Teacher:in training

We train you to become a certified Iyengar yoga teacher

Nowadays, "yoga teacher training" is no longer a rarity in Germany. Many (very many) schools offer the opportunity to take lessons in an intensive course and receive a certificate. In the last 20 years, most health insurance companies have started to subsidize yoga classes taught by such "qualified" yoga teachers. As a rule, they require a completed vocational training or degree (regardless of content) plus at least 480 hours of yoga teacher training. Large course organizers (fitness studios, adult education centers, etc.) look at the qualifications of applicants.

I (Michael) I started as an instructor more than 30 years ago (in 1988) at the S. Kneipp Academy in Bad Wörishofen. Later, the Iyengar Yoga Association joined as a sponsor. Since 1999, I have been training to become an Iyengar Yoga teacher under my own direction in accordance with the guidelines of Iyengar Yoga Germany. It is a matter of the heart.

Becoming a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher begins with a long-term, thorough and dedicated yoga practice. You first become an Iyengar Yoga student before you become a teacher.

Certified teachers are committed to teaching the method authentically (without mixing in other styles or disciplines), keeping their own personal yoga practice alive and continuing to train with experienced teachers or at the mother institute in Pune, India.

Become a student first!

The qualified teaching of Iyengar yoga is demanding. The topics that a teacher deals with are not the same as those that students struggle with. Teaching content presupposes that the teacher has already deeply reflected on and internalized the content. Their focus is then on the students and their problems.

Therefore: For those who have attended less than 3 years of classes with a teacher of the Iyengar method, we recommend that you continue to attend weekly practice classes (at our studio or with other certified Iyengar yoga teachers). The advertised practical seminars can also be attended by all interested parties and candidates with the appropriate basic knowledge. (see dates, left column!) This creates a solid basis for intensive training. If you have any questions or uncertainties, we will be happy to talk to you in person or by telephone about your specific situation.

Description of the seminars

Basics weekends: Practice and teaching technique

Contents

There are 7 types of WochenEndIntensiv, which focus on the content of the textbooks "Yoga in Movement" and "Basic Guidelines for Teachers" by Geeta Iyengar:

  • Basics I: Standing postures (Utthita), forward stretches
  • Basics II: Sitting postures, inverted postures, twists, abdominal postures
  • Basics III: Standing postures (Parivrtta), backbends, Surya Namaskar and special sequences
  • Basics IV: Practice for women, Pranayama, Remedial (= working methods for problems), Regenerative
  • Teaching technology ("U-Tech") I: Instruction, problems in the classroom
  • U-Tech II: Sequences part 1, energetic anatomy
  • U-Tech III: Sequences part 2, introduction to mentoring
Procedure

On Fridays 17:00 - 19:00 there is an optional practice session with Michael. This is not formally part of the End of Week Intensive. However, participation is highly recommended as an introduction to the weekend. (see details on course schedule and booking herer). 

All seminars begin with guided asana/pranayama practice.

The U-Tech seminars are otherwise more freely organized with lectures, discussions and teaching rehearsals in the foreground.

Basic seminars are held in this way:

Saturdays 9:00 - 11:00: Asana practice under guidance
11 - 13:00: Deepening the asana practice
15:00 - 18:00: Lecture, presentation, interactive, photo analysis
(from the portfolio of the participants), further practice under
Instructions
Sundays9:00 - 10:30: Asana practice under guidance
10:30 - 13:30: Deepening the asana and pranayama practice
and teaching techniques, lecture, presentation, interactive

Weekly seminars: Practice

Different sequences are practiced in order to convey a deeper feeling for the actual daily practice (dynamic sequences with standing postures, forward and backward stretches; centering sequences with twisting and inversion postures; regenerative sequences [also menstrual practice] with supported postures and/or pranayama). The focus is on normal practice under guidance. Michael and guest teachers provide experience and a sense of rhythm, intensity and variability while emphasizing the basics of asana and pranayama practice.

Sensitivity and understanding, endurance and strength in practice are promoted in intensive lessons. Yoga teaching is examined and reflected upon by means of teaching samples, and anatomy and philosophy content is integrated into the weekends. The WochenEndIntensivs are the main component of the teacher training.


Weekly seminar: Exam preparation

We deal with the asanas as well as theoretical questions as they appear in the exams. The main focus is on deficits that still exist, as they become apparent when practicing the asana lists and in teaching rehearsals.

Examinations for the Level 1 certificate generally take place at the end of October.

Qualified interested parties can also participate if they do not intend to take an exam this year.

