Knowledge, Practice, and Healing
Some of my earliest memories are of sitting with my grandfather as he wove tales of Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma, painting vivid pictures of yogis and sadhus in faraway India. Back then, as a little girl captivated by these stories, neither of us could have imagined that these moments would plant the seeds for my life’s journey. That I would grow up to become not just a yoga teacher, but a scholar dedicated to understanding the very traditions he shared with me, learning Sanskrit and Tamil, and diving deep into the world of yoga through both practice and academic study.
I’m Dr. Agi Wittich, and these childhood stories sparked a path that has led me to become a scholar of yoga, a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher, and the founder of Yoga Readers. My work bridges academic research with practical yoga instruction, making the profound wisdom of yoga accessible to practitioners worldwide. Looking back, I see how those early tales were my first steps on this path of connecting people with yoga’s rich traditions and teachings.
My formal path with yoga began in 2001, but it was a transformative trip to India in 2005 that truly shaped my destiny. Discovering Iyengar Yoga there not only ignited a lifelong dedication to this precise and transformative method but also awakened a deeper understanding of those stories my grandfather once told. This experience led me to pursue academic studies in Indian philosophy and Sanskrit at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where I completed my Ph.D. in Comparative Religion, focusing on women in the Iyengar Yoga tradition.
My academic research explores the intersection of yoga, gender, and contemporary practice. I’ve published in scholarly journals including Asian Medicine and Religions of South Asia, and recently co-edited “Remarkable Women in South Asian Religious Traditions” (Routledge, 2024). Through presentations at institutions like Harvard Divinity School and peer reviewing for leading academic journals, I contribute to the evolving discourse on yoga in modern society.
Teaching Practice
At my studio in Mishkenot Sha’ananim, Jerusalem, I offer Iyengar Yoga classes that blend precise physical instruction with philosophical insight. My teaching emphasizes alignment and precision in asana, while integrating yogic philosophy into every session. I believe in providing individualized attention to each student’s needs, guiding them through a progressive development of their practice that honors both tradition and personal growth.
As a teacher with NATAL – Israel Trauma and Resiliency Center, Israel’s pioneering organization in trauma treatment, I offer specialized yoga classes that support healing and resilience. This work demonstrates yoga’s power to address contemporary needs through sensitive, trauma-informed approaches, making the therapeutic benefits of Iyengar Yoga accessible to those affected by trauma.
My Teaching Philosophy
I believe yoga’s wisdom becomes most powerful when we connect its ancient teachings with contemporary life. In my classes, academic work, and online community, I work to make complex concepts accessible and practical while honoring tradition and embracing modern understanding. By creating inclusive spaces for learning and growth, I foster meaningful connections between practitioners, helping them discover how yoga’s teachings can enrich their daily lives.
My approach is enriched by over two decades of practice and teaching experience, including regular study with senior teacher Gabi Doron and training with renowned international teachers. Multiple study visits to the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute and deep engagement with Sanskrit texts and yoga philosophy have further deepened my understanding and teaching methodology.
Current Teachings
Currently, I divide my time between leading regular Iyengar Yoga classes in Jerusalem and guiding the Yoga Readers community through foundational texts. I provide trauma-informed yoga classes at NATAL while continuing to contribute to academic research on yoga and gender. Through speaking engagements and workshops internationally, I share my passion for yoga’s transformative power with a growing global audience.
Yoga Readers – a Global Yogic Reading Community
I founded Yoga Readers to create a space where practitioners worldwide can explore yoga’s philosophical dimensions together. Through this online community, we study seminal yoga texts in bi-weekly discussions, connecting practitioners across time zones who share insights and experiences. This platform serves as a bridge between theory and practice, making ancient wisdom accessible to modern practitioners.
From a young age, I was fascinated by medicinal herbs and their healing properties. I loved growing plants in my small garden, making tea from them, and infusing them in oil. In 2002, I enrolled in a medicinal herbs course with Ms. Mina Faran, who founded the Israeli Association for Medicinal Plants. During my studies, I learned about the diverse capabilities of medicinal herbs and the scientific research supporting their effectiveness. I later enrolled in Clinical Herbalism studies at Mayanot College – The Open University – which I completed in 2016. I am a member of the Clinical Herbalists Association and EILAM (the Israeli Association for Medicinal Plants).