“Yoga allows you to find a new kind of freedom that you may not have known even existed.”

BKS Iyengar

It’s easy to get started at Iyengar Yoga London

Maybe you’re new to Iyengar yoga and looking to try it for the first time – or maybe it’s just been a while since you’ve practised? Either way, we’ll make your start at Iyengar Yoga London an enjoyable one.

There are several routes available to you: you can start with our popular 6 week introductory course; try a free taster session; or attend one of our regular beginner level classes, designed for students with less than two years’ Iyengar yoga experience.

Our teachers will give direction too: just let them know if it’s your first class and they’ll be able to keep an eye on you, and advise on the best classes for you to join.

Ardha Chandrasana Half Moon Pose
Students practising Iyengar yoga session in the studio

Sign up for a free taster class

Come and experience the Iyengar method in a free one hour session with our expert teachers.

Yoga for all ages and abilities

Whatever your age, ability and previous experience of yoga, you’ll be welcome at our centre. You don’t have to be able to touch your toes or do the splits. Yoga is non-competitive, but at the same time you’ll find it physically challenging as we teach you to explore and extend your body’s capacity. As you develop your body’s capabilities, you’ll also learn to harmonise them with a calm and focused mind.

The Iyengar yoga method has a step-by-step approach for introducing new students to the postures, so you develop control and learn the correct movements. Our teachers have many years of experience teaching beginners using simple, clear instructions and demonstrations.

Students with arms raised practising Iyengar yoga in the studio
Students practising Iyengar yoga session in the studio

Try our six week introduction to Iyengar yoga course

The ideal starting point for new students (great value for money, too).

Iyengar yoga FAQ

We recommend absolute beginners take our six-week Introduction to Iyengar yoga course or attend our livestream Introduction Class. Those with some experience of other styles of yoga can start with a Beginners yoga class, where teachers can recommend if other yoga classes are more suitable.

Yoga builds your strength and stamina, improves flexibility, muscle tone and posture and calms the mind. Regular practice develops awareness and concentration and promotes general wellbeing. There are numerous documented health benefits of yoga.

Come as often as you like! At least once a week is recommended. You’ll need to attend regularly to make progress.

For our studio classes all yoga equipment is provided, though you may prefer to bring your own. Mats are on sale at reception, for use in class or for practice at home. For livestream classes you will need a mat.

Wear clothes that allow you to move freely. Avoid anything baggy or too long: it’s important you and the yoga teacher can see your knees and feet. Most people wear shorts or leggings and a T-shirt. Yoga is always practised in bare feet.

For our studio classes, you only need to book in advance for our Introduction to Iyengar yoga Courses, yoga workshops and some of the specialised yoga classes. There’s no need to book for regular yoga classes. All livestream classes must be booked in advance (booking opens 14 days before each livestream class and closes 1 hour before the class starts).

It’s best to arrive at the centre at least 10 minutes before your studio class begins. To avoid overcrowding, we limit numbers. You will not be allowed to enter the class, if you arrive more than 15 minutes late. If you are up to 15 minutes late, please ask the receptionist whether it is convenient for you to enter the class. Please wait until preparatory chanting/sitting is complete before entering the studio.

Yoga should be practised on an empty stomach, so leave at least three hours after a main meal, or two hours after a snack.

  • Please leave your shoes in the racks at reception, and switch off your mobile phone.
  • On arrival, check in with the receptionist, who will direct you to the right yoga studio for your yoga class.
  • There are changing rooms, showers and toilets for both men and women.
  • Food, chewing gum and drinks aren’t allowed in the studios.
  • Take all your valuables into class with you. Racks are provided for bags.
  • Please keep jewellery to a minimum, and avoid wearing strong perfumes.

Yes, but if you have not done any yoga before, you should wait until your 14th week and attend a specialised pregnancy yoga class. You may join at any time up to the 28th week. Only students with Iyengar yoga experience may join after the 28th week.

Many students start practising with back pain, or other common ailments, and they find yoga helps. Tell your yoga teacher about any injuries, recent surgery or health problems before the class starts. Regular yoga classes are not suitable for students with certain medical conditions. Please inform the centre and your teacher before starting classes if you have any of the following:

  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease or any heart problem
  • Epilepsy including Petit Mal
  • Cancer or benign tumours
  • Diabetes
  • Ménière’s disease
  • Detached retina
  • MS (multiple sclerosis)
  • ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis)
  • If you have recently had an operation
  • If you are pregnant or are undergoing IVF treatment

Having any of these conditions does not mean that you cannot practise yoga or that it will not be able to help you. We have a special remedial yoga class where experienced teachers give individual tuition to help certain conditions.

If you are in any doubt or have any concerns about your ability to do yoga, please contact the office.

Physical adjustments are sometimes used in Iyengar yoga as a teaching aid along with demonstrations and verbal instructions. Teachers typically make manual adjustments to students they are familiar with and will ask permission before making a hands-on adjustment to a student they don’t know.

If you prefer not to receive hands-on adjustments please let your teacher know at the start of the class.

Need some help?

Call: +44 20 7624 3080

students in a yoga class practising Virabhadrasana warrior pose