Best Yoga Teacher Training Guide 2024: Find a Yoga Certification!

Joining a yoga instructor certification course to become a Yoga Teacher is a big decision. It’s a considerable investment, both in time and money. You might feel overwhelmed by the many choices of Yoga certification schools, Yoga teacher training programs or even online yoga teacher training.

Finding the best yoga certification course which will meet all your expectations can seem like a daunting task. It takes more preparation and research than searching “yoga certification near me” in Google…

6 Key Takeaways about yoga teacher trainings
• Anyone with passion and dedication can become a yoga instructor.


• Steps to become a certified yoga instructor include developing a personal yoga practice, finding the right yoga training program, completing the yoga course, and continuous self-education.


• Not all yoga certification courses have the same quality of teaching and experiences.


• Finding a good yoga teacher training program involves proper research and to ask the right questions about the yoga course.


• The ideal course duration to become a certified yoga instructor is at least 22 days.


• Yoga instructors can make a decent living with salaries varying based on experience and location. Most yoga instructors find the career fulfilling beyond just financial gain.

Let’s start with some primary concerns you might have about doing a yoga teacher training program:

1. How do I become a qualified yoga teacher?

Keys Steps to become a yoga teacher
• Step 1 – Practice Yoga Regularly: Before being able to teach yoga, you need to be a dedicated yoga student! Regular yoga practice is the first step. It will help you understand yoga on a personal level.


• Step 2 – Complete a 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT): Look for a program registered with the Yoga Alliance to ensure it meets industry standards. This training will cover yoga philosophy, anatomy, teaching methodology, and practice teaching.


• Step 3 – Get Certified: At the end of your training, you’ll need to pass a final exam to get certified. This might include a written test, a practical test, or both.


• Step 4 – Register with Yoga Alliance: This isn’t a legal requirement, but many employers prefer teachers who are Registered Yoga Teachers (RYTs) with the Yoga Alliance.


• Step 5 – Find a Teaching Job or Start Your Own Class: Look for opportunities at yoga studios, fitness centers and communities , or even consider starting online yoga classes.


• Step 6 – Consider taking an advanced Yoga Training: Once you’ve got some experience, you might want to pursue a 300-hour or 500-hour certification to deepen your knowledge and expand your teaching skills.

Remember, becoming a great yoga teacher is about more than just a yoga certification. It’s about a commitment to learning and a passion for helping your students grow in their practice.

2. How long do I need to do yoga for before joining a yoga instructor training?

Contrary to what you might think, you don’t need to have been practicing Yoga for years before joining a yoga teacher training. The most important thing is the commitment to deepen your yoga education (including yoga philosophy and history). Having said that, you do need a certain level of fitness and stamina to be able to join a yoga teacher training. Yoga certification courses are intense. You will be practising for many hours each day.

3. What are the requirements to join a yoga teacher training?

Joining a yoga teacher training program requires a few prerequisites to ensure participants are adequately prepared for the intensive learning experience. Firstly, a consistent personal yoga practice for at least 6 months to a year is recommended, as this helps in understanding the basic postures and fostering a connection with the yoga practice. Some yoga schools may also specify a minimum number of practice hours. Additionally, a genuine interest in deepening one’s knowledge about yoga philosophy, anatomy, and teaching methodologies is crucial.

Depending on the yoga certification program, there may be an application process where prospective students need to detail their yoga experience, reasons for wanting to become an instructor, and any relevant health information.

3. Is there an age limit? Am I too old/young to join a yoga teacher training?

There is no age limit on joining a teacher training for Yoga. As long as you have the physical fitness to cope with a yoga certification course, then you should not feel put off or think that you’re too old. It’s always ok to change careers or to learn something new, and you might find your age is a benefit as, depending on where you work, many students who attend yoga classes are more mature and may relate better to a more mature teacher.

On the other hand, please don’t be worried about being too young to attend a yoga training; as long as you have a certain level of emotional maturity (or are willing to develop it), then taking a yoga training young means you have so many more years ahead to build and refine your craft!/p>

4. What if I’m really nervous and shy about teaching yoga?

It’s expected to be nervous about teaching your first class – remember, most people’s greatest fear is public speaking, so you’re not alone! Most yoga students who attend a yoga teacher training program have no previous teaching experience. A large part of a teacher training for yoga is to give you the confidence and skills to teach Yoga. In a good quality yoga certification course, it is achieved through lot of teaching practice and group activities with your fellow students.

Important note

Teaching Yoga, like public speaking, is something that you will get better at the more you practice. So the sooner you start, the better is is!

5. I don’t feel good enough for joining the yoga instructor certification…

This is one of the biggest concerns people have on starting a yoga education program – that their own practice is not good enough, that they’re not flexible enough, strong enough, or can’t do fancy yoga poses (arm balances, handstands, etc.) yet.

It’s easy to forget, in our current climate of “Insta yogis” who look more like contortionists/gymnasts, that yoga is not all about fancy asanas or getting your leg behind your head! It’s a much deeper, spiritual practice of self-awareness and self-development.

