For the beginning student, the mind is often too undisciplined and unframed to focus on several isolated muscular actions simultaneously. Also, the body is usually weak, stiff and lacks stamina. Consequently, for most beginning students, Iyengar yoga requires a considerable amount of effort. Effort is necessary to resist the tendency of the mind to wonder and the body to collapse.

It not only takes intelligence of mind and body to follow and understand the alignment instructions, but strength and stamina of mind and body to maintain constant muscular action in various parts of the body simultaneously. As one practices regularly, the mind and body become more focused and strengthened. New energetic patterns in the mind and body will develop and so less effort will be needed to perform the poses with proper alignment and action. Any amount of effort in a pose should be balanced or tempered with a sense of release or surrender.

The face should be relaxed and the eyes soft in every pose. Advanced practitioners will express more of the state of surrender and freedom than effort, while beginners will need to focus more on effort and discipline. Effort without a sense of surrender can lead to violent and constrictive action and therefore to injury.