Inspiration. It sounds so magical. As if a beautiful muse (m/f/x) could pass by at any moment, blowing their breath into your ear. Rainbows, glitter. And just like that, you can carry on again and everything feels fresh, like after a spring shower.
At the same time, the word ‘inspiration’ has a high ‘life-coach-on-Instagram’ factor. Pretty pictures, fancy words. But everyone has to clean the toilet every now and then. And sits on the couch, exhausted, doom-scrolling.
Yet, there is a kind of underlying need in that doom-scrolling. The search for that one new thing, that one fresh idea, time and again. Dopamine shots, says the life-coach-on-Instagram. That search seems to be an integral part of what makes people persevere in their efforts to make something out of their life (click that link, gentle English reader, and improve your understanding of Dutch language and 80’s kids culture).wat van het leven te maken.
By the way, did you know that the expression: Genius is 99% perspiration, and 1% inspiration, turns out not to be by Thomas Edison at all.. Is that a bad thing? It’s the thought that counts, after all.
Also, the concept of effort, self-study, and a pinch of inspiration is much older than Edison. You can find it, for example, in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, in the form of the concept of Kriya Yoga. Effort or ‘burning enthusiasm’ is called Tapas ((no, not those tapas), self-study Svadyaya and the breath of the muse Ishvara Pranidhana. Isn’t that interesting?*
*If you answered ‘yes’ to that rhetorical question, just scroll down a bit, because there is a new book out, translated by Karina van Lieshout together with yours truly, and perhaps you can get some – well – inspiration from it.
As a yoga teacher, you can find that inspiration in your own life, your body, your practice, but also outside of it. In the students that show up in front of you, in books, or on social media. Certified Iyengar teachers are also required to spend a number of hours a year on the mat as a student themselves. Coming together and learning in real life from a teachertruly as a student, adds something extra. A sigh of muse-breath. You see the familiar poses in a different light. Two weeks ago, almost all teachers were at the annual IYVN convention to learn with Lois Steinberg. Have you noticed it in the classes yet?
If you would also like to gain some inspiration, you can come to the ASW for a number of special live workshops this autumn. See below.
See you soon!
– Hiske & Claas
Do you want to help future teachers?
On 21 June, the national Iyengar Yoga assessments will be held at iYogaUtrecht. The IYVN are looking for volunteer students who want to join an exam class taught by the exam candidates. Have you been taking Iyengar yoga classes for at least one year, are you familiar with headstand (against the wall) and shoulder stand, and are you healthy and not pregnant? Can you follow a class in English or Dutch? Do you have some free time on a Sunday morning? Sign up here!
Stephanie Quirk | still some spots available
There are still spots available for the workshop with Stephanie Quirk from 24-27 September. Stephanie is renowned as one of the world’s experts on the therapeutic approach to Iyengar yoga. She has spent over 20 years learning and studying in Pune. Her workshops are insightful, carefully structured, and interesting for both experienced students and teachers. We cannot emphasize enough how special it is that she is coming to Utrecht because it has been a long while since she traveled abroad. So seize this opportunity! You can now also book separate days.
Read more here & book your spot
Billy Konrad & Tobias Lotan: 11-13 december 2026
We have opened registration for the upcoming workshop with Billy and Tobias.
Billy and Tobias combine Iyengar yoga and osteopathic insights in a practical and exploratory way. A wonderful opportunity to further deepen your understanding of posture, movement, and perception. Last year was a successful first edition and many people were keen on returning to study with them in this special format. This December the theme will be Shoulders.
You can now sign up here with an Early Bird discount!
One-day workshop with Tally Eldor | 3 oct 2026
This October, Tally will be back for a one-day Iyengar yoga workshop focusing on movement, exploration, and discovery. Expect a day full of dynamism as well as plenty of rest. With her clear and playful teaching style, Tally invites you to practice mindfully and discover new things in your practice.
We are always so happy when Tally is in town, but nobody is as happy as Toby :)
Nederlandse vertaling van Light on the Yoga Sutra’s!
Op de afgelopen conventie presenteerden we de eerste en enige Nederlandse vertaling van Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Vertaald door Karina van Lieshout en Hiske van der Meulen, vormgegeven door Anchorette Koolman. Nu kun je als Nederlandstalige de interpretatie en het commentaar van BKS Iyengar op de eeuwenoude Yoga Sutra’s in je eigen taal lezen.
In Memory of Bobby Clennell
We were extremely sad to hear that Bobby Clennell passed away a week ago. She was an inspirational practitioner and a wonderful, generous and loving person to be around. We – Claas and Hiske – followed some classes with her at the Institute in NYC and were immediately taken with her charm and wit, and her deeply rooted knowledge of Iyengar Yoga. Later we met her in Pune, and worked up the courage to ask her if she wanted to teach in a small town called Utrecht. We were suprised when she accepted!
We had the privilege of having her teach in our studio twice – once in our first tiny space on the Minrebroederstraat and again as the inaugural event at the Amsterdamsestraatweg. She was also a great support to me – Hiske – personally when I went through breast cancer treatment. She wrote and illustrated books on Women’s yoga and Breast health. And recently we were in contact about her drawing of the Patanjali statue at RIMYI, which we she graciously allowed us to use for the cover of the Dutch translation of Light on the Yoga Sutras. Such a truly remarkable and warm-hearted person, whose presence, wisdom and kindness touched many lives and will be deeply missed. Our hearts go out to her husband Lindsey and their sons.
For a glimpse of her spirit, read this interview with her from IYNAUS magazine The Light
