Lori’s Biography:

Lori is a certified Iyengar yoga teacher. She has studied since 1998 with the most senior Iyengar Yoga teacher in Canada, Mahyar Raz.  Over the years, Lori’s love of yoga inspired her to focus on teaching yoga and leave behind her corporate career of fifteen years in the field of Human Resources Management. She understands the challenges of balancing family, career and trying to implement yogic practices into a modern lifestyle.  Yoga has given Lori numerous benefits and has transformed every aspect of her life.  Lori is truly grateful for the gift of yoga and is passionate about the continuous learning it provides.

As a teacher, Lori draws from her own personal experiences to work with each individual student at a level that is appropriate for them.  Through detailed instruction and personal attention, Lori encourages each student to challenge themselves so that they can reap the benefits of a robust yoga asana and pranayama practice.  Lori regularly attends workshops, Pranayama and Sadhana intensives to hone and deepen her understanding and learning. Lori has studied with the Iyengar family at RIMYI (Iyengar Institute) in Pune, India and continues to participate in the teacher training program at the Iyengar Yoga School of Toronto in preparation for her next level of certification.

Iyengar Yoga is a form of alignment-based Hatha Yoga and was created by world renowned yogi BKS Iyengar and is based on the eight-limbed path of astanga yoga. B.K.S. Iyengar (born in 1918) is one of the world’s leading teachers of yoga and the author of the bestselling yoga book of all time, Light on Yoga. He has taught cultural icons and world leaders as well as thousands of teachers who have taken his modernization and refinement of yoga to every corner of the world. His classic and bestselling books also include Light on Pranayama, Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health. He was one of the first teachers to introduce yoga to the West, and there are now hundreds of centres around the world where Iyengar yoga is taught. B.K.S. Iyengar was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the world in 2004.

Iyengar Yoga emphasizes the importance of regulated breathing; the use of blocks, chairs, and other props; and the therapeutic value of adapting the poses to the needs of individual students. Iyengar Yoga emphasizes correct alignment and right actions, which develop flexibility, strength, stamina and balance.

The Iyengar method places special focus on developing strength, endurance and correct body alignment – in addition to flexibility and relaxation. Standing poses unique to this system of yoga build strong legs, increase general vitality and improve circulation, coordination and balance.

Poses are individualized to each person’s body type and special physical needs by teachers trained in anatomy and physiology. To address these needs, props such as wood blocks, bolsters, blankets and belts are commonly used in yoga classes. Certified Iyengar Yoga teachers are extremely well trained. Teacher training is rigorous and spans a three to five year period in which teachers follow a program based on an international syllabus and standards set by B.K.S. Iyengar.

Iyengar Yoga is ever evolving. In Pune, India the Iyengar family continues to teach in fresh and exciting ways. Theories are tested and different approaches to teaching are then disseminated throughout the Iyengar community.

Iyengar Yoga is meditation in action; the self is explored through discovery and release of physical tension patterns and psychological resistances. As practice continues, a student’s ability to relax and to concentrate generally improves markedly, and his or her inner awareness is enhanced.

To learn more about B.K.S Iyengar visit www.bksiyengar.com.