IYIMV Blog
2019 Yoga Workshops & Teacher Professional Development Schedule
Booking opens two months before scheduled events. Pop-up classes are drop-in classes, so no need to book. Continue reading →
Centenary events funds raised – thank you!
Thanks to all of you who joined us to make the Centenary events on the 14th & 15th December such a success! The 100 Asana led practice and the evening of entertainment provided by our talented teachers and students were a lot of fun and very well attended. A big thanks also to Judy and Marco.
A total of just under £2,250 was raised and will be split equally among: The Bellur Trust, Mind and Crisis.
Geeta Iyengar On Pranayama
In the May 2002 issue of Dipika, the Iyengar Yoga Maida Vale journal, we published an intervew with Dr. Geeta S. Iyengar on the subject of pranayama by Lois Steinberg. Many thanks to Lois for allowing us us to share it here. Continue reading →
Interview with Geeta Iyengar – 1999
Dr. Geeta Iyengar passed away on Sunday 16th December at age 74. She made a profound contribution to the yoga community around the world with her dedication to sharing the teachings of her father and guru, BKS Iyengar. Her seminal work ‘Yoga – A Gem for Women’ has had an enduring influence on yoga techniques for women. Reportedly when asked about living in her father’s shadow she replied, “It was not his shadow, it was his light.”
In 1999 Mark Tully, the BBC’s India Correspondent from 1964-1994, visited Pune. The result of this visit was a memorable interview with BKS Iyengar for the BBC Radio 4 production: Head to Toe. BBC producer, Vanessa Harrison, has kindly shared the interview transcripts. This is a section of the interview Mark held with Geeta. Continue reading →
BKS Iyengar’s Demonstration at the Barbican in London, 1984
21 May, 1984 was a momentous occasion in the history of Iyengar yoga and for the Iyengar Yoga studios in Maida Vale. BKS Iyengar gave a talk and demonstration before an audience of 2,000 at the Barbican Centre in London. He talked about Patanjali and the eight limbs of yoga and he gave a demonstration of pranayama and asanas. The occasion also included a performance by some of his close students that had been rehearsed at Maida Vale. Guruji generously donated the entire income from the evening to the Maida Vale building fund.
One of his students who took part was our Senior teacher, Penny Chaplin. Here she remembers this special evening.
Christmas & New Year 2018 Timetable
Class changes & welcome to new teachers
Centenary celebrations – booking now open!
We will be celebrating the centenary of BKS Iyengar’s birth with two special events, a led practice and a evening of fantastic entertainment by our students. Continue reading →
Geetaji’s Birthday General Workshop with Judy Smith
2018/19 Pop-up Intermediate Class Schedule
Following on from the popularity of our Sunday afternoon Pop-up Intermediate classes we have scheduled classes for the New Year. These are all drop-in classes so no need to book in advance. Just note the dates, come along and enjoy.
Members £14 / Non-members £17
BKS Iyengar Centenary: Talented students we need you!
Celebration of BKS Iyengar’s Centenary at 4pm on Saturday 15 December
BKS Iyengar would have been 100 in December and to celebrate his centenary we will have an early evening of entertainment and memories. For this we need you! If you are a musician, singer, story teller or magician, we invite you to offer your performance for this special event.
If you would like to participate, please send an email with the subject line ‘Centenary Celebration’ to office@iyi.org.uk
Sunday Morning 9.00-10.00am Beginners Autumn Class Schedule
Good news for morning yoga devotees – we have extended the series of one hour Sunday morning classes.
Sundays 9.00-10.00am
Members £7.50/Non-members £9.50
| 2 September - 7 October | Kristyan Robinson |
| 14 October - 18 November | Ainhoa Acosta |
| 25 November - 30 December | Kristyan Robinson |
BKS Iyengar Centenary T-shirts – have you got yours?
To mark this special year for Iyengar yoga students we have made a commemorative T-shirt designed by our talented resident receptionist and designer Sarah.
How do you feel after an Iyengar yoga class?
You may have asked yourself why you keep returning to your yoga class. When we start yoga most of us don’t really know what to expect and the first class may come as a bit of a shock. Maybe we expect to be sitting cross-legged or tied up in knots or even standing on our head, but in the Iyengar yoga method you are put through rigorous standing poses in the very first class. The hamstrings sing, the arms tire from holding them up for so long and our concentration is demanded at every moment. Continue reading →
Six Part Yoga Therapy Training Course for Teachers with Stephanie Quirk
Stephanie Quirk has taught many six-part training workshops on therapeutics. She regularly shares her knowledge and expertise with Iyengar yoga teachers around the world. We are delighted that Stephanie will be providing yoga therapy training at IYIMV during December 2018 and in each successive year until 2023.
