Balwyn Yoga Centre

Balwyn Yoga Centre, the longest running yoga school in Victoria, was established in 1968 with a vision to promote the Iyengar style of yoga. Our principal, Mrs Lang, who was a student of the world-renowned yoga guru, B.K.S. Iyengar, has been sharing her knowledge and experience for over a decade, training our team of qualified teachers in the correct methods and practices of Iyengar yoga. Each of our teachers has a minimum of 10 years of experience as both a student and teacher, ensuring that they can guide you effectively in the development of your yoga skills.

Our central location in Surrey Hills, just off Whitehorse Road, is easily accessible by public transport via tram route 109 or by car, with ample parking available during class times. We attract students from all over Melbourne, including the surrounding suburbs of Box Hill, Doncaster, Surrey Hills, Hawthorn, Kew, and Camberwell.

Our Services: Iyengar Style Yoga

At Balwyn Yoga Centre, we teach physical or 'Iyengar' style Yoga, which is a comprehensive system of development in physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. While most people need some physical improvement, our approach is entirely non-competitive, allowing progress to be determined by the individual. Our yoga practice is not a religion and does not conflict with anyone's personal beliefs; instead, it offers a greater enjoyment of life, increased strength, and flexibility.

Our specialised beginner class, taught by a teacher fluent in Chinese, helps students learn correct poses and integrate into the main classes when ready. We also teach exercises that teach you the correct way to breathe and relax, which, when practiced regularly and carefully, can help any person regardless of age to increase their vitality, overcome fatigue, adjust weight, help control insomnia, and keep old age at bay.

The Yogic Tradition

Yoga is both an intellectual system and a practical means to achieve harmony of the being. Its theological and philosophical precursors come from the mantras of ancient Hindu writings in India. The yogic tradition was passed on from father to son and teacher to pupil. Yoga is a daily practice for those who use it. The yogi is a practitioner, not a philosopher, theologist, or psychologist. Physical vigour, strength and mental exercise are the cornerstones of the yogic tradition.

Iyengar Style Yoga: Physical Body and its Control

Iyengar style Yoga deals with the physical body and its control, health, and wellbeing. It strives for perfect equilibrium among bodily functions and among the flow of the 'solar' and 'lunar' energies in the system. Of all the branches, Iyengar style Yoga is the one best suited to our Western lifestyle.

The history of yoga is replete with a wide variety of postures, or asanas, the most famous being the lotus sitting position. Once in this, or any other posture, the yoga practitioner holds it for a certain length of time. Pranayama is the conscious control of prana, the intangible life of energy. Prana reaches us from many environmental sources: air, water, sunlight, and food. The most abundant of these sources is the air we breathe. Hence, breath regulation is the prime concern of pranayama. Like asanas, pranayama helps to calm the body and the mind.

Balwyn Yoga Centre is not a member of, nor affiliated with the BKS Iyengar Yoga Association of Australia. We do not hold accreditation with the Association.