IYANC Board of Directors

Richard is a retired, recovering computer scientist/software developer, last at the SRI AI Center. Iyengar Yoga has been a part of his life since 1976, and he’s had many fine teachers over all those years including 4 unforgettable years with the inimitable Mary Palmer and Priscilla Neel in Ann Arbor. All of his teachers have given so much of themselves that Richard is aiming, through his position on the Board, to give as much as he can back to the Iyengar yoga community. His hopes are that we can continue and improve support for teachers, reach out further into the surrounding communities to engage more people in yoga practice, and to continue to chart a course for the institute in its ever evolving place in the Iyengar Yoga community.

Mike has been a member of IYISF since 2016, and recently joined the board in September 2023. As a resident of SF and partner of a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher, Mike is committed to building the local IY community and supporting its teachers.

Mike started doing yoga in 2013 to alleviate old sports injuries, and found the Iyengar modality to be the most helpful for increased strength, stability and range of motion. He views yoga philosophy as a raft that helps keep him afloat in the tumultuous sea of life.

Mike has spent his career in the food industry and in 2021 he launched his own sales and marketing agency for natural foods manufacturers. Representing some of the best brands in the industry, he delights in engaging with clients and customers over delicious, healthy foods.

Bruce brings to the Board extensive experience in the corporate world of real estate, design and construction. He’s led multi-disciplinary teams in global real estate transactions for multinational corporations and mission driven organizations throughout his career. Companies with unique and diverse change efforts have relied on his leadership to help them succeed. Bruce has sat on multiple boards in the Bay Area and understands the unique needs of small businesses and non-profit organizations. He believes his 15 years of yoga and swimming the San Francisco Bay has provided him with the wisdom and sensibility to positively influence all of his interactions. Bruce first joined the IYANC Board in 2021. He was instrumental in negotiating rent reductions throughout the pandemic and lead an extensive search for new studio space. He is honored to have volunteered during these challenging times.

A San Francisco resident for 25 years, I grew up in a rural part of the state where almost everything interesting seemed to be centrally located somewhere else.  In the early Noughties, as soon as possible I became hooked on gym yoga and attended as many classes around town as I could, wherever my teacher could be found.  Then I was introduced to the Iyengar method by a coworker who ran a weekly class in one of the office meeting rooms, and we did amazing work with limited props for about 8 years.  When the time came to move on from that job, my colleague-teacher recommended Brian Hogencamp for my continuing studies, which eventually led me to IYISF, though as a longtime Outer Sunset devotee I regret I completely missed the Taraval studio era.  Through all the trials and tribulations this town and I have endured, yoga has been one of the most constant, sustaining forces in my life that I can’t imagine living without, no matter how many times I get discouraged.  For this invaluable resource to continue to be available to and reach as many people as possible is the ultimate goal and my reason for wanting to give back.  Time and again, I find that there’s always something new to be learned from studying with different teachers, from practicing with other students and from participating in the Board, all journeying together in yoga.

When not pursuing yoga or hiking or traveling or learning languages or baking or doing something creative or other things I actually enjoy, I can be found at a desk doing Asset Management work at a local nonprofit with more than two decades of “not fun” financial experience.  This pragmatic side to me is the part that makes the rest possible, making the pieces fit so the bottom doesn’t fall out.  As Mr. Iyengar is quoted on the IYNAUS website:  “If the foundation is firm, the building can withstand calamities. The practice of Yoga is the foundation, so that the Self is not shaken under any circumstances”.

I have spent the last 30 years as a serious Iyengar yoga student, and 40 as a practicing preservation architect. I am fascinated by how these two practices overlap and feed each other. The physical practice of yoga has allowed me to remain active in my profession, which requires climbing on and crawling around in old buildings. I doubt if I could still do the work I love if I hadn’t committed to the practice of yoga. The philosophy has helped me with mental focus as well as understanding how to live as an ethical human. As a board member, I hope to help the institute with my skills in design, writing and business. Most of all, I am bringing my passion for the practice!