A dedicated space for Iyengar Yoga

The Iyengar Yoga Institute South London, based in Deptford, offers high quality teaching for a range of abilities and a dedicated, tranquil space for students, teachers and the Iyengar Yoga community to meet. 

See our class timetable for information and to book your class.

See our class fees page for information on drop in rates, membership and class passes.

The latest news and blogs

Featured
Yoga led self practice sessions
Yoga led self practice sessions

At IYISL we have been running a teachers’ led self practice session for a while. We are now adding a Tuesday early morning led self practice session to our timetable for experienced students who are keen to develop their own practice.

Yoga self practice is practicing asana by yourself with self awareness and adjusting your pose without a teacher’s instructions. Self practice is an important part of developing your yoga practice. It will help you access poses you find challenging and also help you start to work at a deeper level which has great physical and mental benefits.

Most people find starting their own self practice is challenging. Apart from finding the time , space and focus and an element of self discipline for practice, it is difficult at first to know what poses to practice for best effect and in what order.

Led self practice is a way of helping with these issues. The teacher leads by setting the programme, showing the poses if needed and doing the poses with the students. Otherwise the practice is done quietly with no instructions or adjustments. It is a chance for you to find your own way into the asana.

Kathak dance performance at IYISL
Kathak dance performance at IYISL

A big thank you to everyone who attended and supported our Kathak dance performance - a reflection on dance, yoga, healing and community. I know everyone there felt touched by and really appreciated Vipul Bhatti’s heartfelt performance.

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Restorative yoga and Pranayama - peaceful and rejuvenating
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Class passes - for great value classes
Not sure which class to choose?
Not sure which class to choose?

We often get asked which class to choose by new students so here is some information about the different class levels so you can choose the best class for you.

A quiet pause
A quiet pause

Iyengar Yoga students the world over start their yoga class by singing the Invocation to Lord Patanjali. This explains why its important.

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Latest news on opening
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A quiet and steady space
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Long distance learners - reflections on online yoga classes
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Now live … Online classes - from our homes to yours!

Sign up for upcoming events

Featured
Monthly introductory beginners yoga course
May 4
Monthly introductory beginners yoga course

This is a rolling 4 week course so you can join it at any time.

This course is for beginners to Iyengar yoga and aims to be both enjoyable and to help you learn how to get to grips with the basic yoga poses. It is a rolling course which you can join at any time.

It includes four classes on Sunday mornings starting at 9.30am and is designed to give you a good grounding in the full range of poses we practise in yoga. It is a monthly course and, if you miss a week, it is fine to catch up the following week.

The course is with Marion Sinclair - an experienced yoga teacher who also manages IYISL.

Click on the title to see more information and to book a place.

Escape for a short yoga retreat in a peaceful setting in nature close to London
Aug 1
Escape for a short yoga retreat in a peaceful setting in nature close to London

Two IYISL teachers, Marion Sinclair and Rebecca Rawsthorne, will be teaching this short yoga retreat in a beautiful setting in the Lee Valley nature park. A chance to escape the city and practice yoga in nature within easy reach of London. A few days of peaceful and energising yoga practice.

The yoga practice area is a covered open space under trees close to the river.

Join us on Friday for a late afternoon yoga practice and to camp in the simple riverside Almost Wild campsite overnight. You will wake up in nature on Saturday to start the day with a quiet early morning Pranayama practice. This will be followed after a short break by a yoga asana practice. There will be a longer break for lunch and resting and then a restorative afternoon practice to end the day.

It is possible to join us for the Saturday practice only.

Click on the title to see more details and to book a place

Introduction to Pranayama course
Aug 8
Introduction to Pranayama course

This 4 week course with IYISL teacher Marion Sinclair is an introduction to Pranayama - the subtle art of yogic breathings and is a chance to become familiar with a basic practice.

Pranayama is a calming practice that promotes health and well being.

The session will include some restorative poses to prepare the body and mind for Pranayama and is a very restful session. Book for the whole course or for drop in sessions.

Dates and times:

Fridays 8-Aug 15-Aug 22-Aug 5-Sep, 6.15 - 7.30pm

Click on the title to see more details and book a place.

A half day pranayama and asana workshop with Richard Ward for general and intermediate level students
Aug 10
A half day pranayama and asana workshop with Richard Ward for general and intermediate level students

This half day yoga workshop with Richard Ward will include a pranayama practice followed by an asana class which will link to the work done in the pranayama class.

In this workshop Richard will be introducing ways in which you can experience, use and learn from pranayama informed breathing in asana to improve your practice and understanding.

Richard is senior Iyengar yoga teacher well known for his reflective and detailed approach to teaching yoga. He first started going to yoga classes in 1975 and then started studying yoga with BKS Iyengar in 1976. He started teaching yoga in 1977.

Click on the title to see more details and to book.

Lessons along the path - a weekend workshop with Mary Obendorfer and Eddy Marks for intermediate and general level students
Oct 10
Lessons along the path - a weekend workshop with Mary Obendorfer and Eddy Marks for intermediate and general level students

We are extremely pleased to welcome back US teachers Mary Obendorfer and Eddy Marks who have taught very popular workshops for us in the past.

This is an opportunity to learn with teachers that are certified at an advanced level with a wealth of experience and the ability to convey BKS Iyengar’s illuminated teachings with great clarity, insight and positive energy.

They co-direct the BKS Iyengar Yoga Center of San Diego which was established in 1979 and have taught throughout the US and worldwide to share what they feel they were privileged to learn directly from the Iyengar family.

The workshop is suitable for intermediate and general level Iyengar yoga students.

There will be three sessions over the weekend.

Friday 10 Oct - evening session 6-8pm ‘Back on Track’

Saturday 11 Oct - full day workshop with a break for lunch, 10am-1pm ‘Many Facets, One Diamond’ and 2:30-5pm ‘Mudra: Sealing the Deal’

Sunday 12 Oct - a full day workshop with a break for lunch, 10am-1pm ‘Learning to Stand on your Own Two Hands’ and 2:30-5pm ‘Mistakes You Believe’

Click on the title to see further details and book a place.

Exchange of Learning Day for Iyengar yoga teachers and trainee teachers with Helen Graham
Nov 23
Exchange of Learning Day for Iyengar yoga teachers and trainee teachers with Helen Graham

Exchange of learning days are a chance for Iyengar Yoga teachers and trainees to come together to explore a theme relevant to Iyengar Yoga teaching.

This year the theme is ‘Yoga For All Bodies’ - exploring practical approaches that develop Iyengar yoga classrooms, practice environments and communities to be diverse, body positive and inclusive.

The workshop will last approximately 5 hours with a short break for lunch.

Workshop date and time : Sunday 23 Nov, 10.30am-4.30pm

Cost : £40

Click on the title to see further details