An Advanced Guide to the 5 Yoga Certifications
By: Lindsay Miller
When you’re looking into yoga teacher trainings, it can all be very confusing.
There are different numbers, certifications and different levels of training.
But don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. Here’s a quick breakdown of the basics you need to know about yoga teacher trainings:
- Yoga for the fun of it. Not sure if you want to actually teach? Many people just want to deepen their yoga practice. This can be done in a 200 hour training or just in workshops or smaller trainings. You can choose online or in-person training since you’re only accountable to yourself for what you learn. There’s no need to register or certify upon completion.
- Yoga Alliance approved. The Yoga Alliance is an international organization that helps to make sure trainings meet certain standards. They also offer an international alliance for professional yoga teachers. Look for something that’s Yoga Alliance approved. You will know if a school is endorsed by Yoga Alliance if it has RYS (Registered Yoga School) on their website. You can also look up a school’s status and rating here.
- 200 Hour Teacher Training. This is the only training you need if you want to teach yoga. If a school is certified by Yoga Alliance, once you graduate you will receive your RYT 200 (Registered Yoga Teacher) card through Yoga Alliance. Registering with Yoga Alliance is optional but is important to help you grow your career. A 200 hour training should teach you about yoga philosophy, meditation, good alignment, anatomy, and common yoga poses. Above all it will help you teach students safely and effectively.
- RYT 300 Training. After you complete your 200 hour training, you can take advanced yoga training. This will add 300 hours to your 200 hour certification, bringing your total up to 500 hours. After you complete your 200 and 300 hour training you will be authorized as a 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 500). It’s best to take both trainings through a reputable school. Many schools require you to take your 200 hour training through them prior to enrolling in any advanced trainings.
- E RYT 200 or E RYT 500. These are the highest levels as a yoga teacher. To qualify you have to teach at least 2,000 hours.
- C-IAYT Yoga Therapist. This is currently the highest professional level in the world of yoga certifications. Yoga therapists have a combined total of 1200 hours of training in addition to their group and private practice hours. An individual is eligible to begin a yoga therapy training program after completing a 200 hour training program. These programs qualify you as a healthcare provider utilizing yoga and mindfulness with western healthcare. A school must be registered with the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT). Not very many schools complete the requirements for this certification. This is great for individuals who want to create an amazing career as a mindful yoga professional.
If you think you might be interested in advanced training, notice which schools offer them. If you’re not sure how to decide on a school, see our advice here. Finding a school that offers a pathway for your learning can save you time and money in the long run.
Inbody Academy offers training at all levels and we are certified by the Yoga Alliance and International Association of Yoga Therapists. Our dynamic yoga therapist training prepares students with a broad array of tools which can be used in private client therapy sessions. Reach out to recruiter@inbodyacademy.com for more info on any training program!