IYOGAPROPS Iyoga Chair, Benger User Manual

iyoga chair and ‘Benger’
backbend extension

users’ guide

Background

The Iyoga Chair and “Benger” backbend extension
is a new and versatile adaptation of BKS Iyengar’s
classic “backbend bench” design.

BKS Iyengar is widely regarded as one of the
world’s foremost teachers of yoga asana. His
technique emphasises precise alignment and deep
absorption in each pose.

Based at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga
Institute in Puna, India, Mr Iyengar’s inspirational
teaching has spawned hundreds of “Iyengar Yoga”
schools around the world. Now in his eighties, he
maintains an active interest in the teaching program
at the Institute.

Fundamental to Mr. Iyengar’s approach is the notion
of practicing each pose in a way which is
appropriate to the experience and fitness of the
student. To that end he has developed a number of
yoga “props”. Props assist the practice of those
unable to achieve the deepest version of a pose
where the use of a prop may not otherwise be
necessary. Props are also used to enable students
to stay in a pose for a longer time than would
otherwise be possible especially during a
“restorative” practice.

Mr Iyengar developed the backbend bench to assist
with the practice of back bends or poses involving
spinal extension (arching the spine backwards). Mr
Iyengar has also demonstrated the use of chairs as
an aid in the practice of many yoga asanas.

The Iyoga Chair and “Benger” backbend extension
is a versatile prop for home or yoga school use.

The “Benger” backbend attachment was designed
by Peter Harley an Iyengar Yoga teacher and
industrial designer from Melbourne, Australia. Alone
and in combination with the chair it enables the
practitioner to perform a variety of supported
backbend poses. The following is a guide to its safe
use. Instruction is also given for some of the poses
which can be practiced using the chair alone.

Assembly

When used together, the small hooks on the benger
are inserted into the holes in the front bar of the
seat of the chair.

Note: many chairs can be adapted for the
attachment of the benger simply by drilling two
10mm diameter holes into the front edge or bar of
the seat 160mm apart.

Safe use of the Iyoga Chair and
Benger

1 Read these instructions carefully

2 We strongly recommend that before using the

chair and Benger, especially in the case of spinal
injury, that you seek the instruction and advice of
a qualified Iyengar Yoga teacher. If such a
teacher is not available we recommend the
assistance of a teacher with experience in the
Iyengar method or with the use of yoga props.

3 At all times when using the chair and Benger

• avoid any use which causes undue pressure
or pain in any part of the spine or neck,
especially in the lumbar spine*

• Never sit upright from the chair and Benger,
always slide off onto the floor and roll onto
your side before sitting up or use your arms to
push you up to the sitting position from below

The principle pose for which the chair and Benger
was designed is Viparita Dandasana, see fig 1.1 The
safe practice of this pose is described here.

Intelligent practice of back bends can be very
beneficial to the health of the spine but must be
approached with caution. The teaching of Iyengar
yoga emphasises this cautious approach. Particular
care is given in back bends to the state of the
lumbar spine*

*Lumbar spine: the lower section of the spine between the rib
cage and the pelvis.

1 Viparita Dandasana (Inverted staff pose)

1.1 Normal set up for the pose using blocks (or
books) to support the benger and feet of the
practitioner. If the practice of the supported
backbend causes discomfort in the lower
back slide further over the chair in the
direction of the feet. [Picture 1.1]

Note the position of the shoulders in relation
to the chair and the use of a belt around the
thighs to prevent external rotation of the legs

1.2 Full pose for more experienced and flexible
practitioners. [Picture 1.2]

Never sit upright from the chair and Benger,
always slide off onto the floor and roll onto
your side before sitting up or grip the front
legs of the chair and use your arms to push
yourself back up to the sitting position from
below.

1.1

1.2

2 Matsyasana (Lord of the fishes pose)

This is a more gentle backbend pose designed to
isolate the backbend in the mid to upper spine
(thoracic spine). [Pictures 1.2 and 2.2]

Caution- The practitioner should never sit upright
from the backbend. Bend your knees and roll off
the benger to the side before coming onto the
hands and knees.

Care should be taken not to strain the neck as in
Picture 2.3.

If the neck is extended support should be taken
for the head as in Picture 2.4.

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4