Zoë Reason

Zoë began practising Iyengar yoga in 1990 and has been teaching since 2005. She has a background in theatre directing and in group facilitation. She is qualified to teach Yoga by the Iyengar Yoga Association (UK). Yoga has been at the heart of her life for ten years and she is absurdly grateful for the changes it has wrought in her and her circumstances. She is committed to passing on what she has been taught.

Zoë regularly studies with Swati and Rajiv Chanchani at their Yoga centre in the foothills of the Himalayas. The Chanchanis are senior Iyengar Yoga teachers who have worked extensively with the Iyengar family. They are authors of “Yoga for Children”. For more information about them and their centre please visit:

Rajiv and Swati Chanchani: www. yog-ganga.com

About Yoga

What is the definition of yoga?

In “Basic Guidelines for Teachers of Yoga” B.K.S. Iyengar and Gita Iyengar use the following definitions:

The word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root yujir, meaning to bind, join, attach, yoke or commune. It means union. It is also derived from the root word yuj, when means restraint indicating samadhi.

Yoga is the union of the individual self ( jivatma ) with the Universal Self ( Paramatma ).

Yoga is an art, which brings an incoherent and scatterd mind to a choerent state to have communion with Divinity.

Yoga is the handsome union of our will with the will of God.

Yoga is a method that systematically teaches man with thoroughness and efficiency to search and then to sight the Divinity within himself.

So what is yoga?

Yoga is one of the oldest systems of personal development in the world. This system of balancing the body, mind and spirit was formulated by ancient yogis, who understood the essential nature of human beings and realised a way to utilise all of a person’s inner resources to live in harmony with oneself and the environment.

Yoga is encapsulated in a set of aphorisms collated and organised by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. Patanjali lived about 1700 years ago, in India. He is credited with collating and writing the first records of Yoga, Ayurvedic Medicine and Sanskrit Grammar. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali consist of just 196 sutras (aphorisms) which cover all aspects of life and are still powerfully relevant.

Practising Yoga helps you overcome and prevent many stresses, strains, aches and pains. It promotes a firm foundation for health and well-being.

The union referred to in yoga is the union between one’s true self and the universal (being “at one with the world”), and also to a joining between one’s body, one’s thinking and one’s soul.

Pupils learn through a carefully graded and systematic programme of asana (postures). Pranayama (breath control) is gradually introduced once students have a firm foundation of yoga practice. Yoga practice both relaxes and energizes the body and mind and brings vitality, flexibility, strength, concentration, self-confidence and mental calm.

About Iyengar Yoga

What we refer to as “Iyengar Yoga” is a Yoga practice based on the teachings of Sri B.K.S. Iyengar. However, Mr Iyengar himself says that there is no such thing as “Iyengar Yoga” – its just yoga.

B.K.S. Iyengar, born on December 14, 1918, in Bellur, India, has studied and practised Yoga continuously for over 70 years.

Mr Iyengar has made a thorough study and understanding of Yoga, he has taught in all five continents, won worldwide respect and recognition for his achievements. His project has been to make Yoga accessible and relevant to people everywhere, no matter what their physical or mental ability.

Now in his nineties he continues to practice, teach and write, holding classes for both regular students and for teachers. He is based at and runs the Ramamani Memorial Iyengar Yoga Institute in Pune, India, where his daughter Smt. Geeta and son Sri Prashant Iyengar are also directors.

B.K.S. Iyengar has evolved precise posture (asana) and breathing (pranayama) techniques with a firm philosophical base in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

The system of teaching is methodical and progressive, emphasising detailed correctness and absolute safety. When necessary, it uses supports called “props” that allow students to progress in their practice of postures safely at their own pace, to suit their body. 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.

Prashant Iyengar has said that the hallmarks of Iyengar Yoga are:

Sequencing
Timing, and
Technique

Iyengar yoga sequences poses in a variety of different ways, for a range of intentions, to achieve different results.

As Iyengar students progress they may hold certain asanas for some time. This allows the body to settle, the pattern of the breath to become established, the mind can quieten and subtle observations can be made from within and through the body.

Iyengar yoga is often described as being methodical and emphasising alignment. Mr Iyengar is frequently quoted as saying “Alignment is Enlightenment”. Alignment and specific ways of working in a pose are part of Iyengar Technique. Technique would also cover use of props and equipment.

For more information about the Sage Patanjali, and to hear a recording of B.K.S. Iyengar singing the invocation to Patanjali, please go to:

Invocation to Patanjali: www.bksiyengar.com

Who is yoga suitable for?

Yoga is appropriate for everyone. All ages, shapes, sizes and levels of fitness can benefit from practising yoga.

However, there are certain conditions which might be more safely taught in a medical class. If you suffer from any of the following conditions please call Zoë Reason in advance to discuss this – it won’t necessarily mean you can’t attend a class but some poses may have to be modified.

Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Heart disease (angina)
Heart attack
Epilepsy (minor/major)
Diabetes
Cancer
Detached retina
Menière’s disease
Multiple sclerosis
ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis)
HIV / AIDS
Asthma
Allergies
Varicose veins
Nose bleeds
Have you had a baby in the last 12 months?
Knee problems
Back problems
Neck or shoulder problems
Hip problems
Ankle problems

In addition, if you are (or think you might be) pregnant please discuss this immediately with the teacher.

What do I need to know before coming to a class?

Do wear comfortable clothes – preferably something that lets the teacher see your knees (leggings and shorts are ugly but ideal!)

Do be prepared to work in bare feet

Do let the teacher know at the beginning of a class if you have a period, a cold, backache or are feeling under the weather for any reason

Don’t eat before you come to a class – leave 2 hours after a snack and 4 hours after a full meal

Please don’t wear perfume or strongly scented deodorant to class

Please do be on time for a class

AND FINALLY . . . if you have any questions – please ASK!