Iyengar yoga monthly class cycle, aka "Pune cycle"

Classes at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI - founded by BKS Iyengar himself) follow a four-week monthly cycle, sometimes called the "Pune cycle", named after the city in India where RIMYI is located. The sequence is

Week 1 - Standing poses
Week 2 - Forward extensions and twists
Week 3 - Back extensions
Week 4 - Restorative and pranayama

On the occasions where there are 5 classes in a month the Week 5 class may be a "wildcard" class, e.g. arm balances. This sequence of themes through the month applied to all levels of classes, from beginners through to advanced.

Poses from the headstand (Sirsasana) and shoulderstand (Sarvangasana) families are included every week. Indeed, although there is a particular focus each week, theoretically any pose could be included any week through the mechanisms of linking actions in poses and practising complementary poses, e.g. twists may be included in Week 3 back extensions class in order to ease out the back. Note also that people with certain conditions (including menstruation) may may sometimes need alternatives poses appropriate for their condition on any given week. (you can always speak to your teacher at the beginning of your class if you're unsure)

Many Iyengar teachers around the world follow the Pune cycle in their teaching, including some of the teachers at Yoga Metta. While it is not mandatory or even necessary to follow the Pune cycle, it does help ensure that students are exposed to all the major families of asanas as well as pranayama and hence have the opportunity to develop a well rounded practice. It also helps maintain the cohesion of the Iyengar yoga method and is part of worldwide "Iyengar yoga culture". So if you're wondering what you might be practising in class on a given week, have a look at your calendar and see if that gives you a clue!

Myka Ransom
(Mykas classes will be continuing over August )