Sunita’s last class of the year addressed insomnia – sleeplessness which can become acute for many people. She pointed out there are several things that can cause insomnia and one of them is when your mind just won’t switch off. She talked about the importance of exhalation and a natural bahia kumbhaka – that pause at the end of the exhalation when you are not holding your breath - it just gets quietened. And softens the abdomen – she said “no sleep – hardness in the abdomen. Sleep – abdomen soft”. And she talked about the connection between the thighs and the brain – Geeta’s answer to the question “Why did Guruji always start with standing poses? To give stability to the thighs so that the brain becomes stable. Restful thighs will give restful state to the brain.” Which led us to half halasana – Guruji has given us the answer – do 20 minutes every day half halasana, thigh support, and you will feel as though you have had 8 hours sleep. “Pranayama is implicit in asana. Implicit pranayama is easier to understand than actual pranayama but definitely not as easy as half halasana!” God bless you, Geetaji and Sunitaji.
Words Katie Rutherford
#iyengaryoga #sunitaiyengar #rimyi #yogaforinsomnia
Another of our roughly monthly practice sessions in the studio today. As ever, I was too involved to take any photos until near the end but I got this lovely one of Yoriko in Urdhva Paschimottanasana on the ropes. Also we built these huge Sarvangasana platforms, using ALL the blocks, to try the variations from Raya’s class on 8 April. Arm stuff!
#yoganowstudio #iyengaryoga #yogapractice #practiceyogatogether
Srineet sessions last weekend were entitled “Iyengar Yoga – Exploring the Roots” and he began by revealing something super interesting. Gurujj never set out to create a system called “Iyengar Yoga” – he would have said it was regular yoga that he taught which has been there since time immemorial. So the obvious next question is – did he teach from the texts, from the yoga darshan codified by Patanjali? No, he started teaching BEFORE he had read all these texts. He wasn’t formally educated in the shastras and he still started teaching. So what is Iyengar Yoga? It turns out, marvellously, that there is a wonderful correlation between what is taught in the various texts and what was taught by Guruji. It was not intended - it came through him almost magically. Iyengar yoga then becomes “facets of the ancient true subject of yoga as illuminated by what Guruji experienced, what was revealed by Guruji and what was taught by Guruji”. It is almost as though the aspects of yoga were revealed to Guruji even before he was familiar with what is in the texts. Unbeknownst to him he was revealing things that are at the very core of the ancient subject of yoga. Through his profound understanding of the body, mind and soul he was able to make yoga accessible to people of all ages, abilities and walks of life. “Iyengar Yoga” continues to inspire millions – thank you, Srineet, for teaching us with such clarity, grace and humility. It was a wonderful four days.
Katie Rutherford
#belluriyengaryogacenter #iyengaryoga
This is why I look like I’ve been fighting for my life in a bramble thicket. She loves the taste of raw ankle in the morning. And she’s not messing with those big feet (and proportionally large claws). 2 years old last Monday.
#75%ishmainecoon #cattax
Booking is now open for this year’s Summer School with Katie Rutherford. She is teaching a full weekend in the studio
Saturday 25 July 10.30 - 16.00
Sunday 26 July 10.30 - 15.30
£120 for both days
Plus Pranayama on Friday 24 July 18.00 - 19.45, to be booked separately.
More information on our Events page.
Places are limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
#katierutherford #yoganowstudio #iyengaryogainscotland #iyengaryogauk
Put a spring in your step with our new term of regular classes. We have classes for all levels of experience, so you can learn at your own pace, alongside people at the same stage of their practice.
Now is a good time to start - our excellent value Term passes are available now. Commit to the term and benefit from a regular practice.
#yoganowstudio #iyengaryogainscotland #yogaclassedinburgh
My reward for Spring cleaning!
All the blocks washed and dried and ready for next term on 13 April.
#yoganowstudio #iyengaryogascotland #yogaclassedinburgh #springclean
Today is Hanuman Jayanti - Hanuman was very dear to the heart of Guruji BKS Iyengar who strongly identified with this Indian god as he is “Lord
Of Prana”, the personification of devotion and strength and our inner energy that supports our practice and our very being. A shrine dedicated to Hanuman is located at the top of RIMYI - encouraging us to be strong, courageous, devoted to our practice and humble - all qualities that radiate from him when he executes the asana. His grandson, Srineet Iyengar, is doing a talk today sharing insights on learning yoga with his grandfather. So may our hearts be filled with gratitude and devotion for our Guruji and his family. ❤️
Katie Rutherford
#hanumanjayanti #iyengaryogainscotland
Classes this week at the studio;
Monday 6.30-7.45 pm General with Al
Tuesday 6-7.15 pm Intermediate with Lucy
Tuesday 7.30-8.30 pm Beginners with Lucy
Thursday 7-8.45 pm Advanced with Katie
Online;
Wednesday 10-11 am Over 55s with Katie
Hope you can join us!
#yoganowstudio #iyengaryogainscotland #yogaclassedinburgh
Last night was the last of Katie Rutherford’s Advanced class for this term. It was a beautiful pranayama class, taking us deep into our inner selves; blissfully still and silent. Inner and outer worlds coming into alignment.
Of course I took no photos, so these are from a couple of weeks ago, where we found new freedom and fluidity in our forward bends courtesy of the extension of our inner legs, into the toe foot and releasing the outer hips and hamstrings. It is hard to summarise but this ongoing work is taking us to very interesting places.
We have a 2 week Easter block before the Spring Term starts on 13 April and there is actually a class with Katie next Thursday at the usual time.
Thank you Katie for another wonderful term of teaching!
#advancedyogaclasswithkatie #springtermyogaclasses #iyengaryogainedinburgh #yoganowstudio
