Clear Yoga, Iyengar Yoga

10/18/2025

Morning magic

“ Let everything happen to you
Beauty and terror
Just keep going
No feeling is final”
(Rilke)

Class tomorrow in person at Bard College 9.30-11am
https://clearyogapractice.com/

10/16/2025

I will never forget Anna - a force of precision and determination. Her classes are still some of the hardest I have ever taken!! Her guidance in my teacher training and in classes were always helpful, with a stern voice, fierce at times, a watchful eye, quick wit, laughter and a lovely smile.

Rest in peace dear Anna ♥️🪷♥️

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On Tuesday morning, we lost longtime faculty member, Anna Golfinopoulos, who was 95. A longtime resident of the Upper East Side, she retired from teaching at the Institute around 10 years ago. Her legacy is part of the fabric that our organization is made of and lives on in those of us who learned from her, and taught alongside her on faculty for many years. She was legendary.

She found Iyengar Yoga later in life, after serving for years as an art historian at the Guggenheim. An avid smoker for decades, Anna took up yoga as a way to combat her nicotine addiction. After dabbling with different types of yoga, she became an ardent student of Suzie Hodges and later, Mary Dunn. Where Mary went, so did Anna, including to Pune, to study with the Iyengars.

Her powers of observation and keen insights lead to many transformative experiences for us as students. Passionate about our potential, she expressed aggravation by any perceived lack of involvement. Class with Anna meant that you were not going to be able to hide anywhere, and that you would definitely encounter her fierce, exacting nature, buffered by her wit and humor! She could genuinely see the possibilities, even when we could not.

Longtime students, Ajay Balakrishnan, and his wife, Indu were devoted students and largely responsible for helping handle Anna’s affairs in these final years. In his last visit with Anna, Ajay and faculty member Hugh Millard, found Anna in a great mood. After some banter, out of the blue, Anna declared, “You know what I am? I am an inspiration!” 

We couldn’t agree more, dear Anna, may you rest in peace! You are sorely missed.

10/13/2025

A wonderful retreat with an amazing group of yogis at Halstead Hill Yoga, Owego, New York.
Our theme was to study these words by BKS Iyengar:

“ In yoga there is one thing you should all know: the weakest part is the source of action”. The Tree of Yoga pg: 42.

Wow !!! This is a very powerful sentence and summarizes in a few words, many many books on this vast subject of yoga. This sentence tells us, clearly us to be aware in the moment to observe what is actually going on. Whether one is straightening one’s leg, giving up chocolate, or facing emotional pain … how I see the situation affects how it turns out.

“The weakest point is the source of action” is the moment at which I get to see myself in a difficult situation - the weakest point ( the chocolate is right there, in front of me 😳) and I can choose to act differently ( leave the chocolate and go for a walk instead 🪷).

Such gratitude to Guruji for these words, and to have this practice to know how to stand in front of these words and witness from where my perceptions arise.

09/03/2025

Excited to be teaching
Sunday September 14th at Karuna Yoga, Northampton,MA

9am-12pm

Twists: “ letting go of what was. Being with what is here now”

“You can carve an elephant from stone and from wood too. But with clay you can make and break and re make and enjoy the process of formation.

The remoulding each time is a fresh opportunity. It teaches you more about the process, the formation and the conditions along which you travel.

In this process the level of your input rises. The peace with which you work gives you that quietude. This quietude is that element in your asana which makes your asana a prayer, an offering.”

Prashant Iyengar

08/20/2025

Remembering Guruji on this day 11 years ago

“ You are like an artist with three basic pigments on your palette, forever remixing and blending them in order to express the right combination of color, form and light on your canvas... that is clear, alert and tranquil”. ( BKS Iyengar light on Life).

Where would we be without his guidance along the path of this vast subject of yoga?

🙏🪷🙏

08/12/2025

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08/11/2025

The Gift of Rest:
Intensely restore

-a three day retreat with Jess ONLINE ONLY

Friday August 15th 5-7pm
Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th 8.30-10.30am

Supported postures, breath awareness, and pranayama
(intermediate level /1 year of Iyengar Yoga experience required)

sign up https://clearyogapractice.com/classes/

08/02/2025

The 2025 Yoga intensive with Corine Biria is over for another year. Every year is a complete chapter of experiencing this vast subject. Grateful for the depth of knowledge of Corine’s teachings, friendships, coffee and connections in this magical place

07/24/2025

“ No need to look at the floor. It will be fine.”
Corine Biria 😉

07/23/2025

Such a privilege to be here in La Chaise Dieu studying with Corine Biria and spending time with dear friends.
Feeling grateful