About Lisa Bartlett
I took my first yoga class, which happened to be an Iyengar Yoga class, in 2005. I haven’t looked back since. I was immediately attracted to the very practical and down to earth approach to the postures and the feeling of not only physical but mental wellbeing at the end of every class. As my interest grew so did my commitment to the practice and I was soon regularly attending two classes a week and enjoying travelling to weekend workshops and Iyengar Yoga Conventions.
Early on in my practice I had the very good fortune to be taught by Faeq Biria, one of BKS Iyengar’s closest devotees, and he suggested that I consider training to be a teacher. So, in 2011 I embarked on the long road of teacher training with my mentor Senior Teacher Judith Richards.
Iyengar Yoga teacher training is especially rigorous. Trainees have to study at least weekly with a regular teacher for a minimum of three years before they can even be considered for teacher training. Then, if accepted, there is a minimum of two and a half years before they go for assessment before a panel. Apart from the physical postures, there is a thorough grounding in anatomy, physiology, study of the classical yoga texts and yogic philosophy. Practical and written tests were taken and I qualified to teach Iyengar Yoga in 2014 and have been teaching ever since.
As teachers, we continue to be students ourselves and I attend classes and workshops with senior Iyengar Yoga teachers regularly. In 2009 I attended an unforgettable week long Convention with Geeta Iyengar in London and have also been taught by Usha Devi, David Meloni, Zubin Zartoshtimanesh, Jawahar Banghera, Lois Steinberg amongst many others.
In January 2020 I was incredibly lucky to travel to Pune in India to study at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute for a month - the homeland of Iyengar Yoga. Lucky not only to be taught by Abhijata Iyengar (the granddaughter of BKS Iyengar) and Prashant and Sunita (his son and daughter), but also to be one of the last visiting students to attend the Institute before the pandemic.
As my practice and teaching evolve, I am becoming more interested in and guided by the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the philosophical works of BKS Iyengar and other yogic texts and I endeavour to weave this Yoga Philosophy into my classes. Like most people, I came to yoga for the physical benefits without realising the full depth of the practice I was to uncover.
Teaching Iyengar Yoga is an absolute honour and passing on the teachings of BKS Iyengar to my students is incredibly rewarding. Watching not only their physical health improve but also observing them cultivate self discipline, resilience, self confidence and a better understanding of themselves gives me joy.
When I am not on my yoga mat or with my nose in a yoga book you can usually find me hiking with my two dogs and spending time with my family.
EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY STATEMENT
“I am sure that after me, my family, my pupils, their children, and the next generation will carry the message of yoga to every nook and corner of the globe, so that all may live as one human race without geographical division of race, religion, colour or gender.” B. K. S. Iyengar
I strongly believe that everyone should have access to the innumerable benefits of Iyengar Yoga. I am committed to creating a welcoming, safe, equitable and inclusive environment for everyone that attends my yoga classes, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, sexuality, culture, age, religion or socioeconomic status - a space where everyone can learn and grow.
Uttana Padasana
The Iyengar Yoga Certification mark is licensed only to Certified Iyengar Yoga teachers (CIYT). It is a sign of excellence, clarity and depth of understanding of the art, science and philosophy of yoga.
