Restorative yoga and Pranayama - peaceful and rejuvenating

Restorative yoga classes are for everyone - helping us deal with day to day stresses and tiredness and maintain a rested mind and body. Attending a restorative class will help you feel calm and deeply rested.


Setu bhanda sarvangasana (bridge pose) supported on cross bolsters

Setu bhanda sarvangasana (bridge pose) supported on cross bolsters

Viparita Karani (inverted flow pose) legs at wall supported by two small bolsters

Viparita Karani (inverted flow pose) legs at wall supported by two small bolsters

Iyengar yoga is very varied in its approach; incorporating at different times fast paced work, intensification of poses using props like ropes and chairs, long holds in poses and a detailed focus on alignment and precise use and positioning of muscles in poses, as well as deeper levels of practice with a more internal focus such as Pranayama.

Iyengar restorative yoga is a special type of class that uses carefully positioned yoga props to support the body in poses which can then be held without effort for longer periods of time to experience the physical and mental benefits of yoga poses at a deeper level.

Our restorative classes

In January we are starting a new mid-week restorative and introduction to Pranayama (yoga breathing) class on Wednesdays which will be a very peaceful class. We also run a regular Saturday afternoon restorative class. See our timetable and workshop pages for more information.


What are the benefits of restorative yoga?

Restorative practices are based on the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar. They are very therapeutic; extension and expansion of the body broadens the diaphragm and oxygenated blood supply can bathe and purify the organic body (digestive, excretory, glandular, nervous, reproductive, respiratory and circulatory systems).  An improved circulation improves elimination of cell impurities according to Geeta Iyengar. 

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Once you become familiar with restorative sequences they become a touchstone in your life helping you cope in a quiet and soothing way with both day to day stresses and times of illness or tiredness.

A properly balanced yoga practice should include a regular restorative practice alongside more energetic practice.

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What is involved in a restorative yoga class?

A restorative yoga sequence typically involves only five or six poses, supported by props that allow you to completely relax and rest. Held for five minutes or more, restorative poses can include seated forward bends, supported supine poses, backbends, inversions and gentle twists. 

Pranayama involves learning the very subtle skill of yoga breathing which adds a deeper level of quietness to a restorative practice.

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At IYISL our restorative classes are taught by experienced teachers using our wide range of yoga props. The teachers are able to adjust and tailor the use of props to suit the flexibility and proportions of individuals, taking in considerations any difficulties or injuries. The correct alignment and support allows students to become quiet - withdrawing the senses of perception and moving towards an inner quietness which is the source of the restorative experience in these classes. 

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Class passes - for great value classes

class passes

If you buy annual membership at IYISL (just £35) you can buy our class passes to get great value classes.

There are two passes - the 8 class pass valid for 2 calendar months which is great for people doing 1 or 2 classes a week. We also offer a monthly pass valid for 1 calendar month which allows you to attend as many classes as you want in that month. Perfect if you are keen to improve your yoga practice.

We also offer a 4 class pass for beginners to yoga aimed at students who have done an introductory beginners class and want to attend our continuing beginner classes. These can be purchased without buying an annual membership.

See our fees page for more information and to buy your pass. IYISL fees.


Latest news on opening

The official government opening date for studios like ours - running indoor classes - is currently 17th May. We look forward to opening up and welcoming you back on that date.

In the meantime we are continuing with our online classes. See our class timetable for more information.

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A quiet and steady space


Peaceful yoga at home

Peaceful yoga at home

As Christmas and the end of the year approaches and things continue to change around us, it feels important to reflect on what we can take that is positive from this year and how we prepare for next year.


Some years ago I read something that stayed with me. The image was of the ocean; the surface of the sea is dependent on the weather - sometimes calm, sometimes with a gentle swell and sometimes wild and stormy with high waves and wind. Deep down in the ocean there are currents and motion but there is a quiet steadiness. Yoga allows us to touch this deep and steady place whenever we need to and let the storms pass by.

Although for much of this year life hasn’t been as we are used to and lots of restrictions have been in place, for most of us there has been more time to focus on things like yoga. Practicing yoga will make you stronger and more flexible but more importantly it can give you an inner steadiness and resilience as well and the ability to focus on the immediate with a positive mindset.

With more time for practice and online classes, yoga has felt to me like a calming companion through the change and uncertainty of this year. At IYISL we will continue to teach yoga online and in person when we can. We hope you can join us and, as well as getting stronger and more flexible, you experience some of the much needed mental quiet that yoga can bring.

Iyengar yoga workshops at IYISL in 2020

Iyengar yoga workshops, with senior Iyengar teachers who have studied directly with BKS Iyengar and the Iyengar family are not only a way of deepening your yoga practice and understanding - they are life affirming. A combination of study, hard work and fun!

These senior Iyengar yoga teachers are able to combine their own yoga practice and life experience with their respect for and understanding of the Iyengar yoga approach to deliver a wealth of teaching that really is inspiring.

Zubin Zarthoshtimanesh inspiring us to work with our yoga ropes

Zubin Zarthoshtimanesh inspiring us to work with our yoga ropes


The Iyengar Yoga Institute South London is an ideal space for Iyengar Yoga workshops - it is modelled on the Iyengar yoga mother institute in Pune and equipped with a wide range of yoga props. Workshops are a chance to use the props as BKS Iyengar intended to develop our understanding and intensify our yoga practice.

Our workshops are normally advertised on our website a few months before they run. Here is a list of workshops confirmed so far this year. If you are interested in booking early for a specific workshop this may be possible. Just email your request to info@iyisl.com.


Jan 17,18,19 The very popular Zubin Zarthoshtimanesh is teaching a weekend workshop for us in January (now full). His workshops are always inspiring. We are hoping Zubin will be able to visit us again later this year.

Jan25 Feb22 Mar21 Sophie Carrington, a dedicated senior Iyengar yoga teacher with a very clear teaching approach is running a series of three monthly half day Saturday afternoon workshops. This will give experienced students and teachers a chance to explore intermediate level Iyengar yoga practice more deeply.

Easter Sunday and Monday 12,13 Apr June Whittaker is a senior teacher whose original training was in classical ballet and she brings the elegance and physical discipline to her teaching. She will be joining us from her base in Nice to teach a workshop for general level students.

Friday May 15 Alaric Newcombe is an insightful senior teacher who teaches mixing sharp observation with lots of humour. Based in North London, he will be heading south of the river (!) to teach a half day Friday afternoon ropes workshop aimed at general to intermediate level Iyengar yoga students.

Devki Desai inspiring a better Trikonasana

Devki Desai inspiring a better Trikonasana

Eyal Shifroni making inventive use of yoga props

Eyal Shifroni making inventive use of yoga props

July 17,18,19 Eyal Shifroni is a senior teacher from Israel who is well known for his books that clearly explain the hugely varied use of yoga props developed by the Iyengar family. ‘A Chair for Yoga’ is the first of the series. Eyal is returning to IYISL to show us how to make creative use of our yoga props.

Sep 6 Mary Obendorfer & Eddy Marks, senior teachers from San Francisco, will be coming back to London to teach a one day workshop. Their workshops have been very popular and their shared teaching style mixes a deep level of study of Iyengar yoga with an approach to teaching that is both practical and caring.

Oct 11 Lynda Purvis is a senior teacher who first visited us to teach a development day for Iyengar yoga teachers. Lynda is returning to teach a workshop that will explore the use of yoga to help women in the hormonal changes of menstruation, pregnancy and menopause - based on the pioneering work of Geeta Iyengar.

New to Iyengar yoga ( or just new to yoga ) ?

Here are some tips to help with a five yoga related worries! 


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Yoga is something lots of people want to try – to improve their flexibility, to feel more relaxed or just because they are curious. Some come to Iyengar yoga because they have heard that they will be taught how to do the poses (Asana) and are keen to learn more.

Over the years we have had lots of questions from people who really want to start yoga but still feel uncertain about it. Here are the some tips to help with the most common worries people have.


4. I’m a bit worried about my <back problem, knee pain, sore wrist> etc

You should always remind your teacher of any medical conditions or injuries you have at the beginning of any class. If your teacher is aware of your issues they may be able to incorporate poses into the class that will help improve the issue and they may ensure that you practice some poses in a modified way so as not to aggravate problems.

You should also take responsibility for your self. Generally if you feel a sharp pain in a pose (whether you have an injury or not), you should come out of the pose and let the teacher know. In Iyengar yoga the teachers are taught how to help you adjust and use props to help with issues you might have.

5. What if I fall asleep in Savasana? 

This sort of question is about related to people’s worries about being embarrassed … being worse that everyone else, not being able to balance and so on. 

So yoga really isn’t a competition. You should try the best you can at that time but your experience is your own. Everyone will struggle with some things and find others easier.

