FAQs – Closure of the Association

Why is the Association closing?

As you all know, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the landscape of Yoga Teacher training, moving many Teacher Training courses online and also resulting in many yoga teachers changing the way they deliver their classes. This has had a huge impact on IYTA as an Association, as well as our ability to deliver our leading Diploma of Yoga Teacher Training course competitively. Our student numbers in our Diploma course have been steadily decreasing over the last few years to the point where we were unable to run the course in 2023 without running at a loss.

IYTA has also seen a steady decline in our membership numbers over the last 10 years, especially since 2019 when many of our teaching members retired due to the changed circumstances that COVID-19 brought about.

The costs of running IYTA over the past 10 years has also been steadily increasing especially with rebuilds of the website in 2016 and 2019 and more recently this year. To operate in this modern world requires an online presence which comes with many associated costs. Government requirements of Superannuation and Insurance have also been rising. As our income has been slowly dwindling our expenses have remained constant or risen.

The Committee does not want to reach the point where we may become insolvent and unable to meet our obligations as an Association and so, we would prefer to dissolve the Association with the ability to refund membership and student fees and donate any remaining funds to a like-minded yoga body. This is as our Constitution stipulates.

Will there be a meeting held for members to vote on the closure of the Association?

Yes, all members will receive an email with the notice of a Special General Meeting to be held on Sunday 28th May 2023. Members will also have an option to vote by proxy.

Notice of Special General Meeting of the International Yoga Teachers Association (IYTA)

Date: Sunday 28th May 2023
Time: 3.00pm

Venue: Online via Zoom

RSVP: [email protected] by: 14th May 2023

Proposed by: Committee of the Association

Notice of Special Resolution Motion to be dealt with at the Special General Meeting of members of the International Yoga Teachers Association (IYTA).

Special Resolution Motion:

To dissolve the International Yoga Teachers Association (IYTA).

What is the timeline of closing the Assciation

We will stop taking membership payments from the 3rd May 2023

Memberships will be valid until the 30th September 2023

All memberships which expire between the 3rd May 2023 and the 30th September 2023 will be extended for no cost until the 30th September 2023.

The association will officially cease trading on the 30th September 2023

What happens to my membership that is valid past 30th September 2023?

There are two options for members whose memberships are valid beyond the 30th September 2023

  1. Opt in to transfer membership to Yoga Australia and continue the many benefits of being a part of a recognised and respected yoga organisation in Australia by emailing [email protected] before the 30th June 2023
  2. We will issue those who do not opt in for their membership to be transferred to Yoga Australia to a refund pro-rata (ie. they will be refunded pro-rata for the remaining months of valid membership beyond the 30th September 2023)

How do I receive a refund

All membership pro-rata refunds will be processed automatically by our membership secretary. You do not need to get in touch to have your refund processed. Please understand that we are woking through a large number of refunds and will aim to have all refunds processed by the 30th June 2023.

I’m still studying a course with IYTA – what happens with my course?

All students currently enrolled in courses must have their course completed by 30th September 2023.

What do I do if i intend to register with Yoga Alliance (US) using my IYTA Diploma?

If a teacher has an intention to register with Yoga Alliance they must start the process before 31st July 2023.

Our IYTA membership with Yoga Alliance will not be renewed after 31st July 2023

How have we come to this point of needing to close the Association?

As an association we have been running at a loss for the past 6 years- we present our financial reports at the AGM each year and include this within the International Light Magazine. All members of the association had the opportunity to participate and contribute equally in the running of the association by being a part of the Committee, as a state rep or by attending the monthly COM meetings. We have noticed a decline in membership participation within our workshops, COM meetings, AGM, and volunteer as state reps.

Is there any way to keep the Association going?

We have received an offer from a third party to take over the Association and continue running it as an organisation. Members will be be able to vote on this decision at the Special General Meeting.