So, you’ve decided to go down the wondrous path of becoming a Yoga Teacher! But you might be wondering how to get a yoga teacher certificate.

Read on to find out how to choose the best yoga teacher training to fit your needs and lifestyle. This applies to both 200-hour YTT (Yoga Teacher Training) and 300 YTT students.

Types Of Yoga Teacher Training

There are several different kinds of yoga teacher training but they all fall into 3 categories, module-based teacher training, immersion, intensive or destination teacher training, and online teacher training.

Module Based Teacher training

This type of training occurs over a span of about 6 months and participants usually meet on the weekends or several other nights a week. This is perfect for someone who wants to keep their 9-5 job and can’t commit to a month abroad in Costa Rica or Bali.

The benefits of module-based training include not incurring travel costs, getting to know your local yoga community and studio, and maintaining your daily schedule, and module trainings are more affordable.

A disadvantage is that it will take a much longer time to receive your certification.

Yoga Teacher Training Intensive

Costa Rica, Bali, Mexico… This is where you’ll go for destination yoga trainings. An intensive is when all the training is consolidated into several weeks or even a month usually in one location.

These can be super fun and exhilarating because you are in a new, and usually stunning environment and surrounded by new yogi friends! It can definitely be an adventure but there are some things to keep in mind.

Since these trainings include traveling sometimes to far away places, you must do lots of preparation, sometimes getting visas or vaccinations and there must be very clear communication between you, the host, and the rest of the students.

10 Tips for Choosing a Destination Yoga Teacher Training

1. Use online directories and search engines to find a place or teacher you are interested in. Ask yourself how far do you want to travel? What’s your budget?

2. READ Reviews! Sites like https://www.bookyogateachertraining.com/ and https://www.thekulacollective.com/ are great for researching and reading reviews.

3. PRO tip: Use directories to find the retreat you want, and then BOOK DIRECTLY with the host, you will usually save money that way because the directory adds fees for listing on their site.

4. Luxury or Rustic? Be 100% aware of the accommodation situation before booking. Some retreats are cheap for a reason. There are some trainings where guests stay in tents, that’s fine but you definitely want to know about it before booking.

5. Find out what you’ll be doing every day, this will help you pack and mentally prepare.

6. Get connected with your fellow students! Having friends when you arrive in a foreign country can be really helpful, especially for carpooling to and from airports.

7. Ask how many people will be in your training. You don’t want more than 20, and 10 – 15 is ideal.

8. Find out the length of the training. Typical training is 3 – 4 weeks. Anything under 2.5 weeks is questionable as to the depth of learning you’ll receive.

9. Look for trainings that offer interesting modules, like sound healing, reiki, meditation, or other things that might enrich your understanding of yoga as a whole.

10. MAKE SURE IT IS A YOGA ALLIANCE-CERTIFIED SCHOOL!

Get A Yoga Instructor Certification Online

It is now possible to become a fully certified yoga instructor with online yoga teacher training. There are both disadvantages and advantages to online vs. in-person classes.

Benefits of Online Yoga Teacher Training

• Learn at your own pace and on your own schedule.

• Choose from and research a large variety on the internet.

• Reduced cost as the course is online and the host does not need to provide materials and props.

• Some big-name yogis host online teachings that offer a unique and affordable opportunity to be trained by your favorite yogi.

Disadvantages of Online Yoga Teacher Training

• Ask yourself this question, would you want to be trained or regularly taught by someone who received their training online? Someone will be asking themselves that exact questions when choosing if they want YOU as a teacher.

• Some yogis believe you just cannot grasp the entirety of yoga in an online course.

• Your teacher will not be able to give you or teach you hands-on body adjustments.

• Keep in mind during the training you will be alone in your home or yoga space.

• You’ll miss out on the group experience and possibly traveling or getting to know your local community.

• You will lack the opportunity to gain the confidence to teach others in an actual class setting.

Is Online Yoga Teacher Training Legit?

Online yoga teacher training can definitely be legit if you do your research. Make sure to follow these tips below to make sure you are getting a real Yoga Alliance-certified certificate before paying for the online class.

Tips For Choosing an Online Yoga Teacher Training

• Refrain from falling for the “get trained quick” online yoga teacher courses or anything put out by questionable companies without any reviews. Unfortunately, there are some scams out there.

