Whether you are a beginner or have some yoga experience and are seeking more challenging poses, this class is for you. Our group practices Iyengar yoga, a range of movement that is lauded for its healing effects and consideration of gentler mobility. From Wikipedia:
Iyengar Yoga, named after and developed by B. K. S. Iyengar, is a form of Hatha Yoga that has an emphasis on detail, precision and alignment in the performance of posture (asana) and breath control (pranayama). The development of strength, mobility and stability is gained through the asanas.
B.K.S. Iyengar systematised over 200 classical yoga poses and 14 different types of Pranayama (with variations of many of them) ranging from the basic to advanced. This helps ensure that students progress gradually by moving from simple poses to more complex ones and develop their mind, body and spirit step-by-step.[1]
Iyengar Yoga often, but not always, makes use of props, such as belts, blocks, and blankets, as aids in performing asanas(postures). The props enable students to perform the asanas correctly, minimising the risk of injury or strain, and making the postures accessible to both young and old.
Our Instructor
Cindy Irvine, a certified Iyengar instructor, has been teaching yoga for people with Multiple Sclerosis and other chronic illnesses since 2001. She emphasizes gentle work with the mind, breath, and body to prevent injury and maximize health benefits. She teaches yoga as a life philosophy of honoring and celebrating oneself while having compassion for our limitations.
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*Other Chronic Illnesses. We believe that yoga can be a great benefit to individuals experiencing the effects of other chronic illnesses. As a result, we have expanded our mission in order to offer our classes to participants outside of the MS Community. The specialized training of our instructors means, however, that they reserve the right to determine whether our classes would be appropriate for a prospective student. If you are interested in taking our classes, do not hesitate to contact us so we can have the opportunity to talk with you about your needs and goals.
Homepage photograph by Martha Wiley. She and Jan Lucas, both beloved MS Yoga Program Members, have photography featured in our gallery. See more of Jan’s photo work on her website. All photographs on our website were taken during in-person classes prior to Covid.