Yoga Teacher Training & Certifications, In-person & Online

Yoga is so much more than exercise, it’s a holistic practice with roots dating back more than 5,000 years. For some, it becomes a passion that they pursue in the form of teacher training, though it’s not always with the intention of becoming an instructor. While some people do pursue this option, many do training to gain a more intrinsic knowledge of yoga and all it entails. For some, it’s a lifelong endeavor: They want to learn everything there is about the science of yoga!

For the best yoga education and yoga teacher training, look toward a well-known studio that offers the type of classes you most enjoy. Additionally, if you want to pursue a career of teaching at a yoga studio, look for a training program that is registered with Yoga Alliance. Yoga Alliance is recognized by most in the yoga studio business as the governing body for yoga teachers. When it comes to teacher training, the more you know what to look for, the richer and more fulfilling the experience will be for you.

Why Join a Yoga Teacher Training Program?

There are a number of reasons why people join yoga training programs. Some have aspirations to become yoga instructors so they might help others physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. This is obviously deep and important work, so it’s essential to get as much training as possible. The more knowledge you have as a teacher, the better. Your students will look to you as an authority on many different levels, and you’ll want to know as much as you can to be able to answer the many questions that will undoubtedly come your way.

The other reason why people seek out a yoga certification is to further their own personal journey. Many people do training for this reason as it gives them a gateway to more in-depth information about the deeply meaningful, life-changing philosophy of yoga. They also may want to learn how to do more advanced poses or adapt the practice for any physical challenges they may have. Yoga training gets into the heart of the practice by exploring ancient texts and their teachings that one might not learn otherwise.

Those who have a true passion for yoga will find that training isn’t really training. It’s more of a spiritual journey that quenches a deep thirst for information and unveils the meaning of life. For some, taking one teacher training program sparks a desire to learn as much as possible, whether it’s diving into ancient texts, understanding yoga therapeutics or learning the most advanced moves.

The Different Yoga Teacher Training Programs Available

There are a number of different yoga training programs available. The certifications are broken down into hours. For example, most yoga studios offer 200, 300, and 500-hour training courses. The difference between these is the time duration and the amount of information that you learn in each.

Most programs are broken down into modules that go over all the different elements, such as the history and philosophy of yoga, the anatomy, physiology and biomechanics behind the moves, and various methodologies, such as restorative, gentle, therapeutic or vinyasa types of practices.

200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training

During a 200-hour yoga teacher training course, you can expect to touch on many different aspects of the practice. You’ll dive into philosophy, the history of the practice and basic anatomy knowledge. You’ll also learn about the different types of meditation and breathing practices and teaching methodologies. Physiology classes will teach you how yoga affects the body. The 200-hour program is designed for those who simply want to dive deeper into the practice and gain a basic understanding of teaching skills.

300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training

The 300-hour yoga teacher training goes even further, continuing where the 200-hour program leaves off. It’s considered advanced training and can delve into the more specific elements of your individual interest, such as therapeutic practices or more challenging sequences. Think of it as the master’s program of yoga training. The prerequisite is the completion of the 200-hour program.

500-Hour Yoga Teacher Training

This program is for those who want to take basic and then advanced teachings all together in a single cohesive program curriculum. Instead of taking the separate 200 and 300-hour courses, you’ll simply take the 500-hour course in its place. It will teach you a great deal of the elements you need to know to further your practice and give you a large range of tools you need to successfully teach and help others.

For the 200, 300 and 500-hour yoga teacher training courses, it’s possible to take your training solely online, attend them in person at a studio, or do a hybrid of both options.

Basic Requirements to Join Yoga Teacher Training

One of the nice things about yoga teacher training is that there aren’t any barriers to joining a program. Admission is not based on your past education, age or ability. Anyone can do yoga teacher training! All it takes is a passion for the practice and a desire to learn. However, there are some student attributes that can ensure you’re successful in your endeavors.

• Passion  – There is a lot of information offered during yoga teacher training, so a true thirst for yogic knowledge helps you stay engaged, retain the information and put it into practice in your own life
• Inquisitiveness  – Yoga teaches you to always be curious about our world, our minds, emotions and physical sensations. Guidance from texts and teachings is important to the Yogic learning journey; there is a fair amount of study and research involved. Probing the teachings through deep consideration and courageous self-inquiry is the most impactful way to learn about yoga and all it has to offer.
• Self- Motivation  – Yoga Training isn’t like traditional schooling. There is nobody to enforce your study habits. So, if you sign up for the courses, it’s important to be self-directed and know your goals, balance your life and learn how to best pace yourself.

If your goal is to teach yoga classes, have private clients or start your own yoga studio, there are a few traits that can prove helpful and make it easier for you.

