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"The still waters of a lake reflect the beauty around it. When the mind is still, the beauty of the Self is seen reflected in it." —BKS Iyengar
Tokyo Yoga Circle offers weekly classes for all levels at four locations in central Tokyo.
Taught by Rajay Mahtani, an officially certified and qualified BKS Iyengar method senior instructor.
Her classes introduce students to the practice of yoga for health, balance and inner peace.
"Yoga is like music. The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul, create the symphony of life."—BKS Iyengar
 Rajay Mahtani has been a student of yoga for most of her adult life. She has taught yoga at Tokyo Yoga Circle, Oasis Center for Body Mind and Spirit and for the Tokyo American Club. Most of her adult life has been dedicated to studies on the path of yoga, meditation, health according to ayurvedic principles, fasting, internal organic cleansing and spiritual healing and evolvement. Her search for self knowledge and desire to study yoga led her to her native country, India, where she met BKS Iyengar. BKS Iyengar is one of the foremost teachers of Yoga in the world and has been practicing and teaching for over sixty years. Serious students of yoga now follow his method and there are Iyengar yoga centres all over the world. He has written many books on yogic practice and its philosophy including "Light on Yoga," "Light on Pranayama," "Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali", Yoga, The path to Holistic Health" and more. His latest work, "Light on Life" was published in September 2005. BKS Iyengar celebrated his 90th birthday in December 2007 and still takes an active role in teaching special students. He holds a remarkable personal practise regimen daily.
Rajay is a certified BKS Iyengar method teacher and has completed her teaching certification training at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in 1988. She has studied with BKS Iyengar, his son, Prashant Iyengar, and his daughter, Geeta Iyengar at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune, India. Rajay initially spent five years in Pune, India undergoing this intense training.
The Iyengar Yoga Teacher Certification system is known as one of the most extensive and strict trainings, which takes years to complete. The teacher as an ongoing lifelong process and commitment continues this training. Senior BKS Iyengar teacher standards are maintained by a very rigorous Certification system. All teachers visit Pune regularly to further their studies with the Iyengar family. Knowledge of the Iyengar technique is essential for a qualified Iyengar teacher, but so too is the capacity to communicate to learners the art of yoga as derived from and based on the studies, experience and practice of the teacher.
THE IYENGAR FAMILY
Yogacharya BKS Iyengar is the one of the foremost pupils of the distinguished Yoga master T. Krishnamarcharya. BKS.Iyengar was born 1918 in South India and commenced practicing Yoga at the age of 14. In over 60 years of intense and steadfast practice he has evolved a wide range of methodologies and techniques. He has discovered numerous esoteric facets of this profound science. He has created and propagated unique ways of practicing and teaching the science of Yoga. In particular, B.K.S. Iyengar's restorative and therapeutic work has earned him the reputation of being one of the foremost healer's in the Yogic tradition.
Geeta Iyengar is the daughter of BKS Iyengar and has studied philosophy and is a doctor of the science of ayurveda. She incorporates her knowledge into her sensitive and profound teachings. She is well known as the author of Yoga, a Gem for Women.
Prashant Iyengar is the son of BKS Iyengar. His devoted students for the theory, practice, philosophy, religion, psychology and mysticism of yogic sciences know his teachings. Sri Prashant Iyengar, a musician, philosopher and Yoga teacher par excellence continues to unfold esoteric and mystic revelations of the science of yoga and it's philosophy and through his soul searching research on the connections of body and mind and the entire realm of mystery that lies between the body and mind. Sri Prashant Iyengar is extremely well versed in the classical scriptures and shares his unique gems of insight with his students from all over the world through his classes, books and audio discourses.
WHAT IS IYENGAR YOGA?
The BKS Iyengar method of Yoga is initially learnt through the in-depth study of asanas (posture) and pranayama (breath control). BKS Iyengar has systematised over 200 classical yoga Asanas and 14 different types of Pranayamas (with variations of many of them) from the simple to the complex. These have been structured and categorised so as to allow a beginner to progress surely and safely from basic postures to the most advanced as they gain flexibility, strength and sensitivity in mind, body and spirit.
