An Iyengar Yoga teacher (Senior Intermediate III, certification by B.K.S.Iyengar, (one of only 5 senior certified teachers in South Africa) with a diploma in physical education, David Jacobs has dedicated his life to studying the art and science of yoga. David has been practicing for yoga for 25 years and teaching for 22 years . He has travelled to Pune, India to study under BKS Iyengar and his daughter Geeta, first in 1994 and then several annual visits thereafter. These were the first yoga classes where he saw where the technique was able to embody the philosophy.
David is the founder of and runs the BKS Iyengar Yoga Centre, Schoemanshoek, Oudtshoorn, Klein Karoo, South Africa. This the only one of its kind on the African continent and we are proud to dedicate our Centre to our Teacher, BKS Iyengar.
David no longer teaches public classes, in order to focus more deeply on his own practice. This allows him time to teach workshops around Southern Africa as well as Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Holland, Austria, Norway and Switzerland, as well as 3-day and 6-day retreats at the Centre. David is also part of the BKS Iyengar Institute's teachers training programme.
David has experience in teaching classes for those with injuries and medical conditions, beginner’s courses, general and experience level classes. He teaches teachers and conducts workshops for teachers.
He is passionately involved with the practice of yoga and its applications to daily life. His understanding of and insights into Iyengar Yoga are conveyed with authenticity and precision.
Iyengar yoga is taught and named after Yoga-master B.K.S.Iyengar, who is one of the world's most influential yoga teachers. Iyengar yoga is not meant for the casual practitioner. It is an incredibly demanding practice, that will require a serious level of involvement, both physical and emotional. Iyengar yoga can be practiced by anyone and is particularly good for beginners, because of the emphasis on proper alignment. This sets the foundation for all other postures. All classes and workshops at the Centre, are taught in the Iyengar method of hatha yoga. This rigorous approach emphasizes a balance between strength and flexibility, builds endurance and develops self-awareness. Iyengar yoga, even as an exercise form, offers what no other form of exercise can offer. The method of study is orderly and progressive and the postures are adjusted to meet the physical conditions and needs of each student.
Firmly based in the ancient Indian tradition of yoga as defined in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Iyengar Yoga teaches strength and stamina, flexibility and balance, concentration and meditation.
In Iyengar Yoga, the search for complete consciousness begins with physical awareness. In each posture, every part of the body is connected to every other part with intent and precision. But Iyengar Yoga goes beyond the physical to embrace emotional and spiritual growth. As students learn to extend consciousness to each part of their bodies, they begin to explore the limitless potential of the mind and the soul. The two quests are not separate, but parts of a complementary approach to self-realization and enlightenment.
