The Iyengar Yoga Association of Northern California (IYANC) was formed by a dedicated and inspired group of teachers and practitioners in 1974.
It serves as a regional arm of the Iyengar Yoga National Association of the United States. Yoga as taught by B.K.S. Iyengar emphasizes the integration of body, mind and spirit. The Iyengar approach to yoga is firmly based on the traditional eight limbs of yoga as expounded by Patanjali in his classic treatise, The Yoga Sutras. Iyengar yoga emphasizes the development of strength, stamina, flexibility and balance, as well as concentration (Dharana) and meditation (Dhyana). Students are encouraged to develop their own home practice; without one, the study of yoga is incomplete.
10/21/2024
IYANC represents and supports the region of Northern California and Hawaii. We would like to take this opportunity to highlight the many flourishing studios around our region teaching Iyengar Yoga.
Sandy Lamerson is a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher (CIYT) and Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC) based in Ukiah, CA. Her work is to guide each individual to align with their own healing potential. She teaches yoga classes in-person and online.
Sandy offers accessible, uplifting yoga classes in the Iyengar tradition. In person classes are held in the spacious and newly renovated Sudhana Center classroom building in central Ukiah. If you live in the area or you know of someone who lives in the area, please come by and take a class at Kauśala. https://www.kausala.com/
Location:
225 S Hope St, Ukiah CA
Entrance between W Church and W Stephenson St,
on East side of St.
10/04/2024
IYANC represents and supports the entire Northern California Region and Hawaii. In light of the recent closure of IYISF, we would like to take the opportunity to highlight other flourishing Iyengar Yoga studios around our region.
For the last thirty years the studio has been run by Linda Bostrom and Jito Yumibe, in partnership, until Linda’s retirement in mid 2022.
The studio first opened in 1984 by one of BKS Iyengar’s early students, Ramanand Patel in west San Jose. It was known as The Yoga School. Ramanand used his engineering background to replicate two key features of the Iyengar Yoga institute in Pune, the bars and the platforms which are still in use today. The studio was dedicated by BKS Iyengar himself while in the US for a convention that year. They felt blessed when he came that day. It was a simple meeting without the crowds that would later accompany Gurujii wherever he went.
From these auspicious beginnings they have offered classes, workshops, yoga therapeutics and teacher education ever since. Over the years they have relocated from San Jose to downtown Campbell and finally to their current location in the Campbell Community Center where we have been since April 2007.
09/13/2024
Dear Iyengar Yoga practitioners,
To stay up to date on all things IYANC, we encourage you to sign up for our newsletter. You can sign up directly through the IYANC website. Please enter your name and email address under the CONTACT US page (link below). Updates sent out in the newsletter include membership information, regional workshops/events, important dates!
Though IYISF is ceasing classes, your teachers are still here and eager to work with you. By following the link below to the IYANC website, you will be able to see which Iyengar Yoga teachers and studios are closest and available to you. We sincerely hope that your transition from IYISF goes smoothly.
Amita Bhagat is a Level 2 CIYT, based in upstate New York. She has been traveling to RIMYI, in Pune, India to study at the mother Institute since 2012. She studies regularly with the Iyengar family and other senior teachers from India and the US. She is the Director of Amita.Yoga. Amita is a former board member of IYNAUS, the national association and continues to volunteer on the IYNAUS Grants and Archives Committees. She is currently on the IYISF Programming Committee.
Learn more about Amita on our website, IYISF.org under our teachers tab. Link in bio.
08/26/2024
Meet Nora Burnett
Practicing since 1986.
CIYT Level 3
"I bring to my teaching a warm heart, knowledge of anatomy and well-being informed by 30 years of practicing and teaching Iyengar Yoga, plus an intention to connect with each person. The dedication of B.K.S. Iyengar, his family and the lineage of teachers inspire me to persevere daily and share what I’ve learned. Art and nature nourish my soul as do courageous people who work for human freedom and dignity. For me, yoga practice is grounding and essential – an infinite exploration that fosters a balanced perspective in all aspects of life. Among my favorite poses are headstand and shoulder stand to clear away mental cobwebs, take the load off the lower limbs, cultivate strength and stability. Sutra II:47: “Perfection in asana is achieved when the effort to perform it becomes effortless and the infinite being within is reached” guides me to do what’s possible at that moment, find the ease of simply being there, and continue on."
Learn more about Nora on our website IYISF.org on the teachers tab. Link in bio.
"I began practicing yoga in 1971, after a near-death experience showed me some home truths about my limitations and delusions. In 1983, I came to IYISF to do teacher training, and have been teaching continuously since 1984. Yoga practice is my passion – I look for the light in each student and do my best to transmit trust in long, steady, uninterrupted practice, through my example, words, hands, and eyes. Guruji asked me to train myself so that every action gives life, and after two major accidents, there is nothing more satisfying than expressing freedom every day through this very body and mind in yoga. As Yoga Sutra I.1 teaches, yoga is expressed now."
