The training of Iyengar Yoga teachers is probably the best in the world. Trainees study for a minimum of six years, covering all aspects of yoga in the tradition of BKS Iyengar who instigated the use of props, now used worldwide to great effect. Similarly, he developed and refined the application of adjustments to help students understand the actions of the body and bring comfort in the asanas. The use of these techniques in asanas also form key elements in yoga therapy, for which Iyengar Yoga is justifiably world-renowned. The Iyengar’s consistent, detailed and systematic approach to yoga therapy and the instruction of teachers in these methods has facilitated many scientific studies into the effects of yoga and contributed a great deal to our understanding.
So, the teaching of a system that bears the name of the Iyengar family needs to be very thorough. The introductory training to the Level1 Assessment is similarly comprehensive. Once a student is qualified as a teacher, more depth and detail are introduced through regular CPD and subsequent Assessment levels, ensuring that the teacher develops the necessary experience, understanding and sensitivity to help people safely and effectively.
“A good teacher will have to be truthful to yoga. He or she has to be a genuine practitioner. This puts a tremendous demand on practice to digest before thinking of teaching. No teacher can be a teacher without proper training and practices. Without knowledge and experience how can one become a teacher? Pupils should demand from their teachers now and then to present what they say and the teacher should be able to see the difficulties in their presentation and correct them at once. Teaching without practice is cheating. Then there is no difference between a teacher and a cheater. Only the order of the letters changes. The good teacher should be able to bring the required change in his pupils. Mere sweet-talking does not help or uplift pupils. Direct progressive instructions with precepts, enlightening with knowledge and understanding must be the quality of a good teacher. One cannot become a yoga teacher with gathered knowledge without the background of experiential feelings.”
The mentorship programme covers yoga asana, philosophy, pranayama, yoga therapy, anatomy, teaching skills, class control, online teaching techniques, and much more.
Trainees begin by shadowing and assisting in classes run by your Mentor, attending regular workshops and peer group sessions. Through observing the classes, trainees begin to learn key teaching skills including mirroring (harder than it might seem!) and adjusting students, a highly specialised skill. Eventually trainees teach their own small classes and prepare for the Level 1 Assessment.
Once qualified, there is an ongoing Mentorship programme through which teachers can develop their practice and teaching skills and take take further assessment levels. For a list of Iyengar Yoga Mentors, click here.