We all know in the field of yoga there are lots of opportunities. Many different types and levels of yoga certifications exist, but in order to become an efficient yoga teacher, it takes good training to become one. So, if we do the math, excellent training and a certification will make you become a yoga teacher that every yoga students want to be with. We will have a rundown on all the questions related to yoga certifications here in this article.
As I am writing this, there is no authorized legal prerequisite for certification anywhere in the world to be found. This essentially means that to take a grasp with the knowledge that you can use to train students the practices of yoga, what you need is to select a program that corresponds with your aspirations and pursue it passionately!
Most gyms and studios prefer students of Yoga Alliance accredited schools, which is why taking a teacher training course or TTC from a Yoga Alliance Registered School (RYS) can be quite beneficial for your yoga teaching career.
What Certification Should You Have?
The Yoga Alliance has various certifications, in this article, we will show you and discuss these certifications, so in the end, you’ll know what certification is the one you need.
To Become a Yoga Teacher, Is It Necessary to have the Yoga Alliance Certification?
When you have the certificate given by the yoga alliance is it like having a college degree. It is not necessary to have this certification, and not all yoga teachers have this. Because the number of yoga teachers are expanding, having a certificate by the yoga alliance is now less important.
When applying in larger studios, the basic requirement needed is a 200-hour certificate. In this case, the yoga alliance certification is important and you can get one online now.
An Indian school like the Sivananda School also offers certification. This means that yoga alliance is not the only one giving certifications. In other words, studios and employers only need this certification in order for you to prove to them that you are really into yoga and passionate about it. But keep in mind that, will and commitment are important than these certifications.
The Difference Between a 200-Hour Certification and a 300-Hour Certification
Before having a 300-hour certification, you must have a 200-hour first. It is highly recommended that starters begin the 200-hour training which generally lasts for about 6 months up to a year if you are doing weekend programs. The 300-hour training, on the other hand, is recommended for yoga teachers who have been teaching for almost a year already. In this way, they can improve their skills and practice.
Are There any Differences in all 200-Hour Certifications?
By far there are not enough reasons to say that all 200-hour certifications have differences. Actually, they’re all the same, the only thing that is different is the style of yoga covered under each program and when the certificate is given by a famous teacher or school. Let’s say that you graduated on Yogaworks, it is a popular one and if you’re going to apply on a yoga studio and they noticed that your certification came from Yogaworks, they’ll quickly accept you. It is like a college degree which opens you up to a lot of opportunities.
The Difference Between the Part-Time Program and Intensive Training Certification
The certification you’ll get from these two is just the same, the only thing is the schedule of the training. You can have training that can be completed for one month, and there are some that you can take up for weekends only. The intensive training mostly occurs in places like Bali, India, Central America, and Thailand. Just like said, all of these have the same certification, the only thing that matters is what experience best fits you.
Am I Ready to Teach Yoga after I get my 200-Hour Certification?
Actually, it is up to you, it is only yourself that can tell you when you’re ready to teach. As long as you finish your 200-hour training, you can start teaching. Because some of the students that got their 200-hour certification immediately started teaching yoga full-time. But for others, they take the 200-hour training just to improve themselves in yoga, spending quality time with themselves or with family and friends.
We suggest for those who just got their 200-hour certification to start teaching yoga to those people closest to you, like for example, family and friends. In this way, you can still practice before stepping up into the real live class.
What is Covered in a 200 Hours Teacher Training?
Every yoga school has its own curriculum. Here is what’s covered in our 200-hour training program:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Chakras
- Postural Adjustment
- Pranayama
- Multiple Styles of Yoga
- Assisting
- Yoga Philosophy
- Sequencing
- The Yoga Sutras
- Asana Alignment and Modifications
Every topic listed here can be practiced for a lifetime and is viable for teaching others yoga.
What is Covered in a 300 Hours Yoga Teacher Training?
Like the 200-hour training, 300-hour training programs are fully customized by the schools or studios creating them. They have the same topics but only teaching the in-depth things needed and practice more and more on the same topic for a week. Here is what’s covered in our 300-Hour program:
- Advanced asana
- Advanced meditation
- Advanced pranayama
- Psychology of Yoga
- Ethics of teaching yoga
- Mudra
- The business of yoga teaching
- Bandhas
- Therapeutic applications of yoga
- Kriya
- Advanced studies of the history and philosophy of yoga
Am I Ready to Teach after I get my 300-Hour Certification?
There are teachers who have been teaching yoga for almost a year but still didn’t have their 300-hour certification. To answer the question, no one can really say when you are ready to start. As long as you have the skills, you can teach yoga at anyone, at any time. You’ll just need the 300-hour certification if you’re going to teach yoga full-time.
How Can I find a School that is Yoga Alliance Certified?
In general, the yoga schools have their own websites, and in there you can see if they are Yoga Alliance certified. It’s good to double-check at Yoga Alliance website.
Do I Need to Get my 200-hour and 300-Hour at the Same School?
It is not necessary, you can actually get these certifications from two different yoga schools.
How Much Does it Cost me to Become a Registered and Certified Yoga Teacher?
Most yoga teacher training programs cost starting from $1,200 to $5,000 or higher. If you wish to register yourself with Yoga Alliance, there is a standard $50 fee for you to be registered. And then there is another $65 annual fee to have your certification status maintained.
What are the Other Certificates the Yoga Alliance offer?
E-RYT 200 hour
This certification is dedicated to the yoga teachers who have finished their 200-hour training and have taught for almost 1000 hours and 2 years after they’ve finished their certification. Whenever a teacher is E-RYT certified, they can now lead the teacher training that can certify other students to become yoga teachers.
E-RYT 500 hour
This is dedicated to teachers who have both finished their 200-hour and 300-hour training and have at least taught for 2,000 hours and have been teaching yoga for about 4 years just after completing their 200-hour training. When teachers are E-RYT 500-hour certified, they can lead both 200-hour and 300-hour yoga teacher training and can certify students applied in those courses.
Specialty Certifications
These kinds of certifications are not necessary but you can still take them for the purpose of the job market.
Children’s Yoga Teacher
To have the children’s yoga teacher certification, you must first finish a 200-hour teacher training. And you must have at least 30 hours of teaching experience.
Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher
Before teaching pregnant students, you must first complete a 200-hour teacher training and an 85-hour module in a school that can certify a registered prenatal yoga teacher. They must also have at least 30 hours of teaching experience, specifically classes on pregnant women.
Want to get your Yoga Alliance-approved professional yoga teaching certification while training with real Indian yoga teachers? Enroll now!
Hello sir