12/19/2013 - West Side Leader

The five-year-old studio, owned by John Poleondakis and located at 2830 Copley Road in Copley Commons, was recently expanded to add 1,000 square feet more.

Poleondakis said Iyengar yoga focuses on the in-depth study of asanas (posture) and pranayama (breath control). It differs from traditional yoga in three areas: technique, or making fine adjustments in the alignment of postures and breathing; sequencing, or the order of the postures and breathing; and the length of time spent in each posture.

The yoga taught at the Centre is more like hatha yoga instead of the more typical flowing yoga that continues to move from one posture to the next, he said. We move at a slower pace and we use tools. We also take a more physical approach rather than a spiritual or meditative one in our yoga classes.

Poleondakis said yoga taught at the studio uses items such as blocks, the wall, bolsters, straps and blankets to assist participants in attaining and holding certain postures.

These props can help participants who have mobility issues, he said. They can help overcome or stabilize a physical limitation.

Poleondakis said many people believe yoga is only for those who are flexible, but he stressed increasing and improving flexibility is what the practice of yoga is for.

Other benefits include improvements to balance and strength and overcoming physical limitations, he added.

Yoga is for both the young and old, said Poleondakis. Our yoga here is more about physical fitness, but there is also a relaxation component.

The practice of Iyengar yoga often will result in eliminating aches and pains and improving posture, but it also can be used to treat many ailments, including extremely serious medical conditions, under the supervision of a suitably experienced teacher, according to Poleondakis.

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Yoga Centre classes focus on physical fitness