Ramanand Patel regarded as one of the world’s foremost yoga instructors. He is a founding member of the Iyengar Yoga Teacher Training Institute of San Francisco, where he is known as the teacher’s teacher. He is a well-respected master who has been teaching yoga since 1968.
Born in India and raised in South Africa, Patel’s study of yoga began early. At the age of twelve, Patel was initiated into the world of yoga by his father, who taught him about yogic philosophy and asanas (poses). Later, he was introduced to a well-known and respected teacher, B.K.S. Iyengar.
He uses his technical expertise in Vedanta philosophy and his charming wit and sense of humor to instruct students in yoga poses, or asanas. Patel’s focus is on inward movement and alignment and he is an innovator in the use of props during a yoga session. Patel is also known for working with clients who have special needs.
A unique characteristic of Patel’s teaching style is the incorporation of music. Patel has a special interest in sound and its effects on people while they’re practicing yoga. He often works with his friend, Pandit Mukesh Desai, a world-renowned musician schooled in classical Hindustani music, during a yoga session. During a typical session, Patel instructs students through a series of movements, sometimes singing, while Desai plays his instruments and sings. These two masters often throw-in their off-beat sense of humor, making their classes a popular destination for students from around the world and creating a unique and fun-filled yoga experience.
Patel currently lives in San Francisco, CA. He is an active and popular yoga teacher and leads retreats, seminars, and workshops around the world sharing his wonderful sense of humor and enlightened spirit to inspire students. Patel’s philosophy is simple “the only reason to practice yoga is to be happy.”
