What is the Certificate of Yoga Studies?
The Certificate of Yoga Studies is a two-year, practice-based learning program for students who wish to deepen their understanding of yoga through direct experience. It is not a teacher training course, but a structured pathway for those who want to develop a personal practice and study Iyengar Yoga more carefully. The program brings together weekly class attendance, online study through Yoga Vidya, mentor guidance and personal reflection, so that learning is not kept separate from practice
Do I need previous yoga experience to enrol?
No previous yoga experience is required. The Foundation Certificate page states that the program is open to local, national and international students, and is suitable for complete beginners as well as experienced practitioners. The important requirement is not prior attainment, but a willingness to practise, study and observe how yoga begins to work in one’s own life.
How is the program structured?
The full Certificate of Yoga Studies is made up of four certificate levels: Foundation, Developing Certificate 1, Developing Certificate 2 and Established. Each level runs over two terms, or about 20 weeks, and each certificate covers part of the Yoga Mandir syllabus. Across the full program, students move through Foundation, Developing and Established levels, while engaging with asana, pranayama and philosophical subjects through Yoga Vidya. Students may complete part of the program or continue through all four certificate levels.
What will I receive as part of the Certificate of Yoga Studies?
Each certificate level includes unlimited weekly classes, either in the studio or virtually, flexible online practice-based courses through Yoga Vidya, monthly study group sessions, and individual feedback and guidance. The Yoga Mandir page also states that each certificate level includes two terms of unlimited access to Foundation, Developing, Established, Pranayama and Yogasana classes, four mentor meetings, enrolment in the monthly Saturday afternoon study group, and automatic enrolment in Yoga Vidya subjects each term.
Can the Certificate of Yoga Studies lead towards teacher training?
The Certificate of Yoga Studies is described as a non-teaching program, so its primary purpose is to support personal practice, study and understanding rather than to qualify someone to teach. However, the Foundation Certificate page notes that completing any part of the program may serve as preparation for Teacher Training at Yoga Mandir, should a student later choose to pursue that path. In this way, the program first establishes the student as a practitioner, allowing any future movement towards teaching to arise from experience rather than from theory alone.