impulses)
Aparigraha - Non covetousness (let go of that which we do not need)

2. Niyama - Self-purification by discipline. These include:

Shaucha - Purification of the body and mind
Samtosha - Contentment
Tapas - Asceticism (self discipline)
Svadhyaya - Self study

3. Asana - Postures in yoga
4. Pranayama - Rhythmic control of breath
5. Pratyahara - Withdrawal of senses and external influences
6. Dharana - Concentration
7. Dhyana - Meditation
8. Samadhi - Mastery of the mind 
​