Iyengar Yoga Certification

What is Certification?

The phrase “Iyengar Yoga” describes the method of practicing and teaching yoga that B.K.S Iyengar and his family developed. Teacher certification maintains, promotes, and protects this method’s excellence for yoga practice and teaching.

Certified Iyengar Yoga Teachers (CIYT) are educated in the yoga method set forth by B.K.S. Iyengar. They have passed a thorough standardized assessment and maintain ongoing education, practice, and commitment to the Iyengar method.

To be granted a certification credential, teachers must pass an assessment of standards in three categories: a demonstrated practice of asanas, a written exam, and demonstrated teaching skills.

The Iyengar Yoga National Association of the United States (IYNAUS) conducts all assessments for Iyengar Yoga teachers in the United States. B.K.S. Iyengar developed all the essential requirements for certification and rules governing certification. The Ramamani Iyengar Yoga Institute (RIMYI) in Pune, India, periodically updates these requirements and rules. IYNAUS is responsible for the administrative aspects of the Assessment Process in the United States. RIMYI in India provides certificates of assessment.

As of August 14, 2007, the name “IYENGAR” associated with “YOGA” was registered as a trademark and is protected in the United States to ensure that yoga associated with the Iyengar name reflects the work of B.K.S. Iyengar.

IYNAUS maintains the trademark to protect the teachings of Mr. Iyengar and the professional integrity of CIYTs. It represents years of study, practice, and strict dedication to the Iyengar method.

Levels of Certification

There are five distinct levels of certification in Iyengar Yoga, recognized globally in the U.S. Each level has its own syllabus of poses, required knowledge, set of skills, and responsibilities. IYNAUS is currently assessing Levels 1, 2, and 3. Currently, Level 4 and Level 5 are assessed directly by the Iyengars at RIMYI in Pune, India.

Refer to the current RIMYI Certification and Assessment Guidelines for a detailed description of the levels. The IYNAUS Assessment Manual outlines the assessment process and what it entails to assess at each level; this manual is available for purchase in the IYNAUS Store.

What it Means to be a CIYT

Certification Mark

The Certification Mark is a trademark-protected logo that represents B.K.S. Iyengar in Natarajasana. It was the wish of Mr. Iyengar that all Certified Iyengar Yoga use this Certification Mark.

Teachers (CIYTs) throughout the world use the Certification Mark as an international symbol of the highest standards of excellence in training and continuing education in the Iyengar Yoga method. Only CIYTs are permitted to use the Certification Mark.

All CIYTs must pay the royalty fee for the Certification Mark ($50 annually, billed with annual IYNAUS dues), whether they use it or not. IYNAUS retains a small portion of this fee in a specially designated account that they can use to advance and promote Iyengar Yoga in the United States. Under penalty of law, no teacher may use the Certification Mark at any time before paying the royalty fee.

Only CIYTs are permitted to use the term “Iyengar Yoga” to describe their yoga programs. Non-certified teachers may not use the term “Iyengar Yoga” or any related terms such as “Iyengar-style” or “Iyengar-influenced” in any form of business advertising or for any program for financial gain. They may only indicate that they have taken classes with or are mentoring under a CIYT.

The Iyengar Yoga community encourages teachers who wish to use the Iyengar name to participate in our certification process so that they, too, can earn the right and responsibility to say that they teach Iyengar Yoga.

If you have further questions about the Certification Mark, direct your questions to trademarks@iynaus.com.

Maintaining CIYT Status

In order to maintain CIYT status, teachers must meet the requirements for continuing education, adhere to the ethical guidelines for CIYTs, and pay IYNAUS fees.

Continuing Education

Continuing education classes and workshops must be taught by a CIYT who is certified at Level 2 or higher. CE classes, workshops, and events may be attended either in person or virtually. Please see the link above for complete details on CE requirements.

Teachers should attend classes at RIMYI insofar as possible. One month of study at RIMYI counts for 30 hours/year for two years and applies to the year of attendance and the following year.

Teachers are required to update their record of attendance in classes, workshops, conventions, conferences, and study at RIMYI on their personal page on the IYNAUS website. All hours recorded should directly pertain to the subject of Iyengar Yoga or teaching Iyengar Yoga. Our method is deeply rooted in the teachings of Patanjali, and we are guided by the ethics of yama and niyama; only classes and workshops that have been attended in full should be recorded.

Teachers who are unable to complete the annual continuing education minimum due to extenuating personal circumstances can apply for a one-year waiver. Log in to the “My Page” section of the IYNAUS website and navigate to Continuing Education.

Remaining Current with IYNAUS Fees

Teachers are billed yearly for their IYNAUS and regional association dues, subscription to Yoga Rahasya, and Certification Mark fees.

Teachers who are not current in both their IYNAUS membership dues and their Certification Mark fee cannot hold a valid Certification Mark and are not considered a CIYT in good standing; therefore, they are prohibited from using the name of B.K.S. Iyengar in reference to their teaching.

Reinstatement of Lapsed Membership

Any CIYT who has allowed their IYNAUS membership to lapse by failing to pay membership dues and the Certification Mark fee may reinstate his or her membership within three years by doing the following:

Pay all lapsed IYNAUS membership dues.
Meet all IYNAUS certification renewal requirements and past-due fees.
Pay past fees required by the Certification Mark agreement.
Pay a one-time reinstatement fee of $50.

Reinstatement After More than Three Years has Passed.

Any CIYT who has allowed their IYNAUS membership to lapse by failing to pay membership dues and Certification Mark fees for more than three years may rejoin as a general member by paying three years’ worth of past-due membership fees.

As a general member of IYNAUS, the teacher is not permitted to use the Certification Mark or the name of B.K.S. Iyengar. However, after one year as a general member, the teacher may seek to be reinstated without a change in certification level. In order to be reinstated, the teacher must:

Document the required hours of continuing education for the year as a general member.
Submit to the Assessment Committee a letter of recommendation from a teacher certified at Level 3 or above testifying that the applicant is stable in yoga practice and teaching wholly within the method.
Retake and pass the teaching portion of the assessment for their level.

Volunteerism in Iyengar Yoga

The history of IYNAUS and all the regional associations that work for the dissemination and promotion of the art, science, and philosophy of yoga according to the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar and his family is a story of selfless volunteerism by CIYTs. IYNAUS would not exist without the continued service of our teachers and students, who are a vital part of our community. The assessment process would not exist without the volunteer hours of CIYTs and assessors. All CIYTs should consider devoting some volunteer hours to serving the mission of IYNAUS and the regional associations each year—for example, as an elected board member or committee member. CIYTs can also act independently in their local community to help promote the IYNAUS mission. On assessment applications, IYNAUS asks candidates to list their volunteer activities as part of their involvement in our community.