About Yoga

Yoga is one of the oldest systems of personal development in the world. This system of balancing the body, mind and spirit was formulated by ancient yogis, who understood man's essential nature and realised a way to utilise all of man's inner resources to live in harmony with himself and the environment.

Pupils learn through a carefully graded and systematic programme of asana (posture). Pranayama (breath control) is gradually introduced once students have a firm foundation of yoga practice. Yoga practice both relaxes and energizes the body and mind and brings vitality, flexibility, strength, concentration, self-confidence and mental calm. Yoga is suitable for all types of people and all levels of fitness.

Practising Yoga helps you overcome and prevent many stresses and strains, aches and pains and promotes a firm foundation of health and well-being.

"Asanas will help to transform an individual by taking the person away from an awareness of just the body, toward the consciousness of the soul."

BKS Iyengar

About Yogacharya Sri B.K.S. Iyengar

B.K.S. Iyengar is considered to be the foremost authority on and teacher of Hatha Yoga in the world and the Iyengar system is the world's most widely practised method of Yoga. Born on December 14, 1918 in Bellur, India, he has studied and practised Yoga for over 70 years.

Iyengar's thorough study, understanding and mastery of Yoga are unrivalled in modern times. Having taught in all five continents, he has won worldwide respect and recognition for his achievements and has made yoga accessible and relevant to people everywhere, no matter what their physical or mental ability.

BKS Iyengar's first visit to Britain was in the early 1960's, at the invitation of the great violinist Yehudi Menuhin, and he made annual visits for many years thereafter, giving demonstrations and workshops and gaining a large number of devoted students. Several of these students went on to found the MDIIY in Manchester.

He continues to set the standard for his teachers and students while his textbooks on yoga have become classics. He is based at and runs the Ramamani Memorial Iyengar Yoga Institute (named in memory of his wife) in Pune, India where his daughter Geeta and son Prashant Iyengar are also directors. There are over 2000 qualified Iyengar Yoga teachers in the world in over 40 countries with over 180 Iyengar Yoga Associations worldwide. To visit the official site of BKS Iyengar please click here www.bksiyengar.com

The Teaching System

B.K.S. Iyengar has evolved precise posture (asana) and breathing (Pranayama) techniques with a firm philosophical base in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

Patanjali lived about 1700 years ago, in India. He is credited with collating and writing the first records of Yoga, Ayurvedic Medicine and Sanskrit Grammar which consist of just 196 sutras (aphorisms) which cover all aspects of life and are still more than relevant in today’s society.

The system of teaching is methodical and progressive, emphasising detailed correctness and absolute safety. When necessary, it uses supports called “props” that allow students to progress in their practice of postures safely at their own pace, to suit their body. Beginners work in a basic way on simple postures according to their capabilities. As they develop they then move on to more refined ways of working as well as to more complex postures.

The Certification Mark is a registered trade mark awarded to teachers who are approved members of the Iyengar Yoga Association (UK).

Only properly trained and certified teachers who have maintained their professional development are legally permitted to use this logo. All teachers at MDIIY have the Certification Mark.