“Yoga is a light, which once lit will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter your flame.” – B.K.S. Iyengar

I had the privilege of serving as a Resource Person at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, for the Six-Day CME Programme for Teachers of Swasthyavritta and Yoga, held from 8 to 13 September 2025. The programme was organized by the Department of Swasthyavritta and Yoga, sponsored by the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, and coordinated by Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth (RAV), New Delhi. This invitation marked my third visit to AIIA within a year, and I arrived with a simple intention: make alignment-based teaching practical for classrooms and clinics.

Why this CME mattered

Around 40 doctors and teachers from across India participated. Many wear multiple hats as faculty members and clinicians. For such educators, yoga needs to be a repeatable method that protects students, respects medical context, and still preserves the heart of practice. My goal was to help participants move from general cues to clear alignment checkpoints, condition-specific sequencing, and intelligent prop use that they can teach confidently in institutional settings.

What I covered

Hatha Yoga foundations for teachers

I began with an introduction to B.K.S. Iyengar (Guruji), his life and work in yoga, and the evolution and role of yoga props. Then we looked at class architecture. We set outcomes, chose a central thread for each session, and used observable markers to track progress. We refined safe entry and exit, stable holding, and rest ratios that make practice sustainable for beginners and patients.

Disease-specific Yogasana and Pranayama

We worked through pragmatic protocols for obesity, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease. I showed how breath pacing and stance adjustments scale intensity without losing the pose’s intent. The focus was on doable class plans that fit real time constraints. I also explained and demonstrated how different asanas and Iyengar Yoga props can be used in therapeutic yoga.

Alignment in asanas

Alignment is not cosmetic; it is functional. We explored how precise directions of action reduce strain, unlock stability, and make therapeutic outcomes repeatable across different bodies. Small changes in footwork, wall support, and grip often produced measurable steadiness in the breath. I explained how the Iyengar Yoga teaching method helps practitioners perform different asanas with proper alignment, and why alignment matters in every pose.

Introduction to Iyengar Yoga and prop logic

I explained the history and purpose of props, and how one can use household items if standard props are not available. I presented the Iyengar method as a teaching framework. Props are not accessories; they are instruments that help students reach the purpose of the pose with less risk. We broke down how to choose the right prop, right height, right direction, and right duration so students can stay longer, observe more, and progress safely.

Guided practice, breath work, and Q&A

Every lecture was followed by asana and Pranayama practice, then an open Q&A. Questions ranged from designing mixed-ability classes to adapting standing poses for knee issues and pacing breath work for those with cardiac risk. I enjoyed demonstrating how small calibrations change the entire experience. Participants also asked about the use of different props in specific asanas, appropriate asana sequences for different conditions, and how they can continue their study of Iyengar Yoga.

What changed in the room

The most visible shift came when props created conditions that the body could trust. Elevating the pelvis in seated forward bends protected the lumbar spine and smoothed the breath. Chair support in standing poses extended time under alignment without compressing the knees. A simple belt loop clarified shoulder action so participants could experience the pose rather than wrestle with it. When the body stops fighting, learning starts.

Key takeaways for participants

• Alignment checkpoints for foundational asanas, with clear regressions and progressions.

• Condition-specific sequencing for obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular concerns, including rest ratios and breath pacing.

• Prop logic that individualizes practice without losing the pose’s purpose.

• Pranayama as a therapeutic tool, with techniques and durations suited to each condition.

• Reproducible instructions that fit academic timetables and supervised clinical settings.

Gratitude

My sincere thanks to Dr. Ramavtar ji, AIIA, the Department of Swasthyavritta and Yoga, the Ministry of Ayush, and RAV for curating a rigorous, hands-on teacher programme. Bringing medical educators together with alignment-based methodology strengthens integrative health education in India. I am grateful to contribute.