Teacher Education Programs

“Thinking knowledge of the head combined with the experienced understanding of the heart should be the dharma of a teacher.”
– B.K.S. Iyengar

How to become a yoga instructor begins with a spark of curiosity, an eagerness to learn, and years of dedicated practice. Our Teacher Education Programs help you establish and evolve the skillful means to communicate the art, science, and philosophy of yoga in the Iyengar tradition. The programs are a deeply rewarding experience. The Art of Teaching program provides a pathway to become a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher (CIYT) and opens the doorway to lifelong learning and discovery.

The Art of Teaching program provides a thorough grounding in the art, science and philosophy of teaching yoga in the lineage of Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar and his family. Students of the program learn progressively throughout the 9-session program; evolving and refining their practice, experiential knowledge, and teaching within a supportive community of practitioners. Recognized for its tradition of excellence, the program at the Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco has trained students and teachers from the United States and around the world since 1974.

Learn and Build

• Deepened self-awareness through practice and self-study
• Teaching proficiency in a time-honored, respected methodology
• Skilful means to communicate the art and science of yoga
• Observation, correction and adjustment skills
• Practical experience of body mechanics in asana
• Clarity of purpose and meaning of teaching in the Iyengar tradition
• Connection to the Iyengar yoga community and lineage

Curriculum

The program includes 9 three-day sessions, each covering a range of topics in an inclusive community of practitioners:

• Asana
• Pranayama
• Teaching Skills
• Sequencing
• Yoga Philosophy
• Ethics
• Anatomy

The program emphasizes practice, experiential learning, and intensive study as the means to evolve practical knowledge of the subject of yoga. During off-months, students will be assigned personal and collaborative projects to deepen and broaden their learning.

Program Requirements

The program is open to students of Iyengar Yoga with maturity in practice, curiosity to learn and passion to share the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar. You must have a clear commitment to the Iyengar method. Applicants must have several years of study in the Iyengar method, a stability and maturity in Intermediate classes, and a personal practice.

Faculty

To ensure consistency and honor the essence of the mentoring relationship, this program offers two dedicated faculty members throughout all nine three-day sessions. Faculty rotate each year of the program. Senior Advisor Manouso Manos, Advanced Senior Teacher, provides advice and counsel to IYISF faculty on program content and technique.

Schedule

The 2018 Art of Teaching Program is underway. Open House Events for the 2019 program will begin in fall 2018.

The program meets over one weekend per month — Friday (4-7pm), Saturday & Sunday (2-6pm) — in three-month periods: January, February, March; May, June, July; September, October, November.

Tuition Application Process (Now closed for 2018 program)

• Complete and submit an application with a $35 non-refundable, application fee.
• Attend an Art of Teaching Open House at IYISF to meet faculty and participate in a teacher-led practice of Introductory asana.
• $2,500 — includes 9 three-day sessions (99 hours)
• 2019 program applications will be available in the late summer of 2018.

Certification

The Art of Teaching program is an IYNAUS (Iyengar Yoga National Association of the United States) approved teacher education program. Students completing the Art of Teaching program are not awarded a certificate or degree, nor are they able to identify themselves as Iyengar Yoga teachers. IYNAUS is the organization that carries out all aspects of Iyengar Yoga teacher certification in the U.S. Detailed information about certification can be found at www.IYNAUS.org/teach.