Introductory Teacher Training

Training to teach is a serious commitment, but also an enriching one. To quote B.K.S. Iyengar, "Confidence, clarity and compassion are essential qualities of a teacher."

Students on our highly respected two-year Introductory course describe it as “a hugely rewarding experience” and “a wonderful balance of disciplined yet informal teaching in a supportive environment.”

To be accepted for teacher training, you need to have established a regular practice at home and achieved a high standard in the Introductory asanas. You also need a preliminary understanding of the subtler aspects of Iyengar yoga and its philosophy. Your general health should be good and teachers will have to assess whether your attitude is balanced, patient and mature.

Your teacher will also have to certify that you’ve been attending classes regularly, and without a break, for a minimum of three years. However, as the Iyengars stress, “It is not just the ‘time’ or ‘years’ of practice that makes one eligible for a particular level of certification but the ‘quality’ of practice.”

The purpose of the course is to build a firm foundation in the teaching of B.K.S. Iyengar’s work. It lasts two years, and there are 14 training days each year, on Saturdays from 10.00am to 4.00pm. They begin in October, but you also have to attend the final session of the previous year’s course, in September.

As current trainee Julia Alderman explains, “both the first and second year students are taught together. This creates a very supportive environment, and the second year students readily advise and share their experiences with the first year students. It also allows students to see how the course will progress over the two years and what will be expected at the different levels.”

It can be demanding work and, as Julia emphasises, “teaching your peers is scary for the first few months and not for the faint-hearted.” Nevertheless, says fellow trainee Toni Elliott, the two trainers “guide us through from the very first steps at a consistent pace with regular input, homework and great doses of patience and encouragement.”

All assessments are conducted by the Iyengar Yoga Association (UK), which trainees are required to join. Successful completion of the second-year assessment leads to qualification as an Iyengar yoga teacher.

Please also note that If you become pregnant during the course, the IYA (UK) requires you to suspend training but you can resume later.

 

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Teacher trainers

Sallie Sullivan and Stephen Richardson.

 

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Cost

The cost of the 2011/2012 course is £830 per year or £290 payable in advance of each term. 

 

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Dates

Training days on Saturdays, 10.00am - 4.00pm for 2011 - 2012 is as follows.

 17 September 2011

15 October

12 November

3 December

14 January 2012

4 February

25 February

10 March

24 March

28 April

12 May

26 May

23 June

14 July

22 September

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How to apply

Application for 2011 - 2012 course is now closed.

Application procedure for the 2012 - 2013 course will be available at the beginning of 2012.

For your information, you can download the application forms and an information pack for 2011 from the link below.

download covering letter
download information leaflet
download Form A1: Training to Teach Iyengar Yoga at Introductory Level
download Form A2: Application Form
download Form A2 Notes: Notes for Completing Form A2
download Introductory Asana List

As well as the application forms, you will also need a letter from your main teacher, confirming your regular attendance at classes, and your dedication to Iyengar yoga.

 

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What happens next?

If you fulfil all the requirements of the IYA (UK), you will be invited to attend a selection class, including an hour and a half of asana practice and a short questionnaire. The selection day for the 2012 - 2013 course will be announced in spring 2012.