Below are extracts from a speech given by BKS Iyengar in 1984 at the opening of what was then called the Iyengar Yoga Institute in Maida Vale, known today as Iyengar Yoga London. BKS Iyengar’s words convey how important it was to him to have established a yoga centre in London as a hub from which the benefits of the practice could be spread far and wide. He also describes his expectations of his students and the profound and practical wisdom of the yoga sutras of Patanjali. “As you are all aware, today’s function is just a formal one since the Institute has been open for several months.  ..read more

Abhijata Iyengar is teaching the UK Iyengar Yoga Convention this year in London from 4-6 May. We will be livestreaming the convention to a large screen at the studio for people who would like to practice together as a group and have purchased a livestream convention place. This event is free of charge and open to students and teachers together. A minimum of two years’ regular attendance at Iyengar yoga classes is required. It is free to attend the Studio Livestream event but all attendees must be members of the UK Iyengar Yoga Association (non-teacher membership £24) and must have purchased a ..read more

By Korinna Pilafidis-Williams Korinna has been teaching at IYL since 1995. She teaches a bespoke class for people with neurological issues and is a teaching mentor and trainer. For many years Korinna has been the editor of Dipika (the centre’s magazine), one of the oldest yoga magazines in the UK. A blue plaque for a house in London? In a quiet, leafy street in North London there stands an Edwardian house where BKS Iyengar taught his first public classes in the UK. They did not take place in a grand sports hall or dedicated studio but in the sitting room and the garden of a family hou ..read more

NEW Hybrid Classes We are introducing hybrid classes to the timetable this month. Hybrid classes are studio classes that are simultaneously livestreamed and made available to students remotely. Initially we are offering two weekly hybrid classes: Monday General Level with Judy Smith 10.30AM – 12.00PM Tuesday  General Level with Megan 9.30 – 11.00AM These classes are listed on the timetable as Livestream (Hybrid) to differentiate them from pure Livestream classes.   Hybrid Class Prices The price to attend a Hybrid Class in the studio is the same as a regular studio class, £14.25 for m ..read more

Why practise difficult asanas? Light on Yoga can be considered as one of the classical texts on yoga in the modern era, having inspired and continuing to enthuse millions. But there is a group of readers who get nervous and overwhelmed by seeing the advanced asanas like the Eka Pada Sirsasana cycles and balancing asanas. The sceptical mind questions whether we need to practise these advanced asanas to enable a higher level of consciousness. Geeta lyengar answered this question during the New Zealand lyengar Yoga Convention in 2003. A transcript of her answer is reproduced here. In fact, this d ..read more

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IYL House Photographer – Cassian Gray We are excited to let you know that we have appointed our first House Photographer. Cassian Gray holds a BA in Photography and his work featured has featured in the British Journal of Photography, The Telegraph, and Creative Review. He describes his approach as, “a study of people and human nature, often exploring how we inhabit space and our effect on the landscape. Throughout his practice, Cassian uses the camera as a tool to instigate encounters – documenting individuals, places and communities that would otherwise pass unnoticed.” Cass ..read more

Research Article – Yoga for People living with Multiple Sclerosis Teacher, Korinna Pilafidis-Williams, runs the Iyengar Yoga class for People with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Neurological Conditions at Iyengar Yoga London. MS is an incurable neurodegenerative and chronic inflammatory disease that affects the central nervous system. In Europe and North America, it is the most common cause of neurological disability in young adults, with diagnosis normally between 20-40 years. Symptoms of MS vary but can include depression, fatigue, chronic pain, muscle weakness, spasticity, decreased strength ..read more

Embedding an inclusive, diverse and equitable Iyengar yoga teaching culture Jaki Nett, the first African American Iyengar yoga teacher to be awarded senior certification, is leading this year’s Iyengar Yoga (UK) Convention. As part of the programme, there will be a livestream discussion and Q&A on inclusion, diversity and equity on 4th February. Please see details below We invite you to join us at the IYL studios where we will be livestreaming the discussion. The talk will be projected in the studio and there will be tea and cake afterwards. This is an informal event for us to come to ..read more

The IYUK Long Covid pilot study was conducted from October to December 2021. It was initiated by Gerda Bayliss, an Iyengar Yoga teacher, who contracted Covid and was left with severe Long Covid (LC). Her parents, Alan Brown and Diana Bayliss, also Iyengar Yoga teachers, helped with her recovery. She also received advice from Lois Steinberg in the US, attending her online classes. Together with the therapy committee of IYUK, they devised a suggested Iyengar yoga programme for those with Long Covid. This programme is based on Lois Steinberg’s respiratory system practice. The study is being ..read more