
to pass on the study and practice of yoga
in the tradition of B.K.S. Iyengar and
Geeta S. Iyengar in its entirety.
The holistic and transforming art of Yoga
Our teacher B.K.S. Iyengar developed a systematic way of teaching, educating, and culturing yoga teachers. He not only passed on the Art of Yoga but also the deep therapeutic aspects of the 8fold path of Yoga (Science of Yoga), as well as an extensive philosophical wisdom (Philosophy of Yoga).
B.K.S. Iyengar was a bhakti–yogi, his life task was to teach and share knowledge for the benefit of mankind. That was our motivation to bring LOY into being.
Develop the depth and breadth of Yoga
Apart from studying the yoga in depth we enhance one “little” practised aspect of yoga: dharana (alignment of mind) and dhyana (meditation).
Emphasis is laid on “Tatra sthitau yatnah abhyasah” I.13 YSP: “practice is the steadfast effort to still these fluctuations (of the mind).”
“Sthira sukham asanam” II.46 YSP: “asana is perfect firmness of body, steadiness of intelligence and benevolence of spirit.”
Accordingly, we give the students the opportunity to develop these skills in the basic studies – so that the work with asana and pranayama get more depth.
The teachers
Rita Keller
Advanced teacher
Rita is the founder of LightOnYoga. She studied directly with the Iyengar familiy and is one of the leading Iyengar yoga teachers in Europe. Author of numerous books like Motherhood, Menopause, among others. Founder of the Iyengar Yoga Academy in Cologne.
Alan Goode
Advanced teacher
Alan is the Director of Yoga Mandir. He is a direct student of BKS Iyengar. Alan is passionately involved with the practice of yoga and its application to daily life. Through his writing he unravels the themes of the yoga sutras and demonstrates their link to our practice.
Stephanie Quirk
Senior teacher
Stephanie is a world leader in the field of Yoga Therapeutics, having spent 20 years living, studying and working directly with the Iyengar family. Stephanie´s capacity is to transmit in a very accessible way the experience of her assistance to Guruji at the medical classes in Pune.
Jayne Orton
Advanced teacher
Jayne is the founder of the Iyengar Yoga Institute Birmingham. She started practising Iyengar Yoga as a teenager in 1975 and studied directly with the Iyengar family. Jayne conducts teacher training at Introductory, Intermediate and Senior levels.
Mary Heath
Senior teacher
Mary has been a Senior Intermediate Level 3 teacher since 2004, teaching, moderating and assessing in the UK and Europe. She has been visiting Pune regularly for over 20 years, to be taught directly by the Iyengar family, and in addition, by Guruji and Geetaji in the UK and USA.
Liina Puustinen
Senior teacher
Liina has studied with Rita Keller since 2005, at the Iyengar Institute in Pune, and with many international teachers. In 2014 Liina moved to Germany and is teaching in Düsseldorf and in the Iyengar Yoga Academy in Cologne. Liina is known for her energetic, joyful and precise teaching style.
Janne Kontala
PhD in religious studies
Janne holds a PhD in Religious Studies. He is author of the books Inner Yoga, as well as a commentary and translation to Yoga-sutra. He spent five years in traditional ashrams. Janne started practicing yoga in 1992.
Olga Bishop
Senior teacher
Olga has studied with the Iyengar family since 2005. She has conducted teacher training courses since 2011. Olga is a well-known teacher having taught in many countries. Her calm, friendly yet demanding approach is a joy to behold.
Gabi Göller
Junior teacher III
Gabi has been studying with Rita since 2003, at the Iyengar Institute in Pune and with international teachers. Gabi is dedicated to yoga therapy and yoga for pregnant women. Her teaching is precise, sensitive and full of joy.