About

A Journey

Rafael-Duran_small 2Rafael, Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher (CIYT), developed an acute understanding of muscle function and disfunction. This journey began with a search for relief from debilitating chronic back pain as a result of a gymnastics injury when 16.

Trice weekly chiropractic visits in his early 30s enabled Rafael to begin studying Aikidō, a non-competitive martial art. Prior to that time he had relinquished competitive Judō (previous to his third degree test), and the teaching of it altogether.

In 1983 Rafael first sought the yogāsana, or yoga postures, as a means to gain control over the pain’s cause. He petitioned Iyengar Method teacher Laurie Blakeney and embarked on a ten-year study, which culminated in a twelve-month apprenticeship.

In the 1990s he organized the first yogāsana/prāṇāyāma Teacher Training program in the KC Metro, with Senior-level teachers. His own training now exceeds 1,500 hours, under the tutelage of several Senior Iyengar Method instructors. This includes travel to India in 2000, to study at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune under Dr. Geeta Iyengar, and Prashant Iyengar. On returning from India, Rafael abandoned his college art teaching career in order to focus almost exclusively on the learning of the Iyengar Method.

Rafael continues to practice Aikidō and now holds a third-degree in this art, with a shidōin teaching credential. He earned a Zentherapy Introductory certificate in 2011, and became a Flowtrition Practitioner in 2018. Most importantly, chiropractic assistance for his spondylolisthesis is now down to once or twice a quarter. None of this would have been possible without the study and practice of the Iyengar Method.

Rafael is especially indebted to these Iyengar teachers:
Level 4 certified, and granted to her by B.K.S. Iyengar. Only 13 such certificates were granted in the U.S. She began her Iyengar Method studies in 1971, and has studied annually in Pune, India at the Iyengar Institute since 1983.
Level 4 certified, have travelled to India more than 15 times. Together they worked with Dr. Mary Schatz in Pune, India documenting the therapeutic yoga that Mr Iyengar is so famous for, and produced this short film:
Randy Just
Level 3 certified and Director of the Iyengar Yoga Studio of Dallas. Randy, who has inspired me to delve deeper into my practice, travels to Pune often.
Alaric Newcomb
Level 3 certified, holds the highest certification level in the UK.  Alaric began his yoga studies in 1983, holds a BA in Philosophy, and maintains a small psychotherapist practice.

Karen Allgire
Level 3 certified, has made three trips to study at the Iyengar Yoga Institute in Pune, India and was chosen to teach at the 2011 Midwest Iyengar Yoga Regional Conference.

Iyengar Method

Based on the teachings of yoga master B. K. S. Iyengar, who was listed by Time Magazine as one of the most influential people of the 20th Century, Iyengar yoga is widely practiced worldwide.  This practice begins with learning the art and science of yogic postures and breathing.
The Iyengar Method of study is orderly and progressive, and the postures are adjusted to meet physical conditions and the needs of each student.  Strength, coordination, flexibility and an increased sense of well-being are some of the benefits.
Through the consistent practice of yogāsana, śvasāyāmā and prāṇāyāma, students of the Iyengar method are guided towards increased awareness of their physical, emotional, and spiritual lives.
This Method emphasizes precision and form so that the mind, focused and absorbed, flows evenly throughout the system enabling the practitioner to experience meditation in action.
All Iyengar Method teachers undergo years of training to be able to address the individual needs of the students, regardless of age, ability, or state of health.