Conventions
About Conventions
IY(UK) holds a Convention every year with different guest teachers from around the world. Our aim is to bring together as many yoga practitioners as possible into one place, so that the bonds of the Iyengar community are strengthened, old friends are met, new ones are made, and all can learn together.
Past Conventions
Abhijata Iyengar: In-Person and Online
4, 5 and 6 May 2024
London
27, 28 and 29 May 2023
In-Person 3 day Convention with Jawahar Bangera
Harrogate Convention Centre
BKS Iyengar’s ‘most senior teacher’ Jawahar Bangera taught our 2023 Convention from 27-29 May in Harrogate.
Jawahar started practising yoga directly under Guruji in 1969, and accompanied Guruji to many conventions over the years, he is a very experienced senior teacher, leading classes all over the world and at home in Mumbai where he is a director of the Iyengar Institute Yogashraya which was inaugurated by BKS Iyengar in 2002. Jawahar is also a trustee and driving force behind the Light on Yoga Research Trust (LOYRT), formed more than 35 years ago to promote the learning and practice of Yoga in the Iyengar method, including the publication of RIMYI journal Yoga Rahasya.
3-5 February 2023
Jaki Nett
Online
Virtual convention with senior Iyengar teacher Jaki Nett from Napa Valley California; inspirational, experienced and compassionate.
Geeta Iyengar recognised Jaki’s special skills and asked her to spread her teaching out to everyone, and exclude no-one.
To quote Jaki: “The body comes in all shapes and sizes” – so surely any body can do yoga? With Jaki, we experience how.
May 28, 29 and 30, 2022
In-Person 3 day Convention with Margaret Austin
Harrogate Convention Centre
15-16 January 2022
Virtual Convention with Margaret Austin
Rajvi is an expert in the art of teaching and learning, and at the forefront of modern scientific research on Iyengar yoga. Her recently published book: “Imagine If: Stories of Ordinary People with Extraordinary Grit”, bears witness to the transformational effects of Iyengar yoga. As well as teaching two mornings of yoga she also conducted a special Q&A session, giving us the opportunity to talk with her about her new book, inspirational life, and practice.
30 April – 3 May 2021
Virtual Convention with Abhijata Iyengar
We were honoured to welcome Abhijata Iyengar, granddaughter of BKS Iyengar, and co-director of our mother institute RIMYI in Pune, India, as our headline teacher for the 2021 virtual convention.
Abhijata is an inspiring and dynamic teacher who taught a daily live class on four consecutive mornings, offering us her deep insight into the art, science and philosophy of Iyengar yoga.
“Don’t be exclusive, be inclusive not only in Āsana but every walk of life”
– BKS Iyengar
A programme of talks open to all: available FREE
In addition to Abhijata’s teaching, we ran a programme of talks led by inspirational contributors, bringing their lived experience and professional expertise to explore yoga and anti-racism, diversity, inclusion and social justice.
Thanks to all who attended our Virtual Convention on 20 and 21 June! Read about the event here
See pictures from all past Conventions on our Flickr account
Previous IY(UK) Conventions:
2022: Margaret Austin, Harrogate
2021: Online: Abhijata Iyengar
2020: Online: Navaz Kamdin, Edwin Bryant, Jayne Orton, Julie Brown
2019: Navaz Kamdin, Nottingham
2018: Margaret Austin, Tricia Booth, Julie Brown, Jayne Orton, Harrogate
2017: Jawahar Bangera, Birmingham
2016: Raya Uma Datta, Harrogate
2015: Birjoo Mehta, Exeter
2014: Abhijata Sridhar Iyengar, Harrogate
2013: Rajvi Mehta, Cambridge
2012: Zubin Zarthoshtimanesh, Brunel – Exeter
2011: Jawahar Bangera, Glasgow
2010: Zubin Zarthoshtimanesh, Nottingham
2009: Geeta Iyengar, London
2008: Birjoo Mehta
2007: Dr Rajlaxmi and Devki Desai, Brunel
2006: Jawahar Bangera
2005: Rajiv and Swati Chanchani, Brunel
2004: Rajvi and Birjoo Mehta
2003: Jawahar Bangera, Manchester
2002: Geeta Iyengar
2001: Birjoo Mehta
2000: Rajiv and Swati Chanchani