How to Create a Yoga Teacher Training?

If you are a studio owner or a lead trainer, you might have guided countless students in their teacher training practice. Now, the next step for you can be to upgrade your position. You can do that by creating a yoga teacher training program. 

How to Create a Yoga Teacher Training?

Becoming a yoga teacher is a powerful journey, however, creating your own yoga teacher training program is a big responsibility. A structured YTT program is not about teaching poses, it’s about creating a knowledgeable, structured, and ethical course.

To create your yoga teacher training, here’s what you should consider – 

1. Define Your Vision and Philosophy

The number one step to start anything is to have a clear vision and philosophy for the YTT program. It is highly essential because it lays the foundation of your program. Answer a few questions like 

• Why are you creating the YTT program? – Is it because you wish to spread authentic yoga teachings, expand your yoga studio’s offerings, or share a different yoga approach with students?
• What teaching values do you wish to impart? – Do you want to teach inclusivity, honesty, compassion, or alignment? Values are a key factor because they shape the YTT curriculum.
• What kind of yoga styles do you want to focus on? – The kind of yoga style you wish to choose reflects your entire YTT curriculum. For example, Hatha, Yin, Ashtanga, or Kundalini yoga, or a fusion of styles. 

Core Teaching Approach – 

Every successful YTT program has a key teaching philosophy. This can sound like – 

• Traditional Approach – This approach births from classical yoga texts and spiritual teachings. 
• Modern Approach – This one focuses on science-based movements, inclusivity, and biomechanics. 
• Holistic & Therapeutic – This approach refers to including holistic practices like Ayurveda, breathwork, and energy healing. 
• Inclusive & Accessible – This approach will focus on different body types, backgrounds, and individual abilities. 

Note – If you focus on spiritual growth, anatomy, philosophy, or a combination of the two, your clarity will shape the complete YTT program. 

2. Choose a Certification Level 

Another essential aspect is to choose which certification level you would like to create. Is it a 200-hour, 300-hour, or 500-hour Yoga Teacher Training program? 

The three major YTT programs are – 

• 200-Hour YTT – This is a beginner-level foundational course required to be eligible for advanced courses.
• 300-Hour YTT – This is an advanced-level training course for those who have completed the basic 200-Hour YTT.
• 500-Hour YTT – This is a combination of the 200 hour yoga teacher training and 300-hour courses, which share in-depth training. 

3. Designing a Yoga Alliance-Specific Curriculum 

Creating a YTT program that matches the Yoga Alliance standards involves a specific curriculum. Here are the requirements – 

1. Curriculum Standard – Yoga Alliance has a set curriculum for different Registered Yoga Schools (RYS), like

200-Hour RYT program – It must include educational categories like techniques, training and practice, yoga humanities, anatomy and physiology, and professional essentials. 

300-Hour RYT program – It is developed on the foundation of a 200-hour training with extra details like teaching voice and methodology, yoga teacher’s ethics, and practicum.

Other Requirements by Yoga Alliance –

2. Qualifications for Lead Trainer 

Every YTT program must have a lead trainer who has an experienced registered yoga teacher (E-RYT) credential. For example, an E-RYT 500 can serve as a lead trainer for 200, 300, and 500-hour programs. 

3. Staff Requirements 

Other faculty members should also hold relevant qualifications and experience in their subject line. This allows high-quality training across all areas. 

4. Operational Policies 

• Hours of Instruction – Yoga Alliance allows only 14 instructional hours each day in a YTT program.
• Certificate Issuance – The completion certification must have accurate information like –

• RYS’ name as registered with Yoga Alliance in English characters
• The program designation, such as the level of training conducted – 200 hour, 300 hour, 500 hour, Children’s, and Prenatal Yoga.
• A space for the trainee’s name
• A space for the authorized signatory’s hand signature, like the Lead Trainer or owner of the RYS
• A space for the signatory’s legal name.
• A space for the training completion date (day, month, and year)

4. Decide the Training Format

Choosing a training format that you will offer is another important part of creating a yoga teacher training program. There are 3 types of training formats usually offered – 

• In-person Training – It is a physical group training where you directly interact with the students. For this, you must have a yoga space for teaching and physical study materials for students. 
• Online Training – It is an online, flexible training where students get in touch with your recorded videos or live yoga classes. You need to develop strong digital content for this. 
• Hybrid Training – It is a mix of online and in-person training, where some days are for online learning and some are for in-person training. You will need both digital content, yoga space, and physical study material for this. 

P.S. – You can create digital content by recording videos on a DSLR and using various webinar hosting tools. This is possible only after your YTT program is approved by the Yoga Alliance. (covered in further points) 

5. Time Duration for Training 

Remember to consider your program length. For example, 4-6 weeks, 6 months, or 12 months. This is how the Yoga Alliance standards are applicable for each program – 

200-Hour YTT – This program requires a total of 200 instructional hours. It allows a maximum of 14 instructional hours per day. If the program is conducted intensively, then it can run for 15 days or more, depending on how long you wish to cover the topics. 

300-Hour YTT – This program requires 300 instructional hours.  The training can be completed in 22 days or more. 

500-Hour YTT – This program requires 500 instructional hours. The training can be completed in 37 days or more. 

6. Course Outline 

Developing a course outline is the basic requirement of creating a professional, structured, and cohesive YTT program. An outline helps visualize content requirements, time allocation, and effort during the process of planning and content creation. 

Yoga Alliance has divided the instructional hours into particular categories, like – 

1. Training, Techniques, and Practice (75 hours minimum) 

• It includes asana, pranayama, meditation, and kriya breakdowns.
• Create a list of each posture with alignment cues, benefits, cons, and modifications.

