Study & Practice

Image shows various statutes, photographs, etc. representing the lineage of Iyengar Yoga.

Lineage

Yoga is an ancient practice that encompasses art, science, philosophy and physical discipline.  It has a long and continuous lineage in which study and practice have been passed down from teachers to students, who then become teachers, who teach more students, and so on.  The Lineage of Iyengar Yoga has its beginnings in the work of a sage named Patanjali.
Podcast:
Chat & Chai. The conversation begins at time code 1:27.

Teachers of all levels and long-term students continue to study through the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (“RIMYI”) in Pune, India, both virtually and in-person. To learn more about what it’s like to study in Pune in person:

Pune 1.0 (2024)

Reflections on Yoganusasanam 2022

A stack of Iyengar Yoga books, including Light on Yoga, Light on Pranayama, Arogya Yoga, Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and The Art of Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar and Yoga: A Gem for Women by Geeta Iyengar, among others.

Philosophy

Certified Iyengar Yoga Teachers (CIYTs)

Our teachers are students first, practicing and working with a mentor for years prior to assessment. Assessment is a rigorous process, in which candidates are tested on their knowledge of philosophy, asana, and anatomy, as well as their practice, and of course their teaching skills. Once certified, our teachers remain students, continuing to work with their mentor and constantly learning from both classes and their personal practice. The resulting intimate understanding of the poses (asanas) and of the human body enables our teachers to work with all bodies and to provide an experience that transforms asana practice into a meditation in action.

Practice Sequences

Level 1 (All Levels)
Level 2+ (Intermediate/Advanced)
Restorative/Specific Conditions (All Levels)
IYNAUS Sequences
Home Practice

“The body can’t be separated from the mind, nor can the mind be separated from the soul.” -B.K.S. Iyengar