Lori Berenz began her own yoga journey almost 25 years ago when she started studying with senior Iyengar Yoga instructors in 1998. Yoga has transformed every aspect of Lori’s life and has allowed her to incorporate yogic practices into a modern and busy lifestyle. Over the years, Lori has deepened her understanding of Iyengar Yoga and her growing love of the practice inspired her to quit her corporate career in Human Resources and begin teaching in 2004 full time.
Now a Certified Senior Iyengar yoga teacher and the director of Yoga Journey in Collingwood, Lori is truly grateful for the gift of yoga and is passionate about sharing this gift with others. Drawing on her own personal experiences, Lori aims to connect with her students on a physical and emotional level. Her classes are fun, inclusive and engaging, and are designed for students who want to deepen their practice beyond the asanas (poses). Through detailed instruction, Lori works with each individual student at a level that is appropriate for them, challenging them to reap the benefits of incorporating a robust yoga asana and pranayama practice into their lives.
Lori has always cared deeply for the environment and weaves her love of the natural world into her teaching. She became a vegetarian at just 18-years-old and her practice of yoga has brought her even closer to nature and more in tune with its ebbs and flows. She now maintains a vegan diet — growing a lot of her own food — and is an advocate for plant-based eating.
Lori loves the continuous learning yoga provides and frequently participates in workshops with teachers around the world to hone her skills and deepen her understanding. Lori continues to study regularly with the Iyengar family at RIMYI in Pune, India and is a member of the Iyengar Yoga Association of Canada, sitting on their Professional Development Committee.
Lori also mentors new teachers and guides them through how to evolve from being a dedicated practitioner to a teacher of yoga. Please contact Lori directly to discuss her mentoring program.
Iyengar Yoga is a form of alignment-based Hatha Yoga and was created by world renowned yogi BKS Iyengar and is based on the eight-limbed path of astanga yoga. B.K.S. Iyengar (1918 to 2014) is one of the world’s leading teachers of yoga and the author of the bestselling yoga book of all time, Light on Yoga. He has taught cultural icons and world leaders as well as thousands of teachers who have taken his modernization and refinement of yoga to every corner of the world. His classic and bestselling books also include Light on Pranayama, Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health. He was one of the first teachers to introduce yoga to the West, and there are now hundreds of centres around the world where Iyengar yoga is taught. B.K.S. Iyengar was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the world in 2004.
Iyengar Yoga emphasizes the importance of regulated breathing; the use of blocks, chairs, and other props; and the therapeutic value of adapting the poses to the needs of individual students. Iyengar Yoga emphasizes correct alignment and right actions, which develop flexibility, strength, stamina and balance.
The Iyengar method places special focus on developing strength, endurance and correct body alignment – in addition to flexibility and relaxation. Standing poses unique to this system of yoga build strong legs, increase general vitality and improve circulation, coordination and balance.
Poses are individualized to each person’s body type and special physical needs by teachers trained in anatomy and physiology. To address these needs, props such as wood blocks, bolsters, blankets and belts are commonly used in yoga classes. Certified Iyengar Yoga teachers are extremely well trained. Teacher training is rigorous and spans a three to five year period in which teachers follow a program based on an international syllabus and standards set by B.K.S. Iyengar.
Iyengar Yoga is ever evolving. In Pune, India the Iyengar family continues to teach in fresh and exciting ways. Theories are tested and different approaches to teaching are then disseminated throughout the Iyengar community.
Iyengar Yoga is meditation in action; the self is explored through discovery and release of physical tension patterns and psychological resistances. As practice continues, a student’s ability to relax and to concentrate generally improves markedly, and his or her inner awareness is enhanced.
To learn more about B.K.S Iyengar visit www.bksiyengar.com.
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