Iyengar Yoga Teacher Certification

Becoming a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher requires years of practice, study and a rigorous examination of skills. For teachers, the Certification Mark demonstrates a commitment to maintaining the purity, excellence and high standards of Iyengar Yoga.

Certified Iyengar Yoga instructors teach the method set forth by B.K.S. Iyengar without mixing in other styles or disciplines. They maintain a regular personal practice, continue their training with senior teachers or by traveling to the Iyengar institute in India, and hold to ethical guidelines.

BECOMING A CERTIFIED TEACHER
Every Certified Iyengar Teacher has passed at least two rigorous, standardized assessments. Some have passed many more.

Becoming an Iyengar Yoga teacher begins with long term, thorough and dedicated practice. One is a student of Iyengar Yoga for many years before becoming a teacher. Only after three years’ study, and after developing a relationship with a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher who agrees to become a mentoring teacher, may the candidate begin the application process. Then comes two years’ teaching, exclusively in the Iyengar Method — all before the actual testing begins. In the assessment process itself, candidates are carefully observed and evaluated as they demonstrate asanas and Pranayamas and as they teach a class of students.

“We want sharp crisp teaching, not casual teaching. We want to feel the candidate has done the work, knows the poses, is able to get the information out in a clear concise form and sees what is in front of them. At each level these expectations increase.

“We need to feel the teacher is a safe teacher and can take care of the students in a positive, safe manner. This requires both practicing and teaching the poses over and over until you know them on a cellular level.”

— Senior Teacher Joan White on what is expected from candidates for certification

For more information on Certifed Iyengar Yoga teachers, go to www.iynaus.org.