Yoga Certification
Upholding yoga’s international code of standards
Yoga has spread its body-and-mind physical exercises rapidly to the Western world within the last decade. With so many yoga classes setting up shop, choosing a qualified yoga instructor can be confusing. This ancient Asian science requires instructors’ to draw from their personal experience and awareness to ensure their classes are safe and challenging.
Yoga Alliance expects yoga instructors to meet their international code of standards before they are allowed to use the designation RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) after their names. There are two types of certifications granted by Yoga Alliance for those who complete yoga teacher training within a limited period – a 200-hour certification and a 500-hour certification. The difference between a 200-hour and 500-hour certification is the total number of hours that individuals spend on learning the vast teachings and practices of Yoga. The hours signify the depth of the teacher’s knowledge in these 5 major areas: training techniques, teaching methodology, anatomy and physiology, yoga philosophy/lifestyle, and ethics and practicum.
- Techniques training / practice: includes learning the asanas, pranayama, mantra, chanting, kriyas, meditation and other traditional basic yoga techniques.
- Teaching methodology: teaches the principles of observation, demonstration, assisting, correcting, instruction, personal teaching styles, the qualities of being a teacher, studies the student learning process and discusses the business side of teaching yoga.
- Anatomy & physiology: educates students on the physical anatomy/physiology (human body systems, organs, etc.) and energy anatomy/physiology (chakras, nadis, etc.). It also entails the study and application of yoga practice in order for the teacher to experience the benefits, healthy movement patterns and contraindications of yoga.
- Yoga philosophy / lifestyle and ethics: the study of yoga philosophies, living a unique yoga lifestyle and the ethics upheld by the yoga teacher.
- Practicum: consists of practice teaching, observing and receiving feedback, in addition to assisting other yoga teachers.
In addition to Yoga Alliance, there are a few yoga institutions or organizations that certify qualified yoga instructors such as American Fitness Professional & Associates (AFPA), the National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association (NESTA), and a professional training program called ExpertRating. To become certified, you typically need to purchase the certification along with the books, videos and exams. Depending on the method you choose to study (either in class or online), the cost ranges from $50 to about $800.