Iyengar yoga is a form of hatha yoga that promotes strength, flexibility, and stamina, as well as a more focused state of mind. It is suitable for people of all ages and experience, from yoga enthusiasts to athletes interested in building core strength. It is particularly beneficial to those facing challenges due to injury, arthritis, and physical or neurological disorders (students should always discuss their conditions with their teachers prior to beginning). Classes are designed for different levels of experience and capacity.

The New York Times points out that because Iyengar yoga “focuses meticulously on proper alignment” and its teachers undergo “rigorous training,” it allows instructors to cater to students’ individual needs and to minimize the risk of injury. Certified Iyengar teachers undergo a minimum of three years of intensive training and testing which they begin after at least six years of study with a senior teacher (whose training period normally runs fifteen to twenty years). WebMD states, “Analytical in its approach with a constant attention to detail, Iyengar yoga is great for learning the subtleties of correct alignment in each pose. The use of props — belts, blocks, and pillow-like bolsters — help beginners get into poses with correct alignment, even when they’re new to the poses, injured, or simply stiff.”

	Jessica Becker is a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher at the Junior Intermediate 1 level. She has been a student of yoga since her early twenties and has taught yoga for 17 years in the Hudson Valley. She began her yoga practice in England to balance her study of classical ballet. She is committed to the teachings of BKS Iyengar and the Iyengar Yoga system.  Manuoso Manos is her main teacher. She also studies with James Murphy, Joan White, Tori Milner, and was a student of Mary Dunn. Jessica works with detail, focus and humility. She lives in the Hudson Valley with her two children, her husband, and three cats.
	Sheila Bunnell started studying yoga in 1998 and soon began training with Joan White, one of Iyengar Yoga’s senior teachers. She became certified as an Iyengar Yoga Instructor in 2007.  Sheila has continued to pursue her education, studying with  senior Iyengar instructors at classes, workshops and training events. She has also attended several classes with BKS Iyengar as well as Prashant and Geeta Iyengar in the US and/or in India where she studied for a month in 2010. She also attended several lectures with Edwin Bryant on the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and studied Anatomy/Physiology and Kinesiology at the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy. Sheila is currently enrolled in the next level of the Iyengar teacher training program with Joan White. www.sheilabunnell.com
	Joe Bartusis Joe has been practicing yoga since 1996 and teaching since 2003. He has been practicing and teaching in the Iyengar method exclusively since 2006. Joe has studied with  Kevin Gardiner, Joan White, Manouso Manos, Christian Pisano and June Whittaker. Currently working towards his Iyengar Yoga Teacher certification, Joe has developed a sense of awe of what can be done and where we can go with yoga.
	Susan Murray started studying yoga in 1991 at the Yoga Anand Ashram in Amityville, New York, she has practiced at Moksha Hudson Valley Yoga Center in Rhinebeck, and explored Iyengar yoga with Jessica Becker and Barbara Boris. Sue completed a 200-hour teacher training course at Satya Yoga Center (2005-2006) and has been teaching in the Iyengar yoga method with Jessica as her primary teacher. She sees yoga as a journey of self-discovery and loves teaching people how to live with a greater awareness of the self.
	Susan Tveekrem began her yoga studies in 1997 with Sandra Kopell in Middletown, CT, and since 2005 has studied with Barbara Boris in Woodstock, NY. She has taken intensive workshops with Peentz Dubble, Joan White, Francois Raoult, and Kevin Gardiner. She holds a teaching certificate from the Yoga Institute of Houston and has been teaching Iyengar yoga for the past decade.
	Cher de Rossiter began yoga classes when she was in treatment for breast cancer. She has practiced Iyengar Yoga for 7 years and has completed her Introductory 1 level assessment. As part of her PhD studies, she has analyzed the effects of yoga for the treatment of trauma. The Iyengar method gave her the freedom to practice to the limit of her body’s capability without injury. Now at 63 she credits this approach for stronger and more flexible body with much less pain. Cher takes regular classes at Clear Yoga with Jessica and workshops with visiting teachers. She is part of the Iyengar Yoga teacher training with Joan White and has taken workshops with Manouso Manos and training with Ray Long, the author of the Yoga Mat Companion series.
	Tricia Scott is a student of yoga since 1988 and a teacher since 1997. Her background includes training in the Ashtanga Vinyasa system, Thai Bodywork Therapy, pranic healing, music, and whole foods cooking.   Deeply inspired by B.K.S.Iyengar during his 2005 US tour, she has been training and teaching exclusively in the Iyengar method ever since. She studies regularly with Theresa Rowland and other senior teachers, and is preparing for national certification assessment. Tricia’s teaching style is detailed and clear. Her classes are focused and challenging, and are intended to support students in developing a personal practice for their own exploration, transformation and Self-discovery.