SWIY is a non-profit-making membership organisation committed to promoting the practice and philosophy of Iyengar yoga.
We organise events & workshops from visiting senior teachers from all over the UK.
On our website you will also find regular classes & events.
Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar Yoga is renowned for the importance it places on attention to detail and focus on precise body alignment.
B.K.S Iyengar pioneered the use of "props" such as cushions, benches, blocks, belts, and even sand bags, which function as aids allowing beginners to experience asanas more easily and fully than might otherwise be possible without several years of practice. Props also allow tired or ill students to enjoy the benefits of many asanas via fully "supported" methods requiring less muscular effort.
Standing poses are emphasized for beginners in Iyengar Yoga. They build strong legs, increase general vitality, and improve circulation, coordination and balance, ensuring a strong foundation for study of more advanced poses. Inversions are also very important & taught in the Iyengar system.
Unlike more experiential approaches where students are encouraged to "find their way" independently to the asanas simply by imitating the teacher, an Iyengar Yoga class is highly explanatory and didactic; poses are demonstrated, guided, practised and revised with misalignments and errors actively corrected. B.K.S Iyengar has trained thousands of teachers, who complete 3-5 years of rigorous training for the introductory level of certification (higher-level certification may take a decade or more).
The world’s most widely practised method of yoga is that taught by Yogacharya Sri B.K.S. Iyengar of Pune, India. Born on December 14, 1918, in Bellur, India, he studied and practised yoga continuously for over 85 years. B.K.S. Iyengar is universally acknowledged as the world’s greatest yoga teacher.
Mr Iyengar’s thorough study, understanding and mastery of yoga are unrivalled in modern times. Having taught for over 75 years in all five continents, he won worldwide respect and recognition for his achievements and made yoga accessible and relevant to people everywhere, no matter what their physical or mental ability. He set the standard for his teachers and students while his textbooks on yoga have become classics. He set up the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune, India, with his daughter Smt. Geeta and son Sri Prashant Iyengar as directors.
Triumphing over poverty and serious childhood illness, B. K. S. Iyengar began his study of yoga at a young age with his guru, T. Krishnamacharya. Practising hour after hour, year after year, he acquired the encyclopedic knowledge, which fired his teaching.
Yogacharya Sri B.K.S. Iyengar brought yoga to the West with his pioneering teaching in the 70s, the beginning of today’s explosive growth in yoga. His seminal manual “Light on Yoga”, called “the bible of yoga” and continuously in print since 1966, has been the source book for generations of yoga students. Mr. Iyengar’s other influential works include “Light on Pranayama”, “Light on the Yoga Sutras”, “The Tree of Yoga” and “Light on Life”.
His invention of yoga props — now ubiquitous in yoga studios of all styles — revolutionized the art. Blankets, belts and other devices allow students of all skill levels to work safely in the classical yoga asanas (postures). Mr. Iyengar also revolutionized the therapeutic applications of yoga, gaining recognition for yoga as treatment for serious medical conditions.
Mr. Iyengar continued his daily practice at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune, India, until shortly before his death at the age of 95 on August 20, 2014. Named for Mr. Iyengar’s late wife, who died shortly before it was completed, RIMYI is where Mr. Iyengar’s family members, now the chief teachers of his method, carry on his work. For many years, until her death in 2018, Geeta S. Iyengar, his daughter was a leading teacher, along with her brother, Prashant. B.K.S. Iyengar’s granddaughter, Abhijata Sridhar Iyengar, also teaches at RIMYI.
Geeta Iyengar is the author of Yoga: A Gem for Women, the pioneering work on yoga for every stage of a woman’s life. Mr. Iyengar’s son, Prashant S. Iyengar, has also written extensively about yoga.
Mr. Iyengar has also transformed his ancestral village of Bellur, in southern India, with a visionary series of projects including a hospital, a water treatment plant, educational opportunities including those for the girls of the village, and India’s first temple dedicated to Patanjali.
What is the SWIY?
South West Iyengar Yoga is a registered charity . We are a group of Iyengar Yoga students and teachers committed to promoting the practice and philosophy of Iyengar yoga.
We cover the South West of the UK but mainly Devon and Cornwall.
We have a committee of teachers and students who volunteer their time to plan all our events, do the accounts, advertise, host visiting teachers and support each other.
SWIY is a member institute of the national IY(UK) which provides a network of information about Iyengar yoga and yoga events in the United Kingdom.
IY(UK) is also responsible for maintaining standards of teaching of Iyengar yoga, and undertakes regular assessments and certification of those wishing to teach from Introductory up to Senior levels. It also coordinates Professional Development days throughout the United Kingdom, to enable teachers to remain up to date and to help maintain the validity of their teaching certificates.
