Course Description

Over the last forty-five years since the publication of Light on Yoga, B.K.S. Iyengar has shifted emphasis towards teaching the basic poses in greater detail before attempting the more advanced poses. The difficulties of the more advanced poses can often be resolved by a better understanding of, and mobility in, the basic poses.

Goal
Our goal is to place each student in the most appropriate class to ensure long-term success and depth of understanding. With this goal in mind, every student who begins classes, regardless of experience, is strongly encouraged to start in the Intro class. Because our classes are small, teaching is able to be geared to the strengths and weaknesses of the class as a whole, as well as the needs of individual students.

New students
New students will learn basic postural movement and the proper yogic fundamentals that lead to a deeper, safer, and more fulfilling practice. Experienced students will use the same fundamentals to master the intricacies of the Introductory poses as well as the more challenging poses.

The yoga asanas (postures) are taught as vehicles for understanding the ethics and psychology of yoga as well as the anatomy and physiology of the healthy body.

The last week of each month is dedicated to restorative poses and pranayama.

This class introduces posture and breathing for beginners and students of any level new to the Iyengar method.

Class follows the Preliminary Course in Yoga in Action for Beginners and the Introductory Course in Yoga: A Gem for Women.

The course is sequential and new students are expected to attend every class. This is the best class for beginners because everyone starts at the same level. The standing poses are introduced and the material is presented slowly, with sufficient time for questions.

Even for experienced students, this is the most important class to take because subsequent course work is based on mastery of this material. Most students stay in this class for about six months before proceeding to Asana I.

Concluding the Intro course with the semi-annual Intro 5 Day Intensive is a good preparation for advancing to Asana I.

Your class is GREAT! Compared to my past studies, I'm amazed at how much I've learned from you in one lesson. I'm postponing my vacation a few days so I can attend my yoga class.
— T.H.

Photo: Sara Roger, 2006 Photo: Sara Roger, 2006

Class is based on the Preliminary Course in Yoga in Action for Beginners (Months 3 - 7), and the First Year—Elementary Course from Yoga: A Gem for Women, which includes additional standing, sitting, inverted, and supine poses, as well as introduction of Surya Namaskar and modified therapeutic poses for recovery from illness, menstrual, and pregnancy sequences, etc.

Admission is at the discretion of the instructor, based on a subjective evaluation of increased endurance, greater mobility and, most importantly, depth of understanding of the Introductory poses that is fostered by a committed practice. Most students stay in this class for about a year before proceeding to Asana II.

Your classes taught me far more than I ever realized!
— A.K.

I have difficulty with forward bends and usually avoid them, rush through them or try too hard! For the first time in many moons, I found more ease and peace in doing them. Thanks!
— Y.L.

Syllabus is drawn from First Year — Elementary Course from Yoga: A Gem for Women, with additions from the important poses of the RIMYI Introductory Level II Syllabus and Light on Yoga [Course One] that also are in Yoga: A Gem for Women [Second Year — Intermediate Course], concentrating on the easier poses and modifying the more difficult ones.

Backbends and pranayama are introduced as well as continuing work on refinement of the standing poses, with regular practice of inversions and sitting poses. Personal daily practice is based on the Elementary Course. Admission by permission of the instructor. Most students stay in this class for at least a year.

A slower-paced class that uses props such as chairs, bolsters, and benches to adapt poses shown in the Preliminary Course in Yoga in Action for Beginners and Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health.

Click to hear radio interview with Bruce Roger and Kathy Digby on the benefits of yoga for MS.

Ideal for beginners with limited endurance or difficulty walking, as in Multiple Sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia. Benefits

The best time to begin yoga is before becoming pregnant, to allow time to learn how to modify the poses that encourage conception.

Healthy pregnant students (not high risk) are accepted in all classes and are assisted with modified poses as pregnancy progresses to follow along with the rest of the class. Please inform your instructor of your pregnancy prior to the day of the first class.

A fast-paced class including inversions for incoming freshmen through seniors, ages 14-18, concentrating on poses from weeks 1-6 in the Primary Course to increase emotional stability. Less detail, simpler philosophy, and more movement than in adult class.

In the Iyengar method, both locally and nationally, candidates start first as a student. When offered, Yoga St. Louis Teacher Training is a two-year course with a major focus on pedagogy. Certificates are not issued locally, but only by IYNAUS after further study and testing.

Yoga St. Louis Teacher Training candidates are expected to: have a daily practice that minimally includes all the poses in the Preliminary Course text; have studied at Yoga St. Louis for a minimum of three years, and attended Asana II for at least one year; have demonstrated maturity and skill in the practice of Iyengar yoga; and have a strong desire to serve the community.

After beginning to assist in class during Teacher Training, graduates are expected to teach for at least a year at Yoga St. Louis prior to joining an IYNAUS approved yoga teacher assessment training program.

For further details on assessment training leading to national certification, see IYNAUS.org. Yoga St. Louis teachers help Assessment Candidates sharpen their presentation skills through the completion of the second level of assessment, which takes 2-4 years.