Claire Carroll
Claire Carroll was living in New York City in the 1980s when she came across a copy of Light on Yoga and a video of BKS Iyengar. She immediately wanted to try all of the poses, and was fascinated by Iyengar’s skillful integration of yoga philosophy with asana practice. She began practicing formally in the early 1990s when she moved to the Boston area. The precision and orderly progression of learning inherent in the Iyengar method drew her in initially and continues to guide her practice.
Claire has been a certified Iyengar teacher since 2001 and currently holds a Junior Intermediate III certificate. Many teachers, friends, and colleagues have contributed to her learning, but none more than Patricia Walden. She has also studied at the Iyengar Institute in Pune, India, several times.
In each of her classes, Claire strives to cultivate a lighthearted and supportive learning environment. She regularly weaves together physical and philosophical themes: focusing on self-study (svadhyaya) in a class emphasizing twisting poses, or building fire (tapas) in backbends. Claire moves at a brisk pace to keep the group energized, and also allows quiet moments for students to absorb the feel and intent of each asana.
In her personal practice and her teaching Claire emphasizes the asanas on the Junior Intermediate III syllabus. Claire's favorite pose is Chaturanga Dandasana, in its elegant simplicity. Chaturanga is her go-to pose for teaching oppositional movements to build steadiness and ease.
Claire also loves strong coffee ― but only off the mat.
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Iyengar: Best of Back Care with Claire Carroll
This video includes a set of streamlined poses to relax, lengthen, and mobilize the spine.
All levels class
Suggested props: Two chairs -
Iyengar: Harmonizing pairs of opposites Claire Carroll 30 mins
In the Iyengar system we use oppositional movements to create space and freedom in the body. For example, as we extend one part of the body in one direction, we offset it with an equal and opposite movement in the other direction. This class explore that principle in a variety of poses.
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Iyengar: Twisting Poses to Ignite Your Practice • Claire Carroll • 30 min
Twists are powerful poses to erode physical and mental blockages. Practicing with a chair can help us to establish a stable base, elongate the spine, and twist from the tight spots in our torso
Suggested props: Chair. -
Iyengar: Stability and Ease while Standing on One Leg • Claire Carroll • 30 min
Learn techniques for bringing stability and ease to body and mind in Vrksasana (tree pose), Ardha Chandrasana (half-moon pose) and Virabhadrasana III (warrior III).
Suggested props: chair, two blocks, wall space -
Iyengar: Unlocking the Breath's Potential: Pranayama Primer • Claire Carroll •
A short asana sequence to prepare for breath work, followed by two breathing techniques
This segment presents a streamlined sequence of postures to relax the body, open the chest, and smooth out the breath. We then practice two basic Pranayama techniques: Ujjayi I & IISuggested Props: 2-3 block...
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Iyengar: Supplemental Stretches for Stiff Bodies • Claire Carroll • 20 min
This session presents modified poses and supplemental stretches to help create greater mobility and suppleness in the body and mind.
Suggested props: chair, one blanket/towel -
Iyengar: Side Stretches • Claire Carroll • 30 min
This session focuses on the yogic concept of maximizing sattva or bringing balance and harmony to body, mind, and spirit. We’ll explore this through poses that stretch the left and right sides of the body.
Suggested Props: Bolster, two blocks, one blanket.
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Iyengar: The Neck and Shoulders • Claire Carroll • 30 min
For many of us, tension tends to accumulate in the neck and shoulders. This can result from daily activities but also sometimes from the way we position the head and the neck in our yoga postures. In this session, we explore ways to establish freedom in those areas, while also strengthening them....
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Iyengar: Forward Extensions and Twists • Claire Carroll • 40 min
This session presents ways to make seated forward extensions and twists accessible for practitioners of all levels. It also highlights how these poses can cultivate mental clarity and agility.
Suggested Props: wall, chair, blocks, belt
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Iyengar: Backbends for Courage, Discipline, & Vigor • Claire Carroll • 30 min
In this session, we explore how simple back bending poses build courage, discipline, and vigor. This is part one of a two-part series.
Suggested Props: wall
