10 Best Online Yoga Teacher Training Certification Programs in 2022
If you’re considering becoming a yoga teacher, then you may wonder if an online yoga teacher training program is right for you.
During the pandemic, many yoga schools and yoga teachers had to pivot to online yoga courses and online training and they realised that operating as an online yoga school not only worked, but it had many benefits too.
The popularity of online yoga training continued as the pandemic came under control and online yoga schools — and online yoga teacher training courses — became a mainstay as an option for trainee yoga teachers.
One of the main reasons doing your yoga teacher training online is so popular is because it offers a lot of flexibility. You can study from anywhere in the world, and you don’t have to take time off work or away from your family to do it.
Online yoga teacher training programs are also much more affordable than in-person ones, with many self-paced courses available for under $250, whereas in-person yoga teacher trainings usually cost upwards of $2,500, however they usually include accommodation and food.
Another reason to consider an online yoga teacher training program is that you’ll get access to some of the best teachers in the world.
With an online program, you can study with teachers who live in different parts of the world and who have a wealth of experience. This is something that you might not do if you were doing an in-person yoga teacher training program, especially if you needed to do your teacher training in your hometown.
But there are cons, of course. Online training doesn’t offer the same interactive feedback as an in-person course can, and online learning won’t suit some students who prefer immersive environments, or don’t have access to a peaceful area in which to study and focus.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the best options for online yoga teacher training. We’ll answer some commonly asked questions you might have about the teacher training itself. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of doing your yoga certification online before finally exploring some ideas about how to maximise your income once you are a teacher.
Our picks for the best online yoga teacher training certification programs in 2022
- Best Online Yoga Teacher Training Overall: Ulu Yoga School
- Best Low Cost Online Yoga Teacher Training: Spirit Sadhana
- Best Online Yoga Teacher Training for Spiritual Exploration: D’Vine Yoga
- Best Online Yoga Teacher Training for 1-on-1 learning: Himalayan Yoga Retreat
- Best Online Yoga Teacher Training for Yoga Nidra: Vinyasa Yoga Shala
- Best Online Yoga Teacher Training for Kriya Yoga: Wonderland Healing Center
- Best Online Yoga Teacher Training for Iyengar Yoga: Adventure in Yoga by Ritu
- Best Online Yoga Teacher Training for Kundalini Yoga: Samadhi Yoga Ashram
- Best Online Yoga Teacher Training for Ayurveda Yoga: Adi Yogpeeth
- Best for Acro Yoga: Living Yoga School
Best Overall
Self-Paced, 200-Hour Online Training in Hatha, Vinyasa & Yin Yoga with Daily Live Classes by Ulu Yoga School
$599 at Ulu Yoga School
This online course by the Ulu Yoga school is exceptionally popular because you’ll learn to teach hatha, vinyasa, and yin yoga, as well as gaining valuable insight into meditation, philosophy, and anatomy through pre-recorded video modules and optional daily zoom classes.
Past clients rave about the simple structure of the course and how they teach in a clear and understandable way, so it’s easy to follow the instructor.
It isn’t the cheapest course, however you get what you pay for, and this is a top-quality, highly recommended course and you’ll become eligible to register with Yoga Alliance once you complete the program.
Highlights
- 200-hour multi-style online yoga teacher training
- Eligibility to become a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance upon completion
- 2 daily live sessions from Monday to Saturday
- 150 hours of pre-recorded videos to study at your own pace
- 50 non-contact hours
- They hold live online sessions over Zoom
- Online sessions’ time zone: Thailand time (ICT/GMT+7)
- Flexible duration: complete your yoga certification online on a timeframe to suit you between 28 days to 1 year
- Tuition credit for a yoga teacher training in Thailand or Bali
- Bonus Aerial and Acroyoga workshops
Best Low Cost
Self-Paced, 200-Hour, Low-Cost Online Yoga Teacher Training by Spirit Sadhana
$210 with Spirit Sadhana
Incredibly cheap but not lacking on quality, this course designed by Spirit Sadhana meets the 200-hour requirements for registration with the Yoga Alliance.
At the end of the course, you will be a certified yoga instructor, eligible to register with Yoga Alliance and qualified to teach worldwide.
Spirit Sadhana keeps their costs so low because most of the course is pre-recorded so you can study at your own pace.
It’s a great option if you are self-motivated and looking for a cost-effective way to become a yoga alliance certified teacher, but if you prefer working with other students or directly with an instructor, there are better options for you.
