Teacher Certification
IYA is responsible for maintaining industry-led standards in the teaching of Iyengar Yoga in Australia through its Certification Committee. Our Teacher Training and certification procedures have been established and refined over many years under the guidance of BKS Iyengar.
The Certification Committee is responsible for organising regular assessments for Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 for those wishing to teach in the Iyengar method. For Levels 4 and 5, teachers must apply through the Certification Committee to be assessed by Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) in Pune. Assessments usually take place in April/ May and September/ October each year.
We are missing the gold if we do asanas as a physical practice only.
— Geeta Iyengar
What are the certification levels?
The five levels are:
• Level 1
• Level 2
• Level 3
• Level 4
• Level 5
A Level 1 certification allows you to teach as a recognised Iyengar Yoga teacher and make use of the Iyengar Certification Mark. To sit for this assessment, you must have completed at least 300 hours of Teacher Training and 100 hours of assisting, adjusting and teaching students. If you pass this level, you can request a Teaching Certificate and are eligible to join the IYA as a Teacher member.
Higher levels of certification allow teachers to become Teacher Trainers / Teacher Mentors and continue their ongoing teacher development by studying with Australian Senior Teachers and by enrolling in general classes at RIMYI and/ or conventions conducted by a member of the Iyengar family. This ongoing development is part of a teacher’s commitment to Iyengar Yoga and, as such, teachers are required to renew their Certification Mark Licence and maintain the currency of their certificate in July each year.
What is the certification process?
Each of the levels of certification has a specific syllabus of asana and pranayama. To be successful at assessment, the teacher must meet the standard of practice and teaching appropriate for the level, as decided by the Certification Committee. There is also a theory assignment, which must be submitted with your application prior to sitting for assessment. If you are interested in going for certification, the first step is to discuss this with your Teacher Trainer / Teacher Mentor, with a view to making an application. Levels 4 and 5 are assessed by RIMYI.
What is the Certification Mark?
The Certification Mark is the logo that depicts Yogacharya BKS Iyengar in Natarajasana over an outline of the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune. A recent update to the logo added a circle of words saying "Certified Iyengar Yoga teacher".
The use of this mark by certified Iyengar Yoga teachers demonstrates the teacher’s authenticity and commitment to the Iyengar system of yoga. All teachers who obtain an Introductory level certificate must have a licence to use the mark. The Iyengar Certification Mark has been registered by the Trade Marks Office and is granted to those teachers who have been trained, assessed and accredited by a qualified assessing committee, under the guidance of the Certification Committee. It was Mr Iyengar’s wish that this Certification Mark be used by all certified teachers worldwide as an international symbol of the highest standards of excellence in training and continuing education in the Iyengar method of yoga.