"Never perform the asanas mechanically, for then the body stagnates."
B.K.S. Iyengar

Teachers

The Iyengar Yoga Centre offers one of the most comprehensive programs of Iyengar Yoga in North America under the direction of Shirley Daventry French. Our faculty of teachers includes many experienced certified teachers of Iyengar Yoga, who have studied with B.K.S. Iyengar and his daughter Geeta in India and on their visits to North America. Six of our teachers serve as assessors for the Canadian national association and others are training to fulfill this role.

Certification MarkThe certification mark is a registered trademark granted to those teachers who have been trained, tested and approved by National Certification Boards. Endorsed by B.K.S. Iyengar, the certification mark denotes the teacher's authenticity and committment to the Iyengar system of Patanjali's ashtanga yoga.




Shirley Daventry-FrenchShirley Daventry-French
Shirley is a student of the yoga Master B.K.S. Iyengar and one of North America's most experienced teachers of his method of yoga. She has been teaching in Victoria for thirty years, and gives workshops nationally and internationally. She has also studied extensively with Swami Sivananda Radha at Yasodhara Ashram, British Columbia.
Certification: Senior Intermediate III

Leslie HogyaLeslie Hogya
Leslie has been teaching in Victoria since the early 70's and has been active in the the local centre since then. She has studied in Pune at the RIMYI many times since her first trip in 1985. Her most recent trip was in Dec. 2010. Leslie serves on the Iyengar Yoga Centre Board. Leslie has taught in the U.S., Thailand, Hong Kong, and most recently in Mexico.
Certification: Senior Intermediate I.

Ann KilbertusAnn Kilbertus
Ann has been a student in the Iyengar Tradition for over twenty years. She continues to study with Shirley Daventry French and has been teaching since 1988 locally and nationally. Ann began going to Pune, India in 1992 and returns every few years to study with the Iyengars. Her practice and training as an occupational therapist offer a valuable contribution to further understanding of this work.
Certification: Senior Intermediate I

Marlene MillerMarlene Miller
In 1975 Marlene began practicing and studying the art of Iyengar Yoga, and has been teaching since 1979 in the Victoria region. In 1982 she went to Pune, India to study with the yoga master Sri B.K.S. Iyengar and family: Geeta and Prashant Iyengar. Marlene has made several journeys back to India, the most recent being January/February 2010. She continues to study with Shirley Daventry French and visiting senior teachers. Marlene has also studied intensively the yoga teachings of Swami Sivananda Radha. Marlene is an Iyengar Yoga teacher trainer, and an active member and assessor of the Iyengar Yoga Association of Canada.
Certification: Senior Intermediate I

Linda BennLinda Benn
Linda has been studying yoga with Shirley Daventry-French and many other senior teachers since 1980 and been teaching since 1987. She is a member of the Teacher Training Committee. Iyengar Yoga enriches her life, her practice and her teaching.

Certification: Intermediate Junior III.

Lauren CoxLauren Cox
Lauren has been a student of Iyengar Yoga since the early 80s and has been teaching since 1989, locally & internationally. She continues to study with Shirley Daventry French and visiting senior teachers. Lauren has travelled to study with the Iyengars in Pune as well as in North America. As a member of the Teacher Training Committee and an assessor for I.Y.A.C., Lauren continues to learn, gather insight & deepen her understanding of the work. It is a privilege! She loves how yoga takes her out of her comfort zone.
Certification: Intermediate Junior III

Ty chandlerTy Chandler
Ty has been studying Yoga since the late 80's and completed the 3 year Iyengar Yoga Centre of Victoria's Teacher Training program under the direction of Linda Benn in 2001. She studies weekly with Shirley Daventry French and has taken workshops with many senior teachers. She continues her training by making trips to Pune to study with the Iyengars and to Blacons France to study with Faèq Biria. In 2006 she met Ammachi. Ty is grateful for the inspiration she receives from students, peers, and her teachers. It is her hope to inspire confidence and encourage concentration on the work at hand.
Certification: Intermediate Junior III

Lucie GuindonLucie Guindon
Lucie has been a student of Iyengar yoga since the early 80's. She taught in the province of Quebec for 22 years before moving to Victoria in 2008. She studied with the Iyengar family in India on 3 occasions as well as in Canada , USA and Europe when they travelled for conventions and workshops. She studied extensively in France under the guidance of Faeq Biria during summer intensives for 10 years. She currently attends weekly classes with Shirley Daventry French and takes workshops with visiting teachers.
Certification: Intermediate Junior III

Robin CantorRobin Cantor
Robin has been practicing and studying Iyengar yoga since 1980. She has studied with the Iyengar family in India and attends workshops throughout the year with senior teachers. Robin instructs at the Victoria Centre as well as in the community. She has a particular interest in 'special needs' students. A valuable challenge has been the ongoing opportunity to teach jail inmates. She is ever grateful to her senior teacher, Shirley Daventry French.
Certification: Intermediate Junior II

Glenda Balkan-ChampagneGlenda Balkan-Champagne
Glenda began her yoga studies in 1994 in Toronto as an antidote to the stress of "life upon the wicked stage." In 1997 a colleague introduced her to Iyengar Yoga and she has never looked back. Glenda entered the teacher training program with Marlene Mawhinney in 1999 and was certified in 2003. She now lives in Victoria and studies with Shirley Daventry French and the other senior teachers here at the Centre. Glenda is grateful for the teachers, loved ones, and circumstances that sustain her on this path.
Certification: Intermediate Junior I

