Yoga Certification

What Is Yoga Certification?

While yoga certification is not necessary to teach, to prove your skill and be fully prepared, you may want to become a certified yoga teacher. Programs for certification generally include techniques, teaching methodology, anatomy and physiology, philosophy, ethics, lifestyle, and student teaching.

Yoga Alliance is a non-profit organization that maintains a registry of teachers and programs that meet their standards. To be a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) or a Registered Yoga School (RYS), you must complete a 200- or 500-hour program.

The 200-hour program contains:

• 100 hours of techniques
• 20 hours of teaching methodology
• 20 hours of anatomy and physiology
• 20 hours of philosophy, ethics, and lifestyle
• 10 hours practicum (student teaching)
• 30 hours distributed according to need

The 500-hour program contains:

• 150 hours of techniques
• 30 hours of teaching methodology
• 35 hours of anatomy and physiology
• 50 hours of philosophy, ethics, and lifestyle
• 40 hours practicum (student teaching)
• 185 hours distributed according to need

Within that list, programs include things such as meditation, breathing techniques, the chakra system, body language and touch, art and the science of sequencing, purpose and use of props, and use of voice.

What Programs Are Out There?

Depending on your geographic region, you may have limited choices. Some yoga schools will have multiple locations, while at least one offers at-home training. Below is a list of several schools.

Georgetown Yoga

Georgetown Yoga offers a month-long, five-days-a-week teacher certification program at their location. Its price ranges from $2,700 to $2,900.

Yoga Works

Yoga Works offers both a 200- and 300-hour yoga certification program. They are registered with the Yoga Alliance. To teach for Yoga Works, you must have completed a 500-hour program.

Yoga Yoga Yoga

Yoga Yoga Yoga offers a 200-hour teacher certification program. They teach both Hatha and Kundalini, and their program costs $2,595.

Yoga Steps

Yoga Steps offers a 246-hour yoga certification program and continuing education credits. The program costs $1,741.

Mount Madonna Yoga

Mount Madonna Yoga offers both a 200- and 500-hours program, which are registered with the Yoga Alliance. The program is an intensive six-days-a-week, 5 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. program, with scholarships available. The cost begins at $2,215 for commuting students and goes up to $4,480, depending on accommodations.

AFPA Yoga Fitness Instructor

AFPA Fitness offers an at-home yoga certification program. The exam is self-administered and based on the materials provided, which include textbooks and DVDs. The program starts at $335, depending on the level at which you wish to receive certification.

Other Programs

Yoga Site provides a listing of yoga certification programs. While it does not endorse any of the programs, it’s a good place to start if you’re looking for a certification program in your area.

Whether you want to receive your yoga certification to teach or simply to improve your own skill and knowledge of yoga, there are many options available to you. Definitely research any program you’re interested in before enrolling.