In 2001, when my daughter was five months old, I decided to join a local Yoga class to ‘get back in shape’ and to have a little ‘me’ time in a busy week. I was instantly hooked and as I began to reap some of yoga’s immeasurable rewards, an interest quickly blossomed into a new way of life.

The fantastic teacher I had found taught the Iyengar Yoga method. Wanting a greater understanding of this method and having developed a passion to teach, I completed a highly rewarding two year teacher training program at the Manchester and District Institute of Iyengar Yoga.

I qualified as an Introductory Level 2 teacher - 2010 and left my career of 27 years as a Design separation artist to teach full time; I never looked back. My training continued and in 2015 I gained my Intermediate Junior Level 1 teacher certificate. In 2018 I also gained my Introductory Junior Level 2 teachers certificate. My own professional development and training is on-going and I attend weekly teachers classes and regular further training workshops.

I’m honoured and constantly inspired to have learnt from various wonderful senior teachers and visiting teachers from B.K.S. Iyengar's Ramamani Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune, India. My thanks to all those teachers.

I will forever be grateful to have ‘happened upon’ that class back in 2001.

- Sarah Pettitt, Intermediate Level 2 teacher

Iyengar Yoga teaching certificates are internationally recognised and are a benchmark of excellence. Iyengar Yoga teachers must be fully trained, qualified and certificated by Iyengar’s Institute (RIMYI) in Pune, India and also bear this Certification Mark:

The Iyengar Yoga method is systematic and thorough. It is carefully structured so you make safe and steady progress. The method is very precise with great attention given to correct practice. You start with asanas (postures), including savasana (relaxation) and gradually more difficult asanas are introduced as your depth of understanding increases. After some time, in accordance with the Yoga Sutras, pranayama (breathing technique) is introduced.

In 2016 & 2018 I was fortunate to attend the month of classes at The Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute. RIMYI was founded in 1975, is dedicated to Mr Iyengar’s late wife. This is the home of Iyengar Yoga, in Pune, Maharashtra, South India. Experienced students arrive year-round, from all over the world, to learn first-hand from the Iyengar family. I've been taught by  Mr. Iyengar’s son, Prashant Iyengar, his daughter Geeta Iyengar and grand-daughter Abhijata Iyengar.

The RIMYI also houses a library with thousands of books on yoga practice and philosophy, human anatomy and physiology, traditional Indian medicine and modern science. All yoga classes are in English, and they teach both “the essence of yoga” and “values of life”.

My next visit to the RIMYI will be in 2025 for more first-hand teaching from the Iyengars.

I am also a Qualified Mentor for students looking to train to become an Iyengar Teacher in the UK. In this role I train and support you as you step into the world of teaching. If you are an Iyengar student wishing to take the step from student to teacher you will need to commit to being trained for several years. If you are interested in training to teach, please contact me directly.