• An affinity for teaching – Not everyone is comfortable teaching; it requires confidence, leadership and courage to speak in front of others.
• Business sense – even though it’s a passion, at the end of the day, owning a studio, whether offering private sessions or teaching group classes, is still a business. You’ll need to know how to market yourself and attract new students. If you’re not already versed in business, look for training that offers some business advice in its curriculum.
• Patience and compassion – Many students come to class with unique needs. You may have those that ask you a lot of questions, share deeply personal information with you, or need extra attention due to physical challenges. Being a yoga teacher means being a healer and holding space for the many different and sometimes difficult situations that can come up.

What to Expect From a Yoga Teacher Training Program

There are literally thousands of Yoga Teacher Training programs, and each one will be different. This is because there are many Yogic lineages, and each has varying translations and teachings of concepts, texts and practices. For example, Kundalini training will be very different from Hatha training. It is very important you choose training in a lineage you enjoy practicing, as you will be doing a lot of practicing!  Although each program is different, there are certain topics Yoga Alliance recommends as necessary to an integral and basic understanding of Yoga.

During training, you should  expect to learn about most or all of the following:

• Asanas or postures
• Alignment and sequencing
• Meditation
• Breathing techniques (Pranayama)
• Western anatomy and physiology
• Subtle anatomy
• Philosophy and history
• Ethics
• Business and professional development
• Practicum and teaching methodology

When deciding on which training is the best for you, it’s also important to consider who will be teaching the program. Look for lead faculty members who have:

• Significant experience teaching students (a good rule of thumb is someone who has been studying and teaching for 10 or more years).
• A deep-seated understanding of the topics and ease of explaining them.
• Availability to answer questions with knowledge, patience and compassion.
• A willingness to work with you on areas where you struggle.

Other things it’s important to know about Yoga Teacher Training.

• There may be days when you feel happier than you’ve ever been.
• There may be days when you struggle.
• It will push you outside of your comfort zone.
• You will make friends who share your interests and passion.
• You may find that being a teacher is your life’s work, or maybe that it’s not for you.
• Yoga teacher training is about the journey more so than the goal.

Yoga training courses are a lot of work on many levels. There will be days you coast through and understand all the material and feel wonderful and then there will be days you feel as though you’re struggling. Having a training leader who supports you through it all will make a big difference.

About Yoga Teacher Training Class Formats

Simply put, the best yoga teacher training is the type that works best for you. However, there are certain format considerations to keep in mind when signing up for yoga teacher training. Think about how you best learn and retain information. For example, do you do better with hands-on experience, or can you learn well online? Then, you have to consider your lifestyle. Do you have the time to travel back and forth to classes, or do you need a flexible schedule where you can take classes online or watch recorded sessions?

In-Person Training

Many studios, and students, prefer to attend in-person as much as possible. This gives students the chance to engage in more personal interaction and hands-on practice. It also can make it easier to ask any questions about the material as they arise rather than waiting to email or text your instructor, who may not be able to respond right away.

Online Classes

Online classes give students flexibility. For example, you can take classes offered by studios and teachers from around the world while not incurring travel costs. And you can still attend when you’re on vacation or traveling for work. One of the questions you should ask when considering an online program is: are the classes live or pre-recorded for you to do the training at your own pace? Live classes allow for beneficial synchronous learning with your teachers and fellow students. Recorded classes offer a lot of flexibility. Some studios offer one or the other avenue, some offer both options.

Yoga Teacher Training Costs

One of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to yoga teacher training is how much it costs to get certified. The truth is that it depends on a variety of factors. As mentioned before, there are so many different kinds of yoga teacher training available around the country or abroad, depending on your personal preferences and learning style.

Often in-person training programs, residential training programs and those offering live, synchronous classes online will cost more than a training program only offering pre-recorded videos. The added expense in this situation, though, is worth it for the personalized, relational, hands-on experience you’ll gain. The Yoga teacher training experience has traditionally been based on the time-honored relationship between student and teacher. However, the availability of online courses provides a new level of accessibility for many people, which is valuable in its own right.

The level of experience of the faculty may also play a role in the tuition cost. As you might expect, the more accomplished and qualified the teachers corresponds with higher tuition. This may also be worth it. The Yoga tradition venerates wisdom and experience. It takes many years to deeply contemplate the teachings and be able to skillfully communicate them in a relevant and meaningful way.

The good thing is many studios that offer training also offer a payment plan so that you can manage your tuition payments across a few weeks or months throughout your study.  Tuition can range from as low as hundreds of dollars to as much as several thousand dollars depending on the level of personalization, access, and expertise you want for your training experience. It’s a good idea to consider your priorities and then do a thorough search on the internet or even look to Yoga Alliance to make sure the training program meets the basic requirements and more.

