The BDIYI Committee
The BDIYI committee members volunteer their time to promote the Iyengar Yoga teaching method. We are like minded individuals who work together to help connect the local Iyengar community, supporting our teacher and student members.
Meet the Committee….
Caroline Smith, Chairperson
Caroline teaches largely in the Colne area. She has been practicing Iyengar yoga for more than 25 years and teaching for over 20 years.
She trained initially with Alan Brown completing her Introductory, Junior and Senior 1 qualifications and is currently a Level 3 teacher under the new certification system. Caroline has studied with Senior UK and International teachers. She has visited India to train with the Iyengar family in Pune and assisted in our local yoga therapy class for 7 years.
As a yoga teacher and psychotherapist, Caroline is interested in the links between Eastern and Western Psychology.
Heather Brennan, Newsletter Editor
Heather started yoga with Alan Brown in 1994 and completed her Introductory teaching certificate in 2014, progressing to the current Level 2 certificate in 2019. She taught classes in Lancashire between 2015 and 2023 but is now based in Sheffield, although remains affiliated to the BDIY.
She continues to study with senior teachers, regularly attends national conventions led by Indian teachers and IYUK extended learning days to maintain her teaching practice.
Gerda Bayliss, Social Media
Teaching now for 14 years, Gerda holds a Level 2 certificate. She has studied at the Ramamani Iyengar Institute in India several times, attending classes with BKS Iyengar & the Iyengar family, and other renowned teachers.
Gerda’s classes are fun and enjoyable, and she prides herself on giving her students individual care and attention. She is the studio director of Yoga Metta in Leeds.
Bille France, Yoga Events
My yoga experience started 25 years ago in Sheffield following advice from an osteopath to start Iyengar Yoga. I was fortunate to be taught by Francis Holmewood as a beginner and when we were relocated to North Yorkshire she directed me to Alan Brown.
I gained my Introductory certificate in 2007 and now hold a level 2 certificate teaching in my local area. Over the years I have enjoyed the teaching of Lillian Biggs and Debbie Bartholomew locally and also the many other talented teachers in the Iyengar community.
Jayesh Mistry, Treasurer
Jayesh started yoga with Lilian Biggs in 1992. He continued his training in Birmingham with Jayne Orton and in High Wycombe with Sheila Haswell. Jayesh now teaches in the Leeds area. He is trained to Level 3 certification, he regularly attends classes with senior teachers and has visited India to train with the Iyengar family in Pune.
VACANCY, Membership Secretary
We are looking for someone to help us with our membership secretary role please email info@ to let us know if you can help
Helen White, Committee member / Iyengar Yoga UK National Executive Representative – BDIYI
Helen has been practising Iyengar yoga since she moved to Leeds in 1993. Her first teacher was Alice Appleton, and she did her teacher training with Lilian Biggs. Helen teaches a variety of classes – including one in HMP Leeds, and teaching people with learning difficulties in Wetherby.
Helen was secretary to the IYA Executive committee for 6 years, and is looking forward to returning as the representative of the BDIYI. When not doing yoga, she works part time, has an allotment, loves baking and walking.
Jo Lovell, Secretary / Coordinator
Jo started Iyengar Yoga in the 1995 and has been teaching since 2000. She is fortunate to have studied at RIMYI, Pune, India. Her passion for yoga extends to its sister science Ayurveda (Science of Life) of which she is a practitioner.
Jo is a qualified Mentor helping students become teachers. Also, she is experienced in yoga therapy and has worked with people with many and varied ailments.
Jo joined the committee in 2017 as secretary and has enjoyed supporting the local Iyengar yoga community. She is currently a Level 3 teacher and is based in Wharfedale, Yorkshire.
Nicky Wright, Web Editor / Events
Nicky is an experienced practitioner and teacher of Iyengar Yoga. She has been teaching since 2005 and currently holds a Level 3 teaching qualification.
She runs classes and workshops in and around Pendle and also teaches a regular class at the MDIY in Manchester, as well as assisting in the Therapy Class each week. Nicky is also an Iyengar Yoga Mentor where she helps students to become teachers.
She has been involved with BDIY committee for the last 18 years developing the website and helping organise events.
Nicky has studied in Pune, India a number of times to be taught by the Iyengar’s and the RIMYI teachers and has also attended courses with the Chanchani's in Rajpur. She regularly attends intermediate classes and events throughout the UK and Europe.
Events
The BDIYI holds a programme of special events throughout the year with national and international Iyengar yoga teachers.
Check out our events page for the latest info and on how to book.
Membership
Join the BDIYI and receive membership to the Iyengar Yoga Association UK as well as: local newsletters, reduced ticket prices to events and a free copy of the IYA UK magazine
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