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 Dec 9, 2025, 3:50:50 PM

# My Iyengar Yoga Practice

[Karolina Chmaj](https://chmaj.ch/en-us/author/karolina-chmaj-en)

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## My Iyengar Yoga Practice

I practice yoga in the B.K.S. Iyengar method — a style that has fundamentally changed my approach to the body, movement, and awareness. It is a demanding, precise, and deep method that teaches not only how to perform the poses, but above all why we do them and what they bring.

### The B.K.S. Iyengar Method — Main Principles

The method created by **B.K.S. Iyengar (1918–2014)**, one of the most influential yoga teachers of the 20th century, is based on several key principles:

**Precision and anatomical accuracy**  
In Iyengar Yoga, every pose is performed with full awareness of anatomical alignment. The focus is on precise alignment that respects the skeletal structure, joint mobility, and the natural curves of the spine. This precision protects the body from injury and allows the asanas to work therapeutically.

**Use of props**  
Iyengar was the first to introduce the systematic use of props — blocks, straps, chairs, blankets, bolsters, walls, and ropes. These tools help the body experience correct alignment, even when full access to a pose is not yet possible. This makes the practice accessible to everyone, regardless of age, condition, or limitations.

**Sequencing and intelligent practice structure**  
Poses are not chosen randomly. Iyengar Yoga emphasizes thoughtful sequencing, where each asana prepares the body for the next one, creating a coherent, safe, and effective practice.

**Therapeutic approach**  
Iyengar Yoga is effective in working with physical dysfunctions — spinal issues, scoliosis, pain, or tension. Thanks to precision and the ability to adapt each pose, it has become one of the most respected methods in yoga therapy.

**Meditation through the body**  
Iyengar said that yoga practice is meditation in movement. When attention is fully focused on the actions within the asana, the mind naturally quiets. You don’t have to fight thoughts — they fade on their own when the body and mind work together in harmony.

![yoga teacher during her own practice in Luzern](https://chmaj.ch/hs-fs/hubfs/stw%C3%B3rz%20obraz%20przedstawiaj%C4%85cy%20dziewczyn%C4%99%20wykonuj%C4%85c%C4%85%20pozycje%20z%20jogi.%20u%C5%BCyj%20kolor%C3%B3w%20bia%C5%82o-czarny-fioletowy%2c%20styl%20komiksowy%2c.jpg?width=767&height=430&name=stw%C3%B3rz%20obraz%20przedstawiaj%C4%85cy%20dziewczyn%C4%99%20wykonuj%C4%85c%C4%85%20pozycje%20z%20jogi.%20u%C5%BCyj%20kolor%C3%B3w%20bia%C5%82o-czarny-fioletowy%2c%20styl%20komiksowy%2c.jpg)

---

## My Teachers and Beginnings

My yoga journey began in **July 2019**. For four years (until July 2023), I practiced at [**Mieleckie Centrum Jogi**](https://www.jogamielec.pl/) under the guidance of two wonderful teachers:

**Beata Stec** — certified Iyengar teacher (Introductory II, since 2016), who has practiced the method since 2006. She trained with teachers in Poland and abroad, began her yoga journey in Spain, and holds a diploma in hatha yoga. For 20 years she explored various approaches to working with body and mind, but Iyengar Yoga became her main path.

**Tomasz Doroż** — MA in Physical Education and certified Iyengar Yoga teacher. He has practiced for 20 years and taught for 15. He is fascinated by working with the body, breath, and awareness through movement, dance, and meditation.

These four years of regular practice gave me solid foundations — understanding of the method, precision in asanas, and awareness of safe and effective movement.

![yoga teacher during her own practice in Luzern](https://chmaj.ch/hs-fs/hubfs/stw%C3%B3rz%20obraz%20przedstawiaj%C4%85cy%20dziewczyn%C4%99%20wykonuj%C4%85c%C4%85%20pozycj%C4%99%20z%20jogi.%20u%C5%BCyj%20kolor%C3%B3w%20bia%C5%82o-czarny-fioletowy%2c%20styl%20komiksowy%20(1).jpg?width=767&height=430&name=stw%C3%B3rz%20obraz%20przedstawiaj%C4%85cy%20dziewczyn%C4%99%20wykonuj%C4%85c%C4%85%20pozycj%C4%99%20z%20jogi.%20u%C5%BCyj%20kolor%C3%B3w%20bia%C5%82o-czarny-fioletowy%2c%20styl%20komiksowy%20(1).jpg)

---

## My Home Practice in Switzerland

Since **July 2024**, I’ve been living in Switzerland and practicing at home — almost daily. I created a space that supports full practice: a gymnastics wall bar, wool blankets, Manduka mats, blocks, belts, bolsters, and supports of various shapes.

