Introduction
The B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga Institute offers a three-year teachers training program for yoga teachers according to the system of Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar. It is a certified program, which means an examination committee will judge competence before issuing a certificate. The training program consists of attaining insight into asana and pranayama, studying yoga philosophy and general anatomy, and learning how to practice on your own and some remedial aspects of yoga.
About B.K.S. Iyengar
B.K.S. Iyengar has done pioneering work in the yoga domain. His masterpiece “Light on Yoga” made him the undisputed authority in yoga. He has dismantled the classical yoga poses of their Indian mystique and made them accessible to the western world. B.K.S. Iyengar received worldwide recognition with ten-folds of awards for his excellence and innovations in the field of yoga. His books have been translated into more than 20 languages.
For over 75 years, Iyengar has radically renewed classical hatha yoga through his self-practice and teaching throughout the world. By returning to the roots of yoga, he has succeeded in revitalizing the ancient art of yoga for the 20th century and new millennium. A personal approach and attention to individual needs are characteristic of this approach, developing the body’s consciousness and intelligence.
The B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga Institute Amsterdam Teacher Training Program
The Teacher Training program was founded in 1987 by Clé Souren and was inaugurated in September of that year by Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar in Amsterdam, where Iyengar taught four masterclasses.
2021 marks the 34th anniversary of the Teacher Training program being among the oldest Iyengar Yoga Teacher Training programs in the world. Over the years, more than 300 students from more than 20 different countries graduated from the program.
Delilah King and Rembert Petrus
Your mentors, Delilah and Rembert, are Certified Senior Iyengar Yoga teachers since 2010. Both have trained under Clé Souren in Amsterdam and B.K.S Iyengar in India. They served their apprenticeship under the demanding, inspiring, and qualitative mentorship of Clé Souren, and since 2000 assisted Clé to run the teacher training programs and medical classes given at the IYIA. They continue to teach in the spirit of Clé Souren and his teacher, BKS Iyengar, taking students to higher levels of practice and standards with the love, honor, and respect they have learned from their mentor. With their extensive experience and knowledge, in the spirit of their “old school” mentor, they are easy to approach and aim to meet the needs of every student and provide them with the tools to develop self-practice and teaching skills.
Entrance qualifications
Previous yoga experience in the Iyengar method is required. The training demands great dedication from the student. In an introductory conversation and a yoga lesson, it will be assessed if the student is “ripe” to participate in the training. A student with a minimum of 2-3 years of weekly classes with a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher and daily practice that includes head and shoulder stand are welcome to apply. In some instances, candidates will be asked to follow one or several preliminary classes from an appointed teacher for adjudication. As well, students should become members of the Dutch Iyengar Yoga Association to train as a teacher. All candidates will be interviewed. Neither age nor any training other than a commitment for Iyengar yoga is relevant. Participants in the training program sign a year contract with the B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga Institute Amsterdam, which is to be renewed for the second and third years.
You can make an appointment for an introductory conversation with Delilah King, info@iyengaryogaamsterdam.com.
The Program *
The 28-day teacher training consists of 10 weekends (20 study days) and workshop attendance of 4 weekends (8-study days).
The part-time program:It is also possible to indicate before the study year if you want to participate in the part-time program. One study year will be complete in two years, 5 weekends (10-study days), and workshop attendance of 2 weekends (4-study days).
Compulsory weekly class attendance with Senior TT teachers: A compulsory part of the Teacher Training is regular participation in classes given by Delilah King and Rembert Petrus.
We strongly believe that to become a good Iyengar teacher, the teacher training weekends forms only half of the training: regular attendance of classes given by the two senior trainers, Delilah and Rembert, is an essential component of the Teacher Training. Consistent practice under the guidance of the senior teachers is necessary to evolve the body and mind, absorb the specific language, and learn through personal experience how to observe and assist in the Iyengar way.
Students are to attend a minimum of 2 weekly classes per week. Two classes per week with Delilah King are included in the teacher training fee. For classes with Rembert, please check www.oldschoolyoga.nl for schedule and costs.
3rd years have the opportunity, upon invitation, to assist at scheduled classes given by Delilah and Rembert.
“It is not just the “time” or “years” of practice that makes one eligible for a particular level of certification but the “quality” of practice.”
A minimum of three years is required to complete the programs but may require a longer time.
Non-credit students: If you are interested in deepening your understanding of yoga or want to enrich your teaching, it is possible to enroll as a non-credit student. In this case, you are not eligible for a teaching certification. Non-credit students should have a consistent practice, should know the Sanskrit names of the asana, and be able to practice Sirsasana and Salamba Sarvangasana for 3-5 minutes. The recommended reading materials are the same for the accredited course.
The weekend timings, place
Download the pdf schedule for the weekend dates.
Saturdays: 14.00 –18.00 Asana/Pranayama
Sundays: 13.00 –17.00 Q&A, Observing, Peer Group Teaching
Online weekends: via Zoom
Onsite weekends: Old School Yoga, Kastelenstraat 170, 1082 EJ Amsterdam
* if the enrollment number doesn’t meet minimal requirements, the course will only be available online.
Theory
Theory class schedule will be given on the first day of the TT.
Philosophy – introduction to Indian philosophy, Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita Anatomy – basic anatomy and physiology
Peer Group Practice – support each other as when you study and practice together
Self -Practice – developing and logging your practice, home assignments, mentorship
The workshops
To fulfill the 28-day course, the student must attend a total of 8 days of the following workshops. The workshop days are included in the fee. The dates will be posted on the website www.iyengaryogaamsterdam.com/workshops
Christmas Workshop – 4 days
Easter Workshop – 4 days
Syllabus
The student is required to learn the Sanskrit names and definition of each asana on the syllabus, as well as make a note-book of all the postures in the syllabus
Please refer to section F of the guidelines, the certification syllabus, where the criteria for assessment are explained.
Costs and subscription
After your successful intake conversation with Delilah King, subscription then takes place by sending in the subscription forms. Participants enter into a written agreement with the Iyengar Yoga Institute Amsterdam for one year. After this year the agreement is dissolved and no rights can be founded for further continuation or testimonials. This way the student can decide every new study-year whether to continue and has no standing financial obligations to the Iyengar Yoga Institute Amsterdam. After subscription, cancellation is no longer possible. Stopping prematurely with the training, for whatever reason, does not relieve the participant of the obligation of complete payment for the study-year.
The cost for the teachers training is 1,650.00 Euros per study year or three equal installments of 577,50 Euros; one to be paid at subscription, one before January and one before April. The cost for the part-time-program is 1,100.00 Euros per study year or two equal installments of 575,00 Euros; one to be paid at subscription and one before February.