Teaching yoga is one of the trendiest careers today. The chances of a flourishing career in yoga increase when you have done your Yoga Teacher Training from a Registered Yoga School.
Among them also, you will want to enroll into the best yoga instructor course recognized globally. That will be a perfect kickstart of your yoga journey, as they say “Well begun is half done”.
Therefore, in this blog, we will provide you with all the essential information on yoga teacher training courses- why you should enroll for them, top picks for the best courses, and tips on how to choose the best yoga instructor certification program.
Quick Facts
- As per the report of Global Wellness Institute, “Move to be well: The Global Economy of Physical Activity”, mindful movement is the fastest growing segment with 16.8% increase from 2019-2022 as millions turned to yoga for stress reduction and at-home exercise.
- As per the Yoga Alliance report “What the latest yoga statistics reveal about us”, in the US nearly 75% of yoga teachers indicated that their primary source of income is leading yoga classes.
Why Become a Certified Yoga Instructor?
This ancient science has benefited people of all age groups, gender, caste, and religion globally. Taking yoga classes will never be affected by market fluctuations, time zones, seasons etc. Yoga benefits go beyond the mat and extend to all parties involved.
Thus, Certified Yoga Instructors bear the responsibility and pride of spreading the benefits of yoga in the society.
Enhance Overall Well-Being
You can get many benefits from regular practice of yoga: physical, mental, and spiritual. It can increase flexibility, strength, balance, and mental clarity and also reduce stress to a great extent.
Enable Transformation
Many who take up yoga teacher training programs say it’s life-changing. Graduates often report deep emotional transformation through a holistic approach, combining Yoga Asanas, Yoga Philosophy, and Meditation enabling noticeable changes at all levels of existence.
Enriches Daily Life with Profoundness
Graduates often say that their training has equipped them to apply yoga principles in their daily lives. This application is the proof of the quality of yoga training which is principal to experiencing profoundness.
Fosters Sense of Community
Many students mention the supportive and nurturing environment during the yoga course which gives them a sense of belongingness and connection. This community aspect is important for personal growth and sustained practice as it provides a network of like-minded people who share the same passion for yoga.
The delicate balance of demand and responsibility is perfectly taught in a good Yoga Teacher Training program. Here’s a list of the best institutes shaping a perfect yoga teacher.
Top Institutes of 2024 Providing Yoga Teacher Training Courses
The best Yoga Teacher Training can only be provided at a registered and certified yoga school. We provide you with a list of five popular yoga institutes providing yoga certification online.
Drishti Beats
Drishti Beats is a Yoga Alliance certified school with a 4.97 rating. It provides 200-Hour YTT, 300-Hour YTT, 500-Hour YTT, and 8 days Retreat Yoga Training at Komune Resort on the East Coast of Bali.
Besides the structured content adhering to the Yoga Alliance standards, Drishti Beats also explores the unique relationship between sound and music, and how it enhances the yogic experience of the students.
Siddhi Yoga
Rated as one of the 20 Most Promising Institutes in India in 2018, Siddhi Yoga was also the SME 500 Singapore Awards winner in 2022. With Yoga Alliance accreditation and these awards to its credit, Siddhi Yoga is a popular choice for online yoga certification.
Our courses cover different styles of yoga like Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training.
One of the unique features of Siddhi Yoga courses is experiential learning. Students are encouraged to practice, reflect, and integrate the knowledge into their daily lives, so it’s a holistic and practical approach to learning. This way students internalize the teachings and can apply it in their daily practice and yoga classes.
Our courses are unique to include Bhakti Yoga in the teachings. This is done to effectively channelize emotions of a yoga teacher before he starts teaching yoga.
Yoga for special conditions also needs a separate mention. This subject includes Yoga Therapy aspects in the curriculum which are essential for a certified yoga teacher to know.
Brett Larkin Yoga Uplifted
You can experience one of the most popular Yoga Teacher Training in the yoga industry with Brett Larkin Yoga Uplifted. Brett Larkin has authored a book called “Yoga Life” and has taught more than 3000 students from 30 countries.
They are also a Yoga Alliance-certified institute. What makes their course stand out is their deep understanding of Anatomy and Physiology and how they have integrated that knowledge with yogic movements in their course content. They also emphasize Sanskrit as an instrument of Yoga.
