ABOUT

IYENGAR YOGA

ALIGNMENT · MEDITATION IN ACTION · PRECISION

Iyengar yoga was a form of alignment-based yoga developed and taught by the world renowned B.K.S Iyengar, who was credited with popularizing yoga practice in India and around the world.Iyengar yoga emphasizes on alignment, precision of poses to achieve balance, flexibility, strength and stamina.

Iyengar teaches that yoga practice should be accessible to all, regardless of age, body shape, and physical conditions. Therefore, the use of props, such as blocks, straps, and blankets are commonly used as a tool for practitioners who need them to adapt the poses to their individual needs, prevent injury, and isolate certain muscle groups. Props help support students to stay in the asana for longer, as well as to address specific imbalances. Iyengar yoga focuses on developing the muscles around the joints. For this reason, it is very well adapted for those looking to prevent and heal injuries.

Certified iyengar teachers are held to an extremely high standard. Teachers follow the syllabus and standards set by B.K.S Iyengar, with regular practice and rigorous teacher training for three to five years before they teach others.

TEACHERS

Kathy Cook

Senior Iyengar Teacher
Lead Instructor of Desa Yogi

Kathy Cook is a seasoned yoga teacher and practitioner with over three decades of experience in the field. Her yoga journey began in the mid-90s in California, where she studied under Iyengar teacher Tony Briggs. Later, she moved to Hong Kong, where she completed her teacher training under the guidance of several senior Iyengar teachers and began her journey toward Iyengar certification.

During her time in Hong Kong, Kathy co-founded the Hong Kong Yoga Association, which brought yoga to the community and introduced Iyengar Yoga to Hong Kong by bringing senior Iyengar instructors from overseas to teach in the region. She also made regular visits to the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) in Pune, which she considered a pilgrimage to deepen her understanding of yoga.

In 2008, Kathy moved to Bali, where she continued to teach and organize multiple retreats focused on a yogic lifestyle. She has since traveled extensively to teach various classes, workshops, retreats, and teacher training in Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Kathy is a member of the Southeast Asian Iyengar panel of assessors, which qualifies students’ advancement in the certification process. Her extensive teaching experience in Asia has given her in-depth knowledge of the cultural and anatomical differences in students, enabling her to adapt her teaching style to meet each individual’s specific needs.

Kathy is passionate about promoting proper health practices to promote longevity and demonstrates how to live a yogic lifestyle both on and off the mat. Her dedication to Iyengar Yoga and her commitment to spreading its benefits have made her a highly respected and sought-after teacher in Asia and beyond.

Rany Fetrix

Rany is a certified Iyengar yoga teacher based in Indonesia, began her Iyengar Yoga journey under the tutelage of Rita Kosasih.

She received her Iyengar certification in 2013, guided by Olop Arpipi, a renowned senior Iyengar teacher. In 2015, she taught at various Iyengar centers in Jakarta.

She established C Studio Jakarta in 2017, a venue for regular yoga workshops, and has hosted teachings from several senior yoga instructors, including Bobby Clennell, Judith Adank, Olop Arpipi, Nanda Kumar, and other local certified teachers. Rany also faciliated a teacher training program at C Studio Jakarta for Olop Arpipi.

In 2018, she had the privilege of studying in Pune, India with notable figures such as Geeta S. Iyengar, Prashant Iyengar, Abhijata Iyengar, Raya Uma Datta, Uday Bhosale and other senior teachers at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI).

She has deepened her yoga knowledge by attending senior Iyengar teacher workshops in Jakarta, Bali, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.

In 2019, she participated in the Teachers Refreshing Course Nanda Kumar program in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

During the pandemic, she initiated an online workshop for senior teachers, with participants including Olop Arpipi, Bobby Clennell, Dr. Eyal Shifroni, Jawahar Bangeraji, and David Meloni.

Today, Rany continues to learn and teach. She’s now taking advanced programs under the guidance of Olop Arpipi and Abhijata Iyengar. She teaches at Desa Yogi Iyengar Yoga Shala in Bali and serves as the secretary of BKSI Yoga Bali Indonesia.

Lisa McKnight

After intensive weight training over 23 years ago, Lisa found yoga, which inspired her to be more kind to her body. Initially trained in vinyasa, Lisa began to explore the spiritual side and other facets of yoga. Although Lisa was drawn to the dynamic flow and seamless movements of vinyasa, she noticed that her body was sending a different message: her neck was constantly strained and she became less and less flexible.

In the same year, Lisa discovered Iyengar yoga. The focus of precision, alignment and the mind-body connection in Iyengar yoga instantly resonated with her. In her first Iyengar class, she felt her body changing, and was amazed to see the transformation she felt with only one class. Her continuous practice since the first encounter with Iyengar Yoga opened up a new path, where the mind guides the body.

Since 2013, Lisa has traveled regularly to Pune, the home of Guruji B.K.S Iyengar. In 2015, Lisa studied and practiced with Br. Rudra Dev, a senior Iyengar teacher in Rishikesh, India.

Since 2015, Lisa has taught yoga in Nepal, India, the Philippines, Australia, and Bali. She is based in Bali now, where she teaches and runs regular retreats.

Lisa believes in only teaching her students what she has experienced to be true. She is dedicated to imparting the knowledge and wisdom she gained over the years from the senior Iyengar teacher. With years of experience, Lisa is committed to helping her students open up their body and their mind, which brings positive changes to their lives.