Iyengar Yoga Teacher Certification

With the popularity of yoga increasing, styles of yoga are coming into the foreground. Iyengar yoga is one style of yoga that uses progressive postures to increase strength, flexibility, wisdom and health. Iyengar yoga teachers are trained extensively over the years and are frequently reevaluated to maintain certification. Iyengar yoga offers several levels of teacher training from the beginning teacher, who has still had at least 5 years of training as a student and teacher, to an advanced instructor, whose time involved varies based on skill and practice.

  1. What Is Iyengar Yoga?

    • Iyengar yoga is described as a "complete approach to physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual transformation." This means it seeks to incorporate the body, mind, spirit and a person's emotions to create a balanced and healthy life. It uses the stress and movements of the body to better understand our deeper mind. The asanas, or postures of yoga, are always able to be improved and it is with this idea that the perfection of the asanas becomes the lifelong journey that the student of Iyengar yoga embarks on.

    Training for Iyengar Yoga Instruction

    • Before someone can begin to start training to become an instructor, he or she must first be a student of Iyengar yoga to truly understand what this style of yoga is. The Iyengar Yoga Association of New York requires that the student be able to perform level 3 works and have a passion for the subject. The people looking to become instructors are evaluated before they are accepted into the program. The program lasts 2 years and the achievement of certification only happens once the person has taken three tests. The first test is showing proficiency in performing the asanas. The second is a written or oral exam focusing on the principles of yoga as well as the anatomy and practical knowledge of teaching. Finally, before certification, the candidate is observed teaching a class where the compilations of skills are assessed.

    Levels of Iyengar Yoga

    • Iyengar yoga has five levels of training for the prospective instructor. The levels are Introductory I and II, Junior Intermediate I, II, and III, Senior Intermediate I, II, and III, Junior Advanced I, II and III, and Senior Advanced I and II. Each level is accompanied by new asanas to perfect and requires the same rigorous training and testing process. The prospective instructor is only qualified to teach after Introductory Level II, which takes a minimum of 2 years to achieve. After Introductory levels the person looking to achieve higher levels of training may apply after 1½ years for consideration and training.

    Where to Get Certified

    • There are Iyengar yoga studios all over the country. The Iyengar Yoga Association of New York, The Center for Yoga of Seattle and Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Fransisco are only a few of the many schools available.

    What to Expect After Certification

    • After certification the instructor can proudly display the official Iyengar yoga certified mark on his or her studio and in association with his or her name. The person can conduct classes that are in public fitness or offer private fitness consultations in the comfort of his or her studio. The Iyengar yoga instructor may wish to continue applying for higher certification levels that will show a deeper understanding of Iyengar yoga and may allow him or her to request a higher rate of pay from students or classes.