Workshops & Events
NOVEMBER 6 - 8
The Iyengar Yoga community gathers again for Coast to Coast—The Iyengar Yoga National Association of the United States' (IYNAUS's) annual weekend of shared practice, learning, and connection.
Over three days, you'll have the chance to study with nine experienced teachers from across the country, each bringing their own voice to a shared tradition. And one of those teachers will be CFIY's own Christopher Briney. Whether you've practiced for decades or are curious and just starting out, this weekend is for you.
This year's theme is Maitrī & Karuṇā — Friendliness & Compassion — a reminder that yoga begins with relationship: with ourselves, with one another, and with the communities we serve.
In this spirit, the Center for Iyengar Yoga will host every class throughout the weekend in our practice hall. This is a great opportunity for all students wishing to attend this event to make use of the Center, while also experiencing the power of practicing in community (known in the yoga tradition as sadhana-sangha). There is no cost to attend, but we do ask that participants consider becoming a member of the U.S. Iyengar Yoga Association (IYNAUS). Donations are also warmly welcomed (50% of all proceeds with be donated to the Bellur Trust, an organization formed by B.K.S. Iyengar that is doing remarkable charitable and yogic work in Mr. Iyengar's home village of Bellur).
To learn more about IYNAUS membership, please click here: IYNAUS MEMBERSHIP
To learn more about the Bellur Trust, please click here: Bellur Krishnamachar & Seshamma Smaraka Niddhi Trust.)
We hope many of you will take advantage of this great opportunity to learn and deepen your practice of yoga.
Here is the schedule of events (again, please note that all classes will be live-streamed and hosted in the CFIY practice hall).
November 6
John Schumacher - 10 am
Susan Marcus - 4 pm
Joy Laine - 7 pm
November 7
Randy Just - 11 am
Rebecca Lerner - 4 pm
Jennie Williford - 7 pm
November 8
Joan White - 11 am
Miri Rivlin - 4 pm
Christopher Briney - Live in person at the CFIY (and online via Zoom) 7 pm
All times are Eastern Time.
Please RSVP in advance, and be sure to indicate which sessions you will be attending, if you are planning to take part in this event. RSVP here: Coast-to-Coast Attendance
Yoga: Practice and Philosophy
An Iyengar Yoga Workshop
with CFIY Director, Christopher Briney
Saturday, October 24, 2026
2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Enhance your practice of yoga by enhancing your understanding of yoga! Join the Director of the Center for Iyengar Yoga, and Metro Detroit’s only Iyengar Yoga teacher to attain a Level III Iyengar Yoga teaching certification, Christopher Briney for a rich exploration of yoga philosophy designed to help yoga students of all levels understand yoga in a deeper and more impactful way. Empower your practice with yogic wisdom in this impactful Iyengar Yoga workshop.
Reserve your space today! Register here: Practice and Philosophy Workshop
PAST EVENTS:
Live From Pune, India with CFIY Director, Christopher Briney
Live online classes*:
Sunday, September 6th
Sunday, September 13th
and
Saturday, September 19th
Saturday, September 26th
8:30 - 10:00 a.m. (EDT)
* Students who wish to can attend in the livestreamed classes at the Center for Iyengar Yoga, where they can make use of the practice hall and props.
Register for class here: Live from Pune Classes
TUESDAY TALKS
Enrich your yoga practice by deepening your knowledge of Yoga Philosophy, with CFIY Director Christopher Briney.
September 8, 15, 22, & 29
8:00 - 9:00 p.m.
These sessions are complimentary (donations welcome).
Click here to RSVP and receive Zoom link: Tuesday Talk RSVP
Click here to donate to further Iyengar Yoga education in our community: Support the CFIY.
Building Bridges:
A community educational event and guided discussion designed to support those on a journey beside a loved one with Dementia. Facilitated by Kyra Faith Jackman, CDP (and the wife of our Director, Christopher Briney)
in-person and online
Sunday, September 27,
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
RSVP here (Please specify in-person or online attendance to receive Zoom link. Include # of attendees.):
Anniversary Celebration Schedule*
8:00 - 9:30 a.m.
A mixed-levels yoga class featuring standing postures, backbends and twists.
