International Teachers

David Meloni

David Meloni is a direct student of Guruji B.K.S Iyengar. He started practicing IYENGARÂ Yoga in 1996. In recognition of the depth of his practice, Guruji bestowed David with the “Advanced Junior Level II” Certificate in 2013.

Most recently, in January 2018, he was awarded the maximum level certificate by Geetaji. “Advanced Senior Level II” in the Iyengar yoga system. He is the only Iyengar Yoga Teacher in the world to have obtained this designation. He has been studying at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune, India, since 2003.

David is also the director of the IYENGAR YOGA ® Rahasya Center in Florence, Italy. He leads teacher training programs and conducts seminars throughout Europe, Asia and North & South America.

David Meloni

Devki Desai

Devki Desai – an internationally renowned teacher from Pune who began studying Iyengar Yoga under the direct guidance of Shri. B. K. S. Iyengar, Geetaji and Prashantji. Her students often comment on her ability to beautifully incorporate the philosophy of Patanjali, the precision and discipline of the Iyengar practice, and the energy of youthfulness. As a senior teacher of Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI), she instructs Intermediate level 2 classes and advanced level classes. She also conducts sessions for women and children apart from assisting in the therapeutic sessions.

Eyal Shifroni

Eyal Shifroni is an ardent student of Shri. B. K. S Iyengar has been practising yoga since 1978 and began teaching in 1985 in Israel and around the world. As one of Israel’s most senior yoga teachers, Eyal has been an active member of the Iyengar Yoga Association in Israel and has actively conducted teacher training courses and certification processes for the past several years.

Certified as a Senior Intermediate III by Guruji BKS Iyengar in 2009, Eyal has written several articles and books about the practice and philosophy of yoga. His books are a practical guide presenting standard and innovative usages of yoga props such as belts, wooden blocks, and yoga chairs for the practice of Iyengar Yoga. His books dive deep into the mental and physical aspects of human nature. How sequential yoga asanas can foster mutual development of mental and physical faculties by bringing in confidence, balance, and optimism. He is also the Director of the Iyengar Yoga Center of Zikhron Ya’akov, Israel.

Fr Joe Pereira

Fr Joe Pereira – A Yogic Priest with an angelic voice 

Fr Joe Pereira, the founder of the Kripa Foundation, has been practicing the Iyengar style of yoga for the past 49 years. Having learned the wonders of Yoga from Guruji B.K.S Iyengar himself, Fr. Joe has been working on the rehabilitation of HIV patients and people afflicted with drug and alcohol abuse through his holistic approach to yoga. He was granted the Padma Shri Award (the highest civilian award bestowed by the Government of India) in 2009 for his social work.  

He was also the recipient of the National Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014, awarded by the President of India. After several years of drug-addiction research, Father Joe has recently presented his latest book “Addiction – A Spiritual Paradox.” written jointly with Dr. Ashok Bedi, a Jungian analyst in Chicago. 

Rita Keller

Rita Keller is an Advanced Junior certified teacher and trainer of Iyengar Yoga certified by Shri. B.K.S Iyengar himself. She is the director and founder of the “Iyengar Yoga Akademie Rhein-Ahr gGmbh” and the “Iyengar Yoga Academy Rhein-Ahr gGmbH” other than the Ayurvedic Health Centre “Samdosha” in Germany. She is also an interpreter and translator, medical practitioner, and therapist.

Rita’s natural and precise teaching style has given her recognition and respect as one of the most outstanding and experienced senior Iyengar yoga teachers in Europe. Her powerful classroom teachings have helped her students attain greater awareness and understanding of yoga.

Rita is the author of the book and DVD titled “Aufrecht, Heiter und Gelassen” meaning “Healthy Aging”. She is also the co-author of the two books with Dr. Geeta S. Iyengar and Dr. Kerstin Khattab titled ‘Íyengar Yoga for Motherhood’ and ‘Iyengar Yoga for Menopause’.

Rajeshree Tupe

Rajeshree Tupe is a certified teacher and student from the RIMYI institute Pune who founded the Shriyog Institute. She studied directly under the guidance of Shri. B. K. S. Iyengar, Geetaji, and Prashantji. She also holds a diploma in Ayurveda and Lifestyle Management.

Her yoga sessions offer a genuine experience to her yoga practitioners by including integration of learnings from Dhyaneshwari, Yog, Ayurveda, and Indian Classical music. Whatever the age, 8 or 80 years, Rajshree welcomes everyone alike. Her mission is to carry forward the subject of yoga through Asana and Pranayama as taught by Guruji.

Shriyog has been conducting yoga training for farmer women in the nearby villages for many years by helping them be physically, mentally, and emotionally fit. This space gives Rajeshree find the contentment and motivation to keep her walking on this path.

Stefano Bendandi

For over 20+ years, Stefano Bendandi has been practicing Iyengar Yoga. He is a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher who has studied regularly with senior Iyengar Yoga teachers at renowned centers like the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) in Pune (India), the Iyengar Yogashraya, and the Yogabhyasa center in Mumbai (India), the School of Iyengar Yoga in Ravenna (Italy) and Iyengar Yoga Rahasya Center di Firenze.

Stefano has taught at the Gokarna Yoga School in India for many years. He conducted many workshops in India, Italy and other places around the world. He likes to teach with rigorousness, dedication, precision, energy, love and with the aim to transmit his passion to his students.

~