IYAC Association
Our Beginnings
In the 1970's, Iyengar Yoga became popular in Canada. Through an informal network of teachers, workshops were organized, teacher training activities were initiated and Iyengar Yoga spread across the country.
In 1990, the first Canadian Iyengar Yoga Conference was held in Edmonton featuring an instructive and memorable visit from Mr. Iyengar.
Mr. Iyengar returned to Canada in 1993 for the second Canadian Iyengar Yoga Conference in Toronto. At that time he exhorted Canadian teachers to formalize our Iyengar association, establish international standards in teacher training and begin the process of formally assessing and certifying teachers. Canadian teachers responded, the IYAC was reincarnated as a formal organization and the work to carry out Mr. Iyengar's instructions began in earnest.
In 1997, Mr. Iyengar issued Senior level certificates to twelve teachers. To these twelve, fell the task of spearheading the assessment and certification of teachers in Canada under the auspices of the IYAC. The first Canadian national assessments were held in 1998 and provided thirty teachers with ten years of teaching experience or more with Introductory certificates.
Since 1998, teachers have been certified by the IYAC according to international standards.
For more on Teacher Training, Assessment and Certification, go to Teachers.
