I was pretty sure I was going to love the Austin Yoga Institute right away. Since my yoga training is in the Iyengar method, I sought out a Iyengar-exclusive studio when I move to Austin. From what I can tell, the Austin Yoga Institute is the only yoga school in the city that has an Iyengar curriculum. So if you want to focus your yoga on the Iyengar method, this is definitely the place for you. I've taken classes with three different teachers at this point. They all have different personalities and teaching styles, but I enjoyed working with all of them. Each is well-trained, personable, and able to help you work around any chronic problems you might have. In addition, they all seem to be willing to help each other out, meaning that if a teacher can't make it that day due to illness or emergency, another teacher is able to step in and help out. Since I have a day job, I attend the 6 p.m. class on Mondays and Wednesdays. These classes have never had more than 10 peope in them. The daytime and weekend classes might be fuller, but I can't be sure. Another perk to the studio is that it offers teacher training in the Iyengar method. So if you want to be an Iyengar instructor, this is probably your best option. And for complete beginners to yoga, there is an 8-week series designed for people with no yoga experience. So whether you're just starting out, or you're looking to become a teacher, Austin Yoga Institute has something for you. I will warn you that the school's fees are pretty expensive. However, there are discounts for students and for people who practice green transportation practices (taking the bus, riding a bike). And if you're really hard up for money, the teachers are willing to work with you. So if you really want to take yoga classes but find the cost prohibitive, I encourage you to talk to one of the teachers to find out about alternative accomodations. read more

One of Austin's oldest yoga institutions staffed by some of the best trained teachers in town... The Iyengar method, which is the only flavor served here, is one of the most intensive and detailed hatha methods. In other words, you probably won't get hurt by some Bozo with a weekend yoga teacher certification here. Its a great place to get the basics down before venturing out to other flavors. Founder Peggy Kelley has been at this stuff around forty years and has been selfless in the early promotion of yoga in Austin. I have had classes with about half of the teachers here and all were very good. If I lived South of the river, this would be my regular yoga haunt! One of the more pleasant studios physically to practice in as well... Lots of interesting art by R. J. Oehler to view normal or inverted... Ropes wall.... a few doors to left of Alamo South... read more

Austin Iyengar Yoga - Rope wall - Yoga Near Me - Austin, Texas

I love Austin Yoga Institute and the Iyengar method. I've been practicing here for almost a year and I only have time to go on Saturdays, but I look forward to it every week. Patty is the best. Very understanding and thorough. You are always encouraged to take your time and do only what you feel comfortable with. It's a great place to go if you're a beginner. You will always feel welcome. Another thing I love is the rope wall and all of the extra supplies they have to make your yoga experience the best. I've practiced at other places before and this one just feels the most down to earth and comfortable. Try it out! It's also great that they give discounts to students and people who take public transportation. With these discounts I actually think it is cheaper than anyone else around. The classes are small too, so you don't feel cramped and you will get more personalized attention than most other studios. read more

This studio is one of Austin's longest running and best educated institutions on the science and art of yoga. Iyengar Yoga is for everyone, all ages, all stages of health, any injury can be accommodated for so that it can begin to heal. With a focus on alignment and a knowledgeable use of props like blocks and straps and rope walls all poses can be modified to the practitioners level and ability. Pranayama classes are sometimes available as well. I would give this studio one hundred stars! read more

When you take an Iyengar yoga class, you learn how to do yoga. You learn where your toes, hips, shoulders, and nose should point. Additionally, Iyengar yoga is safe for all bodies, ages, and levels. If you are new to yoga, you will learn how to bend backward without hurting your lower back. If you are a pro, you will also learn how to bend backward without hurting your lower back. That is the beauty of the method. Both at Austin Yoga Institute and at Clear Spring Studio, the other Iyengar studio, the teachers are thoughtful, insightful, and adaptable. Classes are generally small, so you get the individual attention you need. And, as Cotton mentioned, the teachers are very well trained. The method requires much more training than most other types of yoga. read more

