IYO® / IYT®
Course Faculty Guidelines

1. PURPOSE & SCOPE
This document establishes clear, consistent, and rigorous standards for who may teach each of the IYO®
and IYT® certification courses. High-quality faculty is the foundation of IYO’s credibility as an independent, government-registered international certification board that has already delivered over 100,000 free certifications across 195 countries.
These guidelines ensure that every student receives authentic, safe, pedagogically sound, and ethically grounded training — whether the course is a foundational 50-hour programme or an advanced Master / 1500-hour Experienced Teacher track.

2. GENERAL FACULTY REQUIREMENTS (APPLIES TO ALL
COURSES)
Every Lead Trainer, Co-Trainer, or Guest Faculty appointed to deliver any IYO® / IYT® programme must meet the following baseline criteria in addition to the course-specific requirements listed later:
• IYO Affiliation: Preferably holds a current IYO® / IYT® / EIYT® registration or is an approved IYS® school
Lead Trainer. External experts may be invited only with Academic Board approval.
• Minimum Teaching Experience: At least 2–5 years of regular, supervised teaching in the relevant modality (exact years specified per course category).
• Pedagogical Competence: Demonstrated ability to design lesson plans, assess students, give constructive feedback, and create a safe, inclusive learning environment.
• Ethical Standards: Adherence to IYO Code of Ethics, professional boundaries, non-discrimination, and the principle that yoga education should remain accessible and free of commercial exploitation.
• Continuing Education: Evidence of ongoing personal practice and professional development (minimum 20–30 hours of CE every two years).
• Language & Communication: Clear spoken and written English (or the language of delivery) and the ability to explain complex concepts simply.
• Safety & First Aid: Current First Aid / CPR certification recommended for all physical practice courses; mandatory for Aerial, Ropes & Belts, Pilates Reformer, and prenatal programmes.
• Mentorship Preference: Completion of IYO Teacher Trainer Orientation / Mentorship Programme is strongly preferred and will become mandatory for new Lead Trainers from 2027.

3. HOW TO USE THIS DOCUMENT
Courses are organised into ten logical categories. For each category you will find: (a) a summary of the ideal teacher profile, (b) minimum and preferred qualifications, and (c) the complete list of individual courses belonging to that category together with any additional specialised requirements. When appointing faculty, always satisfy both the General Requirements above and the Category + Course-specific requirements.

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NOTES ON SCOPE OF PRACTICE & LEGAL COMPLIANCE

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All faculty must operate strictly within their trained and legally permitted scope. Yoga teachers and therapists are not medical doctors, physiotherapists, or licensed psychotherapists unless they hold those additional qualifications.
• Titles such as “Psychotherapist”, “Medical Yoga Therapist”, “Nutritionist”, or “Astrologer” must only be used by individuals who meet the regulatory requirements of the country in which they practise and teach.

• IYO certifications attest to training completed under IYO standards; they do not replace national professional licences where such licences are required by law.
• Schools and faculty are responsible for ensuring local compliance (insurance, premises safety, child protection, data privacy, etc.).

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