Wendy BoyerWendy Boyer
Wendy has been studying Iyengar yoga in Victoria since 1991 and teaching since 1996. She holds an Intermediate Junior 1 certificate. She studies with Shirley Daventry French and senior Victoria teachers regularly, and also with visiting teachers. Yoga practice and managing the centre are the daily practices of her life.
Certification: Intermediate Junior I

James Currie-JohnsonJames Currie-Johnson
A yoga teacher since 1995, James teaches Level One and Gentle Yoga at the Downtown YM/YWCA and the Iyengar Yoga Centre. He holds an Intermediate Yoga Teacher Certification, and has traveled to India to study with Mr. B.K.S. Iyengar and Geeta Iyengar. He offers yoga instruction as a way of promoting self-reliance and calmness of mind. His classes encourage fellow yoga practitioners of all levels to develop deep awareness and a strong, supple body.
Certification: Intermediate Junior I

Jayne JonasJayne Jonas
Jayne began her training and teaching in the United States. She has made several journeys to Pune India to study with the Iyengar family and continues to study with the senior teachers in Victoria. This year she has taken a position on the Board of Iyengar Yoga Association of Canada. Her teaching is infused with enthusiasm and passion for the teaching of yoga.
Certification: Intermediate Junior I

Corrine LowenCorrine Lowen
A yoga practitioner for over 30 years, Corrine took her first Iyengar yoga class in 1979. Corrine is a long time student of Shirley Daventry French, and the senior faculty at the Iyengar Yoga Center of Victoria. She entered teacher training in 2001 and has been teaching for 9 years. Corrine currently holds an Intermediate Junior I certificate and continues to engage in new training opportunities, the process of self-study, and discovery through practice.
Certification: Intermediate Junior I

Britta PoissonBritta Poisson
Iyengar Yoga studies began in 1998 with Linda Benn... inspired to join the Victoria yoga community... interested in the art of yoga... according to Guruji, "the beauty of life is analysed, known, understood and experienced by the practitioner of yoga."

Certification: Intermediate Junior I

Marilyn ShepherdMarilyn Shepherd
Marilyn has been exploring yoga since 1980. In 1998 Iyengar yoga came to her attention. She has taken Iyengar teacher training with the senior teachers in Winnipeg, Calgary and here in Victoria. In August 2008, she made her first trip to study in Pune. She supports the Iyengar community currently as the Treasurer for the IYAC.
Certification: Intermediate Junior I

Jo Anna HopeJo Anna Hope
Jo Anna has been studying Iyengar yoga since 1991 and has been teaching since 1995. She has studied with the Iyengars in both Canada and in Pune. Her primary teacher, Shirley Daventry French, continues to inspire her in classes and workshops, as do other local and visiting senior teachers. Jo Anna also teaches in the Costalegre area of Mexico during the winters.
Certification: Introductory II

Jeanette MerryfieldJeanette Merryfield
Jeannette Merryfield received her certification in 2005. Shirley Daventry French taught the summer intensive 2009 where teachers from across Canada and international students attended. Jeannette participated in this training to further educate and deepen her understanding as a teacher and student. She has also had the privilege of being at two of Geeta Iyengar's workshops. She is dedicated to attending regular classes taught by Shirley, or other senior teachers, as well as teachers meetings, peer teaching, and ongoing learning. Her background and experience in massage therapy assists her in her own study of yoga. She is inspired by BKS Iyengar who, at the age of 91, offers his intelligence, wisdom, art and science of yoga. " What a delight to be part of a system that is grounded, respected and supported by a international network."
Certification: Introductory II

Charles CampbellCharles Campbell
Charles has been practicing Iyengar yoga since a chance encounter with Trikonasana in South London in 1998. A practicing visual artists and active environmentalist yoga for him is a way of staying sane in a world that doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Charles teaches challenging and uncompromising classes with with humility, compassion and a sense of humour.
Certification: Introductory II

Gary WongGary Wong
Gary Wong has been a student of Iyengar Yoga since 1998, and completed the Teacher Training program in 2009. He is thankful for the string of coincidences that has brought him to this school of yoga, and to this community of devoted practitioners. He studies weekly with Shirley Daventry French, and other senior teachers.
Certification:

Adia KapoorAdia Kapoor
Adia began her study of Iyengar yoga in 2001 and joined the teacher training program in 2010. Yoga helps her balance her busy schedule as a human resources manager and performer. She enjoys introducing students to a style of yoga that makes the poses so accessible to everyone. Her teaching style is vibrant, compassionate, and full of humour.
Certification:

Soo Youn-HamSoo Youn-Ham
Soo has been a student of Iyengar yoga since 1993. With the inspiration and encouragement from Shirley Daventry French, she joined the teacher training at IYCV in 2009. She is grateful to Ty Chandler for her dedicated and inspirational practice, teaching, and mentorship. She is also thankful to the centre and IYAC for the support for her first trip to Pune to study with the Iyengars in 2011. For “yoga is a light which, once lit, will never dim,” yoga has become the way of living for Soo and continues to transform her life on the inner journey to a harmonious whole of the body, mind, and consciousness – to “the union of the individual self with the universal self” (BKS Iyengar).
Certification: