Iyengar Yoga Institute Maida Vale

Our history

The Iyengar Yoga Institute Maida Vale is London’s original Iyengar yoga centre. We’ve been welcoming new students and experienced practitioners for more than thirty years, since B.K.S. Iyengar first taught classes here.

Located in Maida Vale, ten minutes from central London, the Institute is open daily, from early in the morning until late at night. We offer more than fifty classes a week, catering for all levels from complete beginners to more advanced practitioners, in award-winning bright, spacious studios.

As a charity, we’re run on a not-for-profit basis with a commitment to offer affordable yoga to students of all ages.

Founded by teachers

The Iyengar Yoga Institute in Maida Vale was founded on this site in 1984 to provide Iyengar students in London with a dedicated teaching centre. It was financed by contributions and fund-raising activities by its early members and also from B.K.S. Iyengar himself, who taught here and gave public demonstrations. From 1968, senior UK students gave evening classes through the Inner London Education Authority. Mr Iyengar visited each year to assess their teaching, but there was no permanent space to work in. Some classes were held in school gyms, while others had to make do with draughty rooms, noise and dirty floors.

Why Iyengar Yoga?

Yoga became popular in the West in large part through the teaching of B.K.S. Iyengar. His method of learning yoga is now the most widely practised in the world.

Accessible

Iyengar yoga is accessible to anyone. Regular practice increases suppleness, strength and stamina, improves posture and concentration and quietens the mind to promote well-being.

High Teaching Standards

All Iyengar yoga teachers undergo a rigorous programme of training lasting years. Many of our teachers at the Iyengar Yoga Institute, Maida Vale, London have decades of experience, travelling regularly to for instruction.

Safe

The Iyengar yoga technique emphasises precision and alignment. Quality of movement is prioritised over quantity. You learn to move with ease in your body while working within your limitations. This makes the yoga postures (asanas) safe to perform.

Use of Props

Yoga Postures are held for longer than in some other methods, allowing tight muscles to lengthen and relax, and helping to focus awareness. Yoga Props such as blankets, blocks and belts may be used to improve your understanding of poses or to help if you have difficulties.

Structured

The practice is progressive, building a stable foundation before attempting more demanding work. Beginners start with standing yoga poses and are gradually introduced to a fuller range of sitting and reclining yoga postures, forward extensions, inversions, twists, backbends and arm balances.

Balanced

Each group of yoga postures develops the body in different yet reciprocal ways and has different qualities: grounding, energising, strengthening, stimulating, calming. Yoga Classes at all levels devote time to relaxation. Once the body and mind are strong enough to sit or lie for extended periods without distraction, students learn pranayama (yogic breathing).

Variety

No two yoga classes are the same: teachers select yoga poses from the different groups of poses to emphasise the various aspects of the practice.

Integrated mental and physical practice

Iyengar yoga has been described as meditation in action. Practising the yoga postures with awareness has an integrating effect and works to harmonise mind and body.