Improving balance and coordination in Iyengar yoga can be achieved through the use of standing poses with wall support. The wall serves as an essential prop that provides stability and helps with enhancing alignment, allowing practitioners to focus on each pose without the fear of losing balance.
When performing standing poses like Virabhadrasana 1, Ardha Chandrasana, or Utthita Trikonasana with wall support, the wall helps maintain proper posture and balance. This support enables practitioners to engage their muscles more effectively, building strength and coordination over time as well as enhancing alignment.
Using the wall as leverage for standing twists, such as Parivrtta Trikonasana or Parivrtta Parsvakonasana, further refines alignment and deepens the twist. The wall provides a stable foundation, allowing the practitioner to rotate the torso fully while keeping the hips and legs properly aligned. This not only enhances the effectiveness of the twist but also prevents common misalignments that can occur when attempting these poses without support and in this way ensures that the practitioner doesn’t get into the habit of performing the pose the “wrong” way.
Incorporating wall support in standing poses is particularly beneficial for beginners or those recovering from injuries, as it reduces the risk of falls and builds confidence. Over time, this practice cultivates a stronger sense of balance and coordination, translating to improved performance in all aspects of yoga and daily activities. However, it can also be used from time to time by more experienced practitioners, like in this class, to allow them to take a closer look at poses they might otherwise have become overly accustomed to: it can offer them a new perspective and take their practice to the next level.
Video stills from this sequence