In practice the Iyengar system of yoga focuses particularly on the following important aspects that are taught by BKS Iyengar trained and certified teachers.
BODY ALIGNMENT
Correct body alignment allows the body to develop harmoniously in an anatomically correct way so that the student suffers no injury or pain when practicing asana and pranayama correctly. Technicalities are the precise and are given to explore the benefits of the asana completely. BKS Iyengar's unrelenting emphasis on correct anatomical alignment and methods of working has refined the therapeutic aspects of Yoga. Thus practice of Iyengar yoga will often result in eliminating aches and pains taught under the supervision of an Iyengar method trained and qualified teacher
SEQUENCING
With the BKS Iyengar method sequencing there is a powerful cumulative effect achieved by practicing asanas in particular sequences. Any given class may comprise of various sequences and there is no set sequence. However Iyengar yoga teachers are trained to group together particular sequences of asanas in a given set of guidelines in the methodology. This exposes the student to a variety of ways to practice yoga depending on various factors. The concept of timings means postures are held for considerable lengths of time to let the effects of the poses penetrate deeper within the individual. Sequencing is the way in which BKS has grouped together particular postures or groups of postures to achieve a particular physical, physiological or mental effect. Sequencing can apply to postures, or even to points in postures,
and can totally transform a practice.
TIMING
The concept of timing is the way that the postures can be held for different lengths of time to enable a more profound exploration of the physical and mental benefits of the asanas. With the help of props, postures can be held for considerable lengths of time to let the effects of the poses penetrate deeper within the individual. Timing enables an enhanced experience of the asanas.
USE OF PROPS: AN ESSENTIAL ASPECT OF IYENGAR YOGA CREATED AND DEVELOPED BY BKS IYENGAR
BKS Iyengar is unique and is the master who invented and developed the use of props to help the body into the correct positions required. Props are objects like wooden blocks, chairs, blankets and belts that help one adjust or support oneself in the different postures so that one can work in a range of motion that is safe and effective.
All bodies are different and people have different weaknesses and strengths.
BKS Iyengar yoga teachers have been systematically trained to help their students with the use of props.
BKS Iyengar's early teaching experience showed him how pain or injury can result from a student straining in a yoga pose. He experimented with "props," modifying poses until the student could practice without strain. Iyengar also explored how these modified poses could help people recover from illness or injury. It is because of his creativity that the restorative poses, most of which have been developed or directly inspired by him, are such powerful tools to reduce stress and restore health.
It is due to the creativity and profound insight of BKS Iyengar, which has enabled the practice of yoga with the use of props to reach practitioners who would not have been able to otherwise experience the benefits of yoga. This, in particular, makes the system unique and different from other systems of yoga.
Yoga practitioners over the past few decades have benefited from these gifts that he has shared with students of yoga. He continues to further develop his life's inspiration and teachings through daily practice at his present age of 90. His dedication and love for yoga continue to be the deepest inspiration to his devoted disciples from all over the world.
RESTORATIVE AND THERAPEUTIC YOGA:
AN ESSENTIAL ASPECT OF IYENGAR YOGA CREATED AND DEVELOPED BY BKS IYENGAR
Restorative Yoga is a term, which is now frequently used in yoga communities. Unfortunately it is commonly misunderstood and misrepresented.
Restorative Yoga was created, developed and systemized by BKS Iyengar. It is an integral part of any given Iyengar yoga class.
Restorative Yoga is an anitdote to modern day stress, in addition to numerous other benefits.
BKS Iyengar yoga teachers are trained to incorporate restorative yoga with the use of props with correct sequencing and timing. Restorative yoga and the use of props are part of the BKS Iyengar method and intrinsic to the system and can comprise of an essential part of any given class. This method of practice is not treated as a separate subject or method of practicing yoga.
Yoga enhances flexibility, strength and sensitivity of the mind, body and spirit. These are timeless attributes of benefit to anyone anywhere, which is why yoga has been practiced for well over 2,000 years.
