About
In 1977, while in San Francisco on a gap year Peter Scott went to his first Iyengar class. Already a yoga and meditation practitioner, he was hooked by the supportive spirit. Ever since then he’s been talking, teaching and practising yoga as an invaluable tool for self-knowledge through Peter Scott Yoga.
Peter is an insightful communicator with a teaching style that nurtures inquiry. His students feel seen and supported by his keen observations and in-depth experience. He strives to find the place where practice merges what he’s saying, with what they’re doing and what they’re both thinking. Always encouraging students down the path to personal balance, he works with their challenges so they can expand their achievement.
Peter opened former yoga studio ‘Yoga Jivana’ in 2006 in Northcote, Australia. He has a deeper understanding of the yoga life, as a yoga instructor he provides guidance to beginners, intermediates and advanced students.
Peter is also a deeply knowledgable teacher, with 40 years of study with the Iyengar family, which stretches alongside his teaching around the world and learning about his students. He is also a dedicated student refining his practice through self-observation and is certified as one of the top 50 Senior Iyengar teachers in the world.
Testimonials
“I’m thoroughly enjoying the classes, I get so much out of your instruction and guidance, so many gems! What I love is that you give the tools to achieve the outcomes in a way that’s easy to understand and implement, and your anatomical explanations are fascinating.”
– Sally
“The genius of Peter is he knows exactly what I need, often better than I do. Invariably sessions leave me with a deeper understanding and feeling great. I’ve been doing privates with him for over a decade. My ability to do yoga and more impressively overall well-being have progressively improved. Sessions with Peter are supportive, challenging and inspiring. I feel fortunate to learn and train from a world leading expert.”
– Anthony
Hi Peter.
So, what sparked your interest in yoga and Iyengar in particular?
I started yoga in the 70s it was a way to link exercise with the mind, and “spirit”. The 70s in Australia was like the 60s in UK. The Beatles went to India and I went to the USA & Central America on a “gap year” and that’s when I found Iyengar Yoga.
I was 22 and already practicing yoga and meditation daily. While in San Francisco for 6 months I went to yoga classes whenever I could, including my first Iyengar Yoga Class. It only had 3 people, but it was challenging, supportive, wonderful and weird. Different, in a groovy and soulful way. I was hooked and here we are, now with Peter Scott Yoga.
What’s something memorable from your trips to India?
That’s tough – How do I choose one?
Ok. It’s the late 80s and Geeta iyengar is teaching 25 of us in a Pranayama Class. She “linked” every instruction and direction back to that morning’s practice of headstand and shoulder-stand. Teaching us to hold the seated position & the position of the head and spine. A feeling of freedom took over. No guilt, no having to get it right, no having to be perfect.
Walking home from class the smell of eucalyptus trees overpowered the usual car exhaust. That moment was one of unbridled happiness.
What makes you happiest as a teacher?
Where I can help students break out of their daily grind and into a now-mind-place-space. Which is when the combination of what I’m saying and what they’re doing and what we both think clicks into a rhythm. And the deeper and subtler practices in yoga take over and they can find that higher level of consciousness.
What are some other things you like to do?
I love it when something connects me with an experience of expansiveness.
Seeing great movies like The Insider and Matrix. Walking in nature is renewing. The sound of a river’s flow, the majesty of mountain trees and humble beauty of the bush. Enjoying art is another kind of sustenance. I love the Picasso Museum and the Musee D’Orsey in Paris, and the Portrait Museum in Canberra. And of course music, all kinds from a concert with Richard Tognetti playing Bach to grooving on Thievery Corporation’s tunes.
