The Teacher

Jan Watson

The Teacher: Iyengar Yoga

Hello, I’m Jan Watson

I have practiced yoga since my twenties. Starting yoga classes was a way of keeping fit, as well as for the flexibility. I also had poor posture; excess kyphosis in the thoracic spine, and was told yoga would help. Yoga, has consequently been in my life ever since my first class, in Sydney, in the late 1970’s, with a teacher called Bette Carman.

As a result of continuing attending classes and along with my interest in the subject, I first qualified as a Hatha Yoga Teacher in 1991, in Adelaide. Yoga certainly keeps you flexible, however, I was looking for more; I wanted to know more about the anatomy and how the body moves; which muscles to target to become more flexibility, and to maintain strength.

Cairns: An ad in a local paper for a ‘8 week Iyengar Yoga course’, caught my attention. Along with twenty other students we were introduced to Iyengar Yoga. The teachers gave concise instructions along with physical adjustments. I was spell bound and very excited; the classes were strong, the teachers talked about the anatomy of the body, poses were held and we were taught to work the body correctly. As students we were challenged and we got stronger. I was hooked. The teachers were Nicky Knoff and James Bryan.

Becoming an Iyengar Yoga Teacher

In that initial introduction, we were taught to stand on our heads, and to do a handstand – either walking up the wall or kicking up using the wall as a support. The classes were invigorating and exciting as we learnt correct positioning in standing poses; how to sit; how to work towards backbends and learnt inversions. Practicing with precision makes you feel strong, the held positions open up flexibility and you leave classes feeling confident. This was a turning point for me in how I viewed and practiced yoga.

I continued to study with Nicky and James when they opened the Ashtanga Yoga Academy in Cairns. Becoming an apprentice with Nicky for 3 years, I gaining certification as an Iyengar Yoga teacher in 1997. I taught classes at their academy and continued to study with them until 2000. In 2000 I set up The Yoga Centre, in Cairns, which I run until 2018

About Iyengar Yoga

Iyengar Yoga teaches the classical yoga poses with a deliberate emphasis on correct alignment, precise instructions and movements. It’s this alignment and precision that inspires my teaching.

The rich diversity of how and what to practice and how to get a pose to work still amazes me. I love that there are never 2 classes exactly the same. You can work the same pose but with a different emphasis on a particular detail. The concise instructions lead to careful attention to anatomical detail and alignment in each pose. Nothing to poke in, and nothing to poke out. Attention on this alignment brings an ‘inner feeling’ of stability and balance. The poses feels light and strong but without straining.

Sequences for practice and for teaching can simply be for practicing for energy, or being quiet, but also to work on areas of the body that tighten, such as the hips and shoulders. There are therapeutic sequences for injuries and for anxiety and other mental issues.

The ‘hands on’ adjustments are important as you get to feel the correct position and it also stops any incorrect movements or position and so avoids injury.

The instructions for Pranayama is as detailed as those given for the poses. Also, learning to sit quietly for meditation.

Yoga is truly an amazing system.

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A Little about my journey

My yoga teaching started in 1992 and in the Iyengar style in 1997.

I was introduced to yoga in Sydney, in the 1970’s with Bette Carmen, yoga TV personality, who had a slot on the TV show; ‘A Touch of Class’. Blond bob hairstyle, cat suits and full makeup. She was gorgeous and very strong and flexible.

Other yoga teachers who helped instil a passion for yoga early on:

Michael Violin, sometimes referred to as ‘The Father of Yoga’ in Australia, who taught me never to underestimate the basic poses; he had us sit in cross legs which I thought at the time was just a tad too easy! However, 10 minutes on, we were still sitting; Michael was talking but I don’t remember much about what – my hips just wanted the pose to finish.

Other influences were with Satyenanda yoga; synonymous with orange robes and ashrams. They taught Yoga Nidra, an effective yet simple meditation lying down and the classical shat karmas, practiced to eliminate impurities and toxins from the gross body. Their instructions are very precise as they make no physical adjustments.

The Turning point in my practice

This happened when I was introduced to Iyengar yoga in Cairns. Between 1994 – 1997 I undertook a 3 year apprenticeship with Nicky Knoff attending classes, retreats, workshops and intensives, as well as a lot of private lessons. I qualified as an Introductory Iyengar Yoga Teacher in 1997. I continued to learn under Nicky and James and also teach for them until 2000, at The Ashtanga Yoga Academy, Cairns.

After further studies, in particular with Peter Scott, who I worked closely with for 13 years and trips to the Iyengar Yoga Institute in Poona, India, I now hold Junior Intermediate Level 1 and Level 2 certificates. More recently, Gulnaaz Dashti, who is an advanced Iyengar Yoga teacher from Pune, India, has been an inspiration to keep things simple; to practice and teach the basics of yoga asanas.

Teaching Experience

I ran The Yoga Centre on Mulgrave Road, in Cairns for 18 years; holding retreats in Australia, Japan and Bali. Also, offering regular Intensives and Workshops for students and Courses for teachers. On moving to Mission Beach, after The Yoga Centre was closed, I taught classes here until the end of 2024. I have now moved back to Cairns. Offering some classes, workshops and retreats.

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My Qualifications

S.A. Institute of Yoga Teachers Association, 1991

This was a comprehensive 12 month correspondence course through Pondicherry, India and worked hand in hand with attending yoga classes under Senior IYTA and Yoga for Health teachers, for its duration.

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BKS Iyengar Yoga Teachers Association, 1997

After a three year apprenticeship under Senior Teacher, Nicky Knoff and Senior Intermediate teacher James Bryan, I was granted an Introductory Teaching certificate in 1997. I have since undertaken further studies with Peter Scott and more recently with Gulnaaz Dashti from Poona. I now hold JI 1 and JI 2 Intermediate certificates.

.BKS Iyengar Yoga Teachers Association in 1997

An observation: … Yoga always brings an element of truth to you; our yoga practice is forever changing … for women, when you menstruate, become pregnant, go through menopause. For men, when there is injuries and health issues. And for both men and women as we get older. Practice for the sake of practice, not to prove how good you can do the postures.

Keep your sense of humour and know we are all exactly where we are supposed to be. Enjoy your life as it unfolds.

Namaste

Give thanks to yoga