Iyengar Mentorship 2026
What is a mentorship?
A mentorship is a guided, ongoing study with a qualified Iyengar teacher to deepen your practice and understanding of yoga.
It is personal and relationship-based, with individual attention, supporting preparation for certification in Iyengar Yoga.
How is this different from a teacher training?
While the content is similar—covering asana, philosophy, and anatomy—the approach differs.
Mentorship is more flexible and personalized, often conducted in smaller groups and evolving with the student, whereas teacher training follows a more structured format with a fixed curriculum, larger groups, and a formal course setting.
As such, mentorship places greater emphasis on continuous development and genuine learning, rather than simply completing a program.
The Journey
Year One
Establish a strong foundation
Year Two
Teaching skills and methodology
Year Three
Advanced study of teaching, adjustments
Format
(Year One)
Two In-Person Intensives in Bali
Sep 7-13, 2026 (7 days, 5h/day)
Mar 1-7, 2027 (7 days, 5h/day)
Ten Monthly Online Seminars
2.5h/month
(Total per year: 70 hours in-person, 25 hours online)
What You Will Learn
The Level I syllabus
Study foundational asanas and their preparations, developing stability, clarity, and sequencing while understanding how each pose builds progressively toward a balanced and intelligent practice.
Alignment
Refine alignment through detailed work, cultivating awareness of actions within the body and learning how structure, direction, and support create stability, ease, and efficiency in practice.
Pranayama (breath work)
Be introduced to basic pranayama techniques, learning how to observe, regulate, and deepen the breath, supporting both physical practice and mental steadiness.
Yoga philosophy
Explore key philosophical concepts and foundational texts, gaining context for the practice and understanding how yoga extends beyond asana into a broader way of living.
teaching skills (Yr 2-3)
Gradually develop the ability to observe, understand, and respond to different bodies, building clear and confident teaching skills over time.
Assessment Preparation (yr3)
In Years 3, you will be guided through the assessment process with mock assessments, feedback sessions, and structured preparation to build clarity and confidence.
Books we will cover
LIGHT ON YOGA
Comprehensive guide to asana practice, detailing postures, sequencing, and foundational Iyengar principles.
Light on Pranayama
Detailed guide to pranayama, explaining techniques, stages, and the role of breath.
Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Comprehensive guide to asana practice, detailing postures, sequencing, and foundational Iyengar principles.
The Tree of Yoga
Collection of talks presenting yoga as an integrated system of practice and philosophy.
Basic Guidelines for Teachers of Yoga
Practical guidance outlining key principles and responsibilities for teaching yoga effectively.
Yoga in Action
Structured introduction to foundational to intermediatepostures, focusing on alignment, stability, and discipline.
Yoga: A Gem for Women
Guide to women’s health, offering practices for different life stages and needs.
Other
Additional texts and handouts provided by the mentor
Will I be able to go for assessment after my mentorship?
After year 1:
You will have established a strong foundation and a more consistent personal practice, preparing you for the second year, where the focus begins to shift toward teaching skills and methodology.
After year 3:
You may be ready to go for assessment, subject to your teacher’s recommendation. This is based on your overall development, including the quality of your practice, depth of understanding, level of commitment, and readiness to teach.
Is This For You?
This is for you if:
You are a dedicated practitioner who wish to deepen your understanding of Iyengar Yoga in a structured and progressive way
You are seeking a guided environment to study, refine, and integrate the principles of Iyengar Yoga with greater depth and clarity
Or
You are considering the path toward teaching and certification, and want a more thorough and systematic foundation
Duration & Pathways
The mentorship is structured as a long-term program of three years, allowing for depth and continuity in learning.
Students may begin with an initial period of one year to experience the process and assess their level of commitment, but the full value of the program unfolds gradually over time.
With sufficient preparation, and upon the teacher’s recommendation, students may choose
- Continue deepening their study
- Or pursue assessment (certification pathway)
There are no fixed guarantees—readiness is based on individual development.
What’s Expected of You
To deepen your study of Iyengar Yoga—whether or not you choose to pursue assessment—the mentorship serves as guidance for deeper learning, not a replacement for regular practice.
To complete the program meaningfully, you are expected to attend all mentorship sessions (both online and in person), continue taking regular classes with certified Iyengar teachers (2–3 times per week), and maintain a consistent daily self-practice.
*If you don’t have access to a nearby Iyengar studio, you may join Kathy’s live classes starting in September; mentorship participants will receive a discounted rate.
attendance
Attend all scheduled in-person and online sessions. Complete all written assignments.
Regular classes
Join 1–2 regular classes weekly with a qualified Iyengar teacher.
Self Practice
Maintain a daily self-practice of 2–3 hours
Pricing
Sign Up for 1 Year
Early Bird
Sign up before May 31, 2026-
Or 6 equal monthly payments of $250
Regular
-
Or 6 equal monthly payments of $283
Sign Up for 3 Years
Early Bird
Sign up before May 31, 2026-
Or 12 equal monthly payments of $355
Regular
-
Or 12 equal monthly payments of $383
Application Process
1: When you feel ready, please complete the application form here .If you have any questions, you can reach us at hello@desayogi.com
2: Kathy will review your application. If it appears to be a good fit, we will schedule a 15–30 minute one-on-one call with Kathy for a more in-depth conversation and to answer any further questions.
3: Once your application is accepted and payment is completed, your place in the program is confirmed. We look forward to welcoming you to Bali
Ready to Commit?
Join a structured journey of learning, practice, and discovery—
shared with a like-minded group,where meaningful connections and lasting friendships can naturally unfold.
Iyengar Yoga Mentorship with Kathy Cook
Join a structured journey of learning, practice, and discovery—
shared with a like-minded group,where meaningful connections and lasting friendships can naturally unfold.
Have questions? Contact us at:
F.A.Q.
Not usually.
Ideally, you should have around 3 years of regular practice. However, some flexibility is possible depending on your background and commitment. All applicants will go through a screening/interview process
Absolute beginners with no practice are generally
- An established yoga practice (approximately 3 years recommended)
- Applications are reviewed individually
No. Attendance in person is required for the intensive training sessions.
The intensive weeks are designed for direct observation and guidance, allowing the teacher to assess your practice, progress, and individual tendencies.
For this reason, you will need to be physically present in Bali for both intensive sessions.
