What do you need to synchronise while placing the palms on the floor?

C The skin of the trapezius should move towards the kidneys before you place your palms on the floor.
Placing the palms and moving that skin should synchronise.

How do you sharpen the intelligence that is needed to create space between each lateral intercostal
muscle?
C You can use a pencil to sharpen the intelligence. Rest the middle of the base of the palm on a pencil.
The more you press the pencil the intelligence is sharpened creating space for the side chest to lift up.

How do you make the energy of the arms and legs meet?
C Walk in with your legs to broaden the plate of the heel. Now, press the energy of the plate of the heel
and the mounts of the sole down and bring the energy from the arch towards the pelvic girdle.
C Similarly, bring the energy from the middle of the palm to reach the pelvic girdle.

Where should the above energy meet?

C Just as you bring the energy from the physical body towards the heart and from the brain towards the
heart, similarly the energy of the arms and the energy of the legs should meet at the seat of the heart.

How should the skin at the back be while going into the pose?
C The skin from the lower waist moves towards the middle of the heart and the skin from the top moves
towards the middle of the heart.
C The skin of the back should be in the air (not pressing to the floor) when you take your palms down on
the floor.

What is meant by intensifying the sharpness of the skin at the back?

C Use the limbs of the body – the arms and the legs – to close the pores of the skin at the back of the
torso. The mind should be closing it (not lifting up).
C You get a coiling action at the back when you suck the skin of the back deep into the body. Coil in
further to go up.

How should you touch the heart?

C Touch the heart from the back. Feel the spiritual heart from the back of the heel and from the back of
the wrist.

How can you improve your Urdhva Danurāsana?

C Raise the head. Compress the skin at the back for it to move circularly towards the heart, then with the
back skin lift up.
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

C If the weight is felt more on the wrist than the ankle then move the feet closer to you.
C Ascend the ligament of the top elbow and descend the ligament of the bottom elbow. Walk in if you
cannot get the action on the ligament.
C Press the middle of the heel on the floor and push the energy up. The āsana becomes far better.
C When in the pose, lift the inner side of the bottom buttocks to the maximum height. Resist the kneecap
to the knee and from the head of the back of the ligament, go straight up.

16 AUTUMN 2020
How do you come down rhythmically from the āsana?
C Press the heels, flex the knees, move the bent knees backwards to come
down.
C Lift the middle buttock higher and higher. The outer corner of the knee
ascending for the rest of the body to go down.
C Ascend the area between the inner ankle and the heel. Do not allow it to
compress or shrink while coming down. Then the rhythm is maintained
while coming down.

At what point does the real āsana begin in your practice?

C First one has to learn where the intelligence in the body is flowing and where it is not flowing.
C Let the intelligence reach that area where it is not flowing and when it reaches, the efforts (it is on
the physical side) come to an end. Normally we keep on using and reusing the muscles and the mind
cannot take it anymore.
C Once you reach that state, the effort of the mind, the effort of the intelligence, the effort of the body
comes to an end and from that point the real āsana begins in your practices.

The big toe mound is the gripper. Give a single stretch for the energy of the arms and the
energy of the legs to reach exactly on the naval band.
When would the pose be accurate?
C The pose would be accurate when the abdomen becomes flat like a plateau.
C Normally the inner bottom edge of the buttock is up and the outer edge is down.
C Lift that point (where it drops) straight up and the hinges down. Then you will get the accuracy in the
āsana.

What is intellectual Ūrdhva dhanurāsana and what is physical Ūrdhva dhanurāsana?

C You can watch the height of the waist (centre) and the side from the naval.
C If the side waist is lower, it means the inner legs are longer than the outer legs. Without disturbing
the inner leg, stretch from the outer back of the knee towards the outer pelvic girdle. Move the flesh
to feel the skin. The side waist comes up. This is known as intellectual Ūrdhva dhanurāsana. The
imbalance in the height of the waist was physical Ūrdhva dhanurāsana.

There should be no harshness in your breath

How can you achieve rhythm in your breathing in the āsana?
C Lengthen the hinge to the ground and from the head of the hinge stretch your body up (head of the
hinge doing Tadāsana). Bottom calf muscles doing Tadāsana. Let the two arms move like a single arm.
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

Outer elbow going closer towards each other. The stability comes in the āsana.

What is the real learning in yogic way?

C Bring the soma to the level of the intelligence which raises in the body. Shoulder blades move in and
follow the intelligence. That is the real learning in yogic way.

AUTUMN 2020 17
 Playing around with Mālāsana
A few of us decided to descend on Manchester and District Iyengar Yoga and have a little play with
Mālāsana (the garland pose). There are lots of things to work on with this āsana. Stiff ankles, problem
knees, stiff hips, sore backs and shoulders etc.

The beauty of Iyengar yoga is that the Iyengar family innovate, experiment, practice and observe us
students and then invent many different ways of doing the pose so as to teach us the right action. Then it
is up to us to play around and find out which way helps us the most!

We have Light on Yoga, our bible. Plate numbers 317, 318, 319, 320 ,321 and 322 show BKS Iyengar
demonstrating the various stages of Mālāsana.

We have Geetaji’s book YOGA: a Gem for Women, Plate numbers 45, 46 and 47 (although I wouldn’t
agree that Plate 47 is the ‘easy stage’ - well not for me anyway)!

There are also other publications that give us alternative ways of attempting this pose as well as our own
experience. So we decided one Friday afternoon last August to have a play. Here are the results!

Mālāsana I is where the heels are down, the head is on the floor close to the feet and the arms are
entwined around the body and ‘hang from the neck like a garland.'
The description of how to practice Mālāsana I is given in Light on Yoga in nine stages:
1. Squat on the haunches with the feet together. The soles and the heels should rest completely on the
floor. Raise the seat from the floor and balance. (Plate 317)
2. Now widen the knees and move the trunk forward.
3. Exhale, wrap the arms around the bent legs and rest the palms on the floor. (Plate 318)
4. Take the hands one by one behind the back and clasp the fingers. (Plates 319 and 320)
5. Then stretch the back and neck up.
6. Remain in this position for 30 to 60 seconds breathing normally.
7. Now exhale, bend forward and rest the head on the floor. (Plate 321)
8. Inhale, raise the head from the floor and return to position 5.
9. Release the hands and rest on the floor.

Stage 1. Squat on the haunches with the feet together. The soles and the heels should rest
completely on the floor. Raise the seat from the floor and balance. LOY (Plate 317), GFW (Plate 45).
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

18 AUTUMN 2020
Where it is difficult for the heels to go down we can place something underneath them. The first image is
more like Geetaji’s (Plate 45) in YOGA: a Gem for Women. The second image is where the hands are lower
as shown in LOY (Plate 317). You can see in the second image that the direction of the pose is downward.

We must try if we can to take our heels to the floor. Here are some ways to help take the heels to the floor.
The wall bars help us to keep our heels down:

Similarly we can use ropes, hold a window sill or kitchen worktop, or use the wall to support the buttocks:

Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

AUTUMN 2020 19
 Light on Yoga (Plate 318) shows Guruji starting to move forwards, his instructions are:

Stage 2. Now widen the knees and move the trunk forward.

Stage 3. Exhale, wrap the arms around the bent legs and rest the palms on the floor.
A blanket under the heels helps with stability.

Stage 4. Take the hands one by one behind the back and clasp the fingers. (Plates 319 and 320 LOY).

Stage 5. Stretch the back and the neck up.

Stage 6. Remain in this position for 30 to 60 seconds breathing normally.

Geetaji demonstrates a side view in YOGA: a Gem for Women (Plate 47).
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

The belt helps if it is difficult to clasp the hands.

20 AUTUMN 2020
Stage 7. Now exhale, bend forward and rest the head on the floor LOY (Plate 321). Stay in this position for
30 to 60 seconds with normal breathing.
Also included (Plate 46) from YOGA: a gem for women, ‘easy stage’.

There are lots of ways to experiment and encourage the heels and head to go down and entwine the
hands around the body. Here are some suggestions:

Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

Stage 8. Inhale, raise the head from the floor and return to position 5.
Stage 9. Release the hands and rest on the floor.

Effects: The āsana tones the abdominal organs and relieves backaches.

AUTUMN 2020 21
 Mālāsana II

This is the second technique given in LOY. The instructions are given in six stages:

1. Squat on the haunches with the feet together. The soles and heels should rest completely on the floor.
Raise the seat from the floor and balance. (Plate 317 LOY)
2. Widen the thighs and knees and move the trunk forward until the armpits extend beyond the knees.
3. Bend forward and catch the back part of the ankles.
4. After gripping the ankles, exhale and move the head down to the toes and rest the forehead on
them. (Plate 322 LOY).
5. Maintain the pose for about a minute breathing normally.
6. Inhale, raise the head, release the ankle grip and relax on the floor.

Stage 1. LOY (Plate 317) & YOGA: a Gem for Women (Plate 45), see Mālāsana I on the previous page.

Stages 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Shown below with the buttocks supported at the wall, or using a bolster.
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

22 AUTUMN 2020
Mālāsana for beginners, problems and for fun!

Here are some methods to help with problems and just to try to help stiff joints. These ideas are by
no means exhaustive, just things we could think of on the day. The beauty of Iyengar Yoga is that we
experiment and find different ways of attempting the pose in order to find the right action.

Using a chair is useful if the student is unable to go down to the floor.

Using the chair with the knees over the backrest or the rolled blanket in the abdomen soothes the back.
The blanket helps to ground the heels if the ankles are stiff and the blanket behind the knees helps with
knee problems and also helps to spread the hamstrings.

Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

Article written by Debbie Bartholomew; practice session organised by Debbie and Tricia Booth
Thanks to all our teachers who have gone before us, we are forever grateful for your help.
Thanks also to our models Nicky Wright, Clare Tunstall, Jo Smith and Julie Howarth. 

AUTUMN 2020 23
 Covid-19 Recovery: A Suggested Yoga Programme
“Covid-19 brings in its wake physical suffering, emotional turmoil, fear and loss - what can we do about
this?” This was the question that led Sheila Haswell, Chair of the IY(UK) Therapy Committee, to conceive
of the idea for a yoga programme designed to support recovery from Covid-19.

The programme was first them". I called Uday and he Thanks to all those who made it
shared online in May as part of agreed to carry the charity event possible to create this invaluable
‘Yogis Unite for NHS’, an event over to the Sunday morning, resource:
organised by Uday Bhosale and where I could lead the Therapy
his wife Sonali to raise money for Committee in presenting a Abhijata Iyengar, Lois Steinberg,
the NHS Charities Together. programme for recovering from Gulnaaz Dashti, Stephanie Quirk,
the Covid-19 virus. the IY(UK) Therapy Committee
Sheila says: “When Uday (Sheila Haswell, Elaine Martin,
contacted me with his idea for Our aim in this yoga programme Lorraine McConnon, Larissa
running a weekend of yoga is to play some role in aiding McGoldrick, Lynda Purvis, Edgar
classes online to raise money the process of recovery. By only Stringer, Judith Van Dop), IY(UK)
for the NHS, I was right behind requiring the use of mostly teachers who have experienced
him. My niece of only 23 years, basic props and furniture, we the virus themselves, Adrienne
not long out of her studies, was have tried to make the poses Bagnall who designed the
already working as a nurse in the as accessible as possible for e-book, and decades of work
ICU unit of a big hospital, with so everyone.” by BKS Iyengar and Dr Geeta
much responsibility and yet also S. Iyengar in medical classes at
uncertainty about her own safety. The video recording was shared RIMYI in Pune.
I certainly wanted to help with again at the IY(UK) Virtual
the project. Convention, and has now been Please consider making a
made publicly available on the donation towards this and future
Uday organised a meeting with IY(UK) website and YouTube Iyengar yoga therapy resources.
teachers and allocated time slots channel. An e-book has also
for our teaching on a Saturday been produced and this is https://iyengaryoga.org.uk/
later in May. I woke the next available to download for free on donations-for-yoga-therapy-
morning and thought "but what the IY(UK) website: resources/
can we do for those people who
have contracted the virus and https://iyengaryoga.org.uk/
are now struggling to regain their covid-19-a-suggested-recovery-
health - surely our yoga can help programme/
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

24 AUTUMN 2020
 Excerpts from Yoga Diaries
in the Time of Covid
Jocelyn Page is an American set of props. I sent photos with I can attend to myself; a time to
writer living in London. She began instructions on how to make acknowledge and shed feelings of
taking Iyengar Yoga classes in a bolster with towels and use anxiety and helplessness. When
2001, shortly after moving to the books or other household items I open my eyes, I see the ropes
UK. www.jocelyn-page.com for bricks and belts. I Zoom with hanging from Cecilia’s studio wall.
my friend and student Jocelyn In boxes along the side, a mosaic
Cecilia Winter qualified as an ahead of the first session. Can of colourful shirts, leggings,
Iyengar yoga teacher in 2006 you hear me? Can you see blankets.
and completed the Junior me? The test session made us
Intermediate certification level in forget that we were in different May, Cecilia
2013. locations. Zoom has become the new
www.ceciliawinteryoga.co.uk normal. In the class I attended
Mid-April, Jocelyn this morning it was mentioned
Early April, Cecilia We are now all somewhat fluent that the opposite of anxiety
As soon as lockdown was in the ways of Zoom. Initially is acceptance. I think I’ve got
announced I had requests from reluctant to lead my life through my head around accepting
my students to teach online. a screen any more than I already this situation on more than
There are so many classes on do, I considered increasing my one level now. With a bit of
the internet already, was my home practice, or going back to imagination, it almost feels like
reply. A few days into lockdown running. Coping with the stress teaching a regular class. Some
and having attended some of and sorrow of this situation of my students haven’t got
Uday Bhosale’s inspiring classes didn’t seem manageable alone, the best camera angles, but if
I can’t understand why I had however. I joined Cecilia’s class their space is restricted it is not
hesitated. We all need it. Having and have been attending twice always possible. Feedback has
made up my mind, it was still a week. The Aums at the start been positive with requests for
with trepidation that I taught make me feel emotional: with ongoing online classes after the
that first session. Chanting the rest of the class muted, all lockdown is over.
Aum, my voice echoed due to I can hear is Cecilia’s voice and
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

the lack of physical bodies in my own. I know there are over My home studio fits a maximum
the room. My feelings were a 30 other people there, in their of 14 but I currently have around
mixture of apprehension and kitchens, bedrooms, hallways, 30 for each class. Keeping an
excitement. How to manage but I just hear myself singing a eye on so many little squares
all the participants: mute or note to match Cecilia, a smaller simultaneously is a challenge, as
unmute? They might have a mat voice through the speaker. The is remembering to modify poses
and blankets, but I suspected chant marks the beginning of a for old and new injuries. Wrists
that many wouldn’t have a full 90-minute period within which seem to be the problem of the

