Some yoga teachers, they can bend their legs behind their head. This is not what this yoga is about. Sharat finds other ways to make you work hard, he teaches asanas in such a way that everyone can do them safely, whilst taking you deep into the poses.

Dave 28, London, UK

In the 5-Day Course I learned to not make action with the mental body. There is a meditative focus to the asanas. I now feel more power in the feet and with it an ease of the body.
Thank you for the humour, it keeps the yoga from getting too serious.

Gabriele Esenwein

This course was more than I expected, just amazing. The most valuable thing that I learned was the conection between my feet, my body and my breathing. I notice that I got better posture walking and standing after the course and as well no more pain in my right hip thanks to posture. Such a good teachings, I will be back. Thanks.

Richard Rolland, France.

I have done yoga since 20 years and I really learnt a lot in those 3 weeks here. I feel a real change in my body alignment and awareness. The courses go into deep details and you can see the healing part of yoga.

Sylvie Bader. Spain.

I never been done yoga and now I feel I have a really good grounding and foundation. I notice some changes in my body at least, certain muscles seem less tense, more relaxed. The teachers were very helpful, they come to help me and their corrections were always good.

Sid Johnson

This course was better than I thought, the teachers were very professional. After a week my back got better, thank you very much!

Leo Zari

I wanted to be more technical adjustments, which I got in this course. The most valuable I have learned it is the importance of using the feet. I notice better hips alignment and good sleep, specially after halasana. I recommend this course warming.

Jeanette Fredenberg

Before I came to HIYC I did yoga classes in India, Nepal and Germany. It was another kind of exercise in addition to the dancing, aerobics and cycling I love to do. But when I met Sharat, I found out for the first time that yoga is a spiritual experience. I became quiet in my mind, which for me was a new quality in my life. By the way, my body is * and more alive than it was ever before. I’m really grateful for what I got here. One of the main reasons to spend five months in Arambol every year is to continue yoga with Sharat.

Jessica, 43, Berlin

Its 2010 and Im back at the HIYC for another session of Yoga. I first came here in Dec 2009 for 3- 4 months after having played with the idea of taking up yoga for many years. I’m very happy I did and even happier I did it at this centre. Although I have little experience of yoga to compare with, I do realize that I have been taught some extremely important basic ground rules which may not necessarily be taught at other yoga schools. Although I am not able to perform amazing poses that will make other people stand back and say wow, I am learning how to access the core strength and energy that will allow my practice to improve over time. Sharat teaches that yoga is not just physical but goes to a much deeper level. He shows how to empty the mind; put full awareness into the body and gain access to more positive energies. The postures we have done have had the effect of releasing tensions in my body (of which there were many!), opening up areas of space and allowing for the movement of this energy. The result: I have been far happier and more energetic than I think I have ever been in my life with the added feeling of deep contentment. When I went back to the UK, I felt I had a new body and frame of mind. My work, which is very physical, was greatly improved. All my joints felt like they had been oiled and I had a big bounce in every step. Everything felt so effortless and I really did feel more alive. A few months at the HIYC including an intensive and I totally felt like a new person. I would very much like to hang onto this feeling, incorporate it into my everyday experiences and continue on a more positive path in life. That is why I am back this year and will hopefully be back in years to come for more wise words and expert advice! A Big thank you to Sharat for sharing his knowledge!

Wendy Mount (43) Edinburgh, Scotland.

Studying with Sharat is incredibly valuable, no matter how much, or what style of yoga you have practiced. His rigorous approach to the fundamentals of asana practice allows every student to develop and improve safely whilst increasing their understanding of the basic structure of each pose. One course at The Himalayan Iyengar Centre will change your approach to yoga.

Alex Reid, Edinburgh, Scotland

I’ve been practicing yoga regularly for over a year now, and I can say that I do it with more awareness. I can see a clear difference from my first course with Sharat in April 2009, I can do the asanas better, my body is much more flexible and I can relax more in the poses. I have a shoulder and arm problem, and Sharat’s therapy classes were very helpful.

Olga Lyskova, Khazakstan

I met Sharat 22 years ago in Colva Beach and Dharamkot, where I participated in a number of one week courses as well as a one month course. I learned a lot and kept practising the asanas regularly.
As I had no other Iyengar yogateacher, I lost a lot of the precise practise after so many years. When I came to Arambol, I joined the beginners class and I enjoyed the instructions. It was good for me to build up the alignment from the beginning again and I started to build up the asanas from my foundation again. Especially in the chest area I feel a lot more open now.
As I travelled on my own, I enjoyed staying in my hut in the quiet, peacefull and green yogacentre where I had a very relaxed and joyfull time.
The contact to my yoga colleges was intense, inspiring and full of peace.
Thank you to Sharat, Laila and the whole staff of the Himalaya Iyengar Yogacentre - you do a wonderfull job.

Kirsten from Eckernfoerde (Germany)

I felt a change in my body after the first day of the Five-day Beginners’ Course. I felt more openness, clarity, and firmness on the ground. After the five days, I really feel my foundation. I also felt the alignment in my body with the poses. I’ve discovered something fundamental in this course- that yoga is NOT suffering! And it can be fun. I’m very grateful for all that I’ve learned, this course has stimulated me to continue practicing yoga. Thank you.

Nicolas Arbondo, Spain

This course has been very helpful to gain an understanding of the body and how to align it. I loved the standing sequence, it was very detailed. It has changed the way I stand and walk! After the course I felt a lightness in the upper body and a nice feeling of being relaxed, calm and at ease.
I recommend this course to everybody, not only beginners but also advanced practitioners of other styles or sports.

Sebastian Arbondo, Spain

The most valuable thing I learned on this course was to go inward, and to connect with the Earth.

Stefan Steinmann, Switzerland

I learned more about alignment of my feet, spine and posture with this course. I feel much more awareness in my yoga practice. The teacher and assistants were very helpful, they adjusted many students with a lovely attitude. I can’t wait to do more courses!

Ericka Sparber

I really enjoyed the 5 day Beginner Course. The teaching was very clear and at a good pace. Now I understand the importance of the feet and will be aware of this in the future. I feel more aware of my body and taller! I hope to continue in the future. Thanks a lot!

Michelle Younger, 27, UK

I liked the course, especially the fact that everyone was able to do almost everything without being an athlete.

Maria Johnsson, 24, Sweden