The SWIY organises events & workshops from visiting senior teachers from all over the UK. Most workshops are held in Cornwall at the Zshed Falmouth, Yogaloft Troon, YogaspacePZ & Yogahut Falmouth. Anyone from any area is welcome to attend our events. SWIY members pay an annual fee which gives them a small discount for events/workshops.
On our website you will find details of regular classes, teachers and upcoming events.
Summer early morning classes
Please email me for more info.
Private beach sessions available.
Please bring your own equipment.
NOTE: These classes are outdoors and as such are weather dependent, so if in doubt, please contact Lucy first or check the Facebook page for updates.
Monday
09.00-10.15
online via zoom
General class
Tuesday
19.00-20.15
online via zoom
General class
Wednesday (summer time)
08.00-11.00
West Beach, Porthmeor Beach, St Ives
General class
Thursday
09.15-10.30
17.30-18.30
19.00-20.30
Carbis Bay Memorial Hall
General class
Beginners
General/intermediate class
General and Intermediate Classes £12 drop in or £60 for 6 classes to be taken within 7 weeks.
Tuesday
10.00-11.30am
Loft Studio, King Edward Mine, Troon.
Intermediate class
Tuesday
12.00-1.00pm
Loft Studio, King Edward Mine, Troon.
Accessible/ Chair class
Cost will be £8 drop-in or £40 for 6 classes to be taken within 7 consecutive weeks.
Tuesday
7.00-8.30pm
The Institute, Praze-an-Beeble
General class
Wednesday
4.00-5.30pm
The Chimes Studio, Sithney
Pregnancy Yoga Course with Hannah Benham & Kirsty Reps
2 teachers and only 6 students; booking essential. Courses are run when there is enough demand. Get in touch or check my website for more information. £150 for the whole 10 weeks.
Beginners classes
For all new students or those with less than two years' experience of Iyengar yoga. Basic yoga postures (asanas) are taught to develop strength, stamina and flexibility, and they’re suitable for any age group.
General classes
Suitable for all levels, including beginners. You’ll be introduced to a wider variety of asanas.
Intermediate classes
For students with at least four years’ training in Iyengar yoga, who can maintain a stable Sirsasana and Sarvangasana. Work will be more demanding than at General level and asanas are studied in more detail. Please contact for more information.
Prices
Drop-in £10 | 1hr 30mins
Please contact me before attending your first class.
Private Classes
Private classes in studio are available to book for 1 to 4 people. Please contact Deborah for availability and more information. All levels of ability welcome. Group booking £60 | 1hr 30mins.
Sithney studio class (booking essential due to small class size)
Wednesday
12.00 - 13.00
Culdrose Naval Base
Wednesday
16.00 - 17.30
Pregnancy course in the studio in Sithney booking essential)
Pregnancy course
Thursday
11.30 - 12.30
Helston Sports Centre (*booking through them)
Friday
10.00 - 11.30
Sithney studio class (booking essential)
Sunday
10.00 - 11.30
Restorative class in the studio in Sithney (booking essential)
Restorative class
Private classes available in the studio. Enquires, prices and bookings through Kirsty on 07971397367
Or follow me on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Iyengarkirsty
Join us this spring as we welcome Harshini Wikramanayake to Cornwall for an engaging workshop on the underpinning philosophy that ties Yoga and Ayurveda together as sister sciences.
With Harshini’s in-depth knowledge we will explore the Pancha Maha Bhutas (PMB, five elements) and how these elements combine to form the Tridoshic Theory.
We will also look at how the practice of asana and pranayama can help mitigate the dosha imbalance during the spring season as well as better understand the three dosha in our embodiment.
Structure of the workshop Saturday 21st March 2026
13:00-14:30 Ayurveda talk 1 on Tridoshic philosophy
15:00-17:00 Asana workshop
Sunday 22nd March 2026
10:00-11:00 Pranayama class
11:15-12:30 Ayurveda talk 2 on diet, lifestyle Q&A
12:30-13:00 Lunch break
13:00-15:00 Asana class
15:30 - 18:00 Pulse taking session (5-10 min session depending on how many have booked)
This workshop will be held over one and a half days, and we recommend that you try and book both days to benefit from Harshini’s insight.
Full cost of workshop SWIY members £115 Non-members £125 Saturday only SWIY members £40 Non-members £45 Sunday only SWIY members £75 Non-members £80
Harshini grew up in Sri Lanka where her family used Ayurveda to compliment biomedicine. Harshini started practicing yoga to help her cope with her busy corporate life. However, she found that she was spending more time on her yoga practice and decided to quit the corporate job and train to be an Iyengar Yoga Teacher. After completing her introductory certificate, Harshini returned to university to complete both an BSc and MSc in Ayurvedic Medicine.
For details of how to book please see instructions below:
FULL WORKSHOP - SWIY members £115
FULL WORKSHOP - Non-members £125
SATURDAY ONLY - SWIY members £40
SATURDAY ONLY - Non-members £45
SUNDAY ONLY - SWIY members £75
SUNDAY ONLY - Non-members £80
For booking queries and information on hardship places please contact southwestiyengaryoga@gmail.com.
Once we have received an email with proof of payment we will be able to confirm your booking, without this you may lose your place.
Uday Bhosale June 20th-20st 2026
Zed Shed, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 8FG
We are so pleased to welcome Uday back for his annual event in Cornwall!
SWIY will be hosting Uday at the Zed Shed in Penryn. 11-5pm Saturday 20th June and 10-4pm Sunday 21st June.
Uday has trained with the Iyengar family in Pune and has taught all over the world, we really appreciate him coming to our little corner of the country. Back in 2020 he received the British Empire Medal (BEM) for fundraising services to NHS charities and supporting the mental health of yoga practitioners during COVID-19.
Uday has a real magic to his teaching, with precise and gentle instructions and a smile that’s infectious.
This event is guaranteed to be popular so please do not miss out on booking your place.
Price for full workshop
SWIY members £135
Non-members £155
Price per day
SWIY members £75
Non-members £85
FULL WORKSHOP - SWIY members £135
FULL WORKSHOP - Non-members £155
SATURDAY ONLY - SWIY members £75
SATURDAY ONLY - Non-members £85
SUNDAY ONLY - SWIY members £75
SUNDAY ONLY - Non-members £85
It is recommended that participants attend the entire weekend to benefit from the guest teacher. Students must have at least 12 months of Iyengar yoga experience and bring their own equipment where possible.
Please contact southwestiyengaryoga@gmail.com if you have any questions. Hardship fund places are available.
Garth McLean – Iyengar Yoga and the Nervous System September 5th-6th 2026
Zed Shed, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 8FG
We all have a nervous system. Sometimes we may face a challenge that is nervous system related. In this workshop we will seek to soothe and balance the nervous and immune systems to calm any chaos and restore a sense of balance, both physically and emotionally.
Garth offers his years of experience steeped in compassionate exploration and incorporating a creative, adaptive approach to encourage, elevate and empower students of all levels of ability with and without physical challenges to go beyond any perceived limitations of the body and mind. Garth’s goal is to help provide all practitioners with tangible, practical tools to further enhance your health.
It is recommended that participants attend the entire weekend to benefit from the guest teacher. Students must have at least 12 months of Iyengar Yoga experience and bring their own equipment where possible.
Those with physical challenges must be able to transfer to and from the floor, with or without assistance.
Special interest for persons with MS, Parkinson's, Long Covid, neurological and movement challenges, and teachers of yoga. Adaptations offered according to the individual’s ability and condition.
Price for full workshop
SWIY members £135
Non-members £155
Price per day
SWIY members £75
Non-members £85
FULL WORKSHOP - SWIY members £135
FULL WORKSHOP - Non-members £155
SATURDAY ONLY - SWIY members £75
SATURDAY ONLY - Non-members £85
SUNDAY ONLY - SWIY members £75
SUNDAY ONLY - Non-members £85
Garth McLean (CIYT - Level 3 (Int. Senior III), C-IAYT (Certified Yoga Therapist- International Association of Yoga Therapists, Yoga Alliance RYT-500)
Recognized internationally for working with persons with neurological and movement challenges, Garth’s journey with Iyengar Yoga emphasises accessibility, inclusion and adaptive practice when required. Steeped in the tradition of Iyengar Yoga, Garth brings years of experience (Introductory to Advanced) coupled with compassionate exploration and creative adaptation to empower students of all levels of ability to move beyond perceived limitations.
Garth’s story is an inspiring one. In his own words, he was “blessed with a diagnosis of MS” in 1996, an event that disrupted his career trajectory as a Hollywood actor and that changed everything for him – as he says, instantly, forever and continuously. Yoga helps him manage his symptoms and the stress of these huge changes. While yoga is not a cure, he is living proof that a well-informed practice can help lessen symptoms and safely empower the practitioner to enhance their quality of life, whether dealing with a condition or convalescing from an injury or illness.
