Pilates
1: What is Pilates?
Pilates is a dynamic and total exercise program that focuses on six basic principles: concentration, control, centering, breath, precision and fluidity. While performing any of the more than 500 exercises, these principles are applied whether you are on the mat or on the apparatus.
2: How often should I do Pilates?
For optimum results, Pilates should be practiced 3 or 4 times a week. A minimum of 2 sessions a week is recommended.
3: How long does it take to see results from doing Pilates?
If you are practicing Pilates 3 times a week you should expect to see changes in roughly 4 to 6 weeks.
4: Why use springs in Pilates for resistance?
Springs very closely resemble he way the body’s muscles move in real life, developing tension while simultaneously lengthening. Use of springs with exercise means no strain on the joint at the beginning of the range of motion and the benefit of a larger amount of resistance at the end of the range of motion.
Yoga
1: What is Yoga?
The term Yoga comes from a Sanskrit word which means yoke or union. Traditionally, Yoga is a method joining the individual self with the Divine, Universal Spirit, or Cosmic Consciousness. Physical and mental exercises are designed to help achieve this goal, also called self-transcendence or enlightenment. On the physical level, Yoga postures, called asanas, are designed to tone, strengthen, and align the body. These postures are performed to make the spine supple and healthy and to promote blood flow to all the organs, glands, and tissues, keeping all the bodily systems healthy. On the mental level, Yoga uses breathing techniques (pranayama) and meditation (dhyana) to quiet, clarify, and discipline the mind. Yoga utilizes the mind/body connection. That is, Yoga practice contains the central ideas that physical posture and alignment can influence a person’s mood and self-esteem, and also that the mind can be used to shape and heal the body. Yoga practitioners claim that the strengthening of mind/body awareness can bring eventual improvements in all facets of a person’s life.
2:What is Iyengar® Yoga?
Iyengar® Yoga is an inspired and innovative approach to the classical Eastern discipline. It is particularly relevant to our Western culture as the basic principles of movement which it advocates are compatible with current developments in the field of physical therapy, kinesiology and other modern bodywork disciplines. Iyengar Yoga is meditation in action. In the Iyengar system, special focus is placed on developing correct body alignment. Without attention to form, exercise can reinforce habitual misalignment. We tend to stretch from our more flexible areas and rely on our better developed muscle groups for strength. Iyengar Yoga encourages weak areas to strengthen and stiff areas to stretch, thus awakening and realigning the whole body. As the body moves into better alignment, less muscular work is required, and relaxation occurs naturally.
Pupils learn through a carefully graded and systematic programme of asanas called sequencing. Pranayama (breath control) is gradually introduced once students have a firm foundation of asana practice. Yoga practice both relaxes and energizes the body and mind and brings vitality, flexibility, strength, concentration, self-confidence and mental calm. Yoga is suitable for all types of people and all levels of fitness.
The system of teaching is methodical and progressive, emphasizing detailed correctness and absolute safety. When necessary, it uses supports called “props” (such as mats, blankets, walls, bricks, straps, chairs and others) that allow students to progress in their practice of postures safely at their own pace, to suit their body or psyche. Beginners work in a basic way on simple postures according to their capabilities. As they develop they then move on to more refined ways of working as well as to more complex postures. The self is explored through discovery and release of physical tension patterns and psychological resistances. As practice continues, a student’s ability to relax and concentrate generally improves markedly, and his or her inner awareness is enhanced.
Iyengar® Yoga has been developed over a period of fifty years by B.K.S. Iyengar, author of Light on Yoga, Light on Pranayama, The Tree of Yoga and, more recently, Light on Life. B.K.S.Iyengar who, at age 91, lives in Pune, India, has been a representative of Hatha Yoga over the past 65 years. During this time he has worked out precise details of Yoga positions and established new ones. For him the body is a never ending source of potential experiences of awareness and thus a never ending provider of realizations about himself. He insists on intensive effort from his students and it is probably this characteristic of his style which appeals to many achievement oriented people from the West. Today his style of instruction ranks among those taught most.
3: How do you become a certified Iyengar® Yoga teacher?
The Iyengar® certification is one of the most thorough Yoga educations available today. Candidates must have participated in regular weekly classes at least two years prior to their application being considered and be recommended for training by a certified teacher.
The training itself takes a minimum of three years encompassing 750 hours of asana training, teaching training, philosophy, anatomy, physiology and business development plus electives. Additional requirements are: 150 hours of assistance in regular classes and participation in 150 hours of regular classes with certified teachers. There are two major written and practical assessments conducted by the national Iyengar association of the county where the training is taking place.
To maintain certification a teacher must instruct a minimum of 50 hours and participate in 50 hours of further training with higher certified Iyengar® teachers each year. Teachers also commit to the adhereance to professional guidelines and ethics.
For more information contact a national Iyengar® Yoga association.
