Becoming a lead trainer at a yoga school is more than just a job—it’s an opportunity to share your passion for yoga on a deeper level, mentor new teachers, and shape the future of yoga education.
If you’ve been teaching yoga for a while and feel like it’s time to take your career to the next level, this could be the perfect path for you.
Whether you dream of leading yoga teacher training programs, guiding students through their journey, or being recognized as an expert in the field, stepping into the role of a lead trainer is both rewarding and satisfying.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about becoming a lead trainer – from the qualifications required to the latest trends in yoga education. Let’s get started!
Who is a Lead Trainer?
A lead trainer is a person in charge of the entire yoga training course. He manages the progress and conduct of the class along with its multiple stakeholders. He is the main decision-making authority for the day-to-day issues of a specific yoga teaching class.
What does a Lead Trainer Do?
Some responsibilities of a lead trainer include:
- Conducting the yoga training classes regularly and effectively for all the enrolled students.
- Planning the sessions and ensure that they are as per the curriculum plan.
- Teaching for a maximum number of teaching hours in the yoga teacher training sessions.
- Acting as a point of contact between the students, other trainers, and the management.
- Ensuring and implementing effective learning strategies according to the students’ and curriculum requirements.
Since the lead trainer must personally conduct a maximum number of teaching hours for a batch, he must have exceptional yoga knowledge and a knack for presenting that knowledge. Therefore, Yoga Alliance has laid down a set of qualifications and prerequisite experience that a lead trainer must have.
Qualifications and Experience of a Lead Trainer
For a Registered Yoga School, it is mandatory to have a designated lead trainer for their yoga teaching classes. Find below the gist of the qualifications and experience of a lead trainer.
Lead Trainer at RYS 200
An RYS 200 is a certified yoga school that offers a 200-hour yoga teacher training. This school meets Yoga Alliance standards to maintain the quality of yoga education.
- Educational qualifications: Till 31st December 2024, ERYT 200 can continue to be a lead trainer at RYS 200. But from 1st January 2025, a lead trainer at RYS 200 must have ERYT 500 credentials.
- Experience: From 1st January the lead trainer at RYS 200 must have a minimum teaching experience of four years post-training.
Lead Trainer at RYS 300Â
An RYS 300 is a Yoga Alliance-certified yoga school that can offer 300-hour advanced yoga teacher training. This focuses on advanced techniques, practices, and teaching methods to further develop yoga instructors.
- Educational qualifications: A lead trainer at RYS 300 must have ERYT 500 credentials.
- Experience: A minimum teaching experience of four years post-training.
Lead Trainer at RYS 500
An RYS 500 is a Yoga Alliance-accredited yoga school that offers a 500-hour yoga teacher training. This combines the fundamental 200-hour training and the advanced 300-hour training courses to give a complete and in-depth education in yoga to train teachers to teach at a higher level.
- Educational qualifications: A Lead Trainer at RYS 500 must have ERYT 500 credentials.
- Experience: A minimum teaching experience of four years post-training.
Lead Trainer at RCYS
An RCYS (Registered Children’s Yoga School) is a yoga school accredited to offer training to teach yoga to children. This school offers a comprehensive program to train learners on child development, safe practices, and effective teaching techniques to create fun and age-appropriate yoga classes for kids.
- Educational qualifications: The lead trainer must be ERYT 200 or ERYT 500 along with a mandatory RCYT (Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher). You may complete your RCYT and RYT programs in any order but cannot register as a RCYT until the RYT has been completed. So, you require the following qualifications:
- Complete at least a 200-hour teacher training with a RYS 200
- Complete a 95-hour teacher training with a Registered Children’s Yoga School (RCYS)
- Experience: An RCYT has to have 30 hours of teaching experience in children’s yoga along with the necessary experience of obtaining ERYT 200 or ERYT 500 credentials.
Lead Trainer at RPYS
An RPYS (Registered Prenatal Yoga School) is a yoga school accredited to offer training in prenatal yoga. This school trains on how to safely and effectively teach yoga to pregnant women, including topics like anatomy, pregnancy stages, and modifications to support the physical and emotional well-being of expecting mothers.