9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
**LIVE** Interactive Session with Prashant Iyengar on the Philosophy of Yoga
10:30 a.m. - Noon
Ayurveda-inspired brunch, accompanied by a slideshow presentation "Looking Back, Looking Ahead," featuring the history of the Center for Iyengar Yoga, lesser known facts about its creation (and construction), and an exciting peep into our future.
12:00 - 12:45
Short film about B.K.S. Iyengar, Atma Darshana
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
"Thinking Into Results:" How Yogic Principles and modern metaphysics intersect to help you create a future that lights you up (co-facilitated by CFIY director, Christopher Briney and Ian O'Laughlin of Thrive Mindset Coaching)
2:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Break/Silent Meditation
3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Restorative Yoga Class
4:30 - 5:00 p.m.
"Yoga in Action:" Save Soil!
5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Indian Buffet-Style Dinner
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.(+?)
Live Music by CFIY Director, Christopher Briney and Friends—Nate Topolewski, Katie Geddes, and Khary and Tunesia Turner
*Please note the change to our regular Saturday schedule: our 7:30 a.m. Level II class, and 9:15 a.m. Level I classes are cancelled. Please join us for the free, All-Levels Class from 8:00 - 9:30 a.m..
Join the Center for Iyengar Yoga and Thrive Yoga community for a once-in-a-lifetime journey to the “World Capital of Yoga:” Rishikesh India, and the Himalaya Mountains. Known not only for their towering and majestic beauty, but also for the profound spiritual energy they contain from all the saints, sages and seers whose profound practices and presences have graced these peaks. Ecologically, the Himalayas are regarded as one of nature’s true miracles. Spiritually they represent the ultimate transcendent possibilities for a sincere seeker who wishes to grow and progress on his or her journey to the ultimate. Christopher Briney, CFIY Director, Level III CIYT, and C-IAYT will co-lead this retreat in partnership with his “spiritual brother,” Transcendental Meditation teacher, Certified Hot Yoga instructor, and Owner of Thrive Hot Yoga studios, Ian O’Laughlin. Together, they will provide inspiring guidance and access to the deepest dimensions of this journey into the ultimate human possibility of Enlightenment.
Join Christopher and Ian at Thrive Yoga in Troy (2559 Livernois Road, Troy, MI, 48084) at 6:00 p.m. on March 8th, 2025 for an information session to help you explore the personal growth and well-being that awaits you on this adventure!
Inspire yourself by viewing the full trip details here: “Awaken in the Himalayas” Retreat Info Pack.
Equip Your Home Yoga Practice
With Props Hand-Picked by our Director
The Center for Iyengar Yoga is pleased to announce that we now have a full supply of yoga props available to support our students' home practices. These props were carefully researched by CFIY Director, Christopher Briney to obtain the best possible products at the fairest prices. We now have a full selection of props available, including:
Round Yoga Bolsters
Pune Style Blankets
Iyengar Yoga Belts
Backless Yoga Chairs
Mexican Style Blankets
and more.
For inquiries, please email: CFIY Prop Sale
B.K.S. Iyengar--hailed as "the Michelangelo of yoga" (BBC) and considered by many to be one of the most important yoga masters--has spent much of his life introducing the modern world to the ancient practice of yoga. Yoga's popularity is soaring, but its widespread acceptance as an exercise for physical fitness and the recognition of its health benefits have not been matched by an understanding of the emotional, intellectual, and spiritual development that the yogic tradition can also offer. In Light on Life, B.K.S. Iyengar brings readers this new and more complete understanding of the yogic journey.
Here Iyengar explores the yogic goal to integrate the different parts of the self (body, emotions, mind, and soul), the role that the yoga postures and breathing techniques play in our search for wholeness, the external and internal obstacles that keep us from progressing along the path, and how yoga can transform our lives and help us to live in harmony with the world around us. For the first time, Iyengar uses stories from his own life, humor, and examples from modern culture to illustrate the profound gifts that yoga offers. Written with the depth of this sage's great wisdom, Light on Life is the culmination of a master's spiritual genius, a treasured companion to his seminal Light on Yoga.
(Review from Amazon.com)
Buy the book used or new by following this link to: BetterWorldBooks.com