Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute, Pune Overview

Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute was initiated by Yogacharya B. K. S. Iyengar who dedicated the institute to his beloved wife, Smt. Ramamani Iyengar. The institute was established in 1975. B. K. S. Iyengar is one of the directors of the institute. The co-directors are Geeta S Iyengar and Prashant Iyengar, his children. This institute is believed to be the soul of Ashtanga Yoga which is also referred to as Iyengar Yoga. The attraction draws followers of Yoga in considerable numbers from all across the world. The faculty at the Institute practice and teach all the aspects of Ashtanga Yoga and its philosophy. They have a wholesome approach towards helping people live a healthy life through Yoga.

At Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute, one can expect to get insights into the science and techniques of Iyengar Yoga in-depth. They have courses all around the year. People can choose between regular classes and special classes (beginner, advanced and general classes) according to their preference and capabilities. They also have props to help the students perform the asanas which are sometimes deemed difficult. It is said that even those with chronic ailments can find a way to deal with their illness and improve their quality of life. Yogacharya B. K. S Iyengar’s research-based experience and experience-based research have brought about an evolution in Yoga which everyone can experience and increase their knowledge about the subject.

Things to do

At the Iyengar Institute, one can enrol for one of the Yoga sessions be it at an entry level or an advanced level. If one is unsure, they can speak to the counsellors/ faculty who may help them find the best way forward. Here, they can also gain knowledge about the eight aspects of Yoga – Pranayama, Asana, Yama & Niyama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi. The infrastructure of the institute also relates to this agenda.

The building has 3 levels, stands 71 feet above the ground and has each floor representing the body, mind and the soul. There are eight columns in the building which represent the eight aspects of Yoga. The busts of Ramamani Iyengar at the gate and that of Yogacharya B. K. S Iyengar near the entrance hall are also worth seeing. It is said that the Queen Mother or Belgium herself chiselled the bust of Yogacharya and gifted it to the institute when she was able to perform Sirsasana at the age of 81.

Visitors can also head to the library which houses an impressive collection of over 8000 books all belonging to the field of Yoga and relevant subjects like human anatomy, philosophy, human physiology, some scriptures and commentaries on them, books on Ayurveda and modern medicine etc. The awards, offerings, presentations, souvenirs etc. that were presented to the institute and Yogacharya B. K. S. Iyengar for their excellent contribution to the field of Yoga can also be seen by the visitors.

How To Reach Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute

Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute is located in Model Colony, Shivaji Nagar, Pune. It is situated about 5.3 kilometres from Pune Station Bus Stand and Pune Railway Junction. Travellers coming to the city by state transport buses or Indian Railways would need to follow the route via Hutatma Bhai Kotwal Chowk – Sadhu Vaswani Road – Raja Bahadur Motilal Road – SH 60/ NH 65/ NH 60/ Abhiyantriki Maha Vidyalay Chowk – Pune University Road/ SH 60 – Suryamukhi Datta Mandir Chowk – Shri Harikrushna Mandir Path to reach the institute.

The closest airport is the Pune Airport at Lohegaon. It is located about 14.5 kilometres away from Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute. Local taxis/ Uber/ OLA cabs are better to cover this distance. However, if one wants to cut down on the cost of commutation, they can also go for an auto rickshaw or a city bus. The route leading to the institute from the airport goes through Vishrantwadi Lohegaon Road – Airport Road – SH 60/ Gunjan Chowk – SH 60/ Bund Garden Road - Raja Bahadur Motilal Road – Ladkat Wadi Chowk – R T O Chowk – Abhiyantriki Maha Vidyalay Chowk – SH 60/ NH 60/ NH 65 – Pune University road. The institute is about 30 metres ahead of Suryamukhi Datta Mandir Chowk on Shri Harikrushna Mandir Path.