It is my great joy to practice and share the teachings of Iyengar Yoga here in RI. I was first introduced to this method by my mother, a longtime Iyengar Yoga practitioner, and came to appreciate the benefits of a regular practice in my early 20’s. I try to infuse every class with enthusiasm, clear teaching and yoga philosophy for skillful living. Over time, I encourage students to begin a home practice; without one, the study of yoga is incomplete.
Come take a class so that you can experience a method of yoga that has the potential to change your life! B.K.S. Iyengar said in Light on Life, “Yoga does not just change the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees.”
I look forward to seeing YOU.
Kathleen
Kathleen Swanson
Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor
My Bio
I've been a student of Iyengar Yoga since 1993 and became a certified Iyengar Teacher in 2007. I currently hold an Intermediate teaching certificate and continue to study regularly with teachers, Patricia Walden in Brookline, MA and Linda DiCarlo in Providence, RI. Being a student of these wonderful teachers provides me with inspiration for my classes and deepens the well of enthusiasm I have for the subject. In January of 2018 I spent the month at the Iyengar Yoga Institute in Pune, India to study with the Iyengar family and senior teachers of the method.
I’ve served on the Board of the Iyengar Yoga Association of New England since 2007.
With a special interest in the therapeutic applications of yoga, I’ve instructed yoga as part of (2) NIH (National Institute for Health) studies, “Yoga as a Complementary Therapy for Smoking Cessation” and a pilot, “Yoga as a Complementary Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes.”
Currently I’m sharing space with One Yoga Center in Foster, RI, teach at Iyengar Yoga Source in Providence, and the Glocester Senior Center (affectionately knows as “The Club”) in Chepachet. Private yoga instruction available on request.
How we practice
Time is spent on the development and alignment of each posture. Clear verbal instruction and demonstrations reinforce the understanding. Yoga props, such as blocks, can be used to make the pose accessible.
A variety of poses practiced each week...
Students are welcome to drop in at any time, but for those who register for an 8 or 12 week session, we follow a progression in order to ensure a well rounded practice. (Note that introductory classes cover the Standing Poses primarily. Forward bends, Back Extensions and restorative poses are introduced at Level 1 and higher.)
Standing poses during weeks 1 and 5
Develop greater strength, stamina, flexibility, and balance from practicing these poses.
Forward bends
week 2 and 6
Forward folds create flexion throughout the spinal column and stretch nearly all the major muscle groups of the posterior body. Forward bends can have a calming & quieting effect on the mind.
Back extensions week 3 and 7
Back extensions (chest openers) are invigorating and strengthening. They stretch the hip flexors and help open up the shoulders and chest, an area where many of us hold tension. They build strength and power in the legs, arms and back muscles.
Restorative poses week 4 and 8
Restorative yoga is as much about the mind as it is about the body. It aims at allying the mental and physical aspects of your being. Standing, forward and back extensions are practiced with longer holds and supported by props. Pranayama (the control of the breath) is introduced.
New to Yoga
Yoga is for everyone. No one is too old or too stiff for yoga! A Certified Iyengar Yoga teacher can guide students of all ages and physical conditions to an experience of yoga, which is safe, accessible and rewarding.
When you’re brand new to yoga, you may have many questions about what your getting into! Here are a few tips:
What to wear
Shoes: Yoga is most often done barefoot.
Pants: There are many different styles of yoga pants but you don’t have to buy a special pair before your first class. Just avoid pants that don’t stretch, like jeans. After a few classes, you may find you want something shorter/longer/looser/higher waisted etc.
Tops: A shirt that is a little bit fitted and longer works best.
What to bring
We have everything you need to participate in class is in the studio, but you are welcome to bring your own mat. We have mats, blankets, blocks, bolsters, belts and chairs.
How to prepare
Food: It’s best not to eat a heavy meal right before you do yoga. A light snack an hour or 2 before class is fine.
During class
Arrive 5-10 minutes early for your first class in order to fill out an intake form and speak with the teacher. If you are confused in a pose, ask for clarification. Work to your capacity and watch for signs of overdoing such as breathlessness, shakiness and practice non-harm. If you have injuries, let your teacher know – all poses can be modified to suit the needs of the individual.
New to Iyengar Yoga
It can be disorientating to try a different type of yoga. There are many doors through which you can experience yoga and B.K.S. Iyengar developed a method that cannot be felt or understood in one class. I encourage you to try several classes and cycle through each category of asana: standing, forward bends, back extensions and restoratives.
I hope to see you in class sometime soon and appreciate your willingness to try something new! I only ask that you come with an open mind and participate in class with beginners eyes. There is a sacredness in questioning “what is new here?” when positioning yourself in an asana that you may have “done” for many years.
“Action is movement with intelligence. The world is filled
with movement. What the world needs is more conscious movement, more action”
– B.K.S. Iyengar