Iyengar Yoga Classes at Maui Yoga Path

Deni Roman performing yoga poses at RIMYI, Pune, India in 2004.

Iyengar Yoga is named for the renowned yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar (1918 – 2014). Often referred to as the “Michelangelo of yoga” and recognized as one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2004, Mr. Iyengar is celebrated as a modern master of yoga.

Iyengar Yoga classes focus on precision, alignment, and systematic progression in postures (asanas) and breathing techniques (pranayama). This style is accessible to practitioners of all ages and abilities due to its use of props, such as:

- Blocks

- Straps

- Bolsters

- Chairs

- Wall ropes

Key Features of Iyengar Yoga:

- Alignment: Ensures correct posture to maximize benefits and minimize the risk of injury.

- Props: Helps practitioners achieve the correct form regardless of flexibility or strength.

- Sequencing: Poses are carefully arranged to prepare the body for more advanced postures.

- Precision: Focuses on the details of each pose to deepen practice and awareness.

- Therapeutic Focus: Often recommended for individuals with specific physical issues or limitations.

Benefits of Iyengar Yoga:

- Improves posture and spinal health.

- Enhances flexibility and strength.

- Increases focus and body awareness.

- Helps manage stress and anxiety.

- Supports recovery from injuries and physical challenges, making it one of the most valuable yoga benefits for practitioners seeking holistic wellness.

BKS Iyengar

Invocation to Patanjali

Yogena cittasya padena vacam malam sarirasya ca vaidyakena yopakarottam pravaram muninam patanjalim pranajaliranato'smi abahu purusakaram sankha cakrasi dharinam sahasra sirasam svetam pranamami patanjalim.

Let us acknowledge the noblest of sages, Patanjali, who gave us:

~ Yoga (Sutras) for serenity and sanctity of mind, as taught in Iyengar Yoga classes.

~ Grammar (Sanskrit) for clarity and purity of speech.

~ Medicine (Ayurveda) for perfection of health, embracing the profound yoga benefits that contribute to overall well-being on the Maui Yoga Path.

Woman in traditional attire praying beside a decorated Hindu shrine indoors.

Sadhana

Sadhana is a Sanskrit term that broadly translates to "spiritual practice" or "discipline." It encompasses various practices, including Iyengar Yoga classes, aimed at personal growth, self-realization, or union with the divine.

Benefits of Sadhana:

- Promotes mental clarity, inner peace, and emotional balance.

- Helps in overcoming ego, attachments, and negative habits.

- Facilitates a deeper connection with one's true self or the divine.

Ultimately, sadhana is a transformative tool that helps individuals move closer to their spiritual or personal ideals, enhancing the yoga benefits one can experience along the Maui Yoga Path.

Sattvic Mind

A Sattvic mind is calm, pure, and balanced, characterized by clarity, compassion, and inner joy. You can cultivate it through a wholesome diet, meditation, yoga, positive actions, and a peaceful environment, such as attending Iyengar Yoga classes, which emphasize precision and alignment. A Sattvic mind is a state of mental clarity, balance, and harmony, deeply rooted in purity (Sattva), one of the three gunas in Hindu philosophy. It is characterized by peace, compassion, contentment, and spiritual awareness, all of which can be enhanced through the yoga benefits of practices offered at Maui Yoga Path.

Key Traits:

- Calmness and clarity.

- Selflessness and empathy.

- Inner joy and balance.

How to Cultivate:

- Diet: Eat fresh, natural, wholesome foods.

- Meditation: Practice mindfulness and meditation daily.

- Lifestyle: Engage in selfless service, gratitude, and positive actions.

- Yoga & Breathwork: Use yoga and pranayama, such as those taught in Iyengar Yoga classes, to balance mind and body.

- Environment: Maintain a clean, peaceful space and surround yourself with uplifting influences.

A Sattvic mind promotes inner peace and spiritual growth.

The 5 Elements

The five elements refer to the fundamental building blocks of nature found in many ancient traditions, including those explored in Iyengar Yoga classes. Here are the five elements in both Eastern and Western traditions, with a focus on the Indian (Ayurvedic/Yogic) system:

In Indian Philosophy (Pancha Mahabhutas):

Ākāśa (Ether/Space) – openness, expansion, and connection

Vāyu (Air) – movement, breath, and lightness

Agni (Fire) – transformation, digestion, and energy

Āpas (Water) – flow, emotion, and cohesion

Pṛthvī (Earth) – stability, structure, and grounding

These elements form the basis of the body, mind, and universe in Ayurveda, Yoga, and many Indian spiritual sciences, highlighting the yoga benefits that come from understanding this interconnectedness.

In Western Classical Philosophy:

Earth – solid, stable

Water – liquid, adaptable

Air – gaseous, mobile

Fire – heat, transformation

Aether (or Spirit) – divine or cosmic substance

Exploring these elements through practices like those offered by Maui Yoga Path can deepen our understanding of their significance.

Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar

B.K.S. IYENGAR

Invocation to Patanjali

Sadhana

Sattvic Mind

The 5 Elements