Research Study on Iyengar Yoga Continues

WEDNESDAY, 30 AUGUST 2006

Researchers at the Department of Community Medicine at West Virginia University are seeking to evaluate whether or not Iyengar Yoga may help alleviate lower back pain.

The study which started in September 2005 employs four different groups of participants. The first group would be completing their classes soon and the researchers are now recruiting more people to be included in the second group. Twice a week, group members meet and develop their Iyengar yoga positions. The group started off with simple poses and then they gradually moved on to more difficult ones.

"Something very unique about his method is that it focuses on proper alignment in each pose because no matter what their imbalance is, we try to help them get proper alignment," says researcher Kimberly Williams. IIyengar method originated from a world-renowned yoga instructor named BKS Iyengar. This yoga method makes use of tools and props such as pillows, blankets, and ropes.

The researchers have not done any analysis yet on the data they have collected. The study is said to be the first one to evaluate the effects of Iyengar yoga.

For more information about this story, visit www.da.wvu.edu.