The Maze Method
This Yoga Alliance certified institute provides an opportunity to learn from experienced yoga teachers who have spent over 50 years collectively deeply learning different styles of yoga, practices, and associated philosophies.
Their study emphasizes critical thinking with an inquisitive approach to yoga studies. They focus on exploring deeper dimensions of yoga practice, a greater understanding of biomechanical alignment principles, and a detailed knowledge of intelligent sequencing with Vinyasa Theory.
Every day learning at The Maze method consists of an intricate balance of deep theory, advanced practices, and practical philosophy.
YogaRenew
This certified Registered Yoga School provides a comprehensive curriculum consisting of Yoga Philosophy, Business, and Practice for an ideal yoga teacher.
Their syllabus includes knowledge of History, Philosophy, Yoga Anatomy, Asanas, Pranayama, Meditation, Yoga Business and Marketing, Mudras, Teaching Tips, Sequencing and Structure, Yoga Beyond the Mat, Chakra Therapy, and Different Styles of Yoga.
When there are multiple options, choosing the right yoga school becomes a laborious task. We provide you with the factors to weigh in for making this essential decision.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Appropriate Yoga Teacher Certification Program
Choosing the best yoga certification programs is a big step in your journey to becoming a Registered Yoga Teacher. Consider the following factors to make a correct decision:
Accreditation
Accreditation is one of the most important factors to consider. A program accredited by Yoga Alliance ensures international validity. This certification not only adds value to your qualifications but also opens doors to teaching opportunities worldwide.
Why Yoga Alliance Certification Matters
Maintains Ethical Standards
Yoga Alliance is the main organization that regulates yoga teaching, ensuring a common code of ethics among yoga fraternity globally.
RYT Credentials
By completing a Yoga Alliance program, you can get Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) credential which is highly respected in the yoga business.
Professional Recognition for Teaching Yoga
Having a Yoga Alliance certification is important for professional recognition and credibility. It ensures employers that you have undergone thorough training and adhere to high professional standards. Although it’s not a legal requirement, it’s often a requirement for getting hired in a good yoga studio and fitness center.
Standard International Framework
It provides a standard framework that ensures all certified yoga teachers have a common and thorough understanding of Yoga Asana Sequences, Yoga Techniques, Yoga Philosophy, and Foundational Yoga Practice internationally.
Networking
If you are certified by Yoga Alliance, it enables effective networking among yoga teachers. It connects you to the online yoga community, and provides opportunities for Continued Education and Professional Development. This network can be very useful for support, resources, and career growth.
Therefore, Yoga Alliance accreditation is worth it if you are looking for an authentic and internationally valid yoga certification.
Course Formats
A course format can be judged through the following parameters:
Online Training and In-Person Training
In online teacher training programs, time and place are not the restrictions. You can learn from any part of the globe through an online mode. While in-person training has their own benefits where you learn in a formal setup completely devoting specific time and physically being with the coaches.
You can understand better about both these learning formats through the following table:
| Online Training | In-Person Training |
| You can learn at your own pace, according to your schedule | You have to follow the schedule of the class and finish the course with them |
| More flexibility: you can study anywhere, anytime | Less flexibility: you have to attend classes at a specific time and place |
| No structured environment, sometimes not conducive to study | A formal structured environment, conducive to study |
| Less motivating if you want direct interaction and immediate feedback | Regular direct interaction motivates some students and supports immediate doubt clarification |
| Makes networking difficult | Promotes a sense of belongingness and enables networking and support |
| Is more cost-effective | Is more expensive than an online course |
| Gives access to a wealth of supplementary materials and resources for reference anytime | Limited supplementary materials and resources |
Ultimately, the choice between online and in-person yoga teacher certification depends on your learning style, lifestyle, and your current stage of life. Both have their own benefits and you need to choose the one that suits you best.
Structure and Duration
The structure and duration of the training program are also a part of the course format to be considered for the training of a Registered Yoga Teacher.
The 200-Hour YTT course covers a brief introduction to the main topics and the basic yoga concepts.
The 300-Hour YTT or the Advanced Training covers Advanced Yogic Practices and Training like Yoga for Specific Ailments, Advanced Mudras and Bandhas, Yoga Sutras, and Advanced Meditation Techniques.
500-Hour YTT is a combination of both the Basic and Advanced Yoga Teacher Training.