BKS Iyengar method of yoga has very effective restorative and therapeutic benefits for the modern human. In particular, it is an excellent method for dealing with chronic fatigue, stress and recuperation from illness.
The best antidote for stress in the Iyengar system is RESTORATIVE AND THERAPUETIC YOGA, the state of resting deeply while still conscious. This kind of rest is different from sleep. Although sleep has highly restful attributes, deep states of sleep include periods of dreaming, which can increase muscular and physiological tension. By comparison, relaxation is a state in which there is no movement, no effort, and the brain is quiet.
Modern-day humans often are unable to resolve their stress, so their bodies are frequently in a state of readiness to fight or flight. With their adrenal glands continuing to pump stress hormones, people lose nutrition because their digestion and elimination systems are slowed down. Other important bodily functions, including sleep, are suppressed.
When the mind alerts the body that danger is present, the adrenal glands secrete both adrenaline and noradrenalin hormones that act upon the autonomic nervous system to help prepare the body for fight or flight. Heart rate, blood pressure, mental alertness and muscle tension are increased, and adrenal hormones cause metabolic changes that make energy available to each cell. For added efficiency, the body also shuts down systems that are not an immediate priority, including digestion, elimination, growth, repair and reproduction.
In a chronically stressed state, the quality of life and sometimes life itself is at risk. The body's capacity to heal is compromised, which can inhibit recovery from an existing illness or injury, or create a new one, such as high blood pressure, ulcers, back pain, immune dysfunction, reproductive problems or depression. These conditions add stress of their own and the cycle continues.
An added benefit is that although the therapeutic aspects of asana and pranayama have been known for centuries, BKS Iyengar's unrelenting emphasis on correct anatomical alignment and methods of working have refined the therapeutic aspects of Yoga. Thus practice of Iyengar yoga will often result in eliminating aches and pains and improving posture. Iyengar Yoga can also be used to treat many ailments, including extremely serious medical conditions, under the supervision of a suitably experienced teacher.
"Singularity of purpose should be your aim." —BKS Iyengar
 In Rajay's classes, special focus is placed on breath awareness, correcting alignment in postures, developing strength, flexibility, balance, coordination and stamina, working towards integration of breath, body, mind and spirit. Emphasis is also placed on restorative and therapeutic yoga, which the system is well known for. Rajay has been on the path of exploring yoga, meditation, chanting and sound therapy, soul searching through the modality of various forms of music, ayurveda, herbology, aromatherpy, diversified detoxification methods and benefits, and general holistic health and healing for over twenty five years. She continues to return to India to the BKS Iyengar Institute yearly to attend courses and deepen her practice. Over the years, she has also inspired many of her students who have established and developed their own yoga teaching careers. For her personal growth and development Rajay spends three weeks a year for detoxification and retreat in Thaland. Rajay' s devotion to the Iyengar method, her discipline her love for yoga and her experiences of the therapeutic effects that yoga practice has on the body, mind and spirit led her to the experiece of yoga as her lifepath.
Tokyo Yoga Circle is not an ongoing studio business but classes taught by an experienced certified senior intermediate level professional teacher with a serious background in yoga. She wishes to share her studies and experiences of yoga with serious and committed students and pratitioners.
Tokyo Yoga Circle does not sell yoga equipment. However there is a limited supply of books, discourses on yoga philosophy by Prashant Iyengar in MP3 format, and Pranayama cd's. Students are encouraged to purchase these items for home study.
A reservation before attending the first class, (only the first class), to discuss the appropriate class for the student is suggested. Check the news section for upcoming holiday dates or contact the Tokyo Yoga Circle at:
Email: yoga@rajay.org
Rajay teaches seven public classes a week (beginner, intermediate and prenatal)—see weekly lesson schedule at classes—in central Tokyo at convenient Roppongi and Aoyama locations.
She also teaches three classes a week, prenatal yoga Tokyo American Club for TAC members only.
Please contact the Tokyo American Club Recreation Office for details about registration.
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"Activity and passivity must go together in asanas." —BKS Iyengar
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