Online theory seminars

  • 60 hours (1x in each semester) Anatomy/Physiology - 15 hours per weekend - Lecturer: Dr. Hermann Traitteur, Berlin | Detailed curriculum here
  • 60 hours (1x in semester 1-4) Philosophy / History of Yoga - 15 hours per weekend - Instructor: Elke Pichler, Vienna | Detailed Curriculum here
  • 30 hours Pedagogy / Psychology - (format to be worked out) - 15 hours per weekend - Instructor: Claudia Böhm, Berlin
  • 30 hours Health promotion / prevention - 15 hours per weekend - Lecturer: Claudia Böhm, Berlin; Michael Forbes

The theory class meets the new requirements of the health insurance companies regarding yoga teacher training qualifications from 2025. It is held by accredited specialists as intended (with the exception of "Health Promotion / Prevention", which may be taught by teachers with "subject-specific practical competence". )

All lessons are held online via Zoom. Participants will be granted access to the recordings upon request.

Times:

  • Friday: 17 to 19:oo
  • Saturday and Sunday: 9 to 13:oo and 14.30 to 17:00

The training at iYoga=Iyengar-Yoga-Munich is organized by the IYD accredited. We also comply with the latest health insurance guidelines, which subsidize the teaching of qualified yoga teachers.

The training corresponds to the current recommendations of the IYD (Iyengar-Yoga-Deutschland e.V.; this is the direct link in Germany to the tradition of B.K.S. Iyengar). At least 660 hours (60 minutes each) seminar attendance. In addition, weekly practice in class, shadowing a certified teacher and supervised teaching of your own group are required. Successful completion of the training entitles you to take the IYD examinations to become a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher.

You can only start formally with sufficient prior knowledge. (You should at least 3 years of Iyengar Yoga lessons be). We will be happy to advise you personally on the admission requirements (see "Become a student first!" right).

The training needs 6 semesters. One semester includes

  • 4 weekend seminars
  • 1 week seminar
  • 2 to 3 online theory seminars

and takes about half a year.

Each basic seminar type (see the content of the Week-End Intensives on the right) will be 4 times visited, the three types of teaching technique seminar 2 times each.

In the Weekly seminars the focus is on practice. In the last semester (shortly before the exam), the exam preparation takes place as a weekly seminar.

The newly installed Online theory seminars cover the relevant knowledge (also required by health insurance companies) in the areas listed below and are mostly taught by state-accredited specialists:

  • Anatomy, physiology and medicine (dealing with diseases)
  • Philosophy and history of yoga
  • Pedagogy and psychology
  • Health promotion and disease prevention.

Assistance in the classroom, independent supervised teaching, reading and presentation of papers, exercise diaries and photo analysis as well as work in small groups are further important learning methods.

The training currently costs 1400 € per semester (x 6 = 8400 € total, plus examination fee). Payment in installments possible. Not included are travel, accommodation and transportation costs, costs for personal internet access and compulsory reading. Ongoing weekly lessons are also not included. We offer inexpensive weekly practice opportunities for trainees as well as accommodation in the studio for the duration of the seminars

Info: Individual booking of the seminars

The seminars below can also be attended individually by interested parties with appropriate basic knowledge (= about 3 years of teaching experience).

Fee for individual appointments

Weekend Basics and teaching techniques, 11.5 hours - 220 €
Weekend Theory online - 15 hours - 220 €
Weekly seminars, 30 hours - 550 €

Calendar presence dates

Date Seminars in presence
12.-17.8. 2024Week-long seminar in the Ammergau Alps
with Michael
18.-22.8.Weekly seminar in Munich
14.-15.9.Intermediate examination
28.-29.9.Basics 1 from
19.-20.10.Basics 2 from
28.10.-1.11.Weekly seminar with Margarete
9.-10.11.Basics 3 from
30.11.-1.12.Teaching technique 3
27.-31.12.Weekly seminar with Michael
25.-26.1. 2025 Basics 1 from
22.-23.2.Basics 2b
22.-23.3.Teaching technique 1
12.-13.4.Basics 3 from
21.-25.4.Exam preparation Level-1
17.-18.5.Basics 4
7.-9.6.IYD Convention in Hamburg

Calendar online appointments

Invitation to tender
Weekly seminars


New Year's week seminar with Michael
Michael Forbes Siddhasan

Different date!

December 27-31 2024

FMC 253911 - 550 €(Fee included for registered trainees) 
Link to the announcement at the seminars >>>


Seminar postponed: AUTUMN weekly seminar Winter week seminar with mARGARETE

March 3-7, 2025
EMT 251921 - 550 €(Fee included for registered trainees) 
Link to the announcement at the seminars >>>


EXAM PREPARATION SEMINAR level-1

APRIL 21-5, 2025

with Margareta Eckl and Michael Forbes
MM 252921 - 
550 € 
(Fee for interested parties as
individual booking)
Monday through Thursday:
    9 - 18:00
Friday: 9 - 13:00