Teacher training

The decision to pass on to others what you have received is the logical consequence of Iyengar Yoga. It is an important decision that needs to be thought through, as it requires a long-term personal investment and therefore often requires a number of personal sacrifices.

Since 2019, the certification system has completely changed. The following documents published by RIMYI (the Ramani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institure hich has its firm roots in Pune) lays the outline for changes in the certification levels, in the assessment format and syllabi for assessments. It intends to embrace Guruji’s vision of inclusion.

Geeta and Prashant Iyengar remind us that “to become a teacher, it is essential to study for a long time. Just because you practice asanas well does not mean that you can be a teacher. There is a big difference between learning and teaching. When teaching others, one must be guided by one’s own experience. If one teaches without experiencing asanas and pranayama oneself, one will be in error.”

The following dates are scheduled for the next Iyengar® Yoga Teacher assessment in Belgium.

For more information about the exams, you can write to: certificationcommittee@gmail.com

Registration and payment for the exam weekend can be done through the shop on this website.

It is relatively easy to be a teacher of an academic
subject, but to be a teacher in art is very difficult,
and to be a yoga teacher is the hardest of all,
because yoga teachers have to be their own
critics and correct their own practice.
B.K.S. Iyengar

BKS Iyengar, and his daughter Geeta Iyengar, demonstrating eka pada bakasana 2

How can one become an Iyengar yoga teacher?

Since 2019, the preparation for the Level 1 certification is a mentorship: this means that the student is guided and accompanied by his teacher-mentor over a period of minimum 3 years.

How does a mentorship work?

The Iyengar Yoga teacher education is demanding and requires time and tenacity: it covers anatomy, physiology, introduction to Indian philosophy, pedagogy or the art of teaching and develops personal practice.

The mentee must take regular classes and workshops with his mentor (2-3 classes per week + workshops or mentorship session).
In addition to the classes at his/her level of practice, he/she must take classes at the beginner level: for 1 year as a student, then for 1 year as a demonstrator/assistant and a third year where he/she will be invited to teach certain asanas.
He/she should establish, with the help of his/her mentor, a daily personal practice of asanas and pranayama.
The mentor will guide the student in the study of the Iyengar® method, asanas, pranayama, philosophy, anatomy and pedagogy of yoga.
During the 3+ years of mentorship, the student and mentor will work together in close collaboration.
The mentorship student must be a member of the association (BIYAB) for the duration of the mentorship. He/she can participate in the teachers’ conventions.
The mentor will decide how long it will take the student to be ready to take the assessment and will then write a letter of recommendation and register the student for the exam.

What are the prerequisites for starting a mentorship?

Before becoming an apprentice, you need

Minimum of three years of regular yoga classes 2-3 times per week in the Iyengar® method with a certified teacher.
Personal practice recommended (2 to 3 times per week).
Participation in workshops, intensive courses and conventions.

The mentor teacher will judge whether the student’s practice and commitment makes him/her suitable to become a Mentee and may recommend that he/she mature before starting a mentorship. Any student who wishes to undertake Mentorship and meets the prerequisites should speak to their regular teacher for further information.

Who can be a mentor?

Teachers who have been a Level 2 teacher for more than 3 years (or former Junior Intermediate 2 and above) can be a mentor. Each mentor can only follow a limited number of apprentices in order to give them the best possible support. At the moment, the mentors in Belgium (and Luxembourg) for LEVEL 1 are:

Willy Bok (Brussels),
Ann Brosens (Antwerp),
Eva Kamala Rodenburg (Ghent),
Floriane Palmier (Luxembourg),
Sigrid Rondelez (Coxyde).

How does the Level 1 assessment work?

The mentorship concludes with an assessment, i.e. an examination before a jury composed of experienced teachers from BIYAB and/or a foreign national association and validated by the certification committee (technical committee).
The evaluation is organised over a weekend where the jury gets to know the candidate and evaluates his/her practice and understanding of the Iyengar® method and his/her teaching skills.
The diploma obtained is certified by the RIMYI (Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute, Pune, India) and accredited by the BIYAB. Teachers wishing to use the name Iyengar®, must be a member of BIYAB and pay the annual “LOGO” which authorises them to use the Iyengar® trademark.

What happens after obtaining Level 1?

Teachers wishing to use the name Iyengar®, must be a member of BIYAB and pay the annual “LOGO” which authorises them to use the Iyengar® trademark.
Iyengar® yoga teachers are required to complete a minimum number of hours of continuing education (conventions, courses, workshops or internships with a more advanced teacher) in order to maintain high standards of teaching and being allowed to keep the “LOGO”.
Teachers are also encouraged to continue to progress to Level 2, 3 or 4.
At the moment, the mentors in Belgium (and Luxembourg) for Level 2 are :
- Willy Bok (Brussels),
- Ann Brosens (Antwerp),
- Eva Kamala Rodenburg (Ghent),
- Floriane Palmier (Luxembourg)
A minimum of two years of practice and teaching must elapse between each assessment.