About

Rafael, 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, discomfort caused him to relinquish competitive Judō altogether (previous to his third degree test), including the teaching of it.

In 1983 Rafael first sought yogāsana, or yoga postures, as a means to gain control over his spondylolisthesis by petitioning Iyengar Method teacher Laurie Blakeney, then commencing 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 is now nearly 2,000 hours, under the tutelage of several Senior Iyengar Method instructors. Auspiciously, Rafael attended a special presentation by Guruji in Chicago. Travel to India in 2000, furthered his studies 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, and teaching, 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 ailment 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.

He was recruited to teach the class portion of Yoga My Heart, a study by the University of Kansas Mid-America Cardiology Center on atrial fibrillation and the effects of yogāsana. Rafael also taught at the University of Kansas Health System MS Achievement Center. And he was petitioned for one term to teach both the Rowing Club of Kansas City during their off-season, as well as, a KC Metro HS football team in the summer.

Rafael is especially indebted to these Iyengar Method teachers:
Laurie Blakeney
Level 4 certified, granted to her by BKS Iyengar. Only 13 such certificates were granted in the US. She began her Iyengar Method studies in 1971, and has travelled to Pune, India to further her education at the Iyengar Institute since 1983. As Director of the Ann Arbor School of Yoga, she “loves to include artistic and philosophical considerations while staying true to the precision we know to be a cornerstone of the Iyengar method.”

Ramanand Patel
“When Ramanand was 12, his father introduced him to yoga philosophy and āsana, and he learned early on to embrace both with a childlike joyousness and delight. In 1968, after coming across a few other yoga teachers, Ramanand became a student of Guruji, Yogacharya Shri BKS Iyengar, who profoundly influenced the strength, discipline, deepening, understanding, confidence, and enthusiasm of his āsana and prāṇāyāma practice.” Ramanand headed the Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco for many years.

Kathy Alef
Level 3 certified, and student/practitioner since 1976. “She has been deeply and profoundly touched by the sensitive teachings of yoga guru, BKS Iyengar.” “For those with back pain, Kathy’s breadth of experience and technical specificity rivals any remedial Therapy available.” Kathy taught at the Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco for almost thirty years, and now continues on her own.

Dr Geeta Iyengar
Having studied yoga with her father from an early age, she was described as “the world’s leading female yoga teacher.” After graduating high school in 1961, she began substituting for her father when he was away on international teaching tours. When he retired in 1984, she became co-director, with her brother Prashant S. Iyengar, of the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI), as well as undertaking her own international teaching tours. Geeta, having worked extensively on yoga for women, published Yoga: A Gem for Women.

Prashant Iyengar
An accomplished violinist, and now a teacher, lecturer, and writer who has written extensively about yoga philosophy and the ancient texts. He has also made numerous audio recordings on the yoga sūtras. Books written by Prashant Iyengar include the Alpha and Omega of Trikonasana, Prāṇāyāma: A Classical and Traditional Approach, Discourses on Yog, Aṣṭāṅga Yoga of Patñnjali: Philosophy, Religion Culture, Ethos and Practice, and A Manual of Humanetics.

Mary Oberdorfer and Eddy Marks
Level 4 certified, they have travelled to India more than 19 & 20 times respectively. Both worked together with Dr. Mary Schatz in Pune, documenting the therapeutic yoga that Mr Iyengar is so famous for. They adhere strictly to BKS Iyengar’s methodology, and are Directors of the BKS Iyengar Yoga Center of San Diego.

Alaric Newcomb
Level 3 certified, beginning his studies in 1983 and teaching since 1991. He holds a BA in Philosophy, a MSc in Positive Psychology, and maintains a small psychotherapist practice in the UK. He has been taught directly by Guruji, Geetaji, and Prashantaji, receiving his last certification in 2006.

Karen Allgire
Level 3 certified, and teaching since 1998. She was also chosen to teach at the 2011 Midwest Iyengar Regional Conference. “Karen’s teaching and practice have been profoundly influenced by Mary Dunn, and she continues to study with Dean and Rebecca Lerner, and Laurie Blakeney. Karen completed the Yoga for Scoliosis training program created by senior Iyengar teacher Elise Miller.” She is Director of Green Tara Yoga and Healing Arts.

Abhijata Iyengar
One of the most experienced teachers at RIMYI, she has been involved with the practice and philosophy of yoga since the age of 16. As granddaughter of Yogacharya BKS Iyengar she was taught by him – as well as by Geeta and Prashant, her aunt and uncle. She now also teaches internationally.

Garth McClean
Level 3 certified, and Certified Yoga Therapist with the International Association of Yoga Therapists. He is a published author of Yoga and Multiple Sclerosis- A Practical Guide for People with MS and Yoga Teacher. Based in Los Angeles, Garth offers public classes and specialty courses, locally and internationally.

Randy Just
Level 3 certified, beginning his yoga journey in the 70s and becoming a dedicated Iyengar Yoga student in the mid 80s. “Randy’s dynamic teaching style reflects devotion, precision, and compassion.” He is the Director of the Iyengar Yoga Studio of Dallas.

Stephany Quirk
A certified Yoga Therapist and world leader in the field of Yoga Therapeutics, having spent 20 years living, studying, and working directly with the Iyengar family at RIMYI. “My first visit to the Institute was in Dec-Jan-Feb ‘91/’92. When returning in 1994 I wanted to immerse myself fully for longer. That longer time extended itself to more than 20 years… I stayed and stayed.”

Bobby Clennell
Level 3 certified, who began her yogic studies in the UK in 1972. She is also the author and illustrator of The Women’s Yoga Book: Āsana and Prāṇāyāma for All Phases of The Menstrual Cycle, Yoga for Breast Care: What every woman needs to know, and a children’s book, Watch Me do Yoga. Of her own teaching Bobby says, “I try to help students restore the balance between the constant pull of the external world, and their own, oftentimes neglected, individual heart.” Bobby instructs at the Iyengar Yoga Institute of New York.

A special mention:
Dan Harden
Internal artist who “is bringing ancient body technology from the Asian martial arts into the modern age to develop stability, power, and increased performance relevant to anyone in pursuit of more efficient movement.” “As a result, āsana are less stressful and more involved with moving, working both the tendon/fascial meridians in accord with breath work, gentle manipulations, and the remaining portion of the art devoted to meditation, and energy flow.”
Dan heads the Sangekai, “an international association of groups and individuals across North and South America, Asia, Europe, and Australia that come from a widely diverging range of arts and disciplines but are united by a common methodology and principles of training. Dan Harden’s Shugyō Dōjō in Spencer, Massachusetts, is the headquarters of the Sangenkai – Dan Harden teaches BodyWork Seminars around the world throughout the year.”
Dan is an architect by trade.