Mental Health and Iyengar Yoga
Yoga Connections
The alchemy of Iyengar Yoga comes about through the tenacious work of B.K.S. Iyengar and his unremitting efforts to transmit the eight-limbed path or Astanga Yoga in a way that resonates with all people from the periphery to the core of our being.
In a recent celebration, which honors teachers like BKS Iyengar, his granddaughter, Abhijata brought up the question of mental health and Iyengar Yoga to her Uncle and BKS Iyengar’s son, Prashant, who related mental health to our relationship to our cells —the over 28 trillion cells (28-37 trillion) that make up the human body and what we refer to as “I” or “Me.”
It is this writer’s understanding that Prashant associated mental health to learning to connecting to the wonderland of trillions of cells within us, and building solid positive relationships with the parts of the body the cells create via our mind, body, breath, and senses. In his book Alpha & Omega of Trikonasana, Prashant uses a single asana trikonasana or triangle pose to delineate “learning, doing, studying, practicing” into student processes of “activity, sensitivity, perceptivity, pensivity, and reflexivity” within the dynamics of mind, body, breath, and senses (p. 30). It is part of yoga practice that when applied creates an ever-growing awareness that lights the way to connections and healthy relationship to all the parts of our being and helps us identify and reflect on the impact each part has on the others.
Prashant used an example of when he and Abhijata are together in a room to express the interactivity involved with different parts. If someone else walks into the room, this changes the dynamic—like say Abhijata’s husband or child. Attention and behaviors shift and adapt to the changing environment, and alters the dynamic of the relationship in that moment. Such is the way with the parts of our being.
Consider how lifting your sternum frees your ability to breath; however, if your shoulders begin to droop, it caves your chest, which impacts your sternums ability to lift and constricts the breath. Low oxygen negatively impacts mind, body, and senses. However, when you have a solid relationship between your sternum, shoulders, and breath, you know how to work together to ensure maximum oxygen intake.
When we can identify the parts. Know the role each part plays in relation to other parts, it cultivates connections, and builds relationships that enhances our ability to align with the trillions of cells within us and positively impact our mental, emotional, and physical health.
Iyengar yoga teachers are trained to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the eight-limbed path by constantly delineating learning, doing, studying, practicing with activity, sensitivity, perceptivity, pensivity, and reflexivity within the dynamics of mind, body, breath, and senses with master teachers and yogic texts so they can hone their ability to transmit this alchemical process to their students who become empowered to support their own mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.
What happens on the mat can also help us understand what happens off the mat as well. We can identify the vast number of parts outside of us and how to cultivate better connections and relationships in our social environment such as family, friends, neighbors, community, and broader society. Many mental health theories and interventions have some basis in the ancient art, science, and philosophy of yoga.
Please take a moment to honor the World’s greatest yoga instructor, BKS Iyengar, his daughter, Gheeta Iyengar, and the legacy that lives on and grows with his son, Prashant and granddaughter, Abhijata, and the many other Iyengar instructors who continue to increase the depth of their understanding and enhance our lives and wellbeing.