2. Anatomy & Physiology (30 hours)

• It must have 20 hours of direct instruction. 
• You can include functional anatomy, bodily systems, biomechanics, and subtle body (chakras, nadis, etc).

3. Yoga Humanities (30 hours)
   You can include yoga philosophy, lifestyle, ethics, and essential texts like the Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, lineage, and yogic living.
4. Professional Essentials (50 hours)

• This will include teaching methodology, cueing, theming, sequencing, and teaching practice. 
• You may include feedback sharing, holding space, and teaching inclusively and ethically.

5. Elective Hours (15 hours)
   These hours can be used flexibly around any category based on your school’s or program’s vision.

1. Visualize the Program’s Flow 

• You can break the curriculum into modules or weeks according to topics. 
• Decide how the program will progress practically from basic concepts to advanced ones. 
• Prefer teaching simpler ideas first, then share complex topics. 

2. Distribute Hours to Each Topic 

• Consider assigning specific hours to every section of your outline to meet minimum requirements. 
• Such as – “Pranayama – 10 hours, “Yoga Sutras – 8 hours, Teaching – 20 hours.”

3. Plan Diverse Learning Styles 

• You can balance experiential, lecture-based, and reflective learning. 
• You can mix practice, group discussions, journaling, public classes, partner work, and teaching drills.  

4. Modular-Based Outline 

• You can design your outline in different modules, like 5 modules of 30 hours each. 
• This is helpful for students to absorb information in small steps. 

P.S. – You can share your manual with someone else for proofreading to list out typos and overlooked mistakes. 

5. Submission 

• After completion, it is important to submit your outline properly. 
• You can keep a spreadsheet to link every lesson plan, topic, and recorded video to a proper hour bucket. This will help you in editing and approval. 

7. Outline Submission 

Submitting with Yoga Alliance requires an in-depth submission of topics, categories, and instructional hours. Start with – 

• Create an account on the Yoga Alliance website, finish the application form, and upload the necessary documents. 
• You can expect a review within 6 weeks post-submission. 
• A lot of manuals are rejected in the beginning, but don’t lose hope. 
• After selection, your assigned credentialing officer will mail you suggested edits. 
• In case you are unclear about the feedback, you can schedule a call to avoid numerous revisions. 

8. A Strong Teaching Team 

Collaboration with expert teachers in philosophy, anatomy, and meditation is beneficial. A team of yoga trainers offers an enriching training experience. 

• As per the Yoga Alliance Standards, at least 1 lead trainer must have an E-RYT 500. (for 200-hour program)
• A registered yoga school is allowed a maximum of 5 lead trainers. 
• On the RYS registration application, provide details for each trainer like full name, contact number, Yoga Alliance ID, current credentials, designation, detailed biography highlighting teaching experience, expert areas, and relevant qualifications.
• Mention every trainer’s number of teaching hours during the program.
• Create a note that the lead trainer meets the required minimum hours as per Yoga Alliance standards.​
• Add a resume of all trainers, additional certifications, or credentials citing their specialty in particular subject areas. 

9. Legal Aspects

Developing a strong legal and financial foundation is important for the success and credibility of a Yoga Teacher Training program. Here’s an organized approach for financial  compliance –

1. Business Structure and Registration 

• Develop a Legal Structure – Choose a proper legal structure for your yoga school. 
• Business Registration – You can complete all the essential registrations with local and national authorities to operate legally. 

2. Yoga Alliance Policies 

• Code of Conduct – You must adhere to Yoga Alliance’s Code of Conduct, which outlines professional and ethical behaviors from members. 
• Scope of Practice – The school’s operation must align with the mentioned scope of practice, like teaching practices and boundaries. 

3. Liability Insurance 

• Insurance Coverage – It is essential to secure insurance coverage to protect yourself and the school from any potential claims. For example, injuries or damages during yoga training sessions.
• Member Benefits – If you are a Yoga Alliance member, you have access to professional resources like legal templates, liability waivers to assist you in the process. 

10. Financial Aspects 

• Plan your Budget – You can utilize the budget tools provided by the Yoga Alliance. They offer a Budget Calculator to help RYS applicants manage business budgeting and create net income projections. 
• Fee Discussions – You must ensure engaging in straightforward and professional discussions related to fees and financial matters with prospective trainees. 
• Pro Bono – The Yoga Alliance’s Code of Conduct allows offering services to underserved individuals or groups on a pro bono basis. 
• Tax Obligations – Understanding tax responsibilities, including income tax, is important. 

11. Training Cost Analysis 

• Choose to set a fair price reflecting the value of your training. Calculate all the expenses involved in delivering the yoga teacher training program, like yoga instructor salaries, venue costs, marketing and administrative expenses, and materials and resources. 
• You can do market research by investigating the pricing of similar programs in your area. It makes it easy to reflect on your competitor’s pricing, your course’s quality, and diversity. 
• Consider focusing on the aspects that add value, like detailed curriculum, Yoga Alliance accreditation, or post-graduation support. 

Conclusion – Final Thoughts

A YTT is not just a course, it is a knowledge hub. Creating a YTT program can be a fulfilling journey that lets you share your wisdom, inspire other teachers, and the next generation of yogis. 

By following the Yoga Alliance guidelines, structuring the curriculum strategically, and combining the right educational, financial, and legal elements, you create an impactful training program. 

Know that it’s not about teaching yoga but about building a community, sharing your yoga knowledge, offering ongoing support for continuing education, and creating a memorable experience for students. 

Always choose to be authentic and trust the process. The world needs mindful yoga teachers who create valuable yoga teacher training programs like yours!