Yoga style loved by celebrities builds strength using blocks and belts

There are a plethora of celebrity-approved workouts and exercise regimes that have become popular over the years.

From circuit training to kickboxing to pilates and weight-lifting, celebrities often partake in various workouts to stay lean and toned.

One workout you may never have heard of that’s loved by Miley Cyrus, Alicia Keys, Miranda Kerr and tennis star Rohan Bopanna is Iyengar yoga.

What is Iyengar yoga?

When you think of yoga, you’re likely imagining lying on a mat meditating in a room filled with other people, or attempting a downward-facing dog at home.

However, Iyengar yoga is different from other yoga styles because it focuses more on alignment and uses props such as belts, straps, blocks and blankets to ensure people achieve the correct form and posture while building strength.

While yoga might not sound like a challenging workout, Iyengar yoga sessions last for around 90 minutes and involve holding poses for a very long time.

And unlike more demanding workouts like strength training, Iyengar is great for both beginners and advanced yogis who want to improve their posture, balance and strength.

The style, which was founded by BKS Iyengar, is “more static”, according to yoga instructors and founders of Unearthed Gythiel and Angie Tiwari, and involves poses, bends and twists.

Recently, Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna, who has become the world’s oldest doubles number one at age 43, credited Iyengar yoga for “strengthening” his legs and body, according to The Times.

The tennis star, who has had a 21-year professional career, and has no cartilage left in his knees, said he discovered Iyengar during Covid and did four 90-minute sessions per week which helped his performance on the court.

What are the benefits of Iyengar yoga?

Iyengar yoga focuses on “physical alignment and strength building”, Tiwari told Marie Claire.

Rather than going from one move to the other, positions are held for long periods so you can find balance which should then extend to your mindset.

Iyengar has been shown in one study to greatly increase flexibility, while in another study, participants with chronic back pain experienced decreased pain intensity, functional impairment and depression.

While it may not sound like Iyengar would be as effective as weight-lifting for building strength, tensing muscles for a long period of time can greatly improve strength.

Iyengar can also improve your mental health. According to a German study, all participants’ levels of anxiety and depression decreased after three months of Iyengar yoga.

Gythiel claims that during a class you’re keeping your breathing and mind still while concentrating on your alignment which means you have less time to feel anxious.

The use of props such as blankets, blocks and straps ensures that yogis can tailor it to their ability level making it a more accessible form of exercise.