This is a fantastic place to learn the Iyengar method of yoga. I've only studied with Peggy and Monique, but I have heard many of the other instructors are also wonderful. Most of the time my classes are very small and intimate. If you are nervous, uncertain, or just plain new to the experience these are great classes to attend. The teachers are really good at helping an individual get in an accurate position, and you can focus more on the practice instead of what others are doing. However, many of the classes, especially on the weekend or during the day, are rich with different peoples and fill the studio up quickly. These classes tend to be more experienced classes and are quite enlivening! The teachers are great listeners and can easily gear the class to your specific needs. I remember when I first started, I had a lot of double-joint issues and Peggy and Monique stayed 45 minutes after class to help me solve those problems. They were very patient and helpful and never required additional payment. On payment: It seems to me that generally the yoga price is on par with many other institutes. They are very accommodating and offer discounts. One of my friends was invited to a weekend workshop for free because a teacher really wanted her to attend and went out of her way to find a free scholarship for her. The studio says there's a price for the prop usage, but I've never seen anyone be asked to pay for it. I have a friend who attends a different studio and is always talking about the fast-paced practice with 50+peoples attending. He tends to feel uncertain about the positions and never really knows if he is doing something correctly. The teachers at the institute I attend are always looking to balance out the individuals body and mind. They are kind and persistent. I also appreciate their honesty as far as what is hard for them in their practice. It helps me remember that even after 20+ years of experience, they still feel like novices in many areas. All-in-all, The Austin Yoga Institute helps you feel like part of their family. They are loving and demanding during the classes. You can be sure that they will work hard to help you understand, grow, and become greater in your practice. read more

This is the real deal. It's not McYoga (you know what I mean); it's thoughtful, engaging, focused instruction by first-rate professionals who really care about both yoga and their students. One of the cool things about Iyengar yoga is that if you're working with an injury or some other limitation, there are props and accommodations to make it work. Literally any body (yes, I used two words on purpose) can do this kind of yoga. Another cool thing about Iyengar yoga is that, when you're ready for a deeper, more intense practice, Iyengar study offers multiple layers of alignment, bidirectionality, and subtlety--a truly adventurous journey into the body and mind. I love the classes and the teachers here, the relaxed, welcoming vibe, and the school's environmentally friendly practices. I feel really lucky to have found Austin Yoga Institute. read more

Austin Yoga Institute is a studio I'd recommend to anyone and everyone. The founder, Peggy Kelley, is extremely experienced and well trained in the Iyengar method, which is a very effective style of yoga designed to work with all body types. Iyengar yoga is especially recommended for people with injuries, ailments, or diseases, ranging from a sports injury to scoliosis to insomnia. Practitioners are encouraged to use props like blocks and blankets to achieve bodily alignment in spite of any physical limitations. Peggy's classes are fun and uplifting because of her generous and thoughtful but lighthearted spirit. She has female and male students of all ages and abilities, and her classes are small enough that each person receives plenty of personal attention. Try Austin Yoga Institute and you might leave feeling wonderful. read more

Big? Little? Strong? Not so strong? That's fine. Austin Yoga School adjusts the Yoga to fit the person you are. At AYI you don't have to be good at Yoga to come away from class feeling So Much Better than when you came in. This is a good place to be a beginner. Why? Because the teachers have tons of experience, but there's also a core of very experienced students who have practiced for years at AYI. That says a lot. read more

I came to Austin and found Peggy's studio in 2003. I started immediately as I had practiced under an Iyengar teacher. This is the only type of yoga I have found to be challenging yet safe. The use of props and well trained instructors makes it a true Iyengar studio. Most studios have teachers trained in different styles and the level of training varies putting you at risk. Not at Austin Iyengar Studio! read more

Wonderful place to learn. Peggy has long experience teaching students and teaching teachers. I learn from Esta "Seva" Herold and Peggy was one of her teachers. You can choose the depth of your involvement and the level of challenge - there are nurturing teachers to back up your choice. In my opinion AYI is for people who are serious about exploring the yoga path and it is also for those that are serious about continuing deeper along the path. I have not studied the many different paths of yoga and chose the Iyengar method based on a recommendation from someone with long experience. Looking back, the method and Austin Yoga Institute were both good choices. read more

Austin Yoga Institute is a wonderful place to learn yoga. The instructors are very knowledgeable, experienced, and filled with the yoga spirit. Having taken classes at several other yoga schools in Austin, I can say I have learned by far the most here. Prepare to be challenged, as the teachers will push you beyond what you thought you could do, but not so far that you don't learn and benefit. As much as the meticulous attention to detail, it is the experience of the yoga or dharma spirit of the instructors that caught my attention. read more