IYTA
Teacher
Training
Course
Testimonials
I think Phil Liney is an excellent lecturer for the training course as he is concerned about each student, well organized and his notes and lectures are very clear. He contributes much to the IYTA course I think.
Sandi
When my
life path took a turning towards
becoming a yoga teacher, my own teacher
advised me to train for a diploma with
the International Yoga Teachers'
Association. In her experience
this organisation was highly reputable,
with connections worldwide, making it a
reliable and highly regarded
qualification. I took the IYTA
Yoga Teacher Training in 2000, and I
have been blessed with the experience
of teaching yoga consistently since
then. The course itself was
life-changing - it opened me to
the depths, heights and expanses of the
great universe that is yoga. The
curriculum provided a wonderful balance
covering all aspects - from theory,
history, philosophy and anatomy, to the
practical work of postures &endash;
their names, benefits, modifications
and contraindications. The course made
for an intense but absolutely wonderful
time of learning and discovery in an
atmosphere of support, encouragement
and friendship. The IYTA benefits
continue way beyond the conclusion of
the course - with the regular arrival
in the mail of the inspiring magazine
'The International Light' and with
ongoing opportunities for
life-long learning by attending
IYTA workshops and retreats. With every
class I teach, with every person with
whom I share the gift of yoga, I feel
grateful for the solid foundation laid
down for my teaching experience by my
IYTA training.
Jenny
Lowe
Enjoy Yoga
Earlwood.
Ph. 95606646 or
0418433008
"The
IYTA teachers training course is a
practical program that is workable in a
busy life. The weekend classes once a
month allowed time for self study and
reflection and always included
practical application, theory and
discussion, while the assignments meant
you really get to know the topic. The
course gave me the support and
confidence to teach Yoga as well as a
great network of friends and other Yoga
teachers to draw on. I highly recommend
the IYTA teachers course for anyone who
wants to move from doing to teaching
Yoga."
Stephania
Bejma
(IYTA
Teachers Training Course Graduate
2004)
My name is Phil Macpherson and I did the IYTA teacher training in 2006. I have just returned from India after attending the month long 'Universal Yet Personal' program at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandarim with TKV Desikachar and others. There were 23 fellow teachers there from all over the world and I have to say after listening and talking and studying with them, I now realise that the IYTA course gave me such a solid foundation and, in my humble opinion, would have to be one of the best Teacher Training Courses in the world. Especially the subjects covered, philosophy, the Sutras etc. and the Sanskrit names of postures. I just had to tell you on my return how good your Teacher Training Course was for me.
Thank you.Regards, Phil Macpherson
How the IYTA training course changed my life
By Katie Brown
I’ve always loved learning – especially about alternative health and yoga. In the past I’d studied to be an aerobics instructor (I only enjoyed the cool down), I did Swedish massage training (I only enjoyed the bit where I was massaged!) and countless other workshops and classes.
So when a friend from work suggested we do the IYTA course together, I thought it sounded like a good idea.
This was a time in my life before I had children, I’d recently emigrated to Australia from the UK and I was working full-time as a journalist and editor on a weekly magazine.
I thought it would be fun to meet a diverse group of people and learn more about this ancient practice that I loved so much. I certainly didn’t see myself becoming a yoga teacher or the course being anything other than a pleasant diversion in my life.
Just before the course began my friend dropped out, so I found myself walking into Greenwich Community Centre, with my trusty yoga mat tucked under my arm wondering what I’d signed myself up for. |But it was February 2000 and I was feeling flushed with optimism for the new millennium and my passion for yoga.
Within a few minutes I knew I’d made the right decision. Over the coming months I formed great friendships with both students and instructors and I loved stretching my mind and body with the philosophy and asanas.
But the course helped me in far more ways than I could have ever envisaged.
In June that year, my mum was diagnosed with inoperable cancer. Mum and I had always been close – I’m an only child and Mum and Dad were planning to move from the UK to Australia to start a new life with me and my husband.
This news was, of course, devastating.
As each week went Mum’s health deteriorated. The only way I kept myself sane was from the support from my husband and the friendship and knowledge I was gaining from everyone on the IYTA course.
|In early 2001 my mum passed away. Later that year I graduated as a yoga teacher – and within a few days of my graduation I discovered I was expecting a baby.
The course instead of being a pleasant distraction from my life, ended up being a pivotal part of my life. I started teaching a class at my local hospital and helping out a fellow yoga teacher, Mary-Louise Parkinson.
Then after my son, Lucas, was born I lost my job as a magazine editor.
Once more Yoga came to my rescue – it gave me the opportunity to focus more on my teaching and gave me the confidence to take a leap of faith and start my own Yoga business – Yoga Babes.
From this one thing led to another and I even made relaxation CDs, a DVD and wrote a book for new mums; Mother Me - weaving together my own experiences as a mother, my yoga knowledge and interviewing other mums and health practitioners.
I now have three young children and Yoga gives me so much flexibility – not just in my mind and body, but in my life and for my children’s lives.
That day I stepped into the Yoga hall to begin my IYTA course was the day I changed my life. The course opened so many doors for me on a professional and personal level. I now continue with my yoga classes and workshops and plan to develop more ideas into reality.
So if anyone is unsure of enrolling in the course I tell them to take that leap of faith – you never know just where it could take you!
* And thanks so much to everyone on the IYTA course 2000-2001 and to Moina Bower and all the instructors past and present.
Katie Brown
“I became interested in becoming a Yoga teacher after being inspired by my teacher, Lois Genis, while I was living in Canberra. I had been searching for a good teacher for some time, and after discovering Lois, who was IYTA trained, I had immense respect for her knowledge, teaching style and warmth. With my plans to enrol in the course the following year, I was unexpectedly transferred with my job to Singapore on a permanent basis. Initially, I thought I would need to put aside my teacher training due to my relocation to Asia. However, I discovered the option of studying by correspondence, and so I enrolled.
The course far exceeded my expectations, and the term “correspondence” really does not do it justice. Before being accepted as a student, I was required to find an IYTA approved mentor who would oversee me through the entire course. I was fortunate enough that Maniam, an extremely experienced IYTA teacher, agreed to mentor me, to monitor my development and assess my physical postures when required. Furthermore, the IYTA Representative for Singapore, Anne Nakhoda, organized regular meet-ups and workshops for all the correspondence course students, where we had the opportunity to learn from Anne herself, and also from each other. Additionally, it was an honour to be taught by the IYTA lecturers, all of whom have years of teaching experience and were happy to share their knowledge with us.
Nearing completion of the course, we all flew to Sydney for our final practical assessments, where we had the opportunity to meet other correspondence students from across the world, and meet our lecturers face to face. It was an amazing and unforgettable week.
For anyone considering a teacher training course, know that this course is thorough, intense, and by no means easy. It requires commitment, dedication, and plenty of time to study, research and practice. But upon completion, I was prepared and confident to teach well, and most importantly to teach safely. I recommend this course to any of my students who show an interest in teaching.
Namaste”
Jacqui Smith