Everyone’s bodies are different, and not all bodies will be able to do certain poses. And that’s completely normal. As long as you have a good level of fitness/stamina and a willingness to challenge yourself, then you are definitely ‘good enough’ to join a yoga teacher training.

Zoë Mote, All Yoga Course coordinator

6. What if I don’t intend on teaching yoga after the yoga teacher training? Is it still worth joining?

Many students who join a yoga teacher training program don’t plan to teach Yoga right after the yoga course. Their primary focus is to learn more about Yoga and deepen their practice. You will still get a lot out of the Yoga certification course, even if you don’t want to teach.

Special Note

While several students start the yoga certification training not intending to teach Yoga at first, they often change their mind by the end of the yoga course and become excited to share the yoga practice! Whether or not you do, it will open doors for you in the future.

7. Can a man join the yoga teacher training course?

Absolutely! You might think that the majority of yoga practitioners these days are women, but actually, this really depends on where you end up teaching. In fact, historically, the most famous yoga teachers in India were men.

8. How long does it take to become a yoga teacher?

The time it takes to become a yoga teacher varies greatly depending on the structure (part-time vs. intensive). A typical weekend Yoga Teacher Training program usually takes 3 to 6 months.

The time it takes to become a yoga teacher varies greatly depending on the structure (part-time vs. intensive). A typical weekend Yoga Teacher Training program usually takes 3 to 6 months.

If you’re considering an intensive yoga course, the usual duration is 22-26 days. After that, it’s all about practice, practice, practice. Remember, Yoga is a journey, not a destination!.

Important Note

Beware of intensive yoga teacher training course with less than 21 days as it is usually a sign of poor teaching quality and packed schedule. The ideal yoga course duration is 23-26 days.

9.What certification do you need for teaching yoga?

If you’re thinking about teaching yoga, you’ll want to start with a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) program certified by the Yoga Alliance. This is the industry standard and will give you a solid foundation in yoga philosophy, poses, and teaching techniques.

Some folks deepen their understanding by going for a 300-hour or even a 500-hour certification, but that’s up to you. After you’ve got your certificate, you’ll need to register with the Yoga Alliance as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT). And remember, the best teachers are always learning, so don’t stop once you get the yoga certificate!

10. Can I teach immediately after the yoga instructor training? Do I need extra yoga certification to teach?

By joining a reputable registered Yoga school, you will be ready to teach immediately upon graduating from your yoga certification training. You can then register with the Yoga Alliance directory after your teacher training for Yoga but it is not compulsory.

Important Note

To become a yoga trainer and lead teacher training for Yoga), you must be YA certified. There is a yearly membership fee, and you must continue yoga education to retain your Yoga teacher training.

11. What does a typical day look like in the a yoga instructor certification course?

12. Where is the best location for a yoga teacher training?

Nowadays you can pretty much find yoga teacher trainings in every country!

Important Note

Wherever you choose, make sure you have researched the registered yoga school and feel confident in the quality of teaching being offered. If you already made your decision on which country to go to, we have already selected the best yoga courses for many top yoga destinations. For example, check out our blog about the 9 best yoga teacher training in Bali.

13. How much should I budget for the yoga instructor certification program?

Besides the course itself, your travel costs, and your accommodation, there are a couple of other things you need to budget for:
• Food – if your yoga instructor training does not include food (except perhaps a light lunch, fruit, or snacks ( such as dates, nuts, refreshments, etc.), you’ll need to budget for daily breakfasts and dinners. The costs depend on which country you decide to train in. Also, factor in bottled water, as there might not always be facilities for refilling your water bottle (although most places are getting better at providing this).


• Visas – check whether you need a visa to travel to the country you’ve chosen for your training, and apply for it in advance. If you decide to stay longer, you might need to buy a visa extension, so factor this into your budget.


• Laundry – You will sweat a lot and may need to change your yoga clothes twice a day (or more!), so you may need to pay to get your clothes washed several times a week. The cost varies depending on your hotel or the location of the training. If you didn’t bring appropriate clothing for the climate, you might also need to buy more when you’re there, so it’s good to have some space money for this just in case.


• Vaccines – this depends on the country you’re training in, the guidelines of your home country, and your preferences. Depending on your home country, you may need to pay for each vaccine you need, so be sure to check in advance.


• Onward travel – if you decide to stay on after your training, or to go travelling afterwards, you will obviously need extra money for any additional accommodation, food and travel.

14. What Yoga style should I train in?

Most 200-hour yoga teacher trainings are in Hatha yoga, Vinyasa yoga, or Multi-style.

Hatha yoga has become a ‘catch-all’ category to describe the general ‘flow’ yoga that you can find in most studios in the West. In general, though, Hatha is slower-paced than most vinyasa classes, and poses are usually held for several breaths.

Vinyasa yoga is a ‘flowy’ popular style of Yoga. Often accompanied by music, vinyasa classes flow from one posture to another without holding the poses for too long. The emphasis is combining breath and movement (one breath for one movement) in a meditative but usually fast-paced routine.

