IYANC Board of Directors
The IYANC Board of Directors bring a wealth of business and leadership experience to the organization. Our Board is responsible for guiding and setting policies for our yoga association in keeping with IYANC’s mission to foster and inspire the learning, practice, study, and teaching of Iyengar Yoga throughout our region. The Board meets monthly. If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors please email Board@iyanc.org.
IYANC is a Non-Profit Organization
Our yoga organization was formed to forward the causes named in our mission statement. Our primary goal is to foster and develop a thriving yoga community following the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar.
Unlike for-profit yoga studios, our non-profit yoga studio redistributes any income or revenue back into the organization, in order to further fund the pursuit of its goals. We aren’t a commercial enterprise.
As a non-profit yoga organization, we generate revenue through classes and workshops, but we are largely funded by donations. To help support us in our cause, you can donate or volunteer at our non-profit yoga studio.
Richard Billington, President
Richard is a retired, recovering computer scientist/software developer, previously employed 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.
Michael Murray, Vice President
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. 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.
Marie Reyes, Treasurer
Marie was introduced to the Iyengar method by a coworker who ran a weekly class in one of the office meeting rooms. When the time came to move on from that job, her colleague-teacher recommended Brian Hogencamp for her continuing studies, which eventually led her to IYISF. When not pursuing yoga, hiking, traveling or doing something creative, Marie can be found at a desk doing Asset Management work for a local nonprofit. She has more than two decades of financial experience. This pragmatic side to her 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."
Bruce Lanyon
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.
Nancy Goldenberg, Secretary
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!