• Look for a teacher or yoga training school that is experienced in teaching in person and has also hosted other events like yoga retreats or taught at festivals. This shows that teachers are adaptable and can teach well even in an online environment.
• READ REVIEWS! So important to be educated about the course you are signing up for. You are putting a large chunk of your hard-earned money toward education and you want that education to be something you’re proud of, not some cheap online course that anyone could take.

• Look for a course that incorporates some sort of in-person meet-up or at least regular Zoom calls. You want as much real-time interaction with your teacher and other students as possible.

• Use the Yoga Alliance Certified Yoga Teacher Training School directory to find schools that might offer online courses.

Types Of Yoga Teacher Certification

There are many different yoga teacher certifications to choose from. However there are two main organizations that offer official certifications. These groups regulate the yoga industry and you can’t be considered “official” without one of their certifications.

The Yoga Alliance officially recognizes 6 different types of yoga teacher certifications: 200 RYT, 200 E-RYT, 500 RYT, 500 E-RYT, Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher, and Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher.

There is also the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT.) This organization is not as well known but its accreditation is more specialized, students looking to use yoga as therapy in a more medical environment will find an IAYT course more appropriate.

Use this tool on IAYT’s website to see a list of their accredited yoga schools and programs.

Besides the official certifications, there are more narrow specialties that you might want to seek a certificate in.

Here is a list of popular types of yoga certification specialties:

• Hatha
• Vinyasa
• Kundalini
• Aerial Yoga
• Ashtanga
• Bikram
• Yin
• Prenatal
• Restorative
• Children’s Yoga
• Chair Yoga
• Yoga Therapy
• Trauma-informed yoga
• Yoga for Cancer Recovery
• Yoga for Seniors
• Yoga for Addiction

Finding The Right Yoga Teacher & Yoga School

I personally believe yoga flows through the person that teaches it so ideally, you’ve got to like your teacher!

It’s always nice to learn from someone you already know so stay tuned to your favorite yoga studio for any local or destination trainings.

Tips to Vet Your Yoga Teacher Training Teacher

• Check out the host’s personal social media. See what they post and read the captions. If something raises a personal red flag for you, then there’s a chance you might not get along with them in person.

• Take a class with them in person or online. Lots of yoga teachers offer recorded classes on their websites, on YouTube, and even on Instagram. This is a great opportunity to see if you enjoy their flow and style.

• Give them a call! Ask them some questions on the phone and see how it goes!

• Just remember, your teacher will be with you through this entire training, so make sure you like them, not as a best friend, but as a teacher.

Cost Of Yoga Teacher Training

Yoga teacher trainings don’t come cheap. There is a lot to be learned in a short period of time and you walk away with a new valuable skill. Plus the addition of food or lodging can push a training cost even higher.

The typical cost for a 200-hour yoga teacher training is about $3000.

Of course, every course varies, some programs offer additional studies like reiki or chair yoga. Take into consideration travel costs and other costs like books or required materials.

Consider Your Overall Goal For Becoming A Yoga Teacher

Taking into account your ultimate goal for taking a yoga teacher training will also help you make the right decision.

Do you want to one day own your own school and teach other yogis? Then you should invest in the best training money can buy. If you would like to be in a more clinical setting, treating people who really need help with something as amazing as yoga, then maybe being a Yoga Therapist is for you.

Whatever your reason, go with it wholeheartedly and with passion. This training could be life-changing for mind, body, and spirit, so go forth with good intentions and follow your instincts.

Take Your Yoga Career To The Next Level With More Certifications

After 200 YTT, you are eligible to take a 500 YTT (200 YTT is a prerequisite for 500 YTT) and then you will become a 500 RYT (500 hours of training in total.)

You may also add certificates to your base of 200 or 500 Hours like Aerial Yoga, Hot Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, Yin Yoga, Yoga for Trauma, SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) Yoga, and others.

To become a 200 E-RYT (E stands for experienced) you need to log 1000 hours of teaching with the Yoga Alliance, through your membership.

You may also become a 500 E-RYT which is a much more prestigious standing for a yoga teacher.

Whatever your path, it starts with a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training!

I hope this blog helped you clarify some of your wonders and ideas and you are now equipped to make the best decision toward choosing a Yoga Teacher Training perfect for YOU! What is your next step going to be? Share with the tribe below!