Highlights
- 200-hour online yoga teacher training
- Registered yoga school with Yoga Alliance — You’ll be eligible for registration upon completion
- Bilingual instructions and sessions: English and Spanish
- 20 contact hours, including a live final exam
- 180 non-contact hours for self-study at your own pace
- 10 online yoga sessions
- They will hold online sessions over WhatsApp
- Online sessions’ time zone: Barcelona, Spain (GMT +2)
- The duration of the course is 1 month to 6 months
Best for Spiritual Exploration
200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Online Course in Hatha & Ashtanga Vinyasa (Live + Self-Paced) by D’Vine Yoga School
$249 with D’Vine Yoga School
With a uniquely holistic approach to yoga, this extremely popular course by D’Vine Yoga School balances an authentic spiritual tradition with complete yogic education.
Students regularly report feeling inspired, enlightened and transformed and highlight the professionalism and compassion of the trainers.
It’s another course that is more budget-friendly and has a higher number of contact hours compared to some.
Highlights
- 200-hour online yoga teacher training
- Registered yoga school with Yoga Alliance — You’ll be eligible for registration upon completion
- 160 contact hours and 40 non-contact hours
- They will hold live online sessions over Zoom
- Online sessions’ time zone: Rishikesh, India (GMT +5:30)
- Live classes, including exams and yoga philosophy, pranayama, teaching methodology, Ayurveda, and meditation
- Personal study assistant, reachable 24/7 via WhatsApp or email
- Receive course materials: Comprehensive modules, reading list and PDF books/booklets (teaching methodology, philosophy, asana, anatomy, and Ayurveda)
Best for 1-on-1 learning
Self-Paced, Certified 200-hr Online Yoga Teacher Training in Private Mindfulness, Meditation and Holistic by Himalayan Yoga Retreat
$750 by Himalayan Yoga Retreat
Of all of our choices, this 1-on-1 course, with a focus on meditation and mindfulness and led by Krishna Raja, receives the highest amount of exceptional reviews. Students LOVE this Yoga Alliance-registered course.
One of the main reasons is that it’s a private 1-on-1 course — and considering that, the price is exceptional value — and if you want to receive individual attention and guidance from an excellent teacher and you prioritise that style of learning over collaborative learning with your peers, then it could be the course for you.
Highlights
- 200-hour online private holistic mindfulness yoga teacher training course
- A certificate upon completion accredited by “Yoga Alliance International” (You can register as a Yoga, Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher (RYT)).
- 100 live sessions, each for one hour — 100 contact hours comprising teaching, coaching, and teaching practice
- Minimum 100 non-contact hours for self-study, self-practice, and self-teaching practice
- They will hold live online sessions over Google Meet.
- Yoga, meditation and mindfulness sessions every day
- Time zone: Himalayan Yoga Retreat and Ayurveda Center are based in Siem Reap, Cambodia (GMT +7). From 6 a.m — 12 midnight (GMT +7)
Best for Yoga Nidra
Self-Paced, 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Online in Hatha, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Yin, Ayurveda & Kundalini Yoga by Vinyasa Yoga Shala
$249 by Vinyasa Yoga Shala
Another course with a huge amount of 5* reviews, students adore the well-constructed organisation of the course, value for money and flexibility of schedule.
Few other online courses have as comprehensive a cover on topics like hatha, vinyasa, ashtanga, yin, yoga nidra, kundalini, mantra, pranayama, meditation, alignment, anatomy, and philosophy and teaching techniques in one course.
Given that this course also includes 100 contact hours and eligibility for Yoga Alliance registration when you´re done, it’s an incredible price, too.
Highlights
- Self-paced, 200-hour online yoga teacher training
- Registered yoga school with Yoga Alliance — You’ll be eligible for registration upon completion
- 100 contact hours of live sessions
- 195 non-contact hours comprising recorded videos, study books, self-practice, and self-study
- They will hold live online sessions over Zoom
- Online sessions’ time zone: Rishikesh, India (GMT+5:30)
- Flexible duration: you can complete the course in 1, 3, 6 months, or 1 year
- Special discounts on advanced courses
Best for Kriya Yoga
Self-Paced, Multi-Style, 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Online by Wonderland Healing Center
$419 by Wonderland Healing Center
Wonderland Healing Center in Thailand has collaborated with the highly experienced teachers of Nirodha Yoga School to offer top-class tuition in this Yoga Alliance-registered online course, and one of the few that offers Kriya Yoga.
The duration in which you can complete this course is shorter than some, offering you the opportunity to complete the course within 3 months.
You work through the 25 contact hours over 28 days, with six non-contact hours per day for self-study and four recorded yoga sessions per day, so if you are looking for a more time-intensive option, this could be a great choice for you.
Highlights
- 200-hour online yoga teacher training
- Registered yoga school with Yoga Alliance — You’ll be eligible for registration upon completion
- 25 contact hours in live sessions
- A designated 6 non-contact hours per day for self-study
- They will hold live online sessions over Zoom
- Online sessions’ time zone: Surat Thani, Thailand (GMT+7)
- Flexible duration: complete the course at your own pace between 4 weeks to 3 months
- Join a future in-person Nirodha teacher training course at Wonderland for free.
Best for Iyengar Yoga
20-Day, 200-Hour, Online Yoga Teacher Training Course by Adventure in Yoga by Ritu
$629 by Adventure in Yoga by Ritu
Love, compassion and kindness shine through in this Adventure in Yoga by Ritu training.
If top class teaching is a priority of yours, and you want to be taught by an empathetic, authentic, loving, lifelong yogi (who doesn’t!) then this course won’t disappoint.
It isn’t just love and compassion, though. You’ll also be eligible for Yoga Alliance registration after you complete this course.
This course is slightly more expensive than some, but it’s worth every cent. You get what you pay for and this course is top-class and ticks every box.
Highlights
- 65 online sessions: hatha yoga and ashtanga primary series practice
- 200-hour virtual teacher training in Zoom live
- Study the philosophy of ashtanga yoga sutra
- Chakra and physiology of yoga
- Kosha and dosha
- Prana and nadis
- Anatomy of yoga
- Course materials which they give you upon booking
- One-on-one guidance in the comfort of your home
- Eligibility for Yoga Alliance registration
Best for Kundalini Yoga
30-Day, Self-paced, Traditional Kundalini 200-Hour Online Yoga Teacher Training Course from Rishikesh by Samadhi Yoga Ashram
$299 by Samadhi Yoga Ashram
This course, which specializes in Kundalini and Tantra, is very popular and highly rated by students because of its authenticity — both teachers hail from Rishikesh, the home of yoga and are lauded as exceptional teachers — and because they deliver their teachings with passion and enthusiasm.
The school invites you to join in with traditional activities, which is a very popular addition which many schools don’t offer.
Another Yoga Alliance approved program, you’ll be eligible to register as a certified yoga teacher upon completion of the course.
The lessons you receive from this course will enlighten and transform you
Highlights
- 200-hour Traditional Kundalini yoga teacher training online
- Eligibility to register with Yoga Alliance if completed before December 31, 2023
- A 1-hour live lesson every day, from Monday to Saturday
- Kundalini Yoga and Ayurveda (Pre-recorded video classes)
- Pre-recorded course materials available for 1 year to study at your own pace
- 25 contact hours
- 150 non-contact hours for self-study through videos and books
- They will hold live online sessions over Zoom
- Time zone: Samadhi Yoga Ashram is based in Rishikesh, India (GMT +5.5)
- The classes will start at 3:30pm IST
- Direct teaching from Mystic Yogi Vishnu
- Experienced teachers provide course material, online and unlimited support
Best for Ayurveda Yoga
Self-Paced, 200-Hour Online Yoga Teacher Training in Therapeutic Holistic Yoga and Indian Ayurvedic Yoga by Adi Yogpeeth
$329 by Adi Yogpeeth
This course has a great option in that there are a large amount of contact hours and live training opportunities for you (up to 6 hours per day) where you can interact with the teachers, however if you cannot attend, they record all classes so you can catch up when your schedule allows.
The program is well structured and well paced, and the teachers deliver the lessons with passion, devotion and gentle encouragement to assist you on your yoga teacher training journey.
It’s another course that offers Yoga Alliance eligibility upon completion.
Highlights
- 200-Hour online yoga teacher training in holistic yoga therapy and Indian Ayurvedic yoga
- Eligible to register with Yoga Alliance upon completion before December 31, 2023
- 120 contact hours (with an option for pre-recorded videos)
- 80 non-contact hours (with an option for pre-recorded videos)
- 6 hours and 15 minutes of live classes daily
- Holistic Hatha Yoga, Holistic Pranayama, Meditation, Yoga Anatomy, Shatkarma, Teaching Methodology, and Adjustment-Alignment
- They will hold live online sessions over Zoom
- Online sessions’ time zone: Rishikesh, India (GMT+5:30)
- They record live sessions to share with you
Best for Acro Yoga
Self-Paced, 200-Hour, Multi-Style Online Yoga Teacher Training in Hatha yoga, Ashtanga yoga and Vinyasa yoga by Living Yoga School
$299 by Living Yoga School
From the holy city of Rishikesh, The Living Yoga School is an attentive, professional yoga school with responsive and helpful staff and a program which is very well organised.
They offer this beginner-friendly, self-paced program, with an exceptional standard of teaching and an opportunity to be part of a close-knit and supportive community, yet ideal for people who want to study on their own schedule.
Student reviews are glowing.
Highlights
- Contact hours: 30 hours
- Non-contact hours: 170 hours of pre-recorded videos, study books, self-practice, and self-study
- One hour of live classes every day
- One live Q&A session every week
- Learn Hatha, Ashtanga, Vinyasa yoga, yoga anatomy, yoga philosophy, meditation, and pranayama
- Course materials access: 1 year
- Flexible duration: You can complete the course anytime within 1 year
- They will hold live online sessions over Zoom, which are recorded to enable you to catch up on your own schedule
- Online sessions time zone: India (UTC +5:30)
- Eligible to become a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance upon course completion
Frequently Asked Questions about Yoga Teacher Training
What is a yoga teacher training program?
Yoga teacher training programs give students the skills and knowledge they need to become professional yoga instructors, with programs varying in content, length, and intensity.
Most yoga teacher training programs include a wide range of topics, such as yoga anatomy and physiology, yoga history and philosophy, teaching techniques, yoga poses and practical experience teaching yoga classes.
In addition, many programs offer elective courses that allow students to explore specific areas of interest, such as prenatal yoga, tantra yoga, restorative yoga, or yoga for seniors.
Be conscious, however, that yoga teacher training programs teach you how to teach. They don’t, however, teach you how to be a yoga teacher.
There are many facets to working as a professional yoga teacher, most importantly, creating and crafting a unique offering based upon your personal interests, values and goals, and basic business foundations, such as finding customers, keeping customers and organisation.
This is what we help you with at the Yoga Pro Collective. We exist to guide and empower you to best serve your customers, work with purpose and develop your career strategically.
As a result, you’ll build a sustainable, impactful and enjoyable yoga business which perfectly complements your teaching skills.
Is yoga teacher training only for people who want to become professional yoga instructors? I just want to develop my personal practice.
Contrary to what you may think, you don’t need to become a yoga teacher after completing yoga teacher training. In fact, approximately half the students who receive their yoga teacher training certification don’t teach professionally.
You might want to take the training to become a professional yoga teacher, however, and there are many fantastic reasons to, but if you’re not sure if a teaching career is right for you, here are some things to consider.
Do you love practicing yoga? If you enjoy going to yoga classes and practicing at home, then you probably have a good foundation to be a yoga instructor. Being a yoga teacher is a lot of work and it’s not always easy, but it can be very rewarding, especially if you work in alignment with your ‘why’.
Do you like helping people? If you enjoy helping others learn and grow, then teaching yoga might be a great way to share your passion for yoga with others.
Do you want to deepen your understanding of yoga? If you’re looking to deepen your practice and understanding of yoga, then teaching is a great way to do that. Yoga teacher trainings encourage you to examine the poses and concepts in depth in order to explain them clearly to your students. That said, deepening your understanding of yoga for your own personal practice is also one of the primary reasons that many students take the online yoga teacher trainings and don’t become yoga teachers afterwards.
Do you have a powerful ‘why’ for why you would want to become a yoga instructor and help others? Maybe you were a stressed-out professional who discovered yoga, and it transformed your mental health? Or maybe yoga helped you recover from a physical injury or illness? Whatever the reason, developing clarity on your ‘why’ and using it to craft a niche section of the yoga community that you would want to serve is crucial if you are going to want to make a living as yoga teacher.
Are you looking for a career change? Maybe your 9–5 grind bores you and leaves you felling unfulfilled. Maybe you want to develop a career that is more purposeful? This is a very common reason to want to become a yoga instructor. However, it’s always a good idea to gather a greater understanding about what being a yoga teacher looks like in reality.
Speak to other yoga instructors about their experiences as teaching yoga for a career. Consider that it’s hard to make a living as a yoga teacher, and to give yourself the best chance of success, and indeed live a life where you can be purposeful, create maximum impact for others and make a good living, you’ll need to become a yoga entrepreneur, rather than a yoga teacher.
Still not sure if teaching yoga is right for you? Talk to your yoga teacher or another teacher you respect and ask for their advice. They might have some insights that can help you make your decision.
And remember, there’s no rush to teach professionally! You can always do a yoga teacher training course and then decide if teaching is right for you.
Do I need a certification to teach yoga?
Technically speaking, you don’t need a certification to teach yoga, nor do you need to register anywhere, as the yoga industry does not enforce teaching requirements. However, we don’t recommend teaching with no form of yoga teacher certification for a few reasons.
First, it is very difficult to find a job in yoga schools or yoga studios with no form of yoga teacher training. If a prospective employer is going to choose between a candidate who is a qualified and registered yoga teacher, and one who isn’t, it’s a simple decision for them to choose.
Second, it’s difficult to display credibility to your prospective audience, especially when you’re starting out and are yet to build up any social proof or reviews. While you might be wonderful at teaching yoga classes, your audience will have no reason to believe you unless you have a yoga teacher training certification to prove that.
And, crucially, without sufficient yoga education or training, there is a possibility that your students might injure themselves, so it’s an excellent idea to train properly in yoga anatomy.
What is a 200 hour yoga teacher training?
The 200-hour teacher training course is the entry-level yoga teacher training qualification recognized by the Yoga Alliance (more about them in a minute).
You’ll often hear about 200-hour, 300-hour and 500-hour yoga teacher training courses as part of the yoga teacher training progression.
Look at the 200-hour yoga teacher training course like a degree (albeit with lower standards of entry), with the 300-hour yoga teacher training course as an advanced add-on, like a masters.
It’s possible to do both at once, but we don’t recommend it as it’s helpful to get some practical experience between doing the courses.
Once you’ve completed both, then you will have completed your 500 hour yoga teacher training.
The 200-hour course is also a great starting point to commit to a training like this. It’s long enough to give you a comprehensive education in yoga — you’ll learn about the yoga styles (like Ashtanga), ancient wisdom and history of yoga, yoga philosophy, asanas (yoga poses), pranayama (breathing techniques), anatomy, get teaching practice and much more. But it’s not so long that it becomes unmanageable or takes over your life.
A 200-hour course will usually either run intensively over four to six weeks in a residential setting, or during weekends over several months, and the residential courses often take place in a beautiful, exotic location away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, which will allow you to focus on your yoga practice and learning without distractions.
Plus, you’ll make great friends and connections with your fellow students that will last long after the course has finished.
What is the Yoga Alliance?
The Yoga Alliance is a worldwide, non-profit organization that sets standards for yoga teachers and schools.
If you want to teach yoga professionally, whether in a studio, gym, retreat center or your own home, you should complete a 200-hour yoga teacher training course.
It helps (but isn’t essential) to do a Yoga Alliance approved program.
Will I be eligible for Yoga Alliance certification with any online yoga teacher training?
No. A good deal of online yoga teacher programs are not Yoga Alliance approved programs, nor do they need to be — however, all the online yoga instructor training courses that have made our list are Yoga Alliance approved programs.
Should I do my training at a school that is Yoga Alliance certified?
It can be helpful, and it’s necessary if you want to be a Yoga Alliance-certified yoga teacher.
If you are planning to do your online yoga teacher certification to further your own practice and to not teach for a career, you may find a course that is better suited for your needs that isn’t Yoga Alliance approved.
Not being certified by the Yoga Alliance doesn’t mean the course is worse. It just means that the school didn’t prepare the course around the Yoga Alliance curriculum — and the additional flexibility can mean that the course is better suited for your needs.
Is online yoga certification worth it?
We’re yet to meet anyone who regrets taking their yoga teacher training certification.
Sure, occasionally a student may be unlucky enough to have a below-optimal experience, or they might have chosen a yoga school or instructor who wasn’t right for them, but in most cases that a student has a negative experience, it’s down to the yoga school, not the concept of doing the yoga teacher training certification itself.
Most people who do the yoga training, online or otherwise, find it to be a hugely beneficial experience and many call it transformational or life-changing.
Is it worth doing the online yoga certification course as opposed to in-person? It depends on what works for you. There are pros and cons to online yoga teacher training, of course.
The content will be the same, or very similar at least, but some people prefer to learn in person and have the full immersive experience.
How long does it take to complete a 200-hour yoga teacher training?
300 hours! Kidding. The 200-hour course will take you 200 hours, but the best thing about doing online yoga teacher trainings is that you can spread those 200 hours over a timeframe which is as long as you need, and that suits your schedule.
Many online yoga schools allow access to their course materials for up to a year, sometimes longer, so if you have a busy schedule, family or career commitments, or simply would rather take your time and develop your yoga practice while you study, doing your yoga teacher certification online is going to be the best option for you.
Aside from the low cost, this is by far the greatest benefit to becoming a yoga teacher online.
How long should you practice yoga before teaching?
Are some students able to perform certain yoga postures than others? Sure. Will there be some students who have been practicing yoga longer than you? Probably.
But it doesn’t matter.
Students begin their yoga teacher trainings from all levels of experience and most programs that we’ve selected to be in our list are beginner-friendly.
It’s been said that even somebody who has never attended a yoga class can attend a yoga teacher training. While that may be a bit of an exaggeration — they might, of course, discover they don’t even like yoga. Therefore, a reasonably solid foundation of yoga practice is wise — you’ll meet aspiring teachers on your training program from all levels of experience.
Am I ready to do my yoga teacher training?
Regarding your level of yoga experience or yoga skills, yes. As discussed in the previous question, there are no minimum requirements.
You can, however, never be too prepared with knowledge, so we recommend reading up and developing your yoga knowledge before you go.
9 Things to Consider when Selecting the Best Online Yoga Teacher Training Program
Are the online yoga schools community-based?
Community-based online yoga teacher training certifications can have many benefits, including increased access to resources and support from other learners. However, if not managed well, it can also have some downsides, such as a lack of personal interaction with instructors. When considering whether community-based online learning is right for you, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons.
Some benefits of community-based online learning include:
- Increased access to resources: When you’re part of a community of learners, you’ll have access to more resources than you would if you were learning on your own. For example, you can ask other members for recommendations on books, websites, and other materials that can help you with your studies.
- Support from other learners: Learning can be a lonely endeavor if you’re not part of a community. But when you’re part of a community of learners, you can get support and encouragement from other members. This can make the learning process more enjoyable and less stressful.
- Opportunities to collaborate: Community-based online learning can provide opportunities to collaborate with other learners on projects and assignments. This can be a great way to learn new skills and gain experience working with others, and to immerse yourself fully into the yoga community.
Some downsides of community-based online learning include:
- Lack of personal interaction: One of the major advantages of traditional classroom learning is the opportunity to interact directly with instructors and other students. When you’re learning online, it’s difficult to have the same level of personal interaction.
- Distractions: it’s easy to get distracted when you’re learning online, especially if you’re part of a community of learners. There are always new messages and notifications popping up, and it can be tempting to check them out instead of focusing on your studies.
How are lessons delivered?
Is the course completely self-paced with pre-recorded content or is their online live training as well?
While there isn’t necessarily a right or wrong approach to your online yoga training, there will definitely be a right way for you.
Do you prefer to be held accountable?
And do you work better with others? Or by yourself?
Having access to a trainer during your course to answer questions and give feedback when you are doing your online yoga certification is invaluable, however, courses with access to a trainer are likely to be more expensive.
There are also online yoga certification programs that are 1-to-1, which ensure maximum attention and guidance during your learning.
What’s included in your online yoga teacher training certification?
Different online yoga schools offer different curriculums and inclusions in their yoga teacher training certification, so you need to research each course thoroughly.
Most will have a basis in Hatha yoga, however, if you want to study yin yoga, yoga nidra or vinyasa yoga as part of your online training, read through the curriculums or ask the school before confirming your booking.
Besides the resources provided by the school, they will probably require you to do some reading before the course starts, so check to see if they have a required reading list, otherwise you can check out our guide to the best yoga books to read before starting your training.
What are the yoga schools credentials?
When you’re looking for a yoga school to take an online yoga teacher training course, it’s important to consider the credentials of the school.
As mentioned above, it’s not a legal requirement for a school or its instructors to be accredited by the Yoga Alliance, however if they are, it means that their curriculum will meet certain standards.
To be an accredited school, the Yoga Alliance requires the school to meet certain guidelines, including teaching the four Educational Categories, which include:
- Techniques, Training, Practice;
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Yoga Humanities (formerly Yoga Philosophy, Lifestyle, & Ethics); and
- Professional Essentials (includes merged Educational Categories of Methodology and Practicum).
Is the online yoga school responsive?
How quickly does the yoga school respond to emails, phone calls, Facebook messages, etc.?
A fast response time can be a sign of professionalism and that level of professionalism will probably carry over into their online training as well.
Who are the teachers?
When taking your yoga teacher training certifications, there is little more important than the trainers who are leading the course.
You can search for teachers’ qualifications and credentials in the Yoga Alliance directory and reach out to them directly if you have questions.
Check to see that the teacher shares the specific values and interests as you — be it vinyasa yoga, siddhi yoga, or yoga sutras.
Get the opinion of past students
Check out the reviews of the school online to see what other students have to say about their experience. By doing your research, you’ll choose a yoga school that will give you the best possible training.
You can often find alumni of the online yoga school on their Facebook page, so reach out to them in case you have questions.
Does the course fit your schedule?
There are plenty of reasons online training might not be the best fit for your schedule or lifestyle right now. So let’s look at some common concerns:
“I don’t have time.” Does this sound like you? If so, consider how many hours you spend on social media every day.
What if, instead of scrolling through your Instagram feed or refreshing Facebook every few minutes, you spent those same hours committed to your training? Over time, you could learn everything you need to teach in less time than it takes most people to post an update about their day!
“I have a family or career commitment.” If this is your concern, then I bet there are plenty of ways that online training can still work for you! You’ll just need to take advantage of the flexibility that online learning offers — and use it wisely. For example, if your kids are in school for three hours each morning, then start your practice then (if possible).
Calculate the free time you have — or can make for yourself — and consider whether the fixed time commitments of live learning or the flexibility of pre-recorded lessons will suit you better.
Which online yoga school is best?
The only answer to this is what online yoga school is best for you.
Creating clarity in your answer to the questions of ‘why do you want to take your yoga teacher certification’ and ´what are your goals as a yoga teacher? are some of the most important things you can do at this stage.
Your answers will enable you to create a shortlist of online yoga certification programs to choose from that align with your teaching goals, or if indeed if you even decide to do a yoga certification online at all.
Only after that, look at other factors like price, duration, whether you would prefer the school to have Yoga Alliance certification, etc.
After you Qualify as a Yoga Teacher
What’s the best way to find a job as a yoga teacher?
Even though here at The Yoga Pro Collective we’re primarily focussed on helping yoga teachers become yoga entrepreneurs and start their own businesses, occasionally, even as a freelance yoga instructor, you still might need to apply to an organisation, studio or school to work, collaborate, or partner with.
Once you’ve completed your yoga training, there are a few different ways to find teaching jobs.
You can start by searching online job boards or classifieds websites. There are also many yoga studios that list open positions on their websites.
Another option is to contact yoga studios in your area directly and inquire about any open positions. Hint: If there is a school or studio you particularly would like to work at, speak to them prior to booking your training course. They will tell you if, for instance, they require you to take your training at a school which is registered with the Yoga Alliance or if they need an instructor to specialize in a particular style of yoga.
Many online yoga schools provide job resources and listings, as well as training and support to help you become a successful yoga instructor. With the right preparation, guidance and application, finding a job as a yoga teacher can be a breeze.
What’s the best way to continue my yoga education?
We strongly recommend that every newly qualified yoga instructor develops their education in how to develop fundamental business skills, and this is what we teach you here at the Yoga Pro Collective.
Regardless of your expertise in yoga history, vinyasa yoga or yoga philosophy, there are basic business fundamentals you’ll need to know to become a successful yoga instructor.
Just a few of these are:
- Finding customers (marketing)
- Keeping customers (customer service)
- Financial management
- Standing out from your competitors and serving your students the best you can (finding your niche and building a personal brand)
And much more.
In addition, regarding your specific yoga training, you might work towards your 300-hour yoga teacher training certifications.
We recommend getting some practical experience between doing the courses — but once you’ve completed both, then you will have completed your 500 hour yoga teacher training.
What can I expect to earn as a certified Yoga Teacher?
The average hourly rate for a certified yoga teacher in the US is $25. Less if you have only completed your yoga teacher training in the last year or two, and 67% of yoga teachers actually teach yoga for 10 hours or fewer each week.
10 hours x $25 x 52 weeks = $13,000 per year. Pre-tax. And costs.
Even full-time yoga teachers who teach 20 x 60-minute yoga classes a week — based upon those figures you’re looking at — earn $26,000 per year. Pre-tax. And costs.
Hmmm. But what about experienced yoga teachers?
Experienced, successful yoga teachers earn up to $100 per hour, especially if they do their yoga teaching at high-end yoga studios, where you can earn over $100,000 per year (by working a lot of hours) .
OK, this is better. Well, better money, at least. Not necessarily a better life for you.
But we have some better news for you. You can make money as a yoga teacher. You don’t need to own your own yoga studio. And you can be fresh out of yoga teacher training.
You won’t earn much as a yoga teacher if you just spend your time teaching yoga. The competition for the yoga instructor jobs compounds the problem.
You need to become a yoga entrepreneur.
Yoga entrepreneurs earn as much as they want. We know many who earn $250,000+ per year.
Besides their salary, yoga entrepreneurs also earn income from other sources, such as teaching yoga online, forming partnerships and hosting teacher training programs.
These additional income streams can add up to a significant amount of money and can even free up your time.
Ways to Make Additional Income as a Yoga Teacher
These can include any or all of:
- Running private classes
- Building up a team of other yoga teachers and / or associated service practitioners
- Earning commissions from partnerships
- Hosting teacher training
- Teach yoga online (either live or pre-recorded) or hosting your own online yoga studio
- Online courses
- Building an online community for your niche or specializing in a type of yoga therapy
- Creating digital products
- Writing and monetizing a blog
- Freelance writing for the yoga industry
- Writing a book
- Public speaking
- Hosting a yoga retreat or a wellness retreat
- Hosting corporate wellness programs
Running private classes
A good way to make some extra money, besides your regular classes, is to teach private lessons.
These can either be 1-to-1 with a client, or 1-to-some for a family, couple, or group of friends.
The amount of money you can make from private yoga classes depends on a few factors, including whether you use a yoga studio or you offer yoga classes in-house, the number of students in the class, the length of the class, your location and your yoga niche.
You don’t need to be limited by your location either. You can teach online yoga classes worldwide.
If you’re teach yoga to private clients, you can typically charge between $30 and $60 per hour. If you’re teaching a group private yoga class, you can charge each student between $15 and $30 per hour.
Of course, these are just general guidelines. You may charge more or less depending on your experience and the market in your area.
Building up a team of other yoga teachers
As a yoga entrepreneur, you will develop many business skills that many other yoga professionals simply don’t have.
These will include marketing, management, scheduling and automation.
If you have the systems in place to take bookings and payments online, and your marketing works well, it’s very easy to find clients and manage schedules for other yoga teachers, and take a small commission for the yoga classes they teach.
You can automate these processes, for example by adding other teachers to your booking software, and the software will enable their clients to book that teacher, take payments and manage a booking calendar for them.
This can work well to cover multiple niches and serve a larger variety of students. For example, if you want to serve clients who want to practice restorative yoga, but it isn’t your area of expertise, then you find a teacher you can work with who specializes in it and team up.
Building up a network of other service providers (e.g. personal trainers, massage therapists etc.)
And on a similar note, consider that the first rule in any business is that you should solve a problem, or at least scratch an itch for your customer.
If someone starts a yoga practice, they will care about one or all of: — their health, wellness, flexibility, spirituality or longevity.
So, what else do they need to accomplish their goals? Think beyond the yoga trade.
Who else could you partner with to ensure you serve your client in the best possible way?
This could be someone from the fitness industry -a fitness instructor or personal trainer, someone who specializes in breathing exercises, a massage therapist, a spa — whoever really, depending on your niche.
It could even be a vitamin or supplement company who pay you a commission if you refer your clients to them.
Approach these professionals or companies and see if they would like to offer cross-promotions, package deals, or mutual commissions for referrals.
You’ll be solving a problem for your customer and it’s a great way to make money without needing to teach more classes.
Writing a book
Writing a book on yoga can supercharge your income, dramatically increase your credibility, expand your community and develop your career as an authority. A go-to yoga expert.
It doesn’t even need to be a long book.
You could write about your experiences doing your yoga teacher training certifications. Tens of thousands of new teachers train every year who would love to read about that.
You could write a basic guide for beginners on yoga nidra, or restorative yoga (whatever you choose as your niche!). There’s no need to be the world’s foremost expert. You just need to know more about Yoga Nidra than your reader. Or write about your learning journey as you go.
If you are a published author on yoga, it will dramatically alter people’s perceptions of you and rapidly improve your credibility.
Tip-within-a-tip: It isn’t about book sales. It is about opening doors to other opportunities and improving your credibility and visibility.
These are just some ways you can earn additional income as a yoga entrepreneur and we cover the other options in more detail in our article about additional streams of revenue for yoga teachers.
Launching a successful yoga business, even as a freelance teacher, requires more than just your skills as a practitioner — it takes a strong understanding of the demands and strategies of the business world too.
At The Yoga Pro Collective, we offer business training specifically tailored for yoga professionals to guide you through every single aspect of launching a successful, long-term yoga business!
We teach you –
- A complete, step-by-step blueprint to launching a successful yoga business
- How to create a brand that attracts clients
- How to build a business that reflects your passions and delivers a positive impact for your community and the planet
- The strategies and business techniques that power successful, long-term yoga businesses
- And give you the confidence to enter the business world
Get started by developing your own personalized yoga business roadmap here.
About the Author
Matt Deasy is a co-founder and purpose-driven business mentor at The Yoga Pro Collective.
Aside from starting and growing small businesses for 15 years, Matt is a contributor on sustainability topics for the Yogi Times, previously worked for B-Lab, the non-profit that certifies B Corps, studied Sustainable Business Strategy at Harvard and is the author of ‘Fire your Boss and Change the World’ — a guide to starting a purpose-driven small business, which is being published later in 2022.
