Yoga generally consists of eight limbs. Iyengar yoga is firmly rooted in there eight limbs. The eight limbs are Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi. The first five limbs are the external aids of yoga and the last three are the internal aids to yoga.

* Yama - refers to the five abstentions. 1. Ahimsa is non violence. It is a vow to abstain from inflicting harm or injury to others or one's self in word, thought and deed. 2. Satya is truth in thought and word. 3. Asteya is non covetousness, extending to the abstention of desiring something that is not your own. 4. Brachmacharya is the abstention from sexual intercourse. To expound on the definition, it means celibacy for unmarried individuals and monogamy for those who are married. This includes even that unholy thoughts should not be about any other woman or man except for the person's spouse. 5. Aparigraha is to abstain from possessions or attachments.

* Niyama - a reference to the five observances. 1. Shaucha is to maintain the cleanliness of the mind and body. 2. Santosha is satisfaction and contentment, to be happy with what you have. 3. Tapas is austerity and is associated with the body discipline which affects mental control. 4. Svadhyaya is introspection. 5. Ishvarapranidhana is the surrender of self to God or the worship of God.

* Asana - is the discipline of the body. It dictates the postures and rules that will keep the body free from disease and preserve vital energy. When the postures are done correctly, they act as a physical aid to meditation because they control the limbs as well as the nervous system and avoid disturbances.

* Pranayama - is control of the breath. This benefits overall health as well as improves concentration of the mind and steadies the body.

* Pratyahara - is the withdrawal of the senses from their external objects.

* Dharana - is the concentration of the citta on a physical object. This may be the image of a deity, the flame of a lamp or the mid point of the eyebrows.

* Dhyana - the undisturbed thought flow that centers on the object of meditation. It is a steadfast meditation where the meditation act and the object of meditation are separate and distinct.

* Samadhi - the union of the mind and object of meditation. There is no separation or distinction between the object of meditation and the act of meditation.

The practice of Iyengar forms it basis in making the physical alignment of the body, exhibited through the postures and poses, as the primary goal. The core of the Iyengar method is that each pose has a precise and correct way of performing it and that in time every student will possess and achieve the ability to attain the poses perfectly. Consistent practice is the key to accomplishing this goal.

When the balance is found and created within the body, it will be mirrored in the mind. The use of props, a directive from Iyengar, is one thing that sets this yoga apart from other disciplines. Their purpose is to aid the students in performing the postures to reach ideal alignment, regardless of whether or not the body is open enough at the present time.

Iyengar himself developed methods of application for using Iyengar yoga to treat a variety of diseases, disorders and ailments. Chronic back pain, immunodeficiency, high blood pressure, insomnia and depression are some of the conditions that Iyengar yoga has specific programs that are targeted to treat them. When patients use this form of yoga as part of their recovery from certain ailments, it often outperforms other types of physical therapy and, at times, even medication.

Initially, the physical exertion of yoga is a form of exercise that improves the student's strength, flexibility, stamina and balance. What's more, an enhanced sense of well being and vitality. This is because while the muscles are being stretched and strengthened, the inner organs are benefiting because of improved circulation and increased oxygen. All areas of the body are worked so that function and efficiency are improved. Headaches, stiff necks, insomnia, lower back ache and digestive disorders can be alleviated by harnessing the body's own energy to heal itself and enhancing vitality to everyday activities.

While it may be easy to see how the physical self can greatly benefit from Iyengar yoga, the inner self can greatly benefit as well. Through the progression of the practice of yoga, the self emerges and awareness of self emerges. With that awareness comes a steadying of emotions and a caring of others. The breathing techniques calms the mind. Life is placed in perspective and in the spiritual aspect, there emerges the ability to be still. With the incorporation of meditation there comes inner peace. This makes yoga, particularly Iyengar yoga, a practice for overall well being and improvement in the functions of the body, steadiness of the mind and essence of the spirit.