A portrait of Certified Iyengar Yoga teacher Randy Loftis

Just a little about me…

I was born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and spent much of my adult life working as a soil scientist across the United States. In 2016, I returned to North Carolina from San Francisco and founded Iyengar Yoga Asheville in 2018. I am the studio’s primary teacher and have been teaching Iyengar Yoga full-time since 2016, alongside maintaining a committed personal practice and ongoing study.

My training includes…

I am a graduate of the Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco. I began teaching in 2011, became certified in 2014, and have continued to deepen my work through sustained study and practice. I have traveled to Pune, India, multiple times to study at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI), including a recent three-month period of intensive study and practice with members of the Iyengar family and senior faculty.

My training at RIMYI included daily classes, supervised practice, and assisting in general and remedial settings. This work has significantly informed my understanding of precision, sequencing, hands-on teaching, and the application of Iyengar Yoga to a wide range of bodies and conditions.

Certifications:

Introductory 1 - Sept, 2014
Introductory 2 - Oct. 2014

Intermediate Junior 1 - Nov. 2016
Intermediate Junior 2 - Oct. 2018

Level 3 - April 2024

My teaching style is…

My teaching is clear, attentive, and grounded in direct experience. I emphasize intelligent sequencing, precise instruction, and thoughtful use of props to help students develop strength, clarity, and sensitivity in their practice. While I value rigor and discipline, I also encourage curiosity and inquiry, adapting the work to meet students where they are while guiding them toward greater understanding.

I care deeply about…

I am committed to helping students cultivate steadiness, discernment, and self-awareness through practice. I have a particular interest in remedial and therapeutic applications of Iyengar Yoga and in supporting students as their bodies change over time. I also care deeply about the philosophical foundations of yoga and how practice can inform daily life, not just time spent on the mat.

 

Randy’s Schedule