This is an article to clarify the different yoga trainings and certifications. Yoga teacher training can be both to deepen your practice and to start your professional path. So, where to begin? Here we go.
Pilu Yoga
E-RYT® 500, YACEP® Founder of Salty Water Yoga and leader of Online Aerial Yoga, Vinyasa, and Yin Yoga Teacher Trainings in Bali.
Perhaps you’ve noticed that yoga trainings are identified by the number of hours, such as 200 hours, 300 hours, 50 hours, etc. It’s important to clarify that this isn’t merely a quantitative matter. A 200-hour yoga teacher training meets specific content and structural requirements. A 300-hour training isn’t just an additional 100 hours on top of the 200-hour training; it has its own distinct requirements to fulfill. Shorter trainings are specialized courses for those who have already completed the 200-hour training, or both.
The difference in the yoga teacher trainings lies not only in the number of hours but also in the content they must include.
Where to start?
The 200-hour yoga teacher training is the first step to take. This training will provide you with essential and foundational knowledge about yoga. Regardless of the yoga style you practice, philosophy, meditation practice, and pranayama will be included. Anatomy will also be part of this training. These are exclusive requirements for the teacher training to be certified by Yoga Alliance.
How to proceed?
Enjoy what you have learned. Take time to familiarize yourself with the practice. We are constantly evolving, and the same practice can feel completely different at different times. My advice is to then take short courses on topics that interest you, such as 40, 50, or 100-hour trainings. This will help you get to know yourself better and discover your preferences. After some time (I would say years), consider joining a 300-hour training if that’s what interests you.
Choosing a yoga training can be overwhelming. Yoga has gained a lot of popularity and, unfortunately, sometimes trainings risk prioritizing only business aspects. Here’s a link with 5 tips to choose a quality course that best suits your needs.
Clarifications
- To teach classes, a 200-hour training is sufficient; the 300-hour training is not essential.
- You can start with the 300-hour training, but you cannot certify with Yoga Alliance until you have completed the 200-hour training.
I hope this article has provided answers to your questions.
If it’s still unclear, in the following article I detail each certification a bit more. Click below.
🤔But can I add shorter courses to reach the 200 hours required for RYT® 200?