I mainly practice with instructional videos by [**Marta Zwolińska**](https://joga.org.pl/nauczyciele,marta-zwolinska,506.html?page_number=6), Level 3 teacher and founder of **Just Joga** in Kraków. Marta is a member of [**SJIP (Stowarzyszenie Jogi Iyengara w Polsce)**](https://joga.org.pl/), active in the Technical Committee and formerly on the board (2016–2019).

Her teaching resonates with me deeply — she combines anatomical knowledge with practical clarity. She not only shows how to do a pose but explains why, what effect it has, and how to compensate the body’s tensions.

---

## Trainings and Workshops

### In-person trainings

In summer 2024, I attended a workshop with Marta Zwolińska titled **“Moje przekonania”** in Nowica (24–28 July 2024) — several days of intensive practice and reflection.

In 2022, I also took part in trainings in Mielec with:

- [**Ewa Wardzała**](https://joga.org.pl/nauczyciele,ewa-wardzala,1068.html?page_number=3) — focused on working with scoliosis using Iyengar props,
- [**Natasza Moszkowicz**](https://joga.org.pl/nauczyciele,natasza-moszkowicz,202.html?page_number=4) — dedicated to transformation in yoga.

These workshops showed me how precisely one can work with the body when the right tools and knowledge are available.

### Online trainings

Since January 2024, I have been part of **“Joga online dla każdego z Martą Zwolińską”**, where I practice with regular recorded sessions. I also supplement my learning with materials from **Portal Jogi**, although it features other yoga traditions.

I regularly attend the **Festiwal Jogi Iyengara** organized by SJIP — editions [2023,](https://joga.org.pl/news,festiwal-jogi-iyengara,71.html?page_number=5)[2024](https://joga.org.pl/news,festiwal-jogi-iyengara-2024,78.html?page_number=3) and [2025](https://joga.org.pl/news,festiwal-jogi-iyengara-10-14-grudnia-2025-polaczenia,88.html). These week-long events combine intensive practice with top Polish teachers and honor the birth anniversary of B.K.S. Iyengar (December 14). The festivals support the **Bellur Project**, helping the residents of Iyengar’s home village.

In September 2025, I took part in an online anatomy course with [**Monika Salitra**](https://joga.org.pl/news,nagrania-anatomia-jogi-z-monika-salitra,84.html), covering the structure of the spine, limbs, fascia, and internal systems — knowledge that became the foundation of safe, conscious practice.

 

---

## Books That Inspired Me

- [*“Światło jogi”* — B.K.S. Iyengar](https://lubimyczytac.pl/ksiazka/57317/swiatlo-jogi)
- [*“Psychologia jogi. Wprowadzenie do Jogasutr Patańdźalego”* — Maciej Wielobób](https://lubimyczytac.pl/ksiazka/4904867/psychologia-jogi-wprowadzenie-do-quot-jogasutr-quot-patandzalego-wydanie-ii-rozszerzone)
- [*“Ciało chore z emocji”* — Izabela Raczkowska](https://lubimyczytac.pl/ksiazka/5099993/cialo-chore-z-emocji-jak-mu-pomoc-jak-je-odzyskac-jak-je-uzdrowic)

These books helped me better understand both the physical and psychological aspects of yoga.

---

## Why Iyengar?

The Iyengar method resonates with me the most because it combines precision with depth. It is not intuitive yoga — every action has an anatomical and energetic purpose. Yet it is not mechanical — the heart of the practice is conscious presence, listening inward, and building harmony between body, breath, and mind.

This method teaches patience. You can’t skip steps — you build strength, flexibility, and awareness gradually. That’s why it’s so safe and effective. And that’s why it leads to deep transformation — not only in the body but in one’s entire way of being.

As Iyengar wrote:

> **“Yoga is like a tree: it grows from the bottom up and from the inside out.”**

My practice is exactly such a tree — growing, maturing, and constantly discovering new directions. Sometimes slowly, sometimes with effort, but always with gratitude and curiosity.

![yoga teacher during her own practice in Luzern](https://chmaj.ch/hs-fs/hubfs/stw%C3%B3rz%20obraz%20przedstawiaj%C4%85cy%20dziewczyn%C4%99%20wykonuj%C4%85c%C4%85%20pozycj%C4%99%20z%20jogi.%20u%C5%BCyj%20kolor%C3%B3w%20bia%C5%82o-czarny-fioletowy%2c%20styl%20komiksowy%20(2).jpg?width=767&height=430&name=stw%C3%B3rz%20obraz%20przedstawiaj%C4%85cy%20dziewczyn%C4%99%20wykonuj%C4%85c%C4%85%20pozycj%C4%99%20z%20jogi.%20u%C5%BCyj%20kolor%C3%B3w%20bia%C5%82o-czarny-fioletowy%2c%20styl%20komiksowy%20(2).jpg)

 

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