Savasana (corpse pose) is the ‘relaxation’ pose at the end of class. If you have worked hard during the class, when you settle into this pose there can be a real sense of ‘letting go’ of physical and mental tension. Lying on the floor feels completely restful and there is a sense of peace. Sometimes, and it happens to all of us sometimes, you fall asleep. Although ideally you stay awake and aware of this peaceful feeling it really doesn’t matter to anyone if you do drift into sleep for a few moments.

1. I’m quite stiff – maybe I’m just not flexible enough for yoga

In fact not being flexible is an excellent reason to start yoga! You are going to be practicing a whole range of poses that will improve your flexibility and also your muscle health and (there’s more!) make your organs, blood circulation and breathing all healthier!

In Iyengar yoga we talk about mobility and stability. Becoming mobile (rather than ‘fixed’) is something you will gradually work on in yoga and you will also learn how to hold poses in a stable way. It’s really a balancing of strength and flexibility – both are developed.

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2. I don’t know how to do any of the poses 

Go to your first class with an open mind, ready to learn. In an Iyengar yoga class you will be taught how to do the poses and it may feel challenging. You will be moving your body in ways you may have not moved it before and definitely learning something new.

 I remember the frustration of not being able to do poses early on and my teacher told me ‘you have to learn to love the process’. What she meant was that you may never achieve a perfect pose but, as I learnt gradually, the benefits for body and mind that are part of yoga come from ongoing practice with focused awareness (that’s the process). Being naturally ‘good’ at poses is not the thing that brings those yoga benefits.

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3. I really don’t think I will be any good at the poses

 See the answer to the question above … but also trust that if you practice you will improve. Be aware of where you start and appreciate the gradual improvement that comes with regular practice. To get started on this journey I recommend making a personal commitment to doing classes for a reasonable amount of time – say six weeks – giving a chance for improvements to start to happen in your body… and appreciate them. 

 

Running 'yoga for men' sessions

After a first successful men only session in April we have decided to run a regular class for men only. Jonathan Millett has recently joined the teaching team at IYISL and  will be teaching these sessions.

We asked him some questions about why he thinks these classes are needed.

Read more

Going deeper - developing your yoga practice

Recently we were lucky enough to have two days of inspirational yoga with Rajiv and Swati Chanchani. With many years of teaching Iyengar yoga in India, the Chachani’s are wonderfully adept at melding teaching of Asana with awareness of breathing and a wonderful range of images draw from their wide experience all combined to create insightful Yoga classes.

The Asana work we did with them involved posses that were held for longer periods of time so that we could become aware of our breathing in each pose and the effect it has on the mind and body. The Chanchani’s told us to think of the Asana as creating different types of landscape through which our breath flowed like water in ways that depended on the shapes the Asana created in our bodies.

They taught us poses with the meticulous precision associated with the Iyengar Yoga helping us to add a deeper layer and built our ability to observe in fine detail the flow of movement of our breathing.

They also talked about what it means to deepen your yoga practice.

Developing awareness

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“Awareness must be like the rays of the sun: extending everywhere, illuminating all.”

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SRI B.K.S. IYENGAR

 

Iyengar Yoga starts with the Asana which are practiced in increasing detail in a way that helps develop our focus, concentration and awareness.  In a natural way this leads to the development of breath awareness in poses.  Moving deeper this leads to Pranayama, yogic breathing, as a natural continuation of the practice.

The two days of teaching with Rajiv and Swati left us with feeling that, whatever our starting point, whether starting to understand Asana or moving inward to incorporate an awareness of breathing or starting to practice Pranayama -  we should always aim to deepen our yoga practice.

 

 

Breathing - our essence

 We are all so busy, rushing around, we don’t allow ourselves time to be still. Pranayama can be thought of as a form of meditation and it give us the opportunity to bring stillness to our body and mind.

The benefits of a regular practice of meditation have been shown to include:

  • Improvements in our emotional well being with reductions in feelings of anxiety, depression and stress
  • Health improvements such as reduced blood pressure and increased energy levels
  • Mental improvements such a improved ability to focus and improved memory

The Chanchani’s told the story of a deer they had seen in the forest near to where they live. The deer had been attacked by tigers and what remained was it’s head - with eyes wide open, untouched and beautiful. They said that, despite its beauty, with no breath its essence had gone.  This was a strong image to help us understand that our breath, which we usually pay so little attention to, is entwined with our essence and our life force.

breath

Written by Anstey Bligh and Marion Sinclair

Yoga on and off the mat

I recently had a conversation over coffee with a friend who was concerned about the impact on her life and health of doing a busy and demanding job and balancing that with her family life.