AUTUMN 2020 25
 month with more cycling and attentive in class when the philosophy. In the final session,
gardening than usual. lockdown is finally eased. Raya addressed the ‘ironic
method of communication’
I choose the positioning of the We will get information from the of Zoom, which is limited and
students depending on what prime minister tonight about promotes ‘peace and quiet using
aspect of a pose I want to changes. I can’t see my normal so many words’. He said he felt
emphasise. In Vīrabhadrāsana II classes resuming any time soon. humbled that so many people
for example, I might ask students I am happy to continue with let him into their homes, which
to face the camera to see if their what I am doing for now; maybe describes the essence of the
trunk remains in the centre of I will keep one online class in the Zoom yoga reality so well; such
the pose. The next time, I might future. intimacy and humanity, yet such
do it side-on so that I can observe distance.
the knee and hip alignment once May, Jocelyn
the front leg is bent. It helps The ceremony of the Zoom As a writer, I was interested in
me to scan the student pictures yoga gathering seems more what Raya called ‘the poetry’ of
more quickly if they all face in the rooted in a common goal than ‘the finite as infinite’. Perhaps
same direction. commiseration. I live with my we are in a better space now to
partner and teens who are understand the ‘indescribable’,
I’ve decided not to teach home with me all the time. I the sensation, the epiphany
inversions. Although most of hold two part-time academic without words, what Raya called
my students do Sarvāngāsana jobs that have come to feel like the ‘single aroma’ that comes
and/or Śīrṣāsana under normal full-time posts. The global crisis from yoga’s constituent parts. I
circumstances, I don’t feel that I weighs on me, too; I find myself store this away for later, sure that
can keep an eye on a class of 30 needing to communicate more this can all be applied to life in
and keep them all safe. Balancing with family in the USA in order general.
poses are also a bit tricky but to convince myself that we
can be overcome by being near will all get through. All of this June, Cecilia
a wall or a chair. Students report screen time leaves me feeling Online yoga carries on. The
better focus and concentration. I oddly disembodied, with less numbers are still good, but a
think that yoga students from the concentration, more anxiety, an few have returned to work. One
COVID-19 era will be particularly inability to envision the future of the messages that has come
without pessimism. across from senior teachers
in workshops, and especially
I attended Raya Uma Datta’s strongly from Abhijata, is
double-weekend workshop and maintaining a practice with 100%
experienced the mega-Zoom: awareness and 80% physical
some 300 students from around effort; I found this helpful, both
the world. When Raya’s video for myself and my students. One
was pinned, I sat mesmerised of my beginners said that it made
by the sounds of the dogs and her feel more comfortable with
young children, birds and car her own practice. We’ve had the
horns coming to me from India. virtual convention, where Navaz
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

I have attended workshops and guided us through prāņāyāma,

conventions before, but this was reminding us that the breath is
different; there was a level of the bridge between the body and
anonymity, appearing the size the mind.
of a mere postage stamp among
so many others. Raya’s teaching Jocelyn asked me if I think the
was precious to me on a practical relative anonymity or remoteness
Jocelyn level, but also in terms of his of the situation has added

26 AUTUMN 2020
 June, Jocelyn Ardha chandrāsana last week
Cecilia asks me what I miss, but with Abhijata, we experimented
I think more about what I have with props to allow ‘the brain
gained: I have done inspiring to be a third party and give a
classes with Abhijata, Navaz, Raya verdict without bias’. I used the
and Uday, and I feel lucky to have rail at the top of my staircase as
been able to participate in these a reference for my foot. I found
from the comfort of home. These myself able to open in the pose,
workshops felt like food after to lift the top arm, to press
fasting, not because my regular my top heel out/back, and to
classes didn’t sate me, but really breathe. Partly as a result
because in these times, we are of the heightened emotional
looking for answers, for comfort stakes of these times, I am
in broad and different thinking recontextualising and reframing
in a world turned upside-down. everything in my life, my yoga
Now that England is opening up, I practice included.
find myself in a more tumultuous
Cecilia state than ever, trying to balance Life after the summer is hugely
anything to my teaching. I got caution with courage, common uncertain. Will I have a job? Will
stuck on the word anonymity. sense with excitement. Yoga I be able to travel to see family in
I’m in all the participants’ homes has helped me manage this the USA? I don’t know if studios
and some of them can probably transition. will reopen, but I can see myself
see me in great detail, especially staying on Zoom to keep safe at
if they have connected their The home set-up is challenging home.
device to their television screen. as summer sets in; hot days
I can’t hide. There is a feeling of are overwhelming in this Post-script, mid-July
remoteness at the end of class sunny space; books and other
reminders of my work distract, Cecilia:
until students unmute, one after
forcing my mind toward I will have a break away from my
another, and the conversation
deadlines and stresses regarding studio this month to visit family
flows again. Abhijata encouraged
job security. But I also find joy and I feel optimistic that my
us to communicate in all aspects
in the solitude of practice in my students now have established a
of life to avoid misunderstandings
home. The virus and lockdown home-practice.
and I’m so thankful to her
for conveying these words of have prompted me to re-evaluate Jocelyn:
wisdom. my priorities. Life feels more Today we met to edit this text,
precious now. in person! We finalised our
I’ve heard that some countries
Cecilia asks if I miss the hands- writing over tea, talked about
are beginning to open studios
on adjustments. Online teachers our families, our summer plans,
again. I don’t think we are ready
might not manage the same including yoga. 
for that here yet. My studio is
small, and I will have to reduce level of scrutiny, but I feel seen.
the number of students to With webinar classes, I often
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

maintain social distancing. How forget that the teacher can’t

do I deal with the equipment? see me, such is the uncanny
Disinfecting everything after each intimacy of Zoom. I am somehow
session will take up a lot of time. more involved with my own
Is the solution to use almost no practice; I go deeper within
props? Best not to waste energy myself when I am the only one
worrying about it prematurely. in the room. I am encouraged
to use furniture in my home. In
AUTUMN 2020 27
 National Iyengar Yoga Day
The fifth National Iyengar Yoga Day took place on Saturday 18 January and was our biggest yet. More than
85 free taster classes, demonstrations, film screenings and other events were organised around the UK and
Ireland, bringing the Iyengar yoga community together and welcoming hundreds of people new to Iyengar
yoga. And of course, much tea and cake was enjoyed!

Lucy Aldridge, Penzance of Iyengar yoga. They worked thoughtfully and

I taught two classes, each one just over an hour. I had 15 enthusiastically, practising a mixture of standing and
in the first class and 19 in the second, half of which were seated poses and left with a real stillness and sense of
completely new students and the other half made up of calm after a lovely long Śavāsana.
practitioners seizing the opportunity of a free session.
Monica Bejarano Cortes, Sheffield
There is something joyous about doing what you love 18 people attended the free taster class at Zagyoga
without monetary consideration. It was a real treat! I Iyengar yoga studio near Sheffield city centre.
have the joy of BKS Iyengar’s book Arogya Yoga and used
that as my starting point for the session - 'The importance Claire Best, Cowdray Hall
of sitting still. One of the students said “Who’d have I held an hour's class at Cowdray Hall, followed by
thought there could be so much effort in sitting with just tea and cake. I think the social aspect after the class
crossed legs!” I am already looking forward to next year. made the event more inviting! Saying that, I had a bad
attendance! I had 12 people email to say they would like
Jayne Baillie, Galgorm, County Antrim to come, then the day before a few people pulled out,
I had 19 people attend the free class on Saturday so I was expecting about six people. I had three people.
Better than none I guess but it has put me off holding
an event again. The positive side is that two of them are
returning for future classes.

In class, as the students were not complete beginners,

I focused on the qualities of extension and relaxation;
entering and being in a posture. Similar qualities
connected with pose and repose within a posture.
(experiencing the outer and inner body). I also spoke
about the grounding of the base of an āsana and from
that base, how the rest of the body may extend upwards
and outwards. I showed them LOY and Light on Life and
explained a brief outline on the content of BKS Iyengar’s
18th January. Since then, I’ve had five people come to books.
my beginners’ classes and several others have made
enquiries about classes. I feel it was a very successful day,
and definitely highlighted Iyengar yoga in my local area.
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

Cath Barnes-Holt, West London

I taught a class for people new to Iyengar yoga (some
had done other styles of yoga before). It was really
well-attended considering the unusually glorious sunny
day! Everyone was very keen to learn and genuinely
interested in the background and development

28 AUTUMN 2020
Lucy Brownhall, Edinburgh to see the older ones show the little ones the yoga
We ran a free taster class here at Yoga Now in Edinburgh equipment with such care and respect. Luckily there
in the afternoon. We had 19 people in the class, three of were plenty of Vīrabhadrāsana 1- shaped cookies to
which were existing students who had brought a friend, take home. A great day.
which seems to be a good way to introduce people to
Iyengar yoga. I let people do this at the end of term, Nikki Curran, Malahide, County Dublin
if they have extra class credits left. They bring a friend I held two free taster evening classes for all of my
with them and a few of my regulars started this way. current students and anyone who wanted to come and
try out a class. The first
The class was open to class had nine students, two
anyone so there was quite who were new to my class
a wide range of experience and one who had never
in it. One person was tried Iyengar yoga before.
sampling Iyengar yoga The second class had seven
while training to be a students, five who were
Forrest yoga teacher. It was new to my class and three
nice to have four men in who had never tried Iyengar
the class. Several people yoga before.
had done yoga before but Tanya De Leersnyder
mostly not Iyengar and many The classes were an hour
not for a few years. long each and consisted of beginnersi asanas to cater for
the levels of current and new students. All said that they
After the class some stayed for a cup of tea, snacks and enjoyed the classes and 5 new students have said they
chat and the feedback about the class was positive. One will be back to start classes. Overall a successful evening
person commented that it was helpful to get so much introducing Iyengar yoga to some new students.
instruction for each āsana. Others said they felt great
after the class. Vashti Davis, Lavenham, Suffolk
I ran free classes (for both new and existing students)
Gilly Dennis from ESIY and her husband James Carter on 13 and 16 January. I had four new students on the
set up the projector and some of the class stayed for a Monday and five on the Thursday, of those five have
screening of BKS Iyengar: Uniting continued with regular classes.
Through Yoga. We were also
joined by ESIY members and it Tanya De Leersnyder,
was a nice gathering. Nailsworth, Gloucestershire
I ran a one-hour class followed
Evelyn Crosskey, Long by tea and coffee and cake for
Wittenham Yoga Centre people to ask questions and look
The Long Wittenham Yoga Centre at some of the books I brought
held an ‘open house’ for National along. I had 13 people attending
Iyengar Yoga Day 2020 so the and of those, six have already
new and the curious could come appeared in one of my regular
and see where classes have been classes. It was a very positive
taking place in the village over the experience!
last five years. Current students
brought friends and ‘other halves’. Gilly Dennis – teachers Jane
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

One reluctant attendee was Walker, Anne Kilgour; Lucy

pleasantly surprised that it wasn't Brownhall, Edinburgh
"navel-gazing and lying down"... Edinburgh Our National Iyengar Yoga
He has already paid for his place at Day event was promoted on
this week's class so we shall see! As usual there were Eventbrite. Twenty students who had never attended
lots of children who visited, so there were lots of giggles a yoga class, or were new to Iyengar Yoga, attended
and energy resounding off the walls. Many students the event held at our Iyengar Yoga Centre, which is a
brought younger siblings to see where they will be community benefit society, owned and run by Iyengar
coming once they reach six years old. It was so lovely yoga students, in Bruntsfield, Edinburgh. Jane Walker

AUTUMN 2020 29
 taught a one hour class, with Anne Kilgour supporting Claire Ferry, Belfast
and helping students with some small adjustments, the As always, not everyone who books a free class turns
aim of the class being to give students an idea of the up, but we did a follow up email to everyone regardless.
Iyengar approach to teaching yoga, and to promote Our rooms are quite small, so these numbers were
Iyengar yoga as suitable for everyone regardless of fine for us. The beginners’ class in the morning had ten
age, gender or flexibility. Many students stayed to ask attendees; the mixed ability class after that had nine
questions and discuss which classes might be suitable attendees.
for them to attend, either at the centre in Bruntsfield or Some comments from the day:
at Yoga Now or Yoga Stable, the two other yoga centres • 'We're completely sold, we want to come back for
in the city. We hope we will see some of the students more Iyengar yoga' - two friends coming together,
coming to classes in the future. normally attend vinyasa class but find it too fast
• "I normally can't focus in a yoga class, but this one
There was also a Taster session at YogaNow which was was different and my mind went quiet" - young man
attended by 19 people new to yoga or Iyengar, taught by who had some other yoga styles elsewhere
Lucy Brownhall and much enjoyed by everyone. There
was a screening of BKS Iyengar, Uniting Through Yoga Shirley Foreman, Whitby
afterwards attended by 20 people, which everyone As a newly qualified Iyengar Yoga Teacher last year, I
found inspirational. offered a free one-hour session on NIYD and four ladies
attended. All enjoyed the session and it has resulted
in arranging a new class starting on 6 February early
evening as the morning session I already teach is not
convenient for them. I have since had another two
people interested. It is a small village I live in, and I
would like to introduce more people to Iyengar Yoga.

Sharon Gleeson,
Stillorgan
Our event in
Stillorgan Yoga was
Cleo Edwards, Yogawest, Bristol ‘Bring a friend for
Yogawest in Bristol (The Bristol Iyengar Yoga Centre) free’. There were
hosted a free Newcomers' class taught by Cleo Edwards. 10 at one class and
12 at the second.
Twelve people attended the afternoon class; Cleo talked We only had three
to them about Iyengar Yoga, reassured a few anxious friends but they all
newcomers, and taught them a few basics in the one- signed up for future
hour class. Tea was served at the end with a chance classes.
for the guests to ask questions and sign up for a NIYD-
offer foundation course; all credit to Cleo as five people Suzanne Gribble,
signed up for it on the day! West London
On Friday 17
Many thanks to Michele, a Yogawest regular who came January I taught a
to be in the class and chat to the newcomers on the day. free 90 minute class Sharon Gleeson
at On Route, a mental health and well being centre in
South Ealing, West London. Eleven joined of all levels
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

and abilities and gave a voluntary donation which

raised over seventy pounds for the Bellur Trust. Prior
to the class I gave detailed background on the life of Mr
Iyengar and Geeta including the development of props,
with regular reminders during the class and their role
in making the poses accessible to all. Afterwards we
enjoyed refreshments in the On Route cafe.

30 AUTUMN 2020
Alison Hahlo and Sallie Sullivan, Lewes, East Sussex who have even undertaken to tell all their students
On a bright and promising Saturday afternoon 18 about other Iyengar classes in Lewes taught by Sallie
January, Lewes-based teachers Sallie Sullivan and Ali and Ali in other venues! A big-spirited gesture which
Hahlo led an afternoon of free yoga events to mark Guruji would have appreciated, I’m sure.
National Iyengar Yoga Day. We were generously hosted
by Soulfit Yoga studio in Lewes who opened their doors Di Harris and Sarah Orchard, Leamington Spa
nearly two years ago. Soulfit is a beautiful airy, light, We had a fabulous Free Session held at the Town Hall
peaceful studio with two lovely class spaces and a busy Leamington Spa. 30 students, both newbies and more
programme of classes of different yoga styles, with experienced practitioners, turned up and in fact we had
pilates, dance and personal training also on offer. Ali to move into a larger room to accommodate everyone.
teaches a weekly Iyengar class there and has always Sarah Orchard and myself (Di Harris) taught an hour-
received warm support by the owners Fiona and Gyles long class, then did a Q&A session at the end with many
Abbott, and by a loyal body of students. enquires for classes. Luckily we had brought along a
schedule of local teachers.

Angela Hulm, West Wickham (Kent)

Eight people attended, most were returners: one after
ten years, two were completely new to Iyengar yoga.

A young psychologist who looked to have done a fair

bit of yoga but had no control, so she was very taken
with the detail and precision of Iyengar yoga and will be
seeking a teacher closer to her.

Trish James, Boldon Colliery, Tyne & Wear

We had 21 turn up there was plenty of fun and laughter.
The feedback was excellent and all enjoyed their hour
taster of Iyengar yoga. The students left walking taller
We were all very gratified when the free class offered and all were smiling.
to new students, unfamiliar with Iyengar yoga, was
booked out with a sizeable waiting list! The 45 minute
class went very well with 20 students attending, all very
attentive and with many follow-up enquiries resulting.
We were further delighted when another 30 students,
mostly more experienced, turned up to hear Sallie
talk for 15 minutes on yoga philosophy in relation to
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras in another studio. This was then
followed, in the main studio, by a screening of Leap
of Faith the wonderful biographical film about BKS
Iyengar’s life, from poverty, disease and disadvantage
to global recognition and renown. The room was full
and everyone sat attentively through the 75 minute Rachel Johnson, Newcastle
showing, absorbed in the extraordinary story of a I ran a class for an hour on the Saturday specifically for
remarkable individual. Throughout the afternoon the beginners at my normal venue, The Studio in Jesmond,
resident cafe in the studio was open serving delicious Newcastle upon Tyne. Many of the ladies that come to
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

smoothies and vegan snacks. Ali and Sallie took in lots my other classes signed up their husbands and I had a
of display materials - photos, Guruji’s quotes, plenty of room full of nervous, very inflexible men! I had some
books and Iyengar yoga flyers as well as DVD’s of Guruji, great feedback - many emailed me afterwards to say
Krishnamacharya and other student groups giving asana they felt fantastic and asked if I can run a beginners'
demonstrations - which were marvelled over by many of class so they can all come back - which I'm going to do.
those attending.
Una Kilroy, Dublin
The day was generally felt to have been tremendously I’m quite pleased with the way it went. I had good
enjoyable and worthwhile. A big thank you to Soulfit, attendance in the classes and all in all it was a great day.

AUTUMN 2020 31
 Jenny King, North Wales Some had tried different styles of yoga, but still seemed
to be searching. They appreciated the attention to detail
and how I guided them safely through each asana. Those
with medical conditions felt they had been included and
given the confidence to begin exercising again.

One of my regular ladies brought both her daughter and

granddaughter. The younger of the three was totally
uninhibited, as she explored different ways to stretch.
To see three generations attending the same class and
enjoying the freedom of yoga, to me was a gift!

Our National Iyengar Yoga Day in North Wales went

very well, there were about 45 attendees, 20 people
took part in the free taster session and really enjoyed it,
several put their names down to attend local classes. My
students performed a wonderful, flowing demo. It was
a warm friendly atmosphere with fantastic homemade
cakes and coffee provided by students. Overall a calm,
supportive morning linking students, newbies and other Jo Lovell, Gerda Bayliss, Kate Woodcock, BDIY
teachers together. (Keighley, West Yorkshire)
The BDIY held a family yoga day with 20 adults and 8
Libby Lee, Sally Hogsflesh, Semra O’Reilly - Studland children. We had a great morning with Kate Woodcock
We had 36 attendees at our event in Studland Village and myself teaching the adults and Gerda Bayliss
Hall run by me, Sally Hogsflesh and helped by Semra teaching the kids class. Many of the adults stayed for tea
O'Reilly. and cake afterwards. We felt it was successful at bringing
the local Iyengar community together.
A lovely Saturday morning in Studland Village in Dorset.
People came from far and wide. Across the ferry from
Poole and from Hampshire and Bath. Three organisers:
trainee teacher Semra O'Reilly, and teachers Libby Lee
and Sally Hogsflesh. Libby started the class with standing
poses and explained about the Iyengar method. Sally
took over half way and did Sirsasana, forward extensions
twists and supine poses. We gave thanks to our teachers
and offered refreshments, some homemade cake by
Sally included. It was a lovely gathering and many stayed
at the end to ask questions.

One person commented. 'I wondered why you were

wearing those funny shorts. Then I realised it was so that
I could see your legs! Very important. People left taking
information leaflets and there was a real buzz. We got a Manchester & District Iyengar Yoga
sense of gratitude for sharing what we love. It was great to open our doors on Saturday 18th and
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

bring together a diverse group of people using all three

Alicia Lester, Northumberland studios with everyone experiencing Iyengar yoga.
I taught two free taster sessions at Bardon Mill Village
Hall Northumberland. In total 33 students attended, Sarah Barber led a packed beginners class of 29
including four children. The majority stayed for both people through a simple sequence displaying a variety
classes and gave both written and verbal feedback, of postures from standings to twists to seated and
thankfully all positive. relaxation. She led the class with confidence and
humour and certainly built up the thirst to follow

32 AUTUMN 2020
the class with a cup of tea. In Reed studio we had a the ‘Known’ to the Unknown’, from ‘Fear to Courage’
packed out kids class, we could hear them! Sacha Cash making arm balance seem more achievable.
who regularly teaches our children’s class had quite We had a great day, vegan cakes were supplied by
a few extras that had been brought by parents and Shen’s Vegan Bakery so there was an opportunity to
grandparents alike, it is great to hear such energy on a socialise afterwards. This was a lovely way to build on
Saturday morning and to see so many little fingers help the yoga community that is thriving in Glasgow.
themselves to mini fairy cakes afterwards.
Elisabeth Moreton, Birmingham
The teachers’ workshop was A free taster session of Iyengar Yoga
held upstairs, with Marion was held at Midlands Arts Centre, led by
Kilburn leading and encouraging Elisabeth Moreton. All 20 places sold
existing teachers to have a go at out prior to the event, though on the
postures from the Intermediate day only 5 attendees joined, possibly
Junior syllabus and to look at due to the fact the session took place on
different methods to explore the Saturday morning and potentially those
actions of the postures. with small children were unable to join.

Following a rest and a cuppa, Lisa Morris, Bushey

Joan Abrams led a group of 18 First ever workshop for NIYD: A huge
through a restorative practice, success in Bushey, on the outskirts of
explaining the use of props, the NW London. There were 40 attendees,
benefits of the postures and many of whom were brand new to
allowing time for the students to Iyengar yoga! The sun shone and Aums
just be in them. It was great to reverberated beautifully around the
see a couple of our volunteers stunning, spiritual hall.
taking a much-needed rest
and joining in this class whilst a couple more teachers Twelve complete beginners came along to try a one
assisted students with their props. hour class for 'unconfident students and complete
beginners', with newly qualified teacher, Manju Dave.
Plenty of tea and cake were consumed, it wouldn't be a Then, following a short break and chat, five yoga
community get-together without cake now would it! students of varying levels and styles tried a two-hour
workshop with Lisa Morris, Junior Intermediate level
Frances McKee, Glasgow 3. We studied ‘How Iyengar yoga is unique and special’
Although we wanted to make this happen on the 18th and learned and practised some of the basic actions.
January, I was not in Glasgow that weekend, so we had Students were shown how they might be assisted to
a joint celebration on Saturday 11th January. It was overcome problems that many people have. Perhaps
my studio’s third birthday (TheYogaExtension.com) and correct action, alignment, understanding, experienced
what better way to celebrate? adjustment and regular practise could help? We looked
at stiff shoulders, sore knees, standing strong whilst
I am truly grateful to all the teachers who helped with aligning, opening and lifting the chest, adding in a
my initial idea. We are always trying out new ways to touch of foot placement all combining to work towards
encourage people to start Iyengar yoga but the real improved health, amongst other topics.
problem often isn’t recruiting but maintaining loyal
students. To that end I wanted to say a thank you to We feel truly honoured and thankful for the wonderful
the regular students who attend classes. Without their generosity of the members of the SRMD London
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

dedication and consistent attendance there simply Spiritual Centre, Bushey, for the donation of their
would not be a studio for them to come to. hall. We have been enjoying a wonderful, respectful
relationship with the community in their brand new
Arm balance, (Adho mukha vrksāsana) is often a London base, which can only grow and be enriched over
challenge for students. I asked Emma, Valerie, Andrew, time. Their open-hearted kindness is a gift to us and
Neil, Sarah and Gillian to teach other poses that their closeness to Iyengar yoga teachers in India such as
have helped them master this one. From their short Devki Desai is important to them as it is to us. We look
sequence a class was developed. We moved from forward to continuing Iyengar classes in Bushey both in

AUTUMN 2020 33
 this beautiful centre and beyond, may they grow and sequence of Surya Namaskarasana, completed seven
flourish. times. Vṛkṣāsana was the most popular asana (as it
often is with younger students). The class concludes
Christina Niewola, Congleton with quietening asanas such as Supta baddha koņāsana
On Saturday 18th January 2020 as part of the UK and a few minutes in Śavāsana.
National Iyengar Yoga Day, Congleton Iyengar Yoga
Centre opened its doors to the local community, offering I hope that those who came to the class will join the Yoga
a Family yoga session and an Adult yoga class. Society and benefit from all that Iyengar yoga has to offer.

Three generations of one family, amongst others Norah Phipps, Northumberland

participated together; jumping, rolling, stretching and Two classes were held on Saturday 18 January in rural
extending to be mountains, trees, boats and dogs Northumberland. The taster session had nine attendees
amongst other things! This lively class was taught by with eight of them new to Iyengar Yoga. Seven of them
Christine Andrew. Then Louise Wallace taught to a are joining a class.
packed house as new and more experienced students
enjoyed a beginners’ class of standing poses. Julie The second class was for current students with a great
Pieczarka and Mark Castle assisted the students with turn out and more challenging poses. Roll on next year!
props and support. What was nice to hear as people
were leaving was how much they had enjoyed the open Edward Pond, Bungay, Suffolk
events.

Ginny Owen and Frances Brooke, Bristol University

Students’ Union

I had a total of 17 students come along to a one-

hour free taster session in our local village hall, 16
new people and 1 regular. It was a mix of older,
stiffer students and younger flexible people; with the
We ran a free class at Bristol University Students' Union. exception of my regulars, none of the students had
With the early start of 10am, on a Saturday and during heard of Iyengar yoga before. A few of the younger
assessments week, I was pleased that a dozen students people professed to be YouTube yogis. The verbal
came to the class. feedback was very positive. My lovely wife kindly made
cakes for me, we had the icing printed with edible ink by
There is a thriving and well-run Yoga Society at Bristol an online baker.
University. Two classes are held each week during term
times, one taught by me and the other by Frances Clare Preston, King’s Heath, Birmingham
Brooke. I organized an event where I teach in Kings Heath, I
promoted it and my regular classes through my existing
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

Some of the regulars were there to greet newcomers students, a Royal Mail door drop leaflet and a Facebook
and help them to find equipment. I had placed a large event on my business page. I had 24 people on the day
photo of Guruji on a table and briefly explained who he and everyone really enjoyed it – especially the ones who
was, what it had meant to me to be taught by him and fell asleep in Savasana – so I guess I worked them hard
how beneficial Iyengar yoga had been throughout my enough!
adult life.
Zoe Reason, Naomi Maggs, Bristol
After the usual quiet start, the class ran at a good, We held our event at Arnos Vale Cemetery in South
dynamic pace with standing āsanas and a simplified Bristol, on a beautifully crisp and sunny morning.
34 AUTUMN 2020
people came, and although led playfully through a simple
some were brought by existing sequence linking the poses they
students about 20 people had learned, which challenged
were wholly new to us. their memory and agility. They
Naomi Maggs and I taught a enjoyed the class and reflected
90-minute class. There was on the sense of calm and focus
a great energy in the room. I that they felt at the end of the
think we all had fun. session."

