Last week, I attended my first ever Iyengar yoga class. There were only about 8 students and the teacher knew them all except me. No, I have never practiced Iyengar yoga. The Iyengar students are completely different than the ones you’d find in a flow class. Iyengar yoga will have a specific theme of the day and you will go from one pose to the next with no flow. You will also spend a LOT of time in each pose utilizing props. This can be both good and bad, which I will go into more detail later…Just wanted to share this experience because it was SO FREAKIN CRAZY.
First pose of the day, Supta Virasana.
{Fastest way to make me cry. No, I can’t do that!!!! The Iyengar method will utilize blocks, blankets, straps and chairs to help a person get into the pose. For your reference, I need 5 blankets behind my back to get me into this pose. And, I can’t stay here for longer than 5 breaths. Which is why I can’t model it for you! I must have the tightest hip flexors AROUND. We cyclists and runners spend all our time FLEXING our hips and ZERO time working backwards to open them up}.
My thoughts included, “HOLY CRAP” and a few other CHOICE words. My weaknesses were so blatantly obvious to the teacher and the class that it’s kind of embarrassing. Teacher’s commentary to the class, “that was terrible!!”
2nd pose: One Legged King on the Wall pose. This is an extreme version of the pose we did. Basically, it’s designed to OPEN your HIP FLEXORS.
3rd-6th poses: Hanging over chairs in various positions. They were back bends/hip openers in extreme positions (for me) designed to open areas of my body that didn’t want to be opened. The teacher came over to me after one particularly difficult pose- one in which— I came out of—almost as soon as I got in it, and she told me that my quads were IN MY WAY!!
Ha ha ha… Too much muscle in the front of the body and the back of the body is weak. Cyclists and runners, this might be YOU. We can run and ride all day long but if asked to get in to a position that requires strength of the back of the body and flexibility in the front, you are going to be challenged.
Yoga is vital for the health of your joints and muscles. A lot of the time it won’t be comfortable or fun. I’ve even cried a few times cause I just get frustrated with my body. Not everyone will be as STIFF as me, but, you all need to find a yoga practice even if it’s only once a week. It will benefit your current endurance endeavors in a positive way.
5 responses so far ↓
1 Jonathan Aluzas // Jun 1, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Strong in front and weak in back is a common gym issue. Especially with men who, left to their own devices, will do nothing but bicep curls and chest press.
It’s probably a common issue to focus on what you can SEE, and what we can generally SEE in the mirror is our front. Unless we’re standing in a changing room we’re generally not paying much heed to our backside (guys don’t, at least). But we have to remember that without a strong back our front will suffer.
Jonathan Aluzass last blog post..The Scarring of American Youth! Part 1
2 Jill Will Run // Jun 1, 2009 at 9:13 pm
I know you said it was painful and hard… but I’m so fascinated to attend a whole class. I went to a short workshop where the teacher just talked about iyengar and showed us a couple things, but it wasn’t a full-on iyengar practice. I have attempted to do it a little on my own at times, but I’m never 100% sure if I’m doing it all correct!
Jill Will Runs last blog post..Monday Motivation
3 mamalikeyou // Jun 2, 2009 at 2:06 am
Thanks for this post, it was just what I needed today. I’m in the middle of my own pity party over my achilles tendonitis that doesn’t want to heal. I’ve decided to take a week off from working out (and tri-training) – and I’m a grumpy mess. But your post today is a great reminder to work some of those areas that I neglect that put no strain on my achilles. Thanks!
4 Kara from MamaSweat // Jun 3, 2009 at 3:09 am
LOVE Iyengar. I was introduced to yoga through Iyengar so it’s the standard I compare all others (and why I don’t love “fitness yoga.” Ally David was my instructor for three years. What I would do to be a regular again… Good for you for going through the training!
Kara from MamaSweats last blog post..Wii Have One
5 Tiffany // Jun 3, 2009 at 3:37 pm
The second picture was what I need to help with my pzoas ligaments – which are super tight.
Tiffanys last blog post..Back to Running – Neuroma still there??
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