I recommended yoga to her and she asked why? She was interested but wanted to know how it would benefit her.

It’s a good question. In my experience, the benefits of yoga and the work you put in on your yoga mat deeply and positively influence you, your home and working life off the mat.

People decide to try yoga for a whole range of reasons – to get more flexible, to develop the muscles that most other exercise doesn’t reach, to relax reduce stress and feel healthier, or out of curiosity … or maybe for a little of everything.

I have been doing yoga for a long time and liked it so much I trained as a teacher (as well as still doing my day job!). I thought it would be a good idea to answer the question by asking other people what they felt about their first experiences of yoga. These are some of their responses.

 

 

 

‘My most memorable experience of my first yoga class was standing with my feet together on a mat, raising my arms and stretching my hands and fingers up to stand up straight. I was 44 years old and I honestly couldn’t remember the last time I really experienced standing still, with my body stretched and straight. It was a simple but powerful moment for me. I stood tall!’
‘The first class I went to was a restorative class on a Saturday afternoon, I remember thinking how strange it all was with everyone looking zonked out in various poses using lots of bolsters and blankets  and belts over their eyes! I soon discovered how lovely the programme was. I remember the feeling of air in my lungs after chair Sarvangasana (shoulder stand) … wow.'

 

'In regular classes even when I found it difficult   I stuck with it because after every class I could feel a tiny change for the better. I love that yoga is a lifelong journey and I’ll never stop learning.’

 

Standing tall

Standing tall

Embodied

Embodied

‘I enjoyed the yoga classes from the start. I liked following the teachers instructions (as well as I could) and feeling the response in my body. At the end of the class the teacher must have seen the happiness on my face and said isn’t it great when you find something you’ve been looking for. She was right!’

The challenge

The challenge

 

 

‘Finding time and willpower to keep going is difficult at first. I wasn’t particularly strong physically and it wasn’t easy for me but at the same time right from the beginning it made me feel better about myself. Gyms are all about results and vanity and while yoga gives results too (I am so much stronger and more flexible than I was) it does help you step out of that and question why you are so critical of yourself.’

My advice to is to just  make a start; commit to doing a yoga a class once a week for three months. Schedule a time in your diary and just go each week without thinking about it. Focus on learning with an open mind and see what happens for you.

The cartoons that capture the yoga feeling so perfectly are by artist and Iyengar Yoga student Divyam Chaya Bernstein.

https://divyamchayabernstein.wordpress.com/

 

 

Hugely popular taster Session

National Iyengar Yoga Day is a fantastic opportunity to get a taste of the practice and discover why we're all hooked. Despite the wintery weather, we opened our doors to dozens of newcomers who were curious to find out more about Iyengar Yoga.

A full house at the IYISL

A full house at the IYISL

I was delighted to meet so many fresh faces at our taster session on Saturday 14th January to mark National Iyengar Yoga Day. Every year, yoga centres across the UK and Ireland celebrate National Iyengar Yoga Day and offer free classes to their local communities. For all of us who teach and practice at the Iyengar Yoga Institute South London, it was a wonderful opportunity to start the new year as we mean to go on - introducing more people to the enjoyable and rewarding practice of Iyengar Yoga.

The morning started out rainy and cold so we wondered who would venture out to join us on a such a dreary winter's day. By 9am, our hall was at capacity with 28 students - a real range of ages and roughly half men, half women. We were really pleased to see this mix of new people. 

It was a lively and enjoyable class, which I like to think left everyone feeling energised and keen to come back for more. Hopefully, everyone got a feel for the variety that is Iyengar Yoga - varied pace with some poses taught slowly, in detail and with careful and considered use of props and other poses, to a slightly faster tempo. As ever, we ended the session with a peaceful set of restorative poses.

It was a lively and enjoyable class, which left everyone energised and keen to come back
Energising poses

Energising poses

It was great to receive so many thankful and positive comments. I'm fairly sure that we did a good job of introducing Iyengar Yoga to our newcomers and judging by how our classes are booking up, many are already hooked!

Thank you to our dedicated teachers and to everyone who took the trouble to join us on such a chilly Saturday morning. I look forward to practising Iyengar Yoga with you again very soon.

A fresh start for this hidden haven

Nestled amongst a thriving pot plant garden, in the midst of the clamour of the A2 traffic, there’s a corner of Deptford that invites us to search for an inner calm.