We ran the trailer from Mrinal’s Cathy Tincknell, London

film and stayed for questions I had 10 attendees at my home
after the class. I’ve had some studio. Most were students I
Cathy Tincknell
very positive feedback since already knew but we did have one
the event and several people new starter. We covered a variety
have contacted me to see if they can join my classes. of poses for all levels and then had tea and cake whilst
watching some short films about the history of Iyengar
Fiona Sarjeant, Fiona Garner & Donna Youngson, Yoga yoga.
Inverness
In Inverness we held a free beginners’ class with Sarah Toward, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire
43 people attending and a led practice for more I taught a two-hour workshop with all proceeds going to
experienced students with 35 attending. For the second Save the Children's Crisis in Syria Appeal - we've raised
class we used the 100-pose sequence. In between the £700 so far!
two sessions we showed a couple of short films – the
excellent sequence demonstrated at Yoganusasanam Charlotte Rosser, Derby
in December plus, as Garth McLean was due to visit I taught two free taster classes at different venues in
Inverness to teach in June, a short film from his website the Derby area on NIYD 2020. 22 students attended on
about his journey with MS. We also fed the participants the day, following which seven immediately asked about
some delicious cakes. For organising the day, we used booking into one or other of my existing beginners’
Eventbrite, with mixed results. Feedback from the day classes, which is a great start to the year, and I had some
was really positive. good feedback from new students.

Susanne Sturton, East Clare Yoga Centre

Seven people attend a beginners' taster class; another
seven attended a celebration intermediate class.

Wendy Sykes, Gene Wilcox, Alison Preston - The

Iyengar Yoga Studio, East Finchley
The Iyengar Yoga Studio, East Finchley held two free
classes to mark National Iyengar Yoga Day: an all-comers'
class (six people) and a class for people aged 13-18 (four
people). Though modestly attended, both classes went
well and the students seemed to enjoy themselves.
Three immediately signed up for classes. Alison Preston
taught the class for young people and reported back: Elaine Spraggett, Coventry
Coventry once again celebrated NIYD with a free one-
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

"The students were experiencing yoga for the first time hour class, attended by 22 students, a mix of ages, and
and they were excited, nervous and curious. After a of regular students and newbies, the oldest 80+ years
quick tour of the studio, they set themselves up with old. This was followed by a session for experienced
a mat, were given a brief introduction to Iyengar yoga students, an interactive format - an introduction to yoga
and some basic rules of practice, and were ready to go. philosophy and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. 13 of the
During the class they learned the Sanskrit names for regular students stayed for that. It’s the second year
some key asanas, the basic shape and alignment of the there’s been a specific philosophy element; it’s gratifying
postures and some of their benefits. They worked on to see how enthusiastically it’s received. And how many
improving their poses through repetition and were then of those who came last year were back for more!
AUTUMN 2020 35
 Bhujaṅgāsana 1
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

Mālāsana 1

Jane Keate has been studying Iyengar yoga in Cambridge for 5 yea
B.K.S. Iyengar in his book Light on Yoga. Instagram@keate_
36 AUTUMN 2020
 Pāśāsana Bharadvājāsana 1

Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

Pārśva Sarvāngāsana Pārśvottānāsana

ars. Here is a selection of her drawings, inspired by photographs of

_jane and @cambridgeiyengar / email: [email protected]
AUTUMN 2020 37
 Back To Life?
At the time of writing, gyms in England, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have been allowed
to reopen, with those in Wales reopening imminently (in Scotland they will remain closed somewhat
longer). This means for some of us, thoughts have turned to getting back to face-to-face teaching.
Charlotte Everitt examines what that means in practice.
Clearly, most of us were completely taken aback classes to continue. Further to this, the need to
by the lockdown; very few knew anything about limit class sizes to ensure that social distancing can
teaching yoga online. A lot of teachers very quickly take place means that some teachers will not be
took steps to explore and find out more and able to afford to return to teaching face-to-face – a
provided support to others to do the same. IY(UK) class of three or four may not pay the rent. So it
discovered that our website has a class search seems likely that online classes will be a significant
function based on physical location – making it feature of our yoga for some time yet.
impossible to list online classes. We addressed
this by publishing a list of teachers willing to take Currently, subject to the specific conditions of our
on new students online, and are currently working insurance (which can be read on the Members’
on updating the website to allow teachers to add Dashboard of our website) all Iyengar yoga teachers
their own online classes and events for students to insured with our provider Wellbeing are insured to:
search.
C Teach a class face-to-face, provided we follow
There are mixed feelings about online classes – the relevant government guidance (and for
some love them, some hate them; many see them teachers certificated at Level 2, to teach 1:1)
as a mixed blessing. Concerns include students’
safety without a teacher there to correct and C Teach an interactive class online, to existing
adjust, especially if they have an injury or medical students; and to new students who we have
condition; students practising in a space that is too had a consultation with before class
small for the activity; teachers not being able to C Provide non-interactive classes (e.g. pre-
see the student clearly; and the extent to which recorded videos or written sequences) for use
online teaching is just more tiring than face-to- by our existing students only (an additional
face. Teaching beginners is particularly difficult premium must be paid if these are made
online; while helping more experienced students to available to any new students)
progress in more challenging poses can feel unsafe.
A number of teachers have commented that it’s A number of teachers and studios have told us
been their older students who have embraced it they plan to offer “blended” classes, with a small
more enthusiastically; the ability to access classes number of students in the room and others online;
with teachers across the world has been a highlight from an insurance point of view, this is classed as
for many; and for those with other responsibilities a non-interactive class, so teachers will only be
such as childcare, being able to join a class from insured to teach these "blended" classes either
home has made it much easier to continue their solely to students they know already, or if they have
yoga. paid the additional premium for this enhanced level
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

of cover.
It is very clear that while some teachers and
students are both able and willing to return to face- We anticipate that insurance will continue to cover
to-face teaching, there will be restrictions around us for online teaching into future years, under the
doing so. Even if not actually shielding, a fairly high same conditions; but cannot guarantee that this
number of people are still wary about returning to will be the case. We will continue to work with the
face-to-face environments; and the risk remains of insurers to get the most appropriate cover, for the
further spikes or another lockdown. A number of lowest price we can.
teachers have said they are in no rush to return to
face-to-face classes, with students asking for online

38 AUTUMN 2020
Returning To The Classroom their verbal adjustment skills.
Many, if not most, yoga classes take place in a Whether or not to wear a mask is a complicated
building shared with other users. It is likely that question, and the decision will be up to the teacher
the building’s manager will put measures in place and/or their students. While masks help prevent
– which may include limiting the number of people airspray coming into contact with other people,
in a room, one-way systems, additional cleaning by it can be difficult or even dangerous to carry out
users – or they may ask you to inform them what strenuous physical activity while wearing them; and
measures you will take before they allow you to it can be difficult to speak (necessary for teaching!)
resume. while wearing one. At time of writing, indoor
group singing and chanting is not allowed – so the
As well as fewer students in classes, you may invocation may be said silently, but not chanted as
need to allow more time between classes, so that a group.
two classes don’t crossover and the room can
be cleaned between classes. You may be able to The insurers will not be able to give us personalised
control what happens in the room itself – but may advice; we will all need to consider what the
need to consider how students will move around guidance means to us, in our own circumstances.
the rest of the building, access toilets, and interact Similarly, while IY(UK) has provided general
with other users. guidance, all teachers will need to consider what
this means in their own circumstances; every
While many students have invested in equipment class will be different and will need a different
to be able to continue their yoga practise at approach. Teaching in your own studio will be
home, not all have. Ideally, students would bring different to teaching in a gym, and different again
their own mat and props to class. Some teachers to a community centre or church hall. Size of
may have enough equipment to lend to students room, student demographics, regional government
who don’t have their own; others may need to guidance – these will all be factors that you need to
clean and/or “quarantine” equipment between consider in deciding how to reinstate face-to-face
classes. It may be frustrating to teach with minimal classes. 
equipment, but this may be the best approach for
the next few months. The full guidance from IY(UK), along with more
information on teaching online (including
A number of teachers have asked whether they insurance) and cashless payments, can be found at:
may adjust students. IY(UK) strongly recommends https://tinyurl.com/y2tr8gr3
that you do not do so, even if you are wearing
a mask. You may also feel that you cannot If you haven’t taken part in the recent survey on
move around the room, as students may be these topics, you can still do so here:
uncomfortable having you close to them; you https://tinyurl.com/y5mjjoqt
can always ask them to turn around and face the
back or the side of the room to allow you to see We have also set up an email network to connect
all-around. A number of teachers have expressed teachers who wish to discuss these issues, ask
concerns about the quality of teaching in a class questions and help others; if you would like to join,
without hands-on adjustments; others have please visit our website and complete the form:
welcomed the opportunity to enhance and polish https://tinyurl.com/y3qgxwgj
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

AUTUMN 2020 39
 with Navaz Kamdin, Edwin Bryant
and UK Senior Teachers

20-21 June 2020

2020 has not been the year we expected it Here’s an overview of what took place:
to be. This article should have been a reflection
C 650 people, participating from 26
on Jawahar Bangera’s teaching in Birmingham.
countries
However, with the massive impact of Covid-19
on our way of life and specifically on live events, C Website analytics showed: 16,369 sessions
Jawahar was very sadly unable to come to us. and 95,485 Page Views
With the subsequent lockdown, and the difficult C 24 hours of live teaching: Philosophy,
prospect of no convention in 2020, our small Āsana, Prāņāyāma, Therapeutic Practice,
organising team soon began looking into what C Q & A’s
a virtual convention would consist of; gathering C 5 more days of online access to all
interest from prospective teachers, and the teaching on film accessed on the
members to take an ambitious route bringing Convention website
together 24 hours of live teaching over 2 days,
C 28 international marketplace stallholders
and 6 days of recorded materials in one place
through a bespoke interactive online platform. C 297 2020 Āsanas photographs
On the weekend of 20-21 June 2020, IY(UK)’s C Community page and forums
first virtual convention took place and a world C Reading materials sent to us by Edwin
first for Iyengar Yoga. Bryant
C Special film showings
The online convention was guided by Senior
Teacher at RIMYI Navaz Kamdin, one of BKS
A small number of the wonderful 2020
Iyengar’s most experienced students, and Edwin
Āsanas photographs are featured in this
Bryant, (British Indologist, professor of religions
article, showing the home environments,
of India and author of the seminal text The
landscapes and even pets that supported
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali), as well as UK Senior
our practice during this unique moment of
Teachers Judi Sweeting and Tig Whattler, Sheila
lockdown. All photographic submissions will
Haswell and `IY(UK)’s Therapy Committee’, Julie
be available to view on our website. We
Brown and Jayne Orton, as well as Uday Bhosale
will also be developing this project further
who acted as demonstrator for Navaz. The
in 2021, as part of our widening access
teaching team brought us a very special online
programme.
weekend enjoyed by 650 students, taking us
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

into the journey of yoga to illuminate its true

purpose.

“The breath is a divine gift from the cosmos, we

accept it with gratefulness for the gift of life”
Navaz Kamdin

40 AUTUMN 2020
191 attendees responded to the follow up “Not really constructive (!) but I want to
evaluation. Here is just a small sample of say how much I appreciated the efforts
the feedback comments we received, there of everyone involved. The concept was
were many more detailing general thanks and ambitious and imaginative, maximising
constructive criticism. Thanks to everyone for the benefits of the medium and so made
their feedback, which we have reviewed and a positive of the situation rather offering
are taking on board in our future plans. a simple substitute for the physical
Convention. The teaching was fabulous, all
“Just to say thank you for overcoming of it, great and generous teachers and the
physical barriers to us getting together. Much organisation was brilliant. The weekend as
appreciated as I am sheltering and not going a whole constituted an impressive, rounded
out at all. And thank you for a wonderful experience of Iyengar Yoga. I felt privileged
weekend!” and moved to be, if only as a participant,
some part of it. PS. just haven’t visited the
“The teachers were knowledgeable, sensitive, Marketplace yet and also looking forward to
personable - it gave me the opportunity to revisiting sessions over the next few days -
access their teachings which I could not have another big plus!”
done, had this not been virtual. I thought
Isabel held everything together wonderfully.
The whole weekend has left me inspired,
uplifted and I feel so privileged to have been
part of this Iyengar family. If we could have a
regular session with Navaz or Edwin, it would
be of great value.”

“Thank you to everybody involved in making

the convention happen in such difficult times
it was incredibly professional printed and
extremely uplifting event.”

“Please keep online as an option for future

events.”

Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

AUTUMN 2020 41
 “I think it is important to stick to the timetable is struggling, but not my mind; all the years of
(which you did). I was fine but maybe others yoga experience are there, so...online I could
have commitments that mean they would work at my own pace. I loved Judy and Tig’s
miss parts they wanted to do. So maybe just class, they understood this totally, just brilliant!.
make sure all your contributors are aware Navaz too, I think as a disabled woman herself,
of the timings and the deadlines they have. she has empathy, and each time she said to us
Thank you so much for organising this - it was ‘my friends’ it was as though she reached me
fabulous to feel part of the community, and personally, and the virtual void was dissolved. I’d
to have contributors from all over the world love more of this to keep me going if poss…. and
was amazing. Of course, if I had to choose, I thank you!”
would prefer ‘live’ but maybe there is a place
for both? It’s certainly more economical and “For me this was a wonderful opportunity
environmentally friendly than flying Navaz and to experience the convention. I cannot
Edwin over here.” usually afford to attend with the cost of
accommodation and travel added to the fee
“I love the energy of conventions when for the convention. I know it is not the same
everybody is in the same room. But being at as being in the teachers presence but I still felt
home and still practising with people from all connected to the teachers in a quite intimate
over was also great. It felt good to be in touch, way and the concentration is in some way
although we can´t be physically close these deepened as there are no distractions when you
days. And practising in my little yoga-room in are at home. It’s almost like having your own
the quiet, really helped me go inside. Thank personal class. I am really grateful to all involved
you!!!!” in making the convention accessible to us in
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

these unusual times and especially thankful

“I was most grateful to be able to access the from myself for the opportunity to take part.
programme at home live and afterwards, as I I would definitely be interested in attending
could have all my bits and bobs of equipment, more online events if they happen in the future.
walls, chairs, etc to support my practice. As a Thank you to Navaz, all the teachers and those
disabled person, I often feel rushed into things behind the scenes for a brilliant convention.”
or left behind, it can feel dispiriting as the body

42 AUTUMN 2020
The Q&A sessions with Navaz and Edwin consciousness’ but that of all living beings
were a highlight, illuminating the principles of - yoga urges us to see the pain and suffering
‘equality’ in the sacred texts, and fundamental we are inflicting on non-human embodied
to Guruji’s work. beings, and also into the living environment
of Nature too. This doesn’t mean to say we
Edwin wrote in response to Laura Potts on ignore the discriminations occurring at the
patriarchy and women (posted in full on the outer material layers of sex and race and ethnic
website forum), and some additional comments culture as manifest in the body and mind and
to us on what yoga has to offer our present
societal sheaths, but yoga gives us lenses to
moment.
experience the ultimate equality of all beings
“I think we all agree patriarchal structures - the lens to perceive (not just theorise) the
underpinning sexism need further highlighting other as identical to oneself spiritually - and this
and deconstruction, along with the colonial realisation lends itself very naturally to equal-
ones still underpinning racism. Such ‘-isms’ stem mindedness, compassion, fairness, love and
from avidya in yoga philosophy, ignorance of empathy on these other layers (consider the
the true innermost self - the atman - that is the descriptions in the Gita of the sattvic person
same in all embodied beings.” in e.g. or 5.18; or, better, 16.1-3, compared
to the tamasic one in the following verses).
Taking this discussion into the realm of It is this knowledge that the great sages and
yoga - since this is a yoga conference - the seers of ancient India, as well as our modern
contribution yoga makes to all this is pointing teachers such as Guruji Iyengar, have set out
us to the fundamental equality of all human to disseminate by perpetuating the various
consciousness by giving us the methods to moksa traditions handed down through the
experience the atman/purusa/seer - pure centuries in India. In short, it is this that makes
consciousness - which unites all beings in their yoga distinctive from other types of activities,
innermost core as absolutely equal. and it is this that yoga has to contribute to and
combine with, all the other necessary activisms
And, as an aside, one shouldn’t just say ‘human our present moment is calling us to undertake.”
Edwin Bryant

2020 Asanas

Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

AUTUMN 2020 43
 Iyengar Yoga (UK) activities and forums focussing on people at
different stages of their journey into Iyengar yoga.
Hybrid/Virtual Convention
30th April – 2nd May 2021 In tandem, we want to generate new conduits
of access, to find the ways and means to offer a
with Abhijata Iyengar more extensive and inclusive programme: e.g. the
ability to offer parallel sessions, where students
We are honoured to welcome our leader could attend a smaller part of the entire event.
Abhijata Iyengar, as our headline teacher for This would involve developing the convention
2021. Abhijata is the granddaughter of BKS website further, and even create an app to enable
Iyengar, and co-director with Prashant Iyengar, us to offer a live and recorded programme easily
of our mother institute RIMYI in Pune, India. accessible in one place.

As none of us can be certain about what live 2021 Convention Highlights

events will be possible next year and it is too
early to rule out a face-to-face convention,
C Lead Teacher Abhijata Iyengar
we have started to design a 2021 Virtual
Convention, as well as open up the possibility C 3 Day Live Face–to-Face Event at ICC
of a Hybrid Convention where both ‘Virtual’ (Pending further Government Guidance)
and ‘Live’ teaching at Birmingham ICC can sit
side by side. This could enable live face-to-face C 4 Day Live Virtual event, and 7 Day Online
teaching for students in the hall, while tapping Archive Films post live event
into the marvellous technical facilities at ICC to
run a live online event simultaneously. As we C Live and on film teaching from UK and
did in 2020, we also intend to leave classes, international teachers
teaching materials and resources up online so
C Bespoke website, and interactive online
that all can access them for a few days after the
event.
platform
C Developments of the community aspect;
Each and every student will take their own chat rooms, maybe an app
unique path into yoga, and we would like
to design a convention that could respond C Community Access Programme /
more flexibly to this. Thus we will build Convention Fringe Events
upon technical lessons learnt, programme
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

content, and feedback, to create the frame C Iyengar Yoga Development Fund (IYDF)
for a body of live classes, designed for diverse partnership to support diversity and
students, beginners and advanced alike, and a inclusion
programme of other online resources including
films, talks, recorded classes, community
C Diverse level programme of classes for
beginners and advanced students

44 AUTUMN 2020
“Don’t be exclusive, be inclusive…. Not only of building the programme, so please get in
in Āsana but every walk of life” BKS Iyengar touch if you have ideas on what it might look
like. Lived experience of exclusion, will be an
important resource in making the imaginative
leap required, as well as personal / community
/ work connections that create the right
environment to embrace people who have not
been included before, or may have different
experiences and needs.

Save the date: Friday 30th April –

Monday May 3rd 2021

Watch out for more information on when, what

and how to book. When this information goes
live, we will be offering existing 2020 ticket
Since the shock of Covid-19 hit our world, holders who transferred their booking to 2021
online education/conferencing has been Abhijata Iyengar the chance to take an online
developing at a pace, and we want to grasp convention place if they would prefer it or, if the
some of the new opportunities available now live event is possible, to be first on the list to
through the online medium to support Iyengar attend as live participants. We will be in contact
Yoga (UK) as a positive force for inclusivity. with all these details soon.
There have been huge changes this year: to
our lives, our system and our teaching. A key
influence is the Black Lives Matter movement
and the need for us to embed anti-racism
and justice across all our work. While acute
environmental issues, in tandem with the
devastating effects of Covid-19, have brought
inequality at home and across the world
into sharp relief. Acknowledging that as yoga
practitioners there is much work to be done
in realising BKS Iyengar’s vision of a ‘yoga for
everyone’, we would like Convention 2021 to be
a focal point to make a difference.

To help us achieve this, we would like to co-

create a Community Access Programme /
Convention Fringe, to take Iyengar Yoga out Puja Preparations IY(UK) Convention - Pictured: Suman Suri
there in particular to people in areas of Article written by IY(UK) event producer Isabel Jones Fielding a senior
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

deprivation, working in partnership with IYDF, Iyengar teacher based in Nottingham, and IY(UK) Convention event
manager Catherine Gresty. Virtual 2020 website: design & engineering:
Iyengar Yoga teachers and Inner City IY(UK) and Citrus Suite, photographer: Geoffrey Fielding.
Communities. We also like to follow up on the
2020 Asanas Photographs featured left to right: Vanita Mistry, Isabel Jones
work started at our UK 100 years convention Fielding, Raúl Calderón, Jackie Wilkinson, Deborah Cadby, Dave Dayes,
in Harrogate with disabled members of our Lisa Bartlett, Tina Freeland, Jo Marshal & son Teddy, Tanya De Leersnyder,
Noelle, Riggott, Uday Bhosale, Karen Sherpa, Annie Beatty, Emily Malen,
community, and continue to be guided by Navaz Gavin Tilstone, Kate Lowe, Geoffrey Fielding, Jess Wallwork, Derek Grant,
in this work. We are still in the very early stages Vanessa McNaught

AUTUMN 2020 45
 Yogis unite for NHS
Over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend on 23 and On the Sunday Sheila Haswell and the Therapy
24 May, a special event was organised by IY(UK) committee presented ‘Suggestions for COVID 19
teacher Uday Bhosale and his wife Sonali, to raise Recovery Practice’, attended by 773 people. A
money for NHS Charities Together. booklet has since been created by the Therapy
Committee, and a recording of the video is available
Six classes were held over two days: – you’ll find these on the IY(UK) website.

There were more than 4,400 bookings for the

classes, which were attended by 2,100 participants.
The event was offered free of charge, with
donations encouraged for NHS Charities Together.
The charity supports the health and emotional
wellbeing of those at the frontline of the NHS,
so they can deliver the best care possible to
coronavirus patients. The money raised will help
cover above and beyond what the NHS alone can
C The Experience of the Present Moment - Jayne provide, such as wellbeing packs, accommodation,
Orton travel, parking and volunteer expenses. It also
supports the longer term mental and rehabilitation
C Atha Yogānuśāsanam - Abhijata Iyengar of NHS staff, volunteers, patients and carers after
the pandemic is over.
C Open the heart and stabilise the mind - Kirsten
Agar Ward Uday said: “Overall feedback has been fascinating!
Participants were happy and grateful to have
C Keeping evenness and balance in our lives - such a wonderful opportunity. To experience
Julie Brown these brilliant teachers online from their homes
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

was exciting for them. Each and every class was

C Props for the breath (not only the body) - well received! Support from the members of the
Richard Agar Ward association and teachers was amazing.”
C A moment of calm in restorative poses - Sheila It was wonderful to see donations pouring in,
Haswell during and after the event. By the end of July the
total raised was over £40,000 (including Gift Aid).

46 AUTUMN 2020
AUTUMN 2020
47
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37
 Iyengar Yoga Teachers for
Black Lives Matter by Poppy Pickles
How It All Started
At the end of May this year, the world was saddened and sickened by the murder of George Floyd, which
was filmed by a passer-by. Protests spread from the U.S. around the world. But this is not a problem
confined to the States. Systemic racism, police brutality and social injustice are all problems here in the UK
too.
On Sunday 7th June Priscila Diniz sent out a message on our ‘Cover for Iyengar classes’ WhatsApp group.
She stated that she wanted to organise a fundraising event for Black Lives Matter UK. She said that she
wanted to use ‘the only weapon she had’ – i.e. yoga – to help this very important cause ‘for Love, Peace
and Justice.’ The beginnings of a plan were starting to take shape.
The numbers steadily started to rise, until we had fifteen yoga
teachers all wanting to take part in the event. We were a mix of
ethnicities and races. We were united by our love of yoga and
our desire to make a positive step for change.
Priscila had a plan sketched out, with two workshops so that
twelve teachers could teach a 20-minute slot, and a time of
two and a half hours for each workshop. We also had three
teachers who were on stand-by in case of technical/connection
glitches. She also suggested that we use a sequence that Geeta
Iyengar had put together for the International Yoga Day in 2015,
which would give each teacher five or six poses to teach in their
20-minute slot.
Priscilla Diniz
The Logistics
As with any large event with many people involved, there were lots
of exchanges in order to get a time and day pencilled in for a Zoom
meeting to firm up these ideas, but eventually it was decided.
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

The challenges were how to cater for a large number of students on

Zoom, the platform that many of us are now very familiar with, but
hadn’t heard of before the middle of March this year!
Rosana Fiore stepped up to cover the technological issues, by using her
website as a platform and hosting the workshops on her Zoom account
by upgrading it to a Business account.
The other issue that took a while to resolve was where to donate the
Rosana Fiore
48 AUTUMN 2020
money raised by the event. Black Lives Matter UK is not a charity but a campaigning group, which doesn’t
have a JustGiving page. After much discussion, we chose The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust. This
charity has been working tirelessly to support disadvantaged young BAME people for over twenty years.
They are also a local charity, being based in Deptford. Plus they work to educate people about racism,
which is what we felt we wanted to focus on.

Dave Dayes Craig Blake

We agreed that Dave Dayes and Craig Blake would give a short talk at the beginning of the events to
welcome attendees and to give some context for the workshop, and that Mala Seecoomar, a friend of
Dave’s and an experienced campaigner, would give a talk to round off the event.
Odara, Priscila’s daughter, and the one who came up with the idea in the first place, put together a
brilliantly eye-catching poster for the event, which went viral on social media.

We reached out to Iyengar yoga groups in the UK and, on the whole, received overwhelming support.

A Setback
The responses we had were hugely encouraging, but we were disappointed that the IY(UK) committee
did not feel it was in a position to support our event. We were not allowed to use the Iyengar Yoga
Certification Mark as it was an event organised by many teachers, which did not make sense to us. They
also declined to send an email supporting our event to all members.
As a group, we also felt that the statement on diversity and inclusivity published by IY(UK) on the 25th of
June lacked the conviction and call for change of some of the other Iyengar yoga organisations around the
world.
During this time IY(UK) got in touch to organise a Working Group to address the issue of racism and
diversity in Iyengar yoga. Dave Dayes joined the group and was subjected to a verbal attack, saying that
this event should not be publicised, as Black Lives Matter was a ‘racist’ and ‘anti-semitic’ organisation.
No one is denying that this is a politically complex topic, and that the Black Lives Matter campaigning
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

groups have aligned with some anti-semitic stances. But this stance is not one that any of our members
condone. This is why we chose the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust. Just because BLM has been called
out for anti-semitism is not an excuse to stand on the sidelines. We are joining together to support our
black friends and colleagues in defence of their humanity.
We are hopeful however, that positive change will be one of the outcomes of this setback. Many of us
have joined the IY(UK) Diversity and Inclusivity Working Group and there are many members who feel just
as passionately that there is work to be done.