Ashtanga-Vinyasa yoga is the physical yoga practice descended from the Ashtanga Yoga lineage, an ancient philosophy over 5,000 years old, developed in Mysore, India, by the late Pattabhi Jois. The Ashtanga Vinyasa method is defined by connecting breath with movement in a flowing sequence. Asanas are performed in a specific order, whereby each pose prepares the body for the next.

Doing a yoga training in Ashtanga-Vinyasa Yoga provides an excellent foundation for your yoga education and helps you cultivate strength, flexibility, and a focused mind.

15. Can I still join the yoga teacher training if I am pregnant?

If you are pregnant, enrolling in a yoga certification training is not recommended unless you are an advanced and experienced yoga practitioner (especially in the 1st trimester).

If you’d like to dive deeper on any of these topics, check out these articles:
• The 7 most important requirements for a teacher training for Yoga
• 10 Best questions to ask before joining a YTT
• Is 200 Hours enough to become a yoga teacher?
• 5 best Locations for a Yoga teacher training

1. You need to be able to do handstands and get your legs around your head to join a yoga course.

This is one of the main concerns that yoga students have about attending a yoga instructor certification course. But it is absolutely not true! It doesn’t matter whether you can do a handstand or not, nor how flexible or strong you are. As long as you have a willingness to learn. You’ll discover that you don’t always need to be able to do a pose yourself to be able to teach it.

In my experience as a Yoga Trainer, it’s essential to realize that all bodies are unique, and some bodies won’t be able to do certain poses. As you get this, you’ll be an even more compassionate and relatable teacher and be able to make your classes more inclusive. And after all, the Yoga poses are just a way to learn more about yourself!

Annie Au Yoga, Founder of Soulful Yin Yoga

2. You must practice Yoga for many years before enrolling in a yoga teacher training.

You definitely don’t need to have been doing yoga every day for the last 5 years before you can join a yoga teacher training program! Around 3 to 6 months of consistent practice (at least 3 times a week) is required. As long as you have a basic fitness level, your commitment is more important than your experience.

3. You need to be skinny/have abs/be super fit.

Yoga bodies come in all shapes and sizes! You don’t need to have a ‘six pack’ or train for marathons…. just a basic fitness level and dedication to practising what you learn. It’s essential as a yoga teacher to be mindful of different bodies not only when it comes to adjusting but also anatomy-wise, as not all bodies will be able to do certain poses, and respecting/honouring that is very important.

4. All Yoga teachers are vegans.

Everyone’s journey to Yoga is different; some may have come from a spiritual or traditional background, practising ‘ahimsa’ (non-violence to all living creatures), and others from a movement or physical health perspective. You will not be shamed for not being vegan on a yoga teacher training. However, the food served at the training is often vegetarian. Either way, coming with an open mind and respecting others’ journeys is all that is asked of you.

5. Everyone will be young, slim females.

This is another misconception, exacerbated by social media images of young slim women doing fancy yoga poses. Still, it doesn’t represent the diversity of yoga practitioners nor the diversity of people who choose to do a yoga teacher training. The more we can do to spotlight and celebrate diversity within the yoga community, the more we can bring Yoga and its benefits to everybody.

By now, you’re probably ready to sign up and start your yoga journey! But the most essential part is still to come: choosing the best yoga school and yoga teacher training for you!

1. What is your objective?

Are you looking to teach or improve your practice? Do you want more intense, retreat-style training or looking to make new friends in a fun, laid-back setting? All of this will influence which type of teacher training for Yoga (and which yoga school) you want to choose.

2. Which style of yoga do you want to train in?

This is important to consider: are you already super passionate about one style of Yoga, and you know that’s what you want to specialize in? Or are you undecided? If you’re uncertain, choose a more generic style of Yoga for your 200-hour Yoga Certification course, one that gives you a robust and general foundation. We always recommend trying a few different styles of Yoga, like Rocket Yoga, beforehand so that you have more of an idea of what each one entails and whether you prefer one style over another.

3. How experienced is the Yoga Instructor Certification School?

There are so many schools and yoga trainings to choose from these days, all of which require a significant investment, both in terms of your money and time, so it’s in your best interest to choose a reputable school with a proven track record, rather than a new school that may not have a great deal of experience offering yoga certification course.

An experienced yoga school should boast several hundred graduates and should be able to provide plenty of genuine testimonials from students who have recently graduated. The more graduates a yoga school has produced, the more feedback they have received and taken on board (and therefore improved and updated the program and delivery style to meet the needs of their students).

4. What is the faculty like?

The teachers are the most essential part of the yoga teacher training, and should be a source of inspiration and wealth of experience for you to draw on. Having two or more teachers per training is also really important, as you learn from different experiences and points of view. Some yoga schools may also have guest teachers for specialised modules such as anatomy. Look for yoga teachers who are internationally well-respected experts in their field.

5. What’s your budget?

The cost of a teacher training for yoga varies wildly, from around $1200 to $5000 (USD), or more. This generally only includes the tuition fees and not accommodation, food, or anything else, so you need to work out your budget and find a training that works for you (bearing in mind it might take a while before you will make any kind of sustainable income from teaching yoga).

Important note

The cost of a yoga teacher training doesