Anatomically Focused Yoga Teacher Training Course
Intelligent Yoga Teacher Training (IYTT) is unique amongst teacher training courses. We offer an incisive, thoughtful and intelligent approach to yoga teacher training, driven by the most current scientific developments in anatomy and movement research.
Delivered by an elite group of senior yoga teachers at the top of their field, IYTT offers a spacious, immersive modular structure which provides time and space for profound learning, integration and growth. Each of the teaching team draws on decades of practical experience of yoga, including particularly the work of Vanda Scaravelli and somatic, embodied practices.
Described by some as radical and provocative, this approach to practice demands a fundamental shift in our practice and teaching.
Throughout the course, we’ll investigate how our bodies move, how we respond to stimuli and how we can cultivate an atmosphere of authentic enquiry and exploration. We’ll support and encourage you to gain a clear understanding of how you personally engage with yourself through movement and how you can use that knowledge to create new, healthier approaches to living and moving, for yourself and your students.
Our teachers have over 200 years of combined yoga experience. With all this knowledge, wisdom and guidance, you know you'll be in safe hands.
Schedule and Assessment
The IYTT schedule has been adapted to respond to the opportunities of online teaching whilst maintaining the immediacy of in-person teaching. The course will be delivered in a modular format providing an immersive and cohesive learning experience, both online and in-person.
There are 5 training modules in total. Modules 1-4 are five days each, and Module 5 is three days.
Modules 1, 3 and 5 will be delivered in London, in-person. The other dates will be delivered online.
Training days run 9.15 -5.30pm each day. In addition there will be a mock assessment and a final assessment, which will be externally assessed. Mentoring and supervision meetings will be organised at suitable intervals throughout the course.
The course runs over 12 months, providing well over 200 hours of direct contact with senior yoga teachers. There will be a maximum of 18 trainees, to ensure plenty of time for individual attention and mentoring throughout the course.
All trainees will be assessed on an ongoing basis throughout the course. We will provide regular feedback and mentoring to help you develop and grow, supporting you as you gain the necessary confidence and knowledge required in your new role as yoga teacher.
All trainees are required to participate in all elements of the course and are required to complete pre-course preparation and reading and a a range of personal research assignments issued during the course.
Written Work and Personal Research
Throughout the course, trainees will be set reading and some written and practical research projects to support their learning. All trainees are required to demonstrate that they have understood and absorbed the material presented during the course through written and practical assignments. Trainees are required to complete the following assignments and research projects:
* Maintain your own yoga journal to record your personal yoga practice. This is a tool to encourage trainees to reflect and explore their experience whilst working with breath, meditation, observing, assisting and teaching
* Two philosophy essays, to demonstrate your understanding of yoga philosophy
* Design a comprehensive 6 week course, suitable for beginners. This should be fully annotated and illustrated with stick figures. You will be thoroughly prepared, guided, and briefed for this homework, and will receive clear and comprehensive feedback
* A case study outlining your design and teaching of 10 classes, showing your teaching plans for each class, together with your reflection on your experience
Teaching Assessments
Trainees are encouraged to begin practising their teaching skills as soon as possible, to thoroughly prepare them for the formal assessments, so that they develop into skilful and confident teachers. All trainees are required to teach 10 classes, minimum 10 hours of total teaching time, between Module 1 and Module 5.
To successfully graduate from the IYTT course, each trainee’s teaching skills will be observed and assessed on three separate occasions: twice internally (by Catherine Annis) and once externally (by an independent assessor). There will be ample teaching practice during the course modules to prepare you for these assessments.
Mid-term assessment
The first teaching assessment takes place approximately half way through the course, during Module 3. All trainees will teach two poses to their fellow trainees. You will be provided with comprehensive feedback on all aspects of your teaching skills to help identify areas for development.
Mock assessment
For the second teaching assessment, the mock assessment, you will design and teach a 60 minute class to a group of at least 5 students. The class plan and the class will be reviewed and feedback will be provided to help you identify areas of strength and any areas where you need to develop to meet the criteria to pass the final assessment.
Final assessment
The third teaching assessment is the final assessed taught class. This is a 1 hour class of your design, which you teach to a group of at least 5 students. This will be assessed by an external assessor. Trainees are responsible for arranging their own sample students and for paying the necessary assessment fees directly to the assessor (currently on average £90 per assessment).
This assessment procedure is intended to be rigorous, and is designed to ensure that trainees graduate as confident, well-practised, safe and resourceful teachers, who have the necessary skills to adapt and modify their classes to suit students of all abilities. Trainees will take part in regular teaching practice during the modules and in the periods between modules to ensure they are thoroughly prepared for the assessments. The feedback provided throughout the course and during the assessments will help you develop your teaching skills, build confidence and ensure your teaching is clear and easily accessible, so you become an effective and engaging teacher.
Why is Accreditation Important?
Yoga teaching has evolved, becoming more professional and organised and teachers are now required to hold valid insurance before yoga studios will employ them.
Originally, yoga was passed from teacher to student, on a 1:1 basis. Students would study for many years with their teacher, only beginning to teach once they had their teacher’s blessing. The teaching of yoga has changed, and it’s now much less common for people to work privately. We are more likely to attend class with several other students and the world of teaching online yoga has opened up.
If you really want to follow your dream and begin sharing your love for yoga, it's important to find a course which resonates with you, and which you know will help you develop the skills and experience to be the best teacher you can.
It's also essential to demonstrate to future employers that you have met certain criteria and that you are able to teach safe, intelligent and thoughtful classes. With IYTT, we believe we have created one of the best, most thoughtful and inspiring yoga teacher training courses and we look forward to practising and exploring yoga together.
Finding a course which is registered with a reputable and established accreditation board is essential.
Supportive Mentoring
We believe in supporting all trainees throughout their training and beyond.
At IYTT, you are never just a number, and we will stay in touch and continue to support you well beyond your time on the course. We have created a mentoring program for all trainees which includes structured 1:1 mentor meetings and group supervision meetings facilitated by the leading yoga teachers and there is an active Alumni programme.
Each module is supported by two teaching assistants who are both recent IYTT graduates. Our assistant teachers are available to offer advice and support throughout the course.
At the end of each yoga teacher training programme, there will be opportunities for two graduates to join the teaching team as teaching assistants. This is a valuable chance to review the training from the other side, and to work closely with the teaching team, learning how to hold space and deliver a teacher training programme first hand.
What Our Graduates Say
"The IYTT has been a truly transformational experience. I chose this course because I wanted to really deepen my practice. I wanted to explore, to learn, to question, to feel, to embody, to listen, to understand and to develop the confidence to "maybe" teach some day. And I can honestly say - it was one of the best decisions I've ever made.
Catherine and the team are remarkable teachers, not only for all the knowledge they generously share during the 18th months, but for the incredibly supportive and safe space they created for us to make this journey truly ours."
Marta Martinez
"This is such a wonderful life-changing course. Challenging and hard work but incredibly rewarding.
Catherine and the other the great tutors have given me so much confidence with their depth of knowledge and experience. The way the course is structured works really well and it has been working just as well now it has had to move online to Zoom.
I chose the course more to develop my own practice and learn more about yoga and was not convinced I would or could end up teaching. I feel very lucky to have found this course – and to my surprise – I am now teaching."
Michael Spark
"This yoga training course with Catherine has been a fabulous experience, a huge learning curve and worth much more than the money invested in it. I really appreciate the breadth of the course, which incorporates a thorough history of the philosophy of yoga, essential anatomy and physiology and a well-structured approach to posture work, exploring asana in depth for personal practice while progressively developing our teaching skills in small and large group settings.
I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute and cannot recommend this yoga teacher training enough."
Karen McCoss
"I deliberated for several years before finding yoga teacher trainers who I hoped would resonate with my knowledge, skills and background as a neurological Physiotherapist.
Catherine Annis has by far exceeded my expectations not only do they have a wealth of experience as a yoga teacher, her anatomical and biomechanics and movement knowledge is extensive.
Her professionalism and passion to teach, share and exchange knowledge and skills in yoga and movement has been so valuable in enabling me to develop as a yoga teacher but has also immensely enhanced my treatment approaches in my physiotherapy practice. The best training, I have done in years!"
Jody Barber
Neurological Physiotherapist | Yoga Teacher
If this sounds like what you're looking for, please get in touch and let's talk.
I look forward to getting to know you.
Would you like to sample a yoga class hosted by the founder of this yoga teacher training course, Catherine Annis? If so, please go to www.CatherineAnnisYoga.co.uk to make your online booking by clicking here.