About Me
Annemarie first began yoga as a teenager in New York and discovered the Iyengar method when she came to Bristol in 1997. She immediately recognised the benefits that Iyengar yoga could bring: a feeling of well-being, calm and challenge. She loves its lineage, rigorous methodology, and clarity.
She was inspired to teach after attending the 2009 UK convention taught by Geeta Iyengar (BKS Iyengar’s daughter).
She holds a Level 3 certification and has taken classes at the Ramamani Iyengar Institute (RIMYI) in Pune. She recently participated in the IYUK Long Covid study - supporting a student with Long Covid.
She regularly attends the Iyengar UK annual conventions, which are taught by teachers from RIYMI, as well as learning from senior teachers near, far and wide.
‘Yoga asks you to draw on physical strength, as well as discipline, tolerance and persistence, to see that it isn’t just exercise, but about who you are at that moment. It has challenged my patience and tenacity as well as calmed and comforted.’
Annemarie was physically active from as far back as she can remember, swimming in the sea and studying martial arts from a young age. She was a keen runner and completed half marathons in 2004 and 2005 - and recently did a Super Sprint Triathlon. She cycles and enjoys mountain walks and outdoor swimming (heated mainly!).
She also brings to her teaching a wealth of experience from working for over 20 years in leadership, communication and team development. She is the author of Smart Things to Know About Teams (Capstone, 1999) and values the connections people make while practising yoga.
BKS Iyengar in Mayurasana
About Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar yoga is concerned with the awareness and understanding you have and develop of yoga, and not ‘how flexible you are – or not’.
The Iyengar method is methodical and progressive, it emphasises detailed correctness and safety while practicing. The key elements are attention to alignment, specific sequencing of postures, the use of props, and modifications and timings.
Students can expect to be given verbal and occasionally physical corrections as well as props which can either support, intensify or give direction to their understanding of poses and pranayama.
What kind of training does an Iyengar yoga teacher have?
All Iyengar yoga teachers are trained to rigorously high standards. After training regularly with a qualified teacher for a minimum of three consecutive years, candidates undertake a two year teacher mentoring programme followed by the Introductory Level 2 assessment. Once qualified, teachers must continue training regularly and complete professional development each year in order to maintain their membership of the Association. In this way the care and precision that characterises Iyengar yoga is maintained.
These high teaching standards are part of the reason Iyengar Yoga is the most widely performed method of yoga worldwide. Our Certification Mark is the guarantee of this quality
Who was BKS Iyengar?
BKS Iyengar devoted his life (1918-2014) to the practice and understanding of yoga and the study of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. During more than seventy years of teaching, he developed the innovative and inspired method of yoga, which is taught under his name. Iyengar Yoga is not only one of the world’s most widely practiced methods of yoga; its principles are now incorporated into the teaching of yoga under many names as well as into many other forms of exercise, therapy and movement.
The tradition of further developing this art and science continues through the teachings of his children (Dr Geeta Iyengar and Prashant Iyengar), grand daughter (Abijihata Sridhar Iyengar) and other senior teachers at the Ramamani Iyengar Yoga Institute in Pune, India.
In 1966 his book ‘Light on Yoga’ was published, and is known as the definitive guide to the philosophy and practice of yoga. It is regularly used by Iyengar practitioners and teachers to further their understanding and refinement of yoga asanas.