Learn more about Victoria on our website IYISF.org under our teacher tab. Link in bio.
We are ceasing IYISF classes as of August 31st. Classes will continue, as usual, throughout the month of August. Please contact your teacher to determine whether they intend to continue teaching their yoga classes independently starting September 1st. Students can locate their Iyengar Yoga teachers directly by following this link to the IYANC website https://www.iyanc.org/find-a-teacher
With Gratitude,
Your IYANC Board
Link in bio.
08/18/2024
Meet Magi Khoo
Practicing since 2004. CIYT Level 2
"From balancing a hectic corporate life and grad school over a decade ago and the eventual departure from corporate America that she had only dreamed about growing up in Malaysia, Magi found inner strength in yoga that also brought joy, ease, and freedom to her life.
In 2011, she serendipitously ended up in two month-long Iyengar intensive in the foothills of the Himalayas with senior teachers, Rajiv and Saraswati Chanchani while on a year-long exploratory yogic journey. After having practiced other styles of yoga in San Francisco the prior decade, she found Iyengar Yoga made a deeper impact that changed her practice and life, she now dedicates much of her life to it."
Learn more about Magi on our website, IYISF.org under our teachers tab. Link in bio.
Practicing since 1999. Teaching Iyengar Yoga since 2005.
CIYT Level 3
C-IAYT
I danced for 16 years and looked for something beyond the physical. When I found Iyengar Yoga I knew that my search was over. Since then my focus was solely established on the practice and teaching of Iyengar Yoga. Yoga drew me in because of its depth as a philosophy, science and as a form of art.
In classes I help students build solid foundations and a dynamic approach. I try to bring them into a state of awareness & to receive a taste of this ocean called yoga.
Inspired by Guruji’s words: “Do not stop trying just because perfection eludes you”, I challenge myself and students to move forward, in creative ways while keeping it friendly and joyful. Being a mother for three taught me the importance of having a positive approach, and I try to keep it in class as well.
Learn more about Miri on our website IYISF.org under the teachers tab. Link in bio.
"I got interested in yoga when I saw someone practicing yoga on the beach with the San Francisco Bay as the background – she was an Iyengar teacher, who like me enjoyed open water swimming! I love doing Sirsasana (headstand) in the outdoors to see the sky as the ground and get a change of perspective. I am inspired by anything that makes me want to know more and investigate. As a teacher, I hope to ignite interest and curiosity in my students in yoga. My yoga practice is a “go to place” to bring clarity and to address the physical and mental challenges that life brings. As Yoga sutra I.13 says, “Practice is the steadfast effort to still these fluctuations.” Coming to a class requires the conscious effort to choose and discriminate among other possible choices to become present, directing our will, attention and energy to bring a calm and more tranquil mind."
Learn more about Anne on your website IYISF.org under the teachers tab. Link in bio.
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The Iyengar method of practice emphasizes the cultivation of self-knowledge primarily through Asana (yoga postures) and Pranayama (yogic breathing). Attention is given to the development of alignment, balance, strength, stamina, flexibility, concentration, and keen awareness. Students of Iyengar Yoga are instructed how to practice and are encouraged to develop their own home practice. Iyengar Yoga offers a clear and grounded path to holistic health of body, mind and spirit.
Iyengar Yoga is a system of hatha yoga developed by B.K.S. Iyengar; it is firmly rooted in the traditional eight limbs of yoga as expounded by Patanjali in his classic treatise, The Yoga Sutras.
Iyengar Yoga is an excellent method for developing holistic health. Well-being is cultivated through the integration of body, mind and spirit. Improvements in strength, flexibility, athletic conditioning, general movement, and posture are very common as are noticeable improvements in vitality and mental clarity.
Timing is unique to the Iyengar method, depending on the posture, students may be asked to hold a pose for a minute or longer. This approach can help to activate and strengthen stabilizer muscles that may not be as stimulated by conventional exercises. With stability gained, extension is then possible, leading to significantly increased flexibility and range of motion. As the body begins to adapt to the conditioning, posture naturally improves. The result is a dynamically strong and agile body.
The resulting improvement to posture, and overall relaxation of the body can help relieve pain, especially in the back or neck. Under the guidance of a Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor, more targeted pain relief and recovery from injury is also possible.
The History of the Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco dates back to 1974 when a group of yoga teachers formed the Institute for Yoga Teacher Education inspired by B.K.S. Iyengar’s first visit to California. Read more at https://iyisf.org/history-of-iyisf/
