Iyengar Yoga Association of Canada / Association canadienne de yoga Iyengar

Teacher Training

Certified Iyengar Yoga teachers are extremely well trained. Teacher training is rigorous and spans a three to five year period in which teachers follow a program based on an international syllabus and standards set by Sri B.K.S. Iyengar. Throughout the course of their training, teachers:

1. Develop maturity in their personal practice of asana and pranayama;
2. Develop a thorough understanding of the asanas and pranayamas for teaching purposes;
3. Gain proficiency in teaching skills;
4. Gain a basic education in anatomy;
5. Develop a working understanding of the philosophical basis of Astanga Yoga in the Iyengar Method;
6. Learn the various precautions that need to be followed for students with common problems;
7. Practice their teaching skills under the guidance of a qualified training teacher.

Prior to entering a teacher training program, a student must be a competent Iyengar yoga student who maintains a daily yoga practice.

Teacher Training Contacts

Assessment

Prospective Iyengar yoga teachers go through a comprehensive assessment process. A qualified teacher recommends each candidate for assessment, confirming that all teacher-training

A panel of qualified teachers conducts each assessment. They evaluate the candidates’ asana practice and observe their teaching skills in action. Some certification levels include a written take-home exam as well.

Assessments are held several times a year in various cities across Canada. Check the right-hand column for a listing of currently scheduled assessments.

Assessment dates and locations for the upcoming year are announced at the Association’s annual general meeting, or soon afterwards. Candidates are encouraged to submit their applications the Monday after the AGM. The Professional Development Committee then adjusts the dates and levels of assessments based on candidate numbers and assessor availability.

If you are applying for an assessment for certification please note the following:

To register for assessment at Introductory II levels and up, contact the Assessment Registrar, Ewa Rewkowska. To register for Introductory I assessment, speak with your teacher. For Introductory II and up, send your completed forms, with a fee of $390.00 + $19.50 GST = $409.50 (certified bank draft, cheque or money orders only paid to IYAC/ACYI) to Assessment Registrar, Ewa Rewkowska, 305-1 Pond View Drive, Wellesley, ON N0B 2T0

If you need further information, contact your Regional Representative or download a copy of "Procedures and Guidelines for Assessment, Certification and Teacher Training" from the Members Only webpage.

Certified IYAC/ACYI Teachers

There are over 130 certified Iyengar yoga teachers in Canada, as well as many apprenticing teachers All certified teachers must have a certification mark in order to be listed on the IYAC/ACYI website and in the IYAC/ACYI Teachers' Directory. For additional information about certified teachers in your area, contact your Regional Representitive.

Certification Mark

This trademark has been legally registered in Canada to protect the high standards of Iyengar yoga. All Iyengar yoga teachers certified from Introductory II onward must hold a Certification Mark license in order to teach Iyengar yoga in Canada and maintain good standing as a Teaching Member of the Iyengar Yoga Association of Canada/Association canadienne de yoga Iyengar. The Certification Mark indicates that a teacher is properly trained and certified in Iyengar yoga, has committed to teach only Iyengar yoga, and will not mix other methods of yoga. After applying for and paying the annual fee for the Certified Mark license, teachers receive a copy of the Certification Mark and are allowed to use it as a display logo for promotional and identification purposes.

To apply for the Certification Mark, contact the Certification Registrar.

To view a listing of Canadian Certified teachers holding the Certification Mark, go to the current Listing of Teachers.