Image source: Iyengar Yoga (UK)

Back in May 2016, 200 yoga teachers and students from across the UK gathered together in Harrogate for the Iyengar Yoga (UK) annual convention.

Iyengar Yoga is based around the teachings and practice of BKS Iyengar. This remarkable man developed a carefully graded and systematic programme of asanas, which is still rigorously adhered to today. Through an encounter with the violinist Yehudi Menuhin in 1952, Iyengar gained a following in the UK and his reputation soon spread. According to the New York Times in 2002, ‘Perhaps no one has done more than Mr Iyengar to bring yoga to the West.’ And in 2004, he was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine.*

The first Iyengar Institute in the UK was established in Manchester in 1975. In the late 90s, Iyengar Yoga (UK) was created to draw all the regional institutes and local groups together. Today IY (UK) has more than 2400 members, 1300 of which are non teacher members and more than 1100 of which are teachers. IY (UK) plays an important role in offering training and support and spreading news and information about Iyengar Yoga. IY (UK) is responsible for maintaining standards of teaching of Iyengar yoga through regular assessments and certification.

Jill Johnson is the current Chair of IY (UK). She came to Iyengar Yoga by chance when some time ago, an injury stopped her from continuing with her normal form of exercise and she turned to yoga. The class she walked into was an Iyengar Yoga class. And of course, she has never looked back. She’s been an Iyengar Yoga teacher for the past ten years. We recently met up with her and took the opportunity to ask her a few questions:-

So Jill, Iyengar Yoga is a disciplined practice. Can it still be taught anytime, anywhere to anyone?

Yes, of course. It’s all down to the skill of the individual teacher and Iyengar teachers are exceptionally well trained. There is a detailed programme of development that is adhered to that moves the individual from being a beginner to becoming more advanced. Our teachers are trained to use props to make the poses accessible to all. Whether they take place in a studio or a church hall, Iyengar yoga classes are well equipped with the appropriate props and our teachers will always ensure that props are used with precision, correctness and safety.

And what is the importance of a personal practice?

For me, it’s vitally important. I have a daily personal practice that will, over the course of a week, include Asanas and Pranayama. It’s important to attend class regularly too though. Students will come to a place of personal practice when they are ready. It’s not recommended for absolute beginners, until they have an idea about alignment.

And finally, what changes have you noticed in the Iyengar community as the perception of yoga has changed in recent years in the UK?

There has definitely been an increase in numbers of those walking through the door into class. If I’m honest, it worries me that the public really don’t know what they are getting when they walk off the street into a yoga class in terms of the experience and qualifications of the teacher. We make it clear to students what to expect from an Iyengar Yoga class and what to expect from the teacher. It is right that a new student should be able to taste and see and then decide whether Iyengar Yoga is for them. This practice is slow food. It does not offer instant fixes. It requires commitment and discipline.

Thanks for chatting to us, Jill. We’ll let you get back to enjoying the convention.

The annual convention is an important event in the Iyengar Yoga calendar. It’s a wonderful opportunity to come together and support one another and to receive a purity of teaching from one of the senior teachers of Iyengar Yoga globally.

At this year’s convention, IY (UK) was delighted to welcome Raya Uma Datta as the guest teacher and speaker for the weekend. Raya teaches at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Institute (RIMYI), located in Pune, Maharashtra, India. On his first visit to the UK, Raya was able to share some of the knowledge that he has absorbed from developing his own practice in the presence of BKS Iyengar himself.

Jill Johnson, Chair of IY (UK) couldn’t stress enough the importance of Raya’s visit and of the whole convention –

IY (UK) maintains strong links to Pune to retain a purity of teaching. We do not mix methods. There’s a strong community amongst our teachers as a result of this. We depend on each other for mutual support and on teaching such as this convention provides to keep us on the right path.

BKS Iyengar may no longer be with us but his teaching and practice live on in the lives and hearts of these focused, passionate Iyengar Yoga teachers and students. That much is clear. There is a zeal that will be carried back from this place to institutes and studios and classes all over the UK.

For more information about an Iyengar class near you, visit https://iyengaryoga.org.uk/iy-uk/uk-institutes-affiliates/.

*Information taken from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-28867890