- Educational qualifications: The lead trainer must be ERYT 200 or ERYT 500 along with a mandatory RPYT (Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher). You may complete your RPYT and RYT programs in any order but cannot register as a RPYT until the RYT has been completed. So, you require to fulfill the following training requirements:
- Complete at least a 200-hour teacher training with a RYS 200.
- Complete an 85-hour teacher training with a Registered Prenatal Yoga School (RPYS).
- Experience: An RPYT has to have 30 hours of teaching experience in prenatal yoga along with the necessary experience of obtaining ERYT 200 or ERYT 500 credentials.
The required qualifications and experience of a lead trainer are summed up in the table below.
| RYS Designation | Educational Qualification | Teaching Experience |
| RYS 200 | Till 31st December 2024, ERYT 200 is allowed. From 1st January 2025, ERYT 500 is mandatory | Minimum four years of teaching experience from 1st January 2025 |
| RYS 300 | ERYT 500 | Minimum four years |
| RYS 500 | ERYT 500 | Minimum four years |
| RCYS | ERYT+RCYT | 30-hours in children’s yoga |
| RPYS | ERYT+RPYT | 30-hours in prenatal yoga |
You can see that the credential of an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (ERYT 500) is necessary for a lead trainer at a registered yoga school. There are different ways you can get that credential.
How to obtain an E-RYT 500 credential?
If you complete a 500-hour YTT from an RYS 500, you can obtain the credentials of an RYT 500. Then you can get additional teaching experience by becoming an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (ERYT 500). You can choose one of the following ways for the same:
- 500-hour YTT
Complete a 500-hour YTT Course with an RYS 500 and get a minimum teaching experience of four years post-training. You can register for a 500-hour YTT at Siddhi Yoga. We are Yoga Alliance accredited and valid internationally.
- 200-hour and 300-hour YTT
Complete a 200-hour YTT Course with an RYS 200 and then complete a 300-hour YTT to complete a total of 500-hour YTT. You can complete both the YTT from different yoga schools but both the schools must be registered with Yoga Alliance. We also offer these courses at the click of a button.
- 2000 teaching hours experience
Post RYT 500, you must be able to document 2000 teaching hours for the ERYT 500 designation. 1500 hours must be taught after completing a RYS 200 or RYS 500 YTT. The remaining 500 teaching hours must be taught after completing RYS 300 or RYS 500 YTT.
- You do not belong to RYS
If you are a qualified yoga teacher but not from a registered yoga school with Yoga Alliance, do not worry! You can take the Experienced Teacher Pathway (ETP). If you meet one of the following requirements, you can submit an ETP application:
- You have completed a minimum of 500 hours of training from no more than three pathways of study (dedicated and integrated focus of study from a singular school, style, or tradition of yoga) and you can provide documentation of the training.
- You have a minimum of 10 years of teaching experience after the first 200 hours of training.
- Five years of teaching experience after 300 hours of additional training.
- You have completed a minimum of 3000 hours of teaching experience in multiple modalities and can provide documentation of those experiences.
Thinking whether just a professional qualification will pull you through? Think twice! With the increasing competition, where many people might have credentials and certifications like you, what will make an actual difference is your skills.
Skills Required to Become a Lead Trainer
A lead trainer must have ample technical and soft skills to excel in the work as well as stand out in the competition.
- Technical skills:
- A solid understanding of yoga anatomy and alignment is crucial.
- Exceptional practical demonstration skills of the asanas and pranayamas.
- Knowing the exact sequence of movements and being able to masterfully instruct the same.
- Expertise in multiple styles of yoga (like Hatha, Vinyasa, or Restorative Yoga) helps you offer variety in your training programs.
- You should be able to teach advanced concepts like sequencing, pranayama, meditation, and yoga philosophy with ease.
- Soft Skills:
- Leadership and communication skills are essential when mentoring other teachers and guiding students through their learning journey.
- You’ll need the ability to adapt to your student’s needs and adjust your teaching style accordingly.
- Organization skills are key for planning and managing teacher training courses.
Do you have it in you? If yes, leading the yoga teaching class is just the right choice for you. As you teach, you will learn too! And on the way reap multiple benefits of becoming a lead trainer.