IYISL's secluded patio garden

IYISL's secluded patio garden

In stark contrast to the bustling south east London neighbourhood, the Iyengar Yoga Institute of South London, focuses on the traditional values and teaching of Iyengar Yoga.

Yoga has been the sole focus of this building for the past 22 years and it was inaugurated by B.K.S. Iyengar himself on December 14th 1995. Prior to that, the building was the home of the small New Cross Building Society and the building, which dates from 1866, makes an ideal yoga space.

As London yoga centres go, its peacefulness is rare, but welcomed by its loyal students who dedicatedly visit the Institute each week to practise Iyengar yoga.

Iyengar is a form of Hatha yoga that places emphasis on detail, precision and alignment of posture (Asana) and breath control (Pranayama). Through the use of props - such as belts, blocks and blankets – and with highly-qualified teachers, students can focus on exploring and improving their ability to perform the Asana.


As soon as you walk through the gate into the secluded patio garden, buffered from the traffic noise with the foliage and flowers from the dozens of potted plants, and in through the doors of this old building, you at once feel a sense of calm and tranquillity.

Don’t underestimate the value of a purpose-built space in getting the most out of yoga practice. The Iyengar Yoga Institute of South London is a dedicated space, which envelopes you with its stillness as soon as you enter. The props, so essential to Iyengar teaching, are ready and waiting in their correct places and its walls are adorned with inspirational pictures of B.K.S. Iyengar in the full range of asana.

The Institute’s community is friendly and grounded. They appreciate both the teaching and this unique space. Many students contribute their skills to help with the running of the Institute and students treat it as somewhere they care about, not just somewhere they go for a yoga class.

At the end of last year, Marion Sinclair took over management of the Institute and she has plans to enrich the programme, increasing and broadening the use of the Institute to make it a hub for Iyengar Yoga students and teachers in South London introducing new teachers, workshops and events.

For the current community of students and teachers who currently use this Deptford yoga centre, it is a well-kept secret. For those interested in yoga across south east London, it is a hidden gem that is worth discovering.

Natural light brightens the IYISL space

Natural light brightens the IYISL space

 
As soon as you walk through the gate into the secluded patio garden... you at once feel a sense of calm and tranquility
Autumn berries in the IYISL garden

Autumn berries in the IYISL garden

Cyclamen's bring a splash of colour

Cyclamen's bring a splash of colour

 

Authenticity and why it’s important to my yoga teaching

Iyengar Yoga is a huge part of my life and I'm thrilled that my passion for this traditional practice has led me to take over the running of the IYISL.

Marion teaching at the IYISL

Marion teaching at the IYISL

Glenys Shepherd, who had created and grown the Institute, decided to retire from managing the Institute after 22 years and hand it on to someone new. Although Glenys will no longer be running the Institute, her legacy will remain -  not least as Glenys will continue to be welcomed as a guest teacher. I have learnt much from Glenys over the years and I continue to be inspired by her approach and her passion, focus and the principled approach to Iyengar Yoga teaching. I too have utmost respect for the foundations of Iyengar Yoga and I am proud to teach under the auspices of the late B.K.S. Iyengar.

When I was invited to take over as manager of the Institute, I immediately started to think about what changes I might make to open it up to more students. A new website, a refreshed timetable, new faces to the teaching community, widening our appeal to a new audience?

After careful deliberation, all of these changes are in motion. Over the coming months, you’ll see new classes and a diverse range of teachers joining us at the Institute.


Statues of Indian deities

Statues of Indian deities

I wanted to give the Institute a fresh start, but I also started to think more deeply about what makes it special as there are many things I don’t think should change.

If you join our community at the Iyengar Yoga Institute of South London, you’ll find that our yoga asks for focus, reflection and patience as well as plain hard work! Nothing will change in this respect because of the benefits that come from this type of practice.

Plaque marking Guruji's visit

Plaque marking Guruji's visit

At 90 minutes or longer, our classes are not at all your typical express exercise class, but I believe this time is necessary for focused learning and reflection. Our classes are challenging, but you won’t necessarily break a sweat. You will find a holistic experience for the body and mind. 

 

Beyond classes we are also a community of students and teachers that quietly support one another. Outside the focus of classes there is a friendly feel and a shared connection.

Authentic Iyengar Yoga is important to me and our style and approach to teaching will always stay true to the principles of Iyengar Yoga. I hope many new students will join our community to share our passion and appreciate the benefits of true Iyengar Yoga.