AUTUMN 2020 49
 The Event
On Sunday 12 of July, at 10am, the group of teachers who were teaching the morning session, as well as
the backup teachers, gathered on Zoom.
We had had an emotional rehearsal a couple of days before, and feelings were running high. Dave was
spotlighted and as attendees started to log in to the workshop, the enthusiasm and support began to
buoy us all up.
Dave’s talk beautifully opened the event. He spoke of the killing of George Floyd and how it laid bare the
lack of humanity prevailing across the world. But also of the struggles he and every other black person
face in this country.
“This didn’t just happen,” he said, “it is rooted in the slave history. My white brothers and sisters, I call out
to you for help, because we cannot continue this way. My energy is low from the constant grind of trying
to prove my humanity. Don’t lose your humanity by trying to deny me mine.”
The workshop then commenced, with everyone teaching to the best of their ability – on Zoom, and to
hundreds of students they couldn’t see! The technical side of things was seamless, with credit going to
Martin Coceres behind the scenes, with the spotlighted screen going from one
teacher to the next like an Iyengar yoga teaching relay race. The precision and
accessibility of the Iyengar yoga method united us all, as we blended into one
teaching unit for the hundreds of students attending.
The second workshop, following exactly the same sequence, but taught by
six more teachers, was just as united. Craig’s talk wasclear, hard-hitting, but
positive about how yoga can help us to come together:

Dave Dayes
“To be clear, when I use the term Black Lives Matter, this is about human
rights, not politics. And sadly this is a very real struggle for equality that
people of colour face – it is very real. It happens on many levels, in all walks of life, in organisations,
institutes, businesses and households, in work and at home it is woven into the fabric of our society.”
“I hope from today’s session you get a lot of positive vibes and that it’s the start of something that’s
bringing us together collectively and individually. It is not a moment, it is a movement.”

Going Forwards
What started out as a one-off event has evolved into a collective desire to continue working for change.
Just as Craig said, what started out as a ‘moment’ has become a ‘movement’.
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

Jo Clayton Karen M cGibbon Emily Druiff Craig Blake

50 AUTUMN 2020
With the support of the students that attended and the many supportive Iyengar yoga teachers in our
organisation, we hope to set up as a permanent group, campaigning for the change we would like to see
in our world.
As Mala said in her closing talk:

“So as we go forward, this journey will not be easy, it will not be quick, it will be uncomfortable and
hopefully, as you have with your asana, you will learn to sit in your discomfort, you will learn to listen,
you will learn how to unlearn. You will learn how to be an ally.”
“To be an ally is not a destination, it is a journey and requires vigilance. Together we can make giant
strides. The time for small steps is over.” 

We would love to have as many allies as possible. We are not going anywhere - join us.

Check out our new ‘Iyengar Yoga in Action’ Facebook page to promote more events in support of Black
Lives Matter: @IyengarYogainAction

We are organising a second event on Sunday 18th October. Please see page 71 of this magazine for
details.

Statement by Officers of IY(UK)

IY(UK) was asked by the organisers of this BLM charity event to publicise it to all members; officers of IY(UK) did
not agree to do so on the grounds that IY(UK) policy is to use our email list to publicise official IY(UK) events only,
and not events or classes organised by individuals or groups. Current practice is that such events are posted
on the events section of the website by the event organisers. IY(UK) had previously publicised to members
another charity event in aid of NHS Charities; the organiser had worked with IY(UK) to set up this event and invite
Abhijata Iyengar to teach at it. We now recognise that we should have actively tried to find ways of promoting
the BLM event to our members; we are sorry that we didn’t do this.

With regard to the use of the Certification Mark (CM) logo, the terms of the master license agreement signed
with RIMYI, who are the owners of the Trade Marks, make it clear that the CM logo is for individual use only.
Individual teachers are permitted to use this logo to promote their class or event, but a studio, group or
organisation is not; it can only be used by individual teachers to indicate that they are Iyengar yoga certified. As
the Master Licence holder which sub-licences the use of the CM, IY(UK) is contractually obliged by the owners,
Prashant and Abhijata Iyengar, to uphold these terms. The Ethics and Appeals Committee was correct in its
communication of this point. If IY(UK) decided to organise or co-sponsor an event it would have done so by
use of the Service Mark (Hanumanasana) logo not the Certification Mark (Natarajasana) logo. We could have
actively attempted to find a way of co -sponsoring the event and thereby enabling the use of the Service Mark
by the organisers of this event, and apologise for not doing so. The EAC should have engaged more fully with
the organisers of the event to find a way for teachers at the event to use the Certification Mark which would not
have broken the terms of the master licence agreement.

As a separate point, the Ethics and Appeals Committee (EAC) suggested that the use of the CM side by side
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

with a Black Lives Matter logo on the promotional material for this event may make it look as if IY(UK) was
supporting a specific ‘political’ or ‘campaigning’ organisation, which would be against current IY(UK) principles.
The EAC now recognises that it was not correct to describe BLM in that limited way and that the objectives of the
organisers of the BLM Iyengar yoga workshops were closely aligned with those of IY(UK) and should have been
recognised as such. The EAC believes that it was wrong to have responded to the organisers of the event on this
point without more considered reflection.
Jill Johnson - IY(UK) Chair, Philippe Harari - IY(UK) Secretary, Gerry Chambers - Chair of Ethics & Appeals Committee

AUTUMN 2020 51
 An open letter from the Board of IY(UK)
"I am sure that after me, my family, my pupils, their children, and the next generation will carry the
message of yoga to every nook and corner of the globe, so that all may live as one human race without
geographical division of race, religion, colour or gender." B. K. S. Iyengar

It is clear to us that the aspirations expressed above by Guruji have not been met. That is why Iyengar
Yoga (UK) Ltd stands actively against racism of all kinds and supports the values and ethos of the anti-
racism movement. We believe that no-one should be denied human rights due to the colour of their skin.
We believe that Black Lives Matter.

We believe that the lives of People of Colour should matter as much as white lives; however, looking at
our major social institutions, we can see that they do not. There is substantial evidence that within the
UK, our systems and infrastructure are influenced by systemic, covert and explicit racism. Racism affects
all aspects of life for members of UK society who are not white; through the health and welfare system,
through the education system, in employment, and in the criminal justice system.

There are many, many examples of the ways in which this is manifest:
• Black women are five times more likely than white women, and Asian women twice as likely, to die in
childbirth in the UK1.
• A Black schoolboy in England is three times more likely than average to be permanently excluded from
school2.
• Job applicants with white-sounding names are called for interview more often than those with African-
or Asian-sounding names3.
• While recent decades have seen a fall in youth offending, the proportion of Black and Minority Ethnic
youth prisoners has increased. 41% of those in youth prison identify with this category as opposed to
14% of the general population4.
• Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people in England and Wales die disproportionately as a result of use
of force or restraint by the police5.

It would be much more comfortable if we could believe that this is due to individuals consciously choosing
to discriminate. It is much more challenging for us to accept that these statistics, and others like them,
are driven by systemic, structural bias and racism; and that it would be impossible for anyone who
participates in our society not to play a part in this.

To stand against racism, it is essential that we look to our own behaviours and actions. This means asking
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

difficult questions, and potentially facing some uncomfortable and challenging truths. What do our
member demographics look like? What do our teacher demographics look like? What does our committee
representation look like? Who feels like they belong in an Iyengar yoga class in the UK, or that they could
train as an Iyengar yoga teacher, or that they would feel able to contribute in one of our committee
meetings?

52 AUTUMN 2020
Asking these questions, and answering truthfully, goes right to the heart of Iyengar Yoga. The yamas
and niyamas – the ethical foundations on which our yoga practice is built – challenge us to apply tapas
(discipline) and the application of svādhyāya (self-study) in the spirit of satya - that is Truth.

We must not tolerate racist or discriminatory behaviour, or bullying or harassment of any kind, and we
have a formal complaints process which is there to conduct a thorough investigation into any incidents
that may occur.

The white majority of us (and we have noted that the Board of IY(UK) is all white) must accept that while
we are not responsible for centuries of oppression and discrimination, we continue to benefit from it.
We are responsible for the present and the future, and it is in our hands to change these. As others have
noted – it is not enough to not be racist – to effect change we must be anti-racist, and this requires us to
act boldly and decisively.

As a first step, we have asked for volunteers to join a Working Group on Diversity and Inclusivity to
consider what we already know, what we need to find out, and what we should do. This group will report
back to our Executive Committee with its recommendations for increasing diversity and inclusivity in
IY(UK).

We consider this to be a starting point. There is still a lot of work to be done, and we will not have all the
answers. We see this as an important opportunity to launch some new initiatives to address the problem
of racial inequality in our yoga community and thereby in our society. Progress may be slow, and we may
make mistakes on the way, so we ask you to not just bear with us but to actively and enthusiastically
support us in this project.

Cathy Alison, Julie Brown, Gerry Chambers, Sarah Delfas, Charlotte Everitt, Philippe Harari, Sheila Haswell,
Jill Johnson, Julian Lindars, Velika Krivokapic, Michelle Pendergast, Judi Sweeting

Sources:
1. Maternal, Newborn and Infant Clinical Outcome Review Programme, https://www.npeu.ox.ac.uk/
downloads/files/mbrrace-uk/reports/MBRRACE-UK%20Maternal%20Report%202018%20-%20
Web%20Version.pdf).
2. Office for National Statistics, https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/permanent-and-fixed-period-
exclusions-from-schools-in-england-2011-to-2012-academic-year.
3. Department for Work & Pensions, https://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/oct/18/racism-
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

discrimination-employment-undercover).
4. Lammy Review, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/
attachment_data/file/643001/lammy-review-final-report.pdf.
5. Inquest, https://www.inquest.org.uk/bame-deaths-in-police-custody

AUTUMN 2020 53
 Wishing a Happy Retirement to Gordon Austin
by Debbie Bartholomew

After recently announcing his retirement we Gordon: I qualified in optics and my first job was as
thought it would be good for the newer members an optician. Then I had to do my National Service,
of the IY(UK) to meet a former Chairman of the so I served in the Medical Corp as an optician. I
BKSIYTA (precursor to IY(UK)) and a stalwart of had gone to grammar school as a boy and had
Iyengar yoga, Gordon Austin. Here he is being studied German so the army sent me to Berlin
interviewed with his wife (and Commanding as a translator. After completing my National
Officer!) Margaret. Service I resumed my career as an optician. My
dad was a coal miner. He was killed - buried alive
It was such a pleasure to interview Gordon. He is a in an underground accident. I actually decided to
true gentleman, a gentle man and such a dedicated become a coal miner, a sort of mental clearance. I
practitioner. He has helped steer our national wanted to see where my dad had been killed. After
organisation from it's early days and is a founder doing that for a while I returned to optics. Then I
member of the North East England Iyengar Yoga. He became a salesman. I started out selling vacuum
has trained teachers and assessors, assessed many cleaners door to door and ended up being an Area
of our teachers and most of all inspires his students Manager for a big tobacco company. When the
to be on their mat and practise. medical profession revealed how harmful smoking
was I couldn't carry on with that job so I changed
tack again and worked in property maintenance
before becoming a yoga teacher.

DB: So you have quite a varied CV then! Didn't you

use to play football?
Gordon: Yes, I played for top Northumberland
County teams at quite a high amateur level,
Gateshead, Whitley Bay and Tow Law.

DB: So you were very fit then?

Gordon: Yes, I was a strong swimmer and became a
lifeguard here in Seaburn. I also did a bit of boxing.
Working in property maintenance, scrambling
around on roofs etc., all kept me fit. I was a fitness
fanatic.
DB: Hello Gordon, please tell us a little about (DB - Gordon told me later that he always wears his
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

yourself. fitbit and does a minimum of 10,000 steps per day.

Gordon: Well, I am 86. I have been married to In fact, he said the day before he had done 13,000
Margaret for over 50 years. I'm a dad, granddad steps so was well up on his target!)
and great-grandfather. I am from a mining family
in the North East of England and live in Seaburn, a DB: So how did you come to yoga?
coastal suburb of Sunderland. Gordon: Well, I was the fit one and Margaret not so
much. When she started practising yoga my level of
DB: What did you do before becoming a yoga teacher? fitness seemed to go down and Margaret's rocketed!
54 AUTUMN 2020
Margaret: At this time, although he was extremely DB: Did you mind that he was so strict?
fit through football training, Gordon was someone Gordon: No, because of my National Service I was
who couldn't touch his toes, just couldn't sit in used to discipline so it didn't bother me at all.
between his feet without something under his
buttocks. We used to put the children to bed on DB: What was Pune like then?
Sunday night and I used to teach Gordon. We used Gordon: The poverty was appalling, lots of beggars.
encyclopedias and books for Gordon to sit on - Lots of rickshaws and bicycles. Not as busy as now.
there were no pads around then! There were cows and goats and even elephants on
Gordon: I decided to go with Margaret to one the roads. We used to hire pushbikes and cycle up
of Arlette Wack's (Arlette McLaren now) classes. FC Road to the institute and back!
When I looked around there were no men in the
class and I nearly walked out to go to the pub but DB: Where did you stay?
I'm so relieved that I stayed. Gordon: We stayed at the Hotel Ajit. We weren't
used to spicy food in those days so we went to
the market each day and bought fresh vegetables.
We took our own slow cooker in our luggage and
cooked them in our room!

DB: What was the routine at the institute?

Gordon: We were taught by Guruji twice a day.
A fairly long āsana class in the morning, the end
time of the class depended on whether Guruji was
finished! Then the evening class, focussing mostly
on Prāņāyāma. The evening class was early so we
could organise our food after class.

DB: When was this? DB:The classes were quieter then weren't they?
Gordon: About 1978. I eventually went along to Gordon: Yes, maybe 30-50 people in the class.
class and was hooked from the start. I just felt We were so grateful for the personal attention we
how wonderful it was. It made me much more received from Guruji. We felt very privileged.
mindful. It made me change how I felt mentally
and of course made me fitter. I was a right gannet
and would eat anything. After going to class for a
while I felt like I needed to change my diet and look
after myself better. I was a helper in Arlette's class
for about a year before going onto teacher training
with Margaret. She was doing teacher training
for Sunderland Education Authority and I was in
Margaret's very first group of trainees.
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

DB: When was your first trip to Pune?