Benefits of Becoming a Lead Trainer
- A registered yoga school must appoint Experienced Registered Yoga Trainers (ERYT) with the required specifications as the lead trainers. An RYS can have a maximum of 5 lead trainers. So, you will always have work to do!
- You gain the required teaching experience. Any teaching experience is a continuous learning and growing experience for the teacher himself.
- You do not lose touch with the subject after your training.
- It’s a nice and easy way to serve the institute that taught you this important ancient yogic practice.
- Your yoga knowledge is utilized positively.
- You get an opportunity to serve the community.
- You remain healthy and fit to teach.
- As you teach multiple students for multiple hours, your yoga knowledge becomes subtler and deeper.
Till now you must have made up your mind! Already planned your lead trainer journey in your head? Have patience! If there is time for you to become a lead trainer, here are some tips you can pay attention to.
Tips for Aspiring Lead Trainers
- Continuing education
Keep learning! Whether it’s attending workshops, retreats, or taking courses, staying updated will make you a more effective trainer. You can find out more details on Yoga Alliance’s YACEP for Continuing Education Providers.
- Networking and mentorship
Build relationships with other yoga teachers, schools, and students. Having a mentor who is already a lead trainer can help guide your journey. This habit of networking will help you in your journey as a lead trainer.
- Develop your style
Every teacher has a unique style of communicating and teaching. Find your voice as a teacher and develop your unique teaching style. Lead trainers with a clear and authentic approach stand out.
- Focus on your practice
Personal yoga practice is just as important as teaching. Because then teaching would also come naturally. A consistent yoga practice will deepen your understanding and keep you inspired.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, being a lead trainer is not just about getting credentials and teaching experience. It is much broader than these visible and countable gains. It is about continuous learning and growing experience.
It is about being flexible, not only in the body but also in the mind. It is about adapting to the changing times and educational trends like teaching online or in a hybrid mode. It is also about accepting the changing nature of students and their requirements.
You also need to have patience, mental balance, physical strength, endurance, good observation skills, and excellent communication skills. If you have them simply register for yoga programs to get the required experience for becoming a lead trainer.
You know in detail about all your options, so choose wisely!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT)?
Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) is a globally recognized credential provided by Yoga Alliance. These teachers complete their teacher training at a Registered Yoga School (RYS). A RYT has to meet the standards for RYT credentials set by Yoga Alliance. These credentials are valid internationally and are marked by a recognized quality of standard yoga education.
2. Who is a lead trainer?
A lead trainer is a person in charge of the entire yoga training course. He manages the progress and conduct of the class along with its multiple stakeholders. He is an experienced registered yoga teacher with different specific credentials depending on the YTT in question.
3. How many lead trainers are required at an RYS?
An RYS should have a maximum of five lead trainers.
4. I have not completed my yoga training at a Registered Yoga School (RYS), am I still eligible to become a lead trainer?
Yes, you can still become a lead trainer by taking an Experienced Teacher Pathway (ETP). If you meet the following requirements, you can submit an ETP application:
1. You have completed a minimum of 500 hours of training from no more than three 2. pathways of study (dedicated and integrated focus of study from a singular school, style, or tradition of yoga) and you can provide documentation of the training.Â
3. You have a minimum of 10 years of teaching experience after the first 200 hours of training.Â
4. Five years of teaching experience after 300 hours of additional training.
5. You have completed a minimum of 3000 hours of teaching experience in multiple modalities and can provide documentation of those experiences.Â
5. Do I need an ERYT 500 credential to become a lead trainer at RCYS or RPYS?
To become a lead trainer at RCYS you must have an ERYT 200/ ERYT 500 along with RCYT (Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher). To become a Lead Trainer at RPYS you must have an ERYT200/ ERYT 500 along with RPYT (Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher).Â
6. What is the role of a lead trainer?
Some responsibilities of a lead trainer include:
1. To conduct the yoga training classes regularly and effectively for all the enrolled students.
2. Plan the sessions and ensure that they are as per the curriculum plan.Â
3. Teach for a maximum number of teaching hours in the yoga teacher training.
4. To act as a point of contact between the students, other trainers, and the management.
5. To ensure and implement effective learning strategies according to the students’ and curriculum requirements.
