Instructors
“A good teacher helps you to explore to the maximum”
– BKS Iyengar
Your Instructor
Lynne Bowsher
Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor
Lynne owns and operates A Place For Yoga and Health. She loves to share her passion of yoga with her students and consistently participates in on-going Teacher Training to upgrade her qualifications.
Lynne currently holds her Intermediate Junior II level of Certification. She has traveled six times to Pune, India to study with the Iyengar family at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute.
Lynne Bowsher is a qualified and insured member of IYAC/ACYI (Iyengar Yoga Association of Canada/Association canadienne de yoga Iyengar) and is certified at the Intermediate Junior II Level.
Iyengar Yoga Teachers
Iyengar Yoga teachers are renowned as the best-trained yoga teachers in the world and must complete a minimum 3-5 years of rigorous and disciplined training for even a basic “Introductory Level” of certification. Higher levels of certification take at least another decade of continued personal practice and training.
Classes in the Iyengar method are taught with care and precision according to the level and ability of each student whether beginner or advanced. Certified teachers have an understanding of human anatomy and how it applies to the yoga asanas, as well as a strong foundation in yoga philosophy. This is important as yoga affects us on several levels, physically, mentally, energetically, consciously, and spiritually.
Certified Iyengar teachers will sequence classes in a way that develops strength, flexibility, stamina, concentration and body alignment. Students are taught to progress from class to class and session to session.
Teachers will use precise language while teaching and will demonstrate specific points to develop understanding and intelligent action within the students. Individual correction and adjustment of students is done when necessary.
Certified teachers often integrate yoga philosophy in the teaching of asana and pranayama and will teach how to incorporate this relevance of practice into daily life. They will offer ways to use yoga to ease various ailments and stress.
“Do the maximum, knowing the minimum.
Then break your maximum to go further and further”
– BKS Iyengar
Benefits of Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar Yoga is a very “classical” form of yoga with a dynamic approach emphasizing integration of body, mind and spirit through focused attention and concentration. It is precise and methodical and places specific attention to the body’s correct postural alighment. The Iyengar method allows both beginners and more adept yoga practitioners to progress safely from basic to advanced postures due to proper sequencing, linking and timing of the postures in each class.
From the introduction to basic asanas (postures) and pranayama (breathing techniques) as laid out in a syllabus created by BKS Iyengar, students are taught to build a solid foundation in each and every pose. This allows them to improve gradually, safely and systematically towards higher levels of asana and pranayma.
Emphasis is placed on the development of mobility, stability, strength and alignment. As practice continues, a students ability to concentrate improves, profound inner awareness develops, and the asanas become “meditation in action”. Body, mind and breath become integrated, peace of mind is enhanced and all the major systems of the body move towards a state of balance and harmony.
Through the use of props such as belts, blocks, etc. the Iyengar system becomes accessible to everyone from sports enthusiasts to those with various health or physical challenges.
“As you take pains to learn, continue with devotion what you have learned”
– BKS Iyengar
Lynne Bowsher
Lynne had her first taste of yoga in 1979. But it wasn’t until almost 20 years later in 1997 that she was encouraged by her naturopath to take up yoga to help with back problems caused by a skiing accident. Luckily she began taking Iyengar Yoga in Margaret Lunam’s basement studio in Kelowna and has never looked back.
In 1999 encouraged by Margaret Lunam she began taking workshops and became involved in teacher training through Vancouver, Victoria and The Kelowna Yoga House. Lynne received her Introductory I/II level of certification in June of 2004.
Lynne loves to share her passion of yoga with her students and in 2005 opened her first studio, A Place For Yoga, in Lake Country. In 2009 she purchased and moved into a larger studio, A Place For Yoga and Health in “The Lakes”. She was there for nearly 12 years before having to sell her space due to Covid restrictions at the time.
She has since moved to Killiney Beach in Vernon and has a small home studio from which she is offering several classes each week and the occassional workshop.
Lynne has traveled frequently to attend workshops given by Senior Iyengar Yoga Teachers and to participate in on-going Teacher Training to upgrade her qualifications and to continue along her yoga journey.
Lynne currently holds her Intermediate Junior II level of Certification. She has traveled six times to Pune, India to study with the Iyengar family at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute. One of her last visits joining celebrations for BKS Iyengars’ 95th birthday.
She has traveled within Canada and the US to study with Geeta Iyengar (BKS Iyengar’s daughter). Lynne has also traveled to Blacons, France to participate in a 4 week intensive taught by Faeq Biria, a long time student of Guruji’s.
“The practice of yoga asanas purges the body of its impurities, bringing strength, firmness, calm, and clarity of mind”
– BKS Iyengar
What Students are Saying
Pleasantly surprised is a true understatement. After only a few classes I was hooked and felt a profound difference in my flexibility and posture. I found the primary difference with the Iyengar yoga method and Lynne’s instructional style/focus, was the immense benefit of uniting body, mind, breath and spirit versus my previous perception of yoga focusing on the Asana (body postures) only.
Lynne is an exceptional/knowledgeable teacher with her instructions and demonstrations of the Asanas, always focusing on keeping her students wellbeing/safety as a priority. I am excited to continue my journey with Lynne and the Iyengar Yoga method and would highly recommend it to anyone.
Iyengar yoga has been very therapeutic for me. I have gained so much mobility and strength, I haven’t required therapeutic massage since I started these classes.
Lynne is the perfect yoga teacher for the injured, the dedicated yogis who expect perfection, and the nervous beginners like me. Her own rigorous training, her dedication and passion for sharing Iyengar yoga and her many years of practicing make me feel very safe and confident in her classes.
I have been looking for a yoga home for some time. I wanted, and needed, to more fully learn proper alignment within the asanas. I have some serious issues with my neck, shoulders, and lower back, which have contributed to my challenges with learning the asanas correctly.
I have found both Lynne’s extensive knowledge of yoga and anatomy, and the Iyengar methodology/teachings to be invaluable. Between Lynne’s expertise and the support and facilitation provided by the knowledgeable use of yoga props, I am experiencing the confidence of knowing that I am safely practicing the asanas to the best ability that my body is currently able to achieve. Furthermore, in the days following my practice, my body is so much more comfortable to live in, and feels better than it has for a considerable number of years.
I am so grateful to have finally found my yoga home – thank you Lynne!
Are You Ready to Change?
Come take a class and bring Iyengar Yoga into your life. Be ready for the practice to change you on many levels. For the better of course!
9556 Winchester Road
Vernon, BC V1H 2E2
250-878-1251