About the Course

Seeing & Understanding from the Base is a seven-part Yoga Therapy training designed by Stephanie Quirk, following Guruji B.K.S. Iyengar’s progression of learning, from the outer, seeable form to the inner, more subtle aspects of the body, mind, and senses of perception.

This series is an invaluable professional development opportunity for Iyengar Yoga teachers and trainees as well as experienced practitioners wishing to deepen their practice and understanding of yoga and its therapeutic applications. Not many teachers are running a therapy class, but everyone – as yoga students – needs to be able to solve problems in their own practice. 

Each part of the series focuses on practical adaptations to support students facing common difficulties in their yoga practice. The approach starts from the participants own practice, showing how familiar asanas can be modified to address specific needs.

The emphasis is on learning the asana from the inside out, by understanding its internal experience—tone, intensity, form—and how elemental factors (gravity, balance, space, movement and stability) change according to the arrangement and adaptation of each asana.

About Module 4: the Vital Organic Body including Heart, Lungs, Pancreas and Thyroid.

The module offered in Utrecht in september 2026 explores Vitality, focusing on the health of the vital organic body: heart, lungs, pancreas, and thyroid. It is not necessary to have completed earlier modules.

If you are interested to see recordings of other parts, these are available via Stephanies website (as well as many more recordings of classes and workshops by Stephanie).

Both ways of working complement each other: studying live with a group of peers under Stephanies guidance is a wonderful way of learning and ingraining the knowledge. At the same time, being able to watch recordings in your own space and at your own pace is an excellent way to revisit this newly gained knowledge at a later time.

About the Full Series

The full series consists of 7 parts:

Part 1 – The Karmendriyas 1 – The Outer Body in Locomotion: Feet, Knees & Hips
Part 2 – The Karmendriyas 2 – The Outer Body that Offers & Holds: Arms, Shoulders & Upper Spine
Part 3 – The Root (Mula): Lower Spine, Pelvis & Sacrum
Part 4 – The Energetic embodiment 1 – Vitality: The Work of Bringing “Life” (Utrecht, 24–27 September 2026)
Part 5 – The Energetic embodiment 2 – The Sustainer: Digestion, Absorption & Elimination
Part 6 – Acquiring the state of balance and harmony – Systemic Imbalance: Endocrine and Nervous System Health
Part 7 – Listening – Seeing – Realising: The Senses of Perception and the Mind

Each module is a separate subject, they don’t need to be taken in order.

About Stephanie Quirk

Stephanie Quirk is recognised internationally as a leader in the field of Yoga Therapeutics.
She spent over 20 years living in Pune, India, studying and working closely with the Iyengar family at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI). During that time, she assisted in the medical classes, gaining deep and practical experience in applying asana and pranayama therapeutically.

What’s covered each day?

Day 1: the beginning of study, observation and investigation through the categories of asanas taught in a general class for the subject / topic being explored.
Day 2: Continued practice in the morning. In the afternoon the focus is on the very important aspect of observation.
Day 3: Learning specific adjustments and adaptations for the students that require help. Adjustments can be carried out for a variety of reasons, to enable, to correct, and to educate the student, so that the pose works more directly and the effects are accessible for the student.
Day 4: Adjustments and adaptations continue and the introduction to understanding the purpose and correct usage of props. Props as with adaptations can be for enabling, correcting and educating. They can alleviate situations difficult to bear as well as provide a portal for the student to understand their inner body.

Do I have to attend the whole workshop?

You’re welcome to join a single session on Thursday, but we highly recommend attending the full 4 days to get the most benefit. The workshop is designed to build gradually, and full participation allows Stephanie to better understand your level of practice and understanding, and offer more tailored guidance. It’s also a valuable way to deepen your practice and support your overall well-being.

Single sessions can only be booked for Day 1 (Thursday).
Other options are: Day 1 + 2 (Thursday, Friday), Day 1 + 2 + 3 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday).