How is Iyengar yoga different from exercises such as calisthenics, aerobics or other Western-style exercises?
Western style exercise tends to be goal-oriented, for example, touching the toes ten times or raising the heart rate to a certain level. In Iyengar yoga, much less emphasis is placed on goals. Rather the students are encouraged to finely tune the manner in which they move. Extreme concentration is focused on the performance of the asanas and attention is drawn inward, quieting and integrating mind and body.
