26/05/2026
Here at IYOGA Festival team, we were saddened to hear of the passing of Bobby Clennell, a beloved Iyengar Yoga teacher,
author, and illustrator whose work touched the lives of students and teachers around the world. A tribute was paid to her by the Chair of the Iyengar Yoga Association UK which we've copied below:
"Certified in 1977, Bobby dedicated her life to the study and teaching of Iyengar Yoga, practising and learning under B. K. S. Iyengar and Geeta Iyengar over many decades. She first travelled to Pune in 1973 and returned more than thirty times throughout her life, remaining deeply connected to her teachers and the tradition she served with such devotion.
Based originally in England and later in New York, Bobby taught for many years at the New York Institute from 1994, where she was a core faculty member. Through her teaching, workshops,
writing, and illustrations, she helped make Iyengar Yoga accessible, clear, and inspiring for practitioners across the world.
She is especially remembered for her work supporting women’s yoga practice, including The Woman’s Yoga Book and Yoga for Breast Care, as well as her much-loved Pune Guide, which supported so many students on their first journeys to study in India.
Indeed, on a trip to Dublin in April 2011, Bobby signed many copies of The Woman’s Yoga Book for students and teachers attending her weekend workshop.
Bobby’s generosity, humour, creativity, and vibrant presence left a lasting impression on all who knew her. Her contribution to the Iyengar Yoga community is immense, and her legacy will continue to live on through her teachings and the many lives she touched.
With heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, students, and colleagues.
She will be deeply missed across the global Iyengar Yoga community. We will miss her too as she was excited to have been invited to teach at IYOGA Fest for 2027 and was looking forward to coming along as our guest this year. Bobby, we will miss you.
