Our mission:

  1. Communication: Share information about Iyengar Yoga and news in the Iyengar Yoga community: Distribute newsletters three times a year to members; maintain the website; send E-bulletins 10-12 times a year.
  2. Continuing Education: Provide two Advanced Studies Workshops for teachers throughout the year with senior Iyengar instructors and announce local Iyengar workshops by member teachers.
  3. Scholarship: Distribute awards to teachers and students to help with expenses for (1) IYASE sponsored workshops; (2) teacher certification; and (3) study at RIMYI in India.
  4. Service: Maintain the Lotus Fellowship Fund to provide immediate financial assistance to members in times of natural and man-made disasters.

ABOUT IYENGAR YOGA

Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar is widely regarded as the foremost living yoga teacher. He was named by Time magazine as "one of the 100 most influential people in the world". His approach develops self-awareness through precision in movement and attention to the subtleties of body, breath, mind, and spirit.

Iyengar Yoga uses the physical reality of the body to know our minds and the deepest parts of ourselves as human beings. Through the practice of a system of asanas, the method aims to unite the body, mind and spirit for health and well-being. This discipline is considered a powerful tool to relieve the stresses of modern-day life and create total physical and spiritual well-being.

ABOUT THE CERTIFICATION OF IYENGAR YOGA INSTRUCTORS

Certified Iyengar Yoga instructors teach the method set forth by B.K.S. Iyengar without mixing in other styles or disciplines. They maintain a regular personal yoga practice, continue their training with senior teachers or by traveling to the Iyengar Institute in India, and they adhere to ethical guidelines.

BECOMING A CERTIFIED TEACHER

Every Certified Iyengar teacher has passed at least two rigorous, standardized assessments. Some have passed many more.

Becoming an Iyengar Yoga teacher begins with long term, thorough and dedicated practice. One is a student of Iyengar Yoga for many years before becoming a teacher. Only after three years' study, and after developing a relationship with a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher who agrees to become a mentoring teacher, may the candidate begin the application process. Then comes two years teaching, exclusively in the Iyengar Method -- all before the actual testing begins. In the assessment process itself, candidates take a written examination. Next they are carefully observed and evaluated as they demonstrate asanas and pranayamas. Finally assessment candidates teach a class of students with multiple assessors evaluating their teaching.

"We want sharp crisp teaching, not casual teaching. We want to feel the candidate has done the work, knows the poses, is able to get the information out in a clear concise form and sees what is in front of them. At each level these expectations increase.

"We need to feel the teacher is a safe teacher and can take care of the students in a positive, safe manner. This requires both practicing and teaching the poses over and over until you know them on a cellular level."

— Senior Teacher Joan White on what is expected from candidates for certification