You can either enroll for a 200 Hour YTT first if you are still not sure about your career path. Then you can upgrade with the addition of 300 Hour YTT. If you are sure about your path, you can directly register for a 500 Hour YTT.
Intensity of the Program
The intensity of the program considering the right yoga teaching methodology also matters in your decision.
While the Yoga Alliance-certified Yoga Teacher Training requires more extensive learning and takes longer to complete than ISSA certified Yoga Instructor Courses, it’s more in-depth. This can be extremely beneficial for those who want to dive deeper into their own practice and also to those who want to teach yoga.
Course Content
The curriculum is another factor you should consider for thorough understanding of the subject. It should match your career goals and interests so you can get the most out of your yoga certification program. Some of the topics to be covered in an ideal Registered Yoga Teacher training are:
Introduction to Yoga
It covers Yoga Basics and a brief introduction to various yogic concepts like Shatkarma, Sukshma Vyayama, Kriyas, Bandhas, Mudras, Chakras, Nadis, Yoga Nidra, different Yoga Styles, etc.
A Brief Introduction to the Yogic Texts
Yogic scriptures are a treasure box for a yoga aspirant. Texts like Patanjal Yoga Sutras, Hathapradipika, and Bhagavad Geeta enrich the future yoga teachers with the ancient wisdom that stands the test of time.
Anatomy and Physiology
Yoga Teacher Training provides the yoga teacher with a deeper knowledge of organs, organ systems, and the effects of different yogic practices on them.
Yoga and Ayurveda
Yoga is beyond the mat. Yoga teacher certification emphasizes on living a yoga lifestyle through a profound knowledge of Ayurveda and its concepts like Dincharya and Ritucharya.
Introduction to Different Yoga Styles
If you complete your training from a Registered Yoga School, they are not limited to Ashtanga Yoga. They cover multiple styles of yoga like Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Power Yoga, Kriya Yoga, Mantra Yoga, and Yin Yoga.
Introduction to Different Paths of Yoga
Yoga Teacher Training is incomplete without the knowledge of different paths to yoga like Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Gyana Yoga.
Yoga Philosophy
Yoga philosophy guides our thoughts and motivates our actions. Important philosophical yoga concepts which are a part of an ideal yoga course are Yama, Niyama, Maitri, Karuna, Mudita, Upeksha, Abhyasa, Vairagya, etc. Most of them are mentioned in Patanjali Yoga Sutra and other yogic texts.
Meditation
Many people want to do yoga training because they want to experience and learn meditation. Multiple techniques of meditation are taught in yoga certification programs like Meditation with Breath Awareness, Mantra Meditation, Mindfulness, Preksha Dhyan, Vipassana Dhyan, Yoga Nidra, Meditation as per Patanjali Yoga Sutra, etc.
Practical
Yoga Teacher Training should provide an in-depth knowledge of the techniques, procedures, and benefits of different asanas and pranayamas.
Their syllabus should include Sun Salutations, Standing Asanas, Sitting Asanas, Asanas in the Supine Position, Asanas in the Inverted Position, Importance of Pranayama, Shavasana, and Practical Meditation Techniques.
Teaching Methodology
Teaching Methodology must be included in a good Yoga Teacher Training so that the learner is equipped with different methods and techniques of yoga instruction to teach yoga to different types of students.
A yoga teacher should be totally comfortable to conduct independent yoga classes by the end of the yoga teacher training.
Cost
Cost is another factor. Yoga teacher certification can cost from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Check your budget and ensure the program you choose gives good value for money.
For example, 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training at Siddhi Yoga costs $397, one of the most cost effective teacher training to start your yoga journey. For aspiring yoga teachers affordability is a big factor so you can assess your budget along with the value each course offers.
After evaluating a yoga teacher training course on the above parameters, you can choose the best Yoga Teacher Training course that suits your requirements.
Conclusion
Being a certified yoga teacher is one of the hottest careers today. It leads to the overall development of the teacher as well as the student. A planned yoga program ensures the teacher’s own yoga practice is also done regularly.
In this blog, we shared the basic information on the options you can choose to become a yoga teacher from a Registered Yoga School.
You can conveniently start your Yoga Teacher Training with this information. If you ardently practice yoga and move forward with the right attitude, you can be the next big contributor in the yoga industry.
