Assessment & Mentoring FAQs
RIMYI Manual and FAQs
RIMYI Certification and Assessment Guidelines is the primary resource for those wishing to teach Iyengar Yoga. This document provides the requirements to assess and teach each level of certification, the syllabi and required reading, and an outline of the assessment process.
The RIMYI FAQs provide additional information related to the RIMYI Guidelines that should be read and understood.
Assessment FAQs
What levels of assessments are offered?
Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 assessments are administered by IYNAUS. Levels 4 and 5 are assessed directly by the Iyengars at RIMYI in Pune, India.
What formats are available for the assessments?
Assessment venues include both online and in-person options. For online assessments, the entire assessment, including the conducted performance and the teaching presentation, will be conducted via the Zoom platform. The teaching presentation may be done either with the students also on Zoom, or in the same room with the candidate. Online candidates must provide their own students. In-person assessment venues will provide appropriate students for the candidates. All written exams will be take-home exams sent to the candidate approximately seven weeks before the assessment.
How many recommendations are needed to apply for an assessment?
Only one recommendation is needed. This recommendation should come from your mentor.
How can I best prepare for the written exam?
The IYNAUS Assessment Manual includes a list of required knowledge to help candidates study for the written exam. Please see the IYNAUS Assessment Manual available for purchase in the IYNAUS bookstore.
Mentoring FAQs
I am a former Intermediate Junior teacher and need more clarity to determine if I can be a mentor.
Below are guidelines for former Intermediate Junior I and II CIYTs who wish to become mentors.
- Intermediate Junior I teachers who were certified in or before 2017 (i.e., have been certified at this level for more than three years) AND who have successfully mentored two or more Intro I/II candidates can mentor Level 1 candidates without guidance, provided they have been conducting public classes for a minimum of two years.
- Intermediate Junior I teachers who have not successfully mentored any Intro I/II candidates must consult with their mentor and consider mentoring Level 1 candidates with their mentoring teacher’s guidance.
- Intermediate Junior II teachers who were certified in or before 2018 can mentor Level 1 candidates without guidance, provided they have been conducting public classes for a minimum of two years AND they have successfully mentored two or more Intro, I/II candidates.
- We strongly recommend that Intermediate Junior II teachers certified in or before 2018 who have not previously successfully mentored Intro I/II candidates consult with their mentor and consider mentoring Level 1 candidates with their mentoring teacher’s guidance.
Can you provide guidelines about recommending candidates?
As only one recommendation is required, the mentoring relationship is extremely important. Mentors should take their role seriously and be ready to write a detailed recommendation when asked.
Mentors must understand and accept the mentoring relationship as discussed in the RIMYI Guidelines. They should also read the current IYNAUS Assessment Manual, and use the section on mentoring as a helpful guide when working with their mentees.
Below are some questions each mentor should ask themselves before recommending a candidate.
Do I have a formal teacher-student relationship with the candidate?
Candidates can submit recommendations only from mentors with whom they have a formal student-teacher relationship. You must have observed both the candidate’s asana and pranayama practice as well as their teaching.
Is this candidate prepared to take the assessment now?
Recommend only candidates you evaluate as capable of passing the assessment at the time of writing the recommendation. Do not recommend a candidate you think is not ready. A candidate who is not quite ready should not be encouraged to use the time between application and assessment to prepare.
Have I seen this candidate teach?
You must have seen the candidate teach asana and pranayama, either in person or video, and preferably multiple times. No fees may be charged for any part of the recommendation process, including watching videos.
Does my name appear on the list of CIYTs on the IYNAUS website?
Your name may not be on the list if you are not in good standing with IYNAUS or if you have asked that your name not be listed. In the latter case, you can reinstate your name on the list by logging in to the website (www.iynaus.org), clicking on “Membership Login” in the upper right corner, and following the instructions. Only teachers in good standing may recommend candidates for assessment.
Can I complete my portion of the online application on time?
Completed recommendation forms must be submitted online by the deadline given by the Assessment Committee.
Have I properly completed the form?
You must answer every question, include your IYNAUS identification number, your level of certification, and the number of years certified at your current level. Also, the mentor must offer detailed observations and information about the candidate.