Gordon: Margaret went in 1979 and I went around
1985.

DB: What was your first impression of Guruji?

Gordon: Magnetic! Very charismatic. It was
fantastic!

AUTUMN 2020 55
 DB: What did you do together of Europe. (DB: The fall of the Berlin
when you were not at the Wall was in November 1989). I was appointed
institute? Vice-Chair, then became Chairman in 1994. It was
Gordon: We used to have whilst I was Vice-Chairman that we organised this
little soirées on the roof of huge undertaking. Bringing a thousand students
the Hotel Ajit. We would together for Guruji to teach had never been
practice what we had been done before. So we set up a steering committee
taught all together as a especially for “Euroyoga”. After many meetings and
group, swapping what we years travelling back and forth to London in order
understood. Then sunbathe to inspect different venues, we decided that we
a little. I love poetry so we should hold the convention at Crystal Palace as it
would have little poetry would be big enough to host that many students. It
readings. I adapted Rudyard would be held in 1993.
Kipling's Tiger Tiger poem, (DB: All this organisation done without today's
the first verse was: technology!!)
People travelled in from all over the world to be
Yoga! Yoga! Burning bright, taught by him. We arranged for students from
In the forums of the night. each country to hold up a placard with the name
Guruji's immortal hands of their country on it so that Guruji could see how
and eye many different nationalities had come to see him.
Did frame thy careful He was delighted. It wasn't
symmetry all work though. Whilst he
was there Guruji planted a
We were surrounded by tree in commemoration of
fellow yogis and friends so his visit. We had a plaque
the social aspect was great! placed with it to mark it
out. It would be nice to
DB: Did Guruji come to the North East? know if it's still there! We
Gordon: Yes, he came with Silva Mehta in 1984. also took him to watch a
I had met the Mehta family at the Maida Vale cricket match. I remember
Institute. They had a very leaky roof and I did the question and answer
some repairs on it for them. When Guruji came session at the convention.
to the North East he taught a class and then there Students had to send in
was a Q&A session afterwards. We enjoyed a their questions and I was
meal together before returning to Durham, then the one who had to put
onwards, by train, back to London. them to Guruji. After a
few questions he said he
DB: You both became very involved with the couldn't understand my
National Association. It was known as BKSIYTA then Geordie accent so we had
wasn't it? to have someone else ask
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

Margaret: Yes, I was on the committee and then him!

someone suggested Gordon would be a good
addition to the committee. I had to step down as Margaret: Oh, I remember
we were husband and wife and couldn't both be on I had to teach at that
the committee at the same time. convention. Guruji was
Gordon: In 1990 Guruji had suggested that we hold going from hall to hall
a European Convention to celebrate the coming watching how we senior

56 AUTUMN 2020
UK and European teachers taught the students. As DB: Name your three favourite poses
Gordon was part of the entourage, I said he had to Gordon: Adho mukha vīrāsana, Śīrṣāsana and Adho
somehow let me know when Guruji was coming Mukha Vrksāsana
into my hall. Every now and again Gordon would
pop his head around the door and say “Not yet!”. DB: The ones you don't like?
There was a follow up Euroyoga 1993 Magazine and Gordon: I don't have any poses I dislike. I had no
LOYA News published afterwards. Some of you may fear and liked to try them all.
have it in your archive.
DB: What's you favourite thing about teaching?
DB: You have spread the word of Iyengar yoga far Gordon: Conquering fear and teaching others how
and wide haven't you? to conquer their own fear. For example if you teach
Gordon: I have taught all over the UK. I've helped students how to fall over in Śīrṣāsana then the fear
Margaret with teacher training up here in the North goes. I have been asked to teach this sort of thing
East for many years. I've been a Teacher Trainer and many times so that students have the confidence to
Assessor for IY(UK). I've trained teachers in Dublin. try something a bit more challenging.
Eileen Cameron and Margaret Cashman shadowed
those courses and continue to mentor teachers DB: What will you do now you are retired?
there now. I have trained teachers in Glasgow. Gordon: Nothing! (Margaret smiling and nodding
Helen Graham shadowed those courses and has her head in agreement) I still practise every
continued mentoring there. I used to love teaching morning, maybe not as long as before but I still do
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

at The Arts Centre in Washington (near Sunderland practise. I'm a member of Mensa so I like to keep
not USA!) and I convinced them that yoga is an art my brain active with puzzles.
form - they were totally against yoga at first! After
my term as Chairman was completed I stayed on DB: Do you have any other special talents?
the National Committee as the North East Institute Gordon: (with a sidelong look at his Commanding
representative. Officer, Margaret) “Selective Hearing!” 

AUTUMN 2020 57
 RECENT BOOK RELEASES
Reprinted with kind permission from Yoga Rahasya (2020) Vol. 27, No. 1

Ārogya Yoga

Geetaji and Guruji had regularly written columns for a Marathi

newspaper called 'Sakal'. These were later compiled into a Marathi book
Ārogya Yoga. This book has now been translated into English - Ārogya
Yoga: Yoga For Health and Well-being. The book includes detailed
methodology with illustrations for more than 45 āsanas including
the finer points and the adjustments to be done in case of difficulty
to implement the methodology. The book explains how the practice
of yoga imparts health, well-being, strength of character and peace
of mind even to a lay practitioner and how the qualities of integrity,
courage, fearlessness, focus, sincerity, a pleasing personality and self-
awareness are qualities bestowed upon the practitioners. It shows the
path of self-realisation for the more advanced sādhaka. The book is as
relevant for the common man as for the highly evolved seer. There are
seven chapters dedicated to Śavāsana, Prāņāyāma concluding with
dhyāna.

Study of Patañjali Yoga Sutras - Samādhi Pāda

As students of yoga, most of us are familiar with the yoga sūtras in

some way or the other. Some of us have a very fleeting connection
with a few mentions of some terms or some sūtras here and there.
Some others have been participating in the chanting of the sūtras
from occasion to occasion.

Yet others have been regularly attending the lessons on Yoga sūtras
given every Sunday at RIMYI by Srineet Sridharan with insights
by Prashantji. Well, here is an opportunity for further exploration
through the first part of the four volumes written by Prashantji with
detailed explanations and commentary on the Samādhi Pāda of
Patanjali's yoga sūtras.
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

With constant references to Vyāsa's commentary as well as many

more references to various other yoga texts, the book unfolds the
secrets of each sūtra taking the reader on a journey of exploration
and learning starting with a preface which whets the curiosity of
the reader to immediately dive into the first sūtra, ending with the
Kaivalya sūtra.

58 AUTUMN 2020
No student of the subject of yoga can remain away from such an in-depth study of the subject if the true
understanding has to dawn. This book offers an insight into the mind and knowledge of the aphorist and
who better than Prashantji to lead us on this fascinating journey?

Efforts have been made to highlight some concepts by putting them in boxes and some more in bold print
so that even the light reader may find a few things of interest. Diagrams have been inserted to make clear
the concepts by using graphic modes.

Reading this book will make the reader rich and laden with the wisdom of yoga.

Prāņāyāma for Beginners

For many decades, Geetaji regularly taught the prāņāyāma class at RIMYI initially on Thursday evening
and later on Friday evening. There were some regular local students who were permitted to attend this
and some of the visiting international students who attended this class once a week for the month. Many
of these students were often first timers to the Institute and although they had learnt and were practising
prāņāyāma - it would surely be a totally different experience to be under Geetaji.

Geetaji had no tolerance for anything done casually and for her all the students in the class were equally
important, especially the weakest student in the class. The smart student would still pick up but the weak
student needed support or would never ever learn and if the student had taken all the time and effort to
travel to RIMYI then she felt it was her dharma to not only teach
but ensure that they learn. Often, we teachers do our task of
teaching but what is important is not what has been taught but
what has been received by the students. The instructions that
a teacher would give may not totally be comprehended by the
students in the beginning and later when they develop the ability
to comprehend, they do not "listen" to the instructions as they
become very routine by then. So, the words are heard but do not
register!

Geetaji noticed this dichotomy and therefore did a series of

classes wherein she gave the experience and explanation of the
instructions. She covered Ujjāyi, Viloma, Anuloma and Pratiloma
prāņāyāma.

A few students saw the importance of these classes and

Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

volunteered to transcribe all these classes and showed them to

Geetaji who corrected them and the manuscript was ready. A
few months ago, Sunitaji handed over this manuscript and thus
this booklet was released the day before her first punyatithi on
December 15, 2019.

These books are available from our official suppliers, Yogamatters (www.yogamatters.com) and our
recommended suppliers Yog Vidya (www.yogvidya.co.uk).

AUTUMN 2020 59
 IY(UK) Reports

Chair - Jill Johnson

What a strange few months this has been – hasn’t it? and ATC have agreed that all 2020/21 PD days, up until
March 31st 2021 are cancelled. We will update you
Our yoga life has been turned upside down but I’m sure about future PD days in January 2021.
that you will have felt the benefit of yoga to help you
through this difficult time, and I hope that those of you Virtual and face to face tours of visiting teachers:
who have been directly affected by this virus are now Charlotte Everitt has now set up the Tours team, to help
fully recovered. Many of us will have used our time to member groups or affiliated centres arrange a tour
practice on our mat, to reflect on how yoga has helped for a visiting teacher and she can be contacted for any
us, or to explore more deeply aspects of yoga that we help or advice. In December Abhijata informed us that
have not previously given time to. Lots of you have also any teacher from RIMYI or Mumbai who receives an
been busy attending Zoom classes – from your regular invitation to teach abroad will have to notify her; she
teachers or from others around the world. We have wants to personally ensure that the teachers are not
been incredibly lucky to be able to access all sorts of all going to the same country at the same time, and
classes and workshops -including of course our first that they will not favour one country above another; so
ever online convention, and thank you to all of you who Charlotte’s oversight of tours will help to prevent any
wrote to congratulate our organisers Catherine and double booking.
Isabel for producing such a wonderful event in only six
weeks! Diversity and Inclusivity Working Group:
Back in May we published a statement to you all
1. Administration Team Update regarding IY(UK)’s position on equality and diversity, and
after asking for volunteers have set up a working group
Many of you have suggested recently that you to look at how IY(UK) could ensure that Guruji’s message
would like to see more PR work from IY(UK). We of inclusivity is reflected throughout our organisation.
are delighted to say that Katie Owens will now We need to see whether there are problems, what they
be working on PR for us two days a week, which are and what we can do about them. This will be a very
together with the re energised PR committee difficult task but it is one that IY(UK) is committed to
under new chair Perry Simpson will hopefully undertaking, for the benefit of all our members.
mean that IY(UK) will be more visible in all forms of
media. 3. National Iyengar Yoga Day

2. Executive Council (EX) Updates More details will be sent out nearer the time, I hope
that we will be able to have some events to celebrate
Certification and Assessment: our day – virus notwithstanding.
RIMYI published new Certification and Assessment
4. 2021 Convention
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

Guidelines in July 2020. The ATC have set up a

Certification and Assessments Working Party (CAWP)
to review IY(UK)’s certification and assessment Please see Isabel’s article about this - Abhijata is booked
procedures and this has been published to all teachers. to lead the convention! 
No assessments for the new Levels will take place before
2022.

Due to the ongoing Covid Pandemic the PD Committee

60 AUTUMN 2020
 Secretary - Philippe Harari

During the pandemic we have had to hold all our Executive Council and Board meetings, and the AGM, online.
This is not really the same as meeting face-to-face but it saves a lot of travelling - good for the environment and
cheaper for us!

Since the last issue of IYN, we welcome Geoffrey Fielding, Ingrid Olsen and Helen Townsend as new Individual
Reps; Elaine Spragget was re-eleted as an Individual Rep and will continue to Chair the Iyengar Yoga Development
Fund Committee. Lynda Purvis has come to the end of her second 3-year term on the Therapy Committee,
and we would like to thank her for her work on that Committee. Lorraine McConnon, Larissa McGoldrick and
Edgar Stringer were elected for a second three-year term on that Committee. Perry Simpson has joined the
Communications and PR Committee as Chair of that Committee and Sally Lee has also joined to help develop our
PR strategy alongside Katie Owens. Aisling McGuirke was appointed to a second three-year term on the Ethics and
Appeals Committee, and Toni Elliot and Frances McKee have joined that Committee for the first time. Maurice Finn
has left the Ethics Committee and we thank him for his contribution. 

Treasurer - Velika Krivokapic

The annual accounts for 2019 were approved by the Board IY(UK) membership fees for 2021/22:
and presented at the AGM in May 2020. A small surplus
of £6,206 (2018: £1,343) for the year ended 31 December Member Group membership fee £8.25
2019 was achieved. The Balance Sheet at 31 December Individual membership fee £20.00
2019 showed net assets of £139,988 (2018: £133,782). Teachers' Supplement £60.00
The company is in a healthy financial situation and has suf- Concessionary Teachers' Supplement £36.00
ficient reserves to underpin its ongoing activities. Late renewal penalty £30.00
A payment of £6,343 was made to Bellur Trust in respect of Overseas member supplement £39.00
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

the donations received during 2019. Affiliated Centre fee £150.00

IYN central mailing fee £1.75
The IY(UK) membership fees for 2021/22 have been
agreed as follows. We have been able to keep our fees at
exactly the same levels as 2020/21. The Certification Mark fee for 2020/21 is based on US$50.
It will be updated on 1st November 2020 to reflect the
The Assessment fees for 2020/21 will be re - visited exchange rate that is in place on that date. 
during the summer for the presentation to the Board and
Executive Council in September 2020.
AUTUMN 2020 61
 IY(UK) Reports

Membership Secretary – Julian Lindars

With the difficult circumstances we have faced this year, which have forced many into financial difficulties, and
have disrupted our accustomed ways of practising yoga together, it is not surprising that our membership numbers
will have fallen. As you can see from the figures below, we have experienced a drop of more than 7% of our overall
membership this year. Some teachers have taken a break from teaching, and we have lost the boost that the Con-
vention usually gives to our numbers. However, IY(UK) continues to be a healthy and vibrant organization with firm
foundations, on which we continue to build.