Please note the details here are for the new intake of Part One of the course starting in 2018. The group that attended Part One in 2017 will have the second set of training on 22-25th September.
There are currently no further vacancies on this course.
Sat 7 July – A summer evening of Indian classical music
A short history of Iyengar Yoga in Maida Vale
This is an edited version of an article is by Dr Suzanne Newcombe, Lecturer in Religious Studies at the Open University where she researches modern yoga from a sociological and social historical perspective. It first appeared in the Iyengar Yoga Maida Vale journal, Dipika, for the 21st Anniversary issue in May 2005. Continue reading →
Yoga and mental health
By Patrick Marmion
New Start Time – Thursday Morning Beginners Class
From this Thursday 17 May the morning Beginners class with Korinna Pilafidis-Williams now starts half an hour later at 10.00am.
NEW Thursday morning General Level Class
We are delighted to announce that we have a new class launching as part of our regular timetable. The new class launches on Thursday 17 May. Continue reading →
IYIMV Yoga Outreach Programme – A teacher’s story
As a charity, one of Iyengar Maida Vale’s objectives is to support the uptake of Iyengar yoga inside and outside of our Maida Vale site. In 2017 the IYIMV trustees launched a pilot outreach programme to help subsidise Iyengar yoga classes for vulnerable and disadvantaged adults. Iyengar yoga teachers were invited to apply for a six month grant to help run classes in the community providing access to people who may not otherwise be able to attend classes. Kristyan Robinson qualified as an Iyengar teacher after doing teacher training with Steve Richardson and Sallie Sullivan at IYIMV and was one of the first teachers to run a class on the scheme. She shares her experience of teaching at the West Hampstead Women’s Centre here.
Nurses – Get half price on all beginners yoga classes
We are pleased to announce that we now offer nurses (including trainee nurses, nursing assistants and healthcare assistants, as well as paramedics) a special half price rate of £7 on all Beginners classes.
Iyengar Yoga Sequence for Colds
During the winter months, when the immune system is compromised, we recommend a restorative and recuperative practice to do at home. Coming to class with an infectious cold will make you feel worse as strong poses like standing poses, backbends and twists can increase your symptoms. It is the perfect time to practise supported supine poses and inversions at home.
We suggest the following sequence specifically provided by BKS Iyengar in The Path to Holistic Health. We hope you will feel inspired to try a self-practice at home, even if you are not ill, to support your immune system. If you have a cold, try it. It works! Continue reading →
13 January – National Iyengar Yoga Day Free Classes
We are marking National Iyengar Yoga Day 2018 on Saturday 13 January by offering students at every level of practice the chance to attend a free class.
Come and join us!
9am Sunday Beginners Class
9am Sunday Beginners Class with Anita Phillips
9.00-10.00am
14th January | 21st January | 4th February
11th February | 18th February | 25th February
Please Note – there is no class on Sunday 28th January
Members £7.50/Non-members £9.50.
2018 Sunday Pop-up Intermediate Class Schedule
Following on from the popularity of our Sunday afternoon Pop-up Intermediate classes we have scheduled classes for the New Year. These are all drop-in classes so no need to book in advance. Just note the dates, come along and enjoy.
Continue reading →
14 December 2017 – Guruji Birthday Dedication
Thursday 14 December marks what would have been BKS Iyengar’s 99th birthday. Penny Chaplin’s General class on the day will be dedicated to Guruji. After class there will be a memorial plaque placed in the courtyard. Everyone attending the class will receive a small print of BKS Iyengar by photographer Coni Hörler to mark the day.
BKS Iyengar practising at RIMYI – photographs by Silvia Prescott
It is one year since the death of Silvia Prescott. Silvia was one of the teachers who played a key role in finding a site for the Iyengar Yoga Institute to and helped raise the money to make it possible. She was a teacher to many of the teachers currently teaching at the Institute and was a talented photographer, documenting her trips to Pune and the yoga conferences she attended.
Teaching therapeutic yoga by Stephanie Quirk
Stephanie Quirk spent over twenty years living in Pune immersing herself in the teaching and work of BKS Iyengar and his family. She now shares her knowledge with Iyengar teachers across the world running specialised training courses with a particular emphasis on therapeutic yoga – the application of yoga postures and practice to the treatment of health conditions. We are delighted to host Stephanie at IYIMV. Continue reading →
IYIMV Outreach Programme – Open for applications
Are you, or do you know an Iyengar yoga teacher who would like to teach classes to vulnerable or disadvantaged adults?
IYIMV is setting up an outreach programme to bring Iyengar yoga to those who might not have access to regular yoga classes. We are inviting teachers to suggest a London based organisation to work with such as a community project, women’s refuge or centre, prison, special needs school or recovery project that does not already have funding.
Successful applicants will receive funding to teach a weekly class at their proposed organisation for an initial period of 6 months.
