I was introduced to Iyengar yoga in December of 1986, while residing in my home town in southern Indiana. Since I was a musician, my mother thought that yoga would help me improve my musical endeavors. (Which it did!) My first teacher was Jack Busch, who was teaching right out of "Light on Yoga," BKS Iyengar's classic text. Jack taught at a health club that my mother had a membership at, and once I took the first class I was hooked. When I moved from home in 1990, I continued to practice in earnest, mostly on my own, again referring to Iyengar's "Light on Yoga." I attended a few workshops/retreats during these years, but it wasn't until I decided to pursue teaching (while living in Los Angeles) that I sought a regular teacher. In the latter part of 2000, I started taking classes with Karin O'Bannon, who was then the senior teacher at the Iyengar Institute of Los Angeles.  In 2001, I was accepted into the 3 year teachers training program at the institute. (I graduated in December of 2003, and also apprenticed with Karin for over 2 years during this period.) I began teaching in 2002, and by January 2004 became a full time teacher in the Los Angeles area, (making the move to NYC in August of 2008.)  I have studied with the Iyengar's in Pune India, and many noteworthy teachers in the states as well. (Including Genny Kapuler, with whom I'm currently studying.)

This year, for the non-profit Iyengar Yoga Institute's Yogathon, I'll be performing a series of challenging arm balancing poses and forward bends. (Including the Eka Pada Sirsasana cycle found on plates 371-385 in "Light on Yoga.")  If you would be interested in sponsoring me with a donation to this event, please click here.

And, if you have any questions  regarding  the Yogathon, feel free to email me as well.

What is Iyengar Yoga?

Who was Peace Pilgrim?

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val at valshaffer.com