Finding The Right Yoga Teacher Training Program For You

It’s important, when you’re searching for a training program, that you take the time to consider each one and not just settle for the first one that you find. Different studios and instructors may have their own approaches or offer a variety of program types that align better with your needs. In addition, make sure you dig into some yoga teacher training reviews to find out what others thought of the courses you’re considering.

Don’t feel that you need to be limited to taking a course with a studio near you. Online learning makes it easy to diversify your options, so be sure to look even outside your region. Additionally, you may want to make sure the studio offering the courses you’re considering has a free information session and/or offers a chance to speak directly to the instructors or even past program graduates. This can help you feel a personal connection to the teacher and get answers to any questions you have prior to starting. It’s best to seek out this information upfront than to find out halfway through the program that it’s not what you expected.

Then, consider the time frame you have to complete the course, whether the instructor is hands-on, meaning you can consult with them or easily reach them during the course of — or even after — study.

How to Join Yoga Teacher Training

The process for joining yoga teacher training is relatively straightforward. First, attend an information session or speak to the teacher and ask questions about the program. Most studios will have an application process that asks basic questions about your yoga knowledge and medical history — to better understand your needs and make sure you’re a good fit for the program and vice versa.

From there, you’ll likely undergo an interview with the director. These can be done in a variety of ways, including online, by phone or video conference, or in person. Once you’re accepted, you’ll take care of the financial details, including setting up payment plans, if applicable, and get all of your materials and an official start date.

Tips for Those Embarking on Yoga Teacher Training

Everyone’s journey in getting their yoga instructor certificate is different, but there are a few tips that can help make the path easier.

• Beware. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Many solely pre-recorded programs are strikingly inexpensive, and that can be alluring. However, they often fail to deliver the real benefit of the training experience. Training programs that are willing to give you your certificate after very limited personal interaction with you aren’t doing justice to your yoga teacher training experience or the field of yoga teaching in general.
• Know your learning and lifestyle. If you know that live sessions work better for you, or that you need some flexibility in the schedule, don’t settle for less. Ignoring these important aspects can hamper your personal experience, may diminish your ability to complete the program, or hinder your confidence to teach. Instead, find a program that offers a training method that supports your life balance, learning style and total education.
• Commit the time. Yoga teacher training is an in-depth professional and personal endeavor. Be ready to prioritize your learning and transformation by making time in your life to be present, study and practice. Many programs also require homework. It’s very helpful to know what the full-time commitment is at the outset and to be sure you feel able to invest the time needed to complete it. That said….
• Kindness to self is one of the main tenets of Yoga. It is common to go full steam ahead when starting a training program only to feel overwhelmed with new information and personal transformation. Remember, yoga is a practice, not a perfection, so go in with an open mind and practice a lot of loving self-care.
• Be open. There are many different teaching styles and training programs. Try different types of practices and investigate various training programs. You don’t know what will resonate with you until you explore it. Trying something new is a great way to expand your horizons, and if you do choose the teacher path, you can pass these teaching styles on to your future students.

Yoga Teacher Training FAQs

We get several questions that center on the many elements of yoga teacher training. Here are some of the most common.

Is Teaching Yoga for Anybody?

Yes and no. Anyone, regardless of their age, physical ability or previous education, can become a yoga teacher. If you feel called to be an instructor, you owe it to yourself to explore the possibility! And, like any other career, teaching yoga isn’t for everybody. Becoming a teacher requires passion, commitment, study and practice. It is said you can only teach to the extent that you are willing to learn. Even after learning a great deal about yoga, some people decide to keep learning but not to teach. Either path is worthy and life-enriching.

Is Becoming a Yoga Teacher Hard?

While becoming a yoga teacher involves a lot of time and effort, it’s not burdensome. In fact, many students say it’s one of the most fulfilling and worthy endeavors they’ve ever embarked upon. Between the time commitment and the potential benefits, finding quality training that is right for you becomes even more essential.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Yoga Teacher?

It’s variable. Some residential training programs can be completed in as little as one month of 14-hour days. Some classes are paced over a few months or a year. Some take place on weekends only, while some involve several intensive sessions of consecutive days over a time. Some students enjoy moving quickly through programs, and some pace themselves to take longer. Your desired pace through training is something else to consider when deciding on the best program for you.

Is 500-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Worth it?

Yes. If you do want to be a teacher, the additional 300 hours of training are especially valuable. In them, you’ll learn a lot more about how to adapt the practice for people with specific concerns such as depression, osteoporosis, or back pain. You might also learn new and different practices in the form of meditation, breathwork, and yoga styles.

You’ll also have more tools in your professional toolbox to be able to help more people. Even for those that don’t want to teach yoga, the advanced training can broaden one’s awareness by exploring yogic philosophy even more deeply. For those in adjacent professions, such as psychotherapy, nursing or health coaching, advanced yoga training can enhance your professional abilities.