Response to "How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body" - New York Times article
A response from Lynne Bowsher, President and the Board of Directors of The Iyengar Yoga Association of Canada/Association canadienne de yoga Iyengar
January 14, 2012
On 5th January, 2012, the New York Times published an article entitled "How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body", by William Broad. The article contains many derogatory comments about yoga, with some reference to B.K.S. Iyengar's approach.
Many of the statements in Mr. Broad’s article are not correct. In response, Christopher Beach-- President of the Iyengar Yoga National Association of the United States (IYNAUS)--wrote a letter addressing the article in a clear, balanced and truthful manner. Roger Cole, Ph.D, a scientist and certified Iyengar Yoga teacher from southern California, also issued a statement in which he refutes Mr. Broad's comments on the Iyengar method of teaching shoulderstand.
The Iyengar Yoga Association of Canada/Association canadienne de yoga Iyengar is equally disturbed by Mr. Broad’s article and adds the following comments.
B.K.S. Iyengar's teachings come from over 75 years of personal study and practice. Yoga in the Iyengar tradition has enriched the lives of countless individuals-- young and old, active and inactive, fit and unfit, healthy and unhealthy. Iyengar yoga is known and respected worldwide for its therapeutic benefits, with people routinely travelling from around the world to attend Mr. Iyengar’s medical classes in Pune, India. Iyengar Yoga is a safe, disciplined, and principled form of yoga taught as an art, a science, and a philosophy.
To maintain the integrity of the Iyengar Yoga method, B.K.S. Iyengar set in place international guidelines requiring all prospective Iyengar Yoga teachers to undergo a rigorous assessment and certification process. It takes a minimum of 3-5 years before a person can reach the first level of teacher certification for Iyengar Yoga. To maintain good standing status as a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher, teachers must pursue a minimum number of hours of Iyengar Yoga studies annually-- enabling them to remain up to date in their teaching and current with B.K.S. Iyengar's work, which continues to evolve through his own self-study. Because of the depth of understanding and individual personal growth that comes from this process, many Iyengar Yoga teachers choose to pursue higher levels of teacher certification, thereby refining their understanding of Iyengar Yoga further, and benefitting yoga students even more. Only higher level certified teachers who have undergone special training are allowed to teach students with special therapeutic needs.
Potential students looking for a yoga teacher should ensure that the teacher is properly certified to teach in a safe and progressive manner.
Sincerely,
Lynne Bowsher, President, and the Board of Directors of the Iyengar Yoga Association of Canada/Association canadienne de yoga Iyengar