The Membership Office will be undergoing some changes – as Katie Owens, who has up until now divided her hours
between membership and her website/PR role, will from now on be devoting herself full-time to the latter. This is
great news for our PR effort, but Andy and I will miss her dynamic input and her encyclopedic knowledge of how
the business of the Membership Office is run. I want to thank her for her input and for the many improvements she
has put in place over the years.

As a result of this we are looking for somebody to take on the role of Deputy Membership Secretary. This is a volun-
tary role supporting myself, and particularly Andy in his role of Membership and Office Manager, and would require
a reasonable level of IT skills - particularly with MS Word and Excel. Web skills would also be advantageous. Our pro-
cess is first to invite members of the Executive Council to stand for this position and then, if no-one comes forward,
we open it up to the whole membership.

We are continuing to look at ways of streamlining our membership structure and looking at how we can best serve
the needs of our various types of members – as well as the Member Groups and Affiliated Centres across the coun-
try. This is very much a work in progress, but some interesting ideas are coming out of the process.

As always, we are guided by the aspiration that every member will feel that they are a valued and essential part of
the IY(UK) community, that their voices can be heard, and their growth in the light of Yoga is nurtured. Recently we
have been given the opportunity to put this aspiration to the test. In response to current events outside and within
our organization, we have been challenged to demonstrate that we are taking action to support our members who
are sidelined or disadvantaged by society at large. Our initial conversations have been around issues of race and
ethnicity, but we recognize that it is essential to ensure that all minorities can feel that in IY(UK) they have a sup-
portive and empowering community in which they can thrive.

In response we have set up a Working Group, composed of IY(UK) members, which is tasked with making
recommendations to the Executive Council as to how we might take action to prove and improve our commitment
to diversity and inclusivity. This has not always been easy, as at times members have had things to say that we
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

members of the Board have found difficult to hear. But I for one am incredibly encouraged by the fact that we
have created this opportunity for our members to participate in the workings of our organisation, and hopefully, to
create real and lasting change. 

62 AUTUMN 2020
 Teacher members
Membership
Date Member
Year Total UK RoI Overseas Individual
Groups
2020-2021 Jul-20 1157 1048 83 26 177 980
2019-2020 Jul-19 1210 1091 91 28 211 999
2018-2019 Jul-18 1186 1078 97 11 167 1019
2017-2018 Jul-17 1140 1029 91 20 188 952
2016-2017 Jul -16 1068 973 80 15 204 864

Non-teacher members
Membership
Date Member
Year Total UK RoI Overseas Individual
Groups
2020-2021 Jul-20 1191 1122 41 28 247 944
2019-2020 Jul-19 1321 1238 43 40 216 1105
2018-2019 Jul-18 1241 1164 38 39 180 1061
2017-2018 Jul-17 1154 1078 45 31 164 990
2016-2017 Jul -16 1150 1042 83 25 186 964

Membership Year Teacher members Non-teacher members Total

2020-2021 1157 1191 2348
2019-2020 1210 1321 2531
2018-2019 1186 1241 2427
2017-2018 1140 1154 2294
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

2016-2017 1068 1150 2218

AUTUMN 2020 63
 Member­ Groups
Please contact your local Member Group or Affiliated Centre for details of events and classes. If you have any queries or
issues about policies or practices of IY(UK) please contact your Member Group or Individual Rep. (listed on p.58).

Avon (AIY) Midland Counties (MCIY)

Ginny Owen Annie Beatty
[email protected] [email protected]
www.avoniyengar.org www.mciy.org.uk

Bradford and District (BDIY) Manchester and District (MDIY)

Alan Brown Clare Tunstall
[email protected] [email protected]
www.bdiyi.org.uk www.manchesteriyengaryoga.org.uk

Cambridge (CIY) Munster (MIY)

Sasha Perryman [email protected]
[email protected] www.miyoga.org
www.cambridgeyoga.co.uk

Dorset and Hampshire (DHIY) North East England (NEEIY)

Pauline Green Gael Henry
[email protected] [email protected]
www.dhiy.org www.iyengaryoganortheast.com

Dublin Iyengar Yoga Group (DIY) North East London (NELIY)

Louise Leonard
[email protected] [email protected]
www.dubliniyengaryoga.ie www.neliyi.org.uk

East of Scotland (ESIY) Nottinghamshire (NOTIY)

Gilly Dennis Eleanor Douglas
[email protected] [email protected]
www.esiyi.co.uk www.notiy.org.uk

Sussex (IYS) Oxford and Region (ORIY)

Brian Ingram Mary Fitzpatrick
[email protected] [email protected]
www.iyengaryogasussex.org.uk www.oriy.org.uk
iYoga Glasgow Sheffield and District (SADIY)
Patrick Boase Lorraine Bonete
[email protected] [email protected]
www.iyogaglasgow.co.uk www.yogasheffield.org

Kent (KIY) South West (SWIY)

Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

Glenda Jackson Karen Calder

[email protected] [email protected]
www.swiyengaryoga.org.uk

Liverpool (LIY) SW London & Surrey (SWLSIY)

Judi Soffa Jane Howard
[email protected] [email protected]
www.yoga-studio.co.uk www.swlsiy.org.uk

64 AUTUMN 2020
Affiliated Centres
Congleton Iyengar Yoga Centre Iyengar Yoga in Maida Vale
www.congletonyogacentre.com www.iymv.org
Christina Niewola Alan Reynolds
01260 279565 / 07970186109 020 7624 3080

Cotswold Iyengar Yoga Centre Maidstone Yoga Centre

www.cotswoldiyengar.co.uk www.iyengar-yoga.co.uk
Judi Sweeting & Tig Whattler Lin Craddock
[email protected] 01622 685864

Edinburgh Iyengar Yoga Centre Iyengar Yoga Centre of N. Dublin

www.yoga-edinburgh.com www.iyoga.ie
[email protected] Roisin O’Shea
0131 229 6000 00353 1882 8858

Garway (Herefordshire) Iyengar Peak Iyengar Yoga Centre

Yoga Studio www.peakyoga.org.uk
www.herefordshireyoga.co.uk Sue Lovell
Sheila Green, 01981 580081 07851 195208

Hereford Yoga Centre Putney Iyengar Yoga Centre

www.herefordyoga.co.uk www.putneyyogacentre.co.uk
Jenny-May While Julie Hodges
01432 353324 07974 690 622

Iyengar Yoga Studio East Finchley Sheffield Yoga Centre

Patsy Sparksman www.sheffieldyogacentre.co.uk
www.theiyengaryogastudio.co.uk Frances Homewood
020 8815 1918 07944 169238

Iyengar Yoga Centre for Essex YogaSouth

Susan Long www.yogasouth.com
www.iyce.com Randall Evans & Cathy Rogers Evans,
07460 101510 01903 762850 / 07774 318105

Just Yoga Iyengar Yoga Studio Tooting

Melanie Palmer www.iyyoga.com
www.justyoga.co.uk Tehira Taylor & Laura Tuggey
07792 567720 0208 355 3498

Knutsford Iyengar yoga Centre Iyengar Yoga Studio West Bridgford

www.knutsfordyoga.co.uk www.iyogawestbridgford.uk
Margaret Carter Isabel Jones Fielding & Geoffrey Fielding
0115 9749975
07807 348441
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

West Suffolk Iyengar Yoga Centre

www.iyengaryogasuffolk.co.uk
Jane Perryman
01440 786228

AUTUMN 2020 65
 IY (UK) Executive Council
Officer / Rep. Name Email
Chair Jill Johnson [email protected]
Deputy Chair Cathy Alison [email protected]
Secretary Philippe Harari [email protected]
Deputy Secretary Charlotte Everitt [email protected]
Treasurer Velika Krivokapic [email protected]
Deputy Treasurer Michelle Pendergast [email protected]
Membership Sec. Julian Lindars [email protected]
Deputy Memb. Sec. VACANCY
Constitution Officer Sarah Delfas [email protected]
Chair of AT Jayne Orton [email protected]
Chair of Therapy Sheila Haswell [email protected]
Chair of EA Gerry Chambers [email protected]
AT Rep. on Board Julie Brown [email protected]
AT Rep. on Board Judi Sweeting [email protected]
AIY Ginny Owen [email protected]
BDIY Helen White [email protected]
CIY Shaili Shafai [email protected]
DHIY Pauline Green [email protected]
DIY Melanie Taylor [email protected]
ESIY Sue Cresswell [email protected]
iYG Yvonne Valerio [email protected]
IYS Cathy Rogers Evans [email protected]
KIY Margaret Hall [email protected]
LIYI Judi Soffa [email protected]
MCIY Annie Beatty [email protected]
MDIY Charlotte Everitt [email protected]
MDIY VACANCY
MIY Perry Simpson [email protected]
NEIY Caroline Earl [email protected]
NELIY Sally Lee [email protected]
NIY VACANCY
ORIY VACANCY
SADIY Peter Durkin [email protected]
SWIY Sarah Pethybridge [email protected]
SWLSIY Elaine Morrison [email protected]
Individual Rep. Cathy Alison [email protected]
Individual Rep. Geoffrey Fielding [email protected]
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

Individual Rep. Ingrid Olsen [email protected]

Individual Rep. Preeti Sekhon [email protected]
Individual Rep. Elaine Spraggett [email protected]
Individual Rep. Helen Townsend
Chair of Archives & Research Randall Evans [email protected]

66 AUTUMN 2020
IY (UK) Committee Members
Board Assessment & Training:
Cathy Alison, Julie Brown, Gerry Chambers, Sarah
Delfas, Charlotte Everitt, Philippe Harari, Sheila Management Committee
Haswell, Jill Johnson, Velika Krivokapic, Julian Kirsten Agar Ward, Margaret Austin, Debbie
Lindars, Michelle Pendergast, Judi Sweeting Bartholomew (Deputy Chair), Julie Brown, Sheila
Green, Aisling Guirke (Secretary), Marion Kilburn,
Archives/Research Jayne Orton, Judi Sweeting
Joan Abrams, Randall Evans, Gael Henry,
Suzanne Newcombe Assessments and Timetabling:
Debbie Bartholomew, Penny Chaplin (Senior),
Communications & Public Relations Sheila Green (Intro.), Judy Lynn (Junior), Sallie
Joan Abrams, Sigute Barniskyte-Kidd , Sullivan
John Cotgreave, Philippe Harari, Jill Johnson,
Sally Lee, Katie Owens, Perry Simpson Professional Development Days, MAT and
Specialised Training:
Ethics & Appeals Brenda Booth, Eileen Cameron, Lydia Holmes (co-
Gerry Chambers, Toni Elliot, Aisling Guirke, opted), Judith Jones (Secretary), Marion Kilburn
Frances McKee, Amparo Rodriguez
Manuals and Assessment Paperwork:
Finance & Membership Kirsten Agar Ward, Tricia Booth, Helen Graham,
Velika Krivokapic, Julian Lindars, Michelle Meg Laing (Secretary), Sasha Perryman, Cathy
Pendergast, Katie Owens, Andy Tait, Jess Rogers-Evans
Wallwork, Kate Woodcock
Test Papers and Syllabus
Iyengar Yoga Development Fund Richard Agar Ward, Margaret Austin,
Isabel Jones Fielding, Laura Potts, Elaine Spraggett, Tricia James (Secretary), Alicia Lester, Susan Long,
Helen White Christina Niewola

Therapy Committee Moderators

Sheila Haswell, Elaine Martin, Lorraine McConnon, Kirsten Agar Ward, Richard Agar Ward, Margaret
Larissa McGoldrick, Lynda Purvis, Edgar Stringer, Austin, Brenda Booth, Tricia Booth, Julie Brown,
Judith van Dop Eileen Cameron, Penny Chaplin, Diane Coats,
Helen Graham, Aisling Guirke, Sheila Haswell, Tricia
James, Judith Jones, Marion Kilburn, Meg Laing,
Susan Long, Christina Niewola, Jayne Orton, Sasha
Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

Perryman, Cathy Rogers Evans, Sallie Sullivan, Judi

Note: the Chair of each Committee is in bold Sweeting

AUTUMN 2020 67
 Certification and Assessments
Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute published new Certification and Assessment Guidelines in July
2020. The Assessment and Training Committee have set up a Certification and Assessments Working Party
(CAWP) to review IY(UK)’s certification and assessment procedures and will report back. Meanwhile, no
assessments for the new Levels will take place before 2022.
Shown below is an overview of Certification Levels, taken from page 6 of the RIMYI Certification and
Assessment Guidelines, July 2020.

Certification Level in effect from MINIMUM time gap between

Current Certification Level
July 1, 2020 certification levels

Introductory Level 1

Intermediate Junior 1
Level 2 2 years
Intermediate Junior 2

Intermediate Junior 3
Intermediate Senior 1
Level 3 2 years
Intermediate Senior 2
Intermediate Senior 3

Advanced Junior 1
Advanced Junior 2
Advanced Junior 3 Level 4 2 years
Advanced Senior 1
Advanced Senior 2

Level 5 Candidate’s discretion

Iyengar Yoga News No. 37

Professional Development Days

Due to the ongoing Corona Virus Pandemic the PD Committee and ATC have agreed
that all 2020/21 PD days, up until March 31st, are cancelled. We will update you on
future PD days in January 2021.

68 AUTUMN 2020
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Please send all text, photographs or artwork by the

next issue deadline of 31st July 2020 to cotgreavej@
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Advertising rates: quarter page £50; half page £100;

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NB. the Editorial Board reserves the right to refuse

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AUTUMN 2020 69
 JUST FOR YOU
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teacher, you get exclusive discounts at Yogamatters?

To register for your exclusive discount simply visit

yogamatters.com/iyuk and register as an IY (UK) member

@yogamattersyoga @yogamattershq

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