Genie Hammond 1929 – 2017
We are sad to announce the death of Eugenie (Genie) Laura Hammond on 26 September 2017. She was born in Islington, North London on 18 March 1929. Continue reading →
Autumn 2017 – Sunday Intermediate Pop-up Classes
Following on from the popularity of our Sunday afternoon Pop-up Intermediate classes we have scheduled classes this autumn. These are all drop-in classes so no need to book in advance. Just note the dates, come along and enjoy.
Continue reading →
9.00am Sunday Beginners Class – Extra dates!
Sunday 15th October – 17th December
Beginners with Kristyan Robinson
9.00-10.00am
Good news for weekend yoga fans – we have extended the series of one hour Sunday morning classes for an extra four weeks.
Members £7.50/Non-members £9.50.
Sun 20 August: Pop-up General Level Class with Marco Cannavo
Sunday 20 August 2017 marks the third anniversary of Guruji’s death. Marco will be teaching a pop-up General Level class to mark the occasion.
2.30-4.30pm
Members £14 / Non-members £17
Pick up your copy of the IYIMV Journal – Dipika
The latest edition of Dipika, number 49, is now available at reception. It is free to all of our members so don’t forget to pick up your copy.
We’re sure you’ll agree that Dipika editor Korinna Pilafidis-Williams has done another fantastic job with the latest issue. The theme of home or ‘self-practice’ is covered from several angles including a fascinating personal account on the evolution of practice by senior teacher Pixie Lillas. Plus find an extract of Mark Tully’s insightful interview with Geeta Iyengar.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to design, content and production of Dipika!
Garth McLean on Iyengar yoga and Multiple Sclerosis
Garth McLean was a busy professional whose life changed dramatically when he received a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. He has become a renowned Iyengar yoga teacher and has helped and inspired teachers and students with MS around the world.
My story of Iyengar yoga and Multiple Sclerosis
Maida Vale student, Yvette Rooke, shares her experience of using Iyengar yoga practice to manage the physical and emotional impact of Multiple Sclerosis.
Volunteers for Introductory Assessments 2017
This year’s Introductory assessments will take place on 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25 June at IYI Maida Vale.
We need volunteers to be students for the teaching part of the assessments. Each assessment should have 7 – 8 volunteers.
Volunteers should have at least a year’s attendance at classes and already be performing Sirsasana and Sarvangasana. They should be willing to be helped up into Sirsasana (head balance) at the wall and Sarvangasana (shoulder stand), and should not be remedial students or injured – stiffness is fine but no injuries.
Volunteers will need to be on their mats ready to start at 1.45pm (Saturdays) or 2.15 (Sundays), and the session should finish by 5.00 or 5.30pm respectively. Teachers may not act as volunteers but we can take Introductory Level 1 trainees and trainees just starting their second year of training. However trainees should not volunteer for a session in which candidates from their own course are being assessed.
Contact: office@iyi.org.uk or call 020 7624 3080 to volunteer.
NEW! One hour Sunday morning beginners class
Sundays from 28 May – 23 July
9.00-10.00 am
This new shorter class is ideal for complete beginners, students who have completed the Introduction to Iyengar Yoga Course and any practitioner in their first three years of practice. It will be a fast-paced class for students who like to practise and still have the whole of Sunday free! Continue reading →
Sunday Intermediate Pop-up Class Spring/Summer 2017
Following on from the popularity of our Sunday afternoon Pop-up Intermediate classes we have scheduled classes in over spring and summer. These are all drop-in classes so no need to book in advance. Just note the dates, come along and enjoy.
Continue reading →
May Bank Holiday Timetable
9th May – Free Emergency Life Support Skills Training
Moving up from Beginners to General level Iyengar yoga class
Barbara Norvell has been teaching Iyengar yoga since 1999. Here she shares her thoughts on how to decide when to move up from a Beginners Level class to General Level. At IYMV we ask that students go to Beginners classes regularly for two years before moving up to a General class. Some students are keen to move up quickly while for others the prospect can be a little daunting. We hope this will help you decide when the right time is for you. Continue reading →
Wednesday 7am class – A student’s perspective
‘Wednesday morning at seven o’clock as the day begins …’ (with apologies to The Beatles)
Tony Morris has been a member of IYIMV since 2000 and served as a trustee of the Institute between 2002-2005. He is a regular at Amparo Rodriguez’s Wednesday class. Here he explains why he resists hitting the snooze button and takes out his yoga mat instead. Continue reading →
2 April – Tribute to Silvia Prescott (1922-2016)
On 2 April we will celebrate Silvia Prescott’s contribution to Iyengar yoga and to the Iyengar Yoga Institute Maida Vale. Silvia was a highly respected teacher who will always be remembered by the many people who were fortunate to have attended her classes. Continue reading →
Amparo Rodriguez on the joys of early morning yoga practice
Amparo Rodriguez has been teaching our Wednesday 7am Beginners/General level class at Maida Vale for ten years. Here she shares her perspective on the joys and benefits of early morning yoga practice. Continue reading →
Charity Workshop – £500 raised!
Thank you to everyone who attended the Charity Fundraiser Workshop last weekend. We are delighted to let you know that we raised £500 for our two nominated charities this year, The Brain Tumour Charity and Age UK. Continue reading →
Fri 17 Feb – Free Emergency Life Support Skill training
Emergency Life Support Skills Facilitated by Judy Lynn
Friday 17th February 2017
2.00 – 4.00 pm
FREE to IYIMV Members – limited to 15 places
18 Feb – Introductory Teacher Training Open Session
Saturday 18th February 2017
10.00am – 1.00pm
Students with three or more years of regular Iyengar yoga practice who are considering training as an Iyengar yoga teacher are invited to attend a free open taster session facilitated by Sallie Sullivan and Stephen Richardson.
The purpose of the Introductory Teacher Training course is to build a firm foundation in the teaching of B. K. S. Iyengar’s work. The course lasts for two years and comprises of 17 training days each year on Saturdays. Please let us know if you wish to attend ITT Open Session on 020 7624 3080 or email us at office@iyi.org.uk
See full details of the requirements for the course and application forms here >
Assessments are conducted by the Iyengar Yoga Association(UK) Students accepted on the course must join IYIMV & IY(UK).
IYIMV Outreach Programme- open for applications
Are you, or do you know an Iyengar yoga teacher who would like to teach classes to vulnerable or disadvantaged adults?
IYIMV is setting up an outreach programme to bring Iyengar yoga to those who cannot access regular classes at the Institute. We are inviting teachers to suggest an organisation to work with to offer classes to people who could benefit from regular yoga classes. Successful applicants will receive funding to teach a weekly class at their proposed organisation for 6 months.
Sunday 19 Feb – Charity Fundraiser Workshop
Charity Fundraiser Workshop with Rosemary da Silva & Barbara Norvell
Sunday 19th February 2017
11.30am – 2.00pm
This year our Charity Fundraiser Workshop will support Age UK and The Brain Tumour Charity. The workshop will focus on restorative practice and is open to all members with a minimum of 18 months of regular practice.
Numbers will be limited to 16, so please reserve your place in advance on reception and pay in cash on the day. We suggest a minimum donation of £25.
Reserve your place on 020 7624 3080
An Interview with Uday Bhosale
Uday Bhosale spent fifteen years studying, assisting and teaching at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune with the Iyengar family. In addition to teaching the Childrens, Beginners and Intermediate classes at RIMYI, he assisted in Geeta Iyengar’s medical classes. He recently moved to the UK and teaches regular classes and workshops.
NEW! Tuesday evening General Class
Silvia Prescott
One of our most senior and respected teachers, Silvia Prescott, died peacefully at home on Thursday 3 November.
Silvia was one of BKS Iyengar’s first British students, having practised Iyengar yoga since 1970, and taught at Maida Vale for many years.
The funeral will take place at Golder’s Green Crematorium on Thursday 17 November at 1.00pm
No flowers by request. Donations to Age UK or Shelter will be welcomed.
Read Silvia’s memories of her teacher BKS Iyengar in The Guardian >
NEW – Gentle Yoga Class
Starting from 31st October, Rosemary Da Silva will be teaching a new Gentle Yoga Class from 12.00-1.30pm. Continue reading →
Sunday Intermediate pop-up class
This winter we are offering a series of Sunday afternoon Intermediate classes. These are all drop-in classes so no need to book in advance. Schedule them in to your weekend and keep your practice on point over the chilly months. Continue reading →
£2.50 Beginners classes with Jobseeker’s Allowance
We hold two Beginners classes which are open to students on Jobseeker’s Allowance at the discounted rate of £2.50. These are suitable for students who are new to yoga and there’s no need to book. Continue reading →
Scoliosis and Iyengar Yoga
Naomi Gorta-Slight shares her experience of using a programme of remedial Iyengar yoga during adolescence to reduce her scoliosis and avoid surgery.
Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine to one side, with the spine bending either to the left or to the right. The skeleton of Richard III showed that the king had a severe degree of scoliosis. Richard would have benefited from hanging off the ropes at the Institute as part of a royal remedial programme. Continue reading →
Saturday 20 Aug – Celebration of Guruji’s life with Alaric Newcombe
Alaric will be giving a celebratory program that will include recuperative pranayama, readings from Guruji’s writings, and led chanting on Saturday 20th August to mark the two year anniversary of Guruji’s death. Continue reading →