Certification and Yoga Teacher Training
The certification of Iyengar yoga teachers ensures that those teaching in Mr BKS Iyengar's name are qualified to do so. The process of certification, since its introduction in Australia in 1987, has been designed and refined by senior teachers of the BKSIYAA under the guidance of Guruji, Yogacharya BKS Iyengar.
The teaching certificates issued by the BKSIYAA on behalf of the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune are recognised throughout the world. A qualified Iyengar yoga teacher can be recognised by use of the Certification Mark along with the teachers' name.
A student wishing to train as an Iyengar Yoga teacher must fulfill certain requirements and undertake training with a senior teacher who is accredited by the Association as a teacher trainer. A teacher training programme can be organised in a course format or as an apprenticeship.
Certification prerequisites
To be accepted as a teacher trainee, a student must have been practicing Iyengar yoga for a minimum of three years. To attend the first level of assessment towards certification - Introductory Level 1 - a student must be a members of BKSIYAA, have attended at least 100 hours of classes recognised as part of a teacher-training programme, 40 hours of practical, supervised class work (and be recommended by the teacher trainer) plus have current CPR certificate and insurance. This level is not a certificate level but considered as a step towards certification at Introductory Level 2. To apply for Introductory Level 2 the teacher must continue to work with their teacher trainer and complete a minimum of 300 hours teacher training plus 100 hours of practical, supervised class work. These hours include those completed for Level 1. The teacher must also complete an anatomy and physiology course and be recommended by their teacher trainer. This training may take at least from three to five years
Certification procedure
After completing the first part of her/his training the trainee attends an assessment for Level 1 Introductory where they are assessed on their practice, teaching and essay questions by assessors using criteria which are internationally standardised. These criteria include accuracy and knowledge of the asana, clarity of instruction, pacing of the class, demonstration effectiveness and observation and correction of individuals within the group they teach at the assessment. Assessors use marking sheets to evaluate the assessee and a cumulative total of their marks is averaged for a result. On completion of training the process of assessment is repeated and if successful the trainee is awarded an Introductory Level 2 teaching certificate.
There are five teaching levels within the Iyengar system, the first levels being assessed by the Association (as above) and the higher levels by Mr. Iyengar himself.
Continuing training
To continue teaching, certified teachers must renew their certificates (after 3, 4 or 5 years depending on their level of certification) by continuing their education - by studying with senior teachers, attending classes at Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune, India or by participating in workshops and conventions with senior teachers. They must also maintain their membership of the Association, insurance and their Certification Mark licence.
For an up to date listing of Accredited teacher trainers: www.iyengaryoga.asn.au.
BKS Iyengar Yoga Association of Australia
PO Box 199 Bondi Junction
New South Wales 1355 Australia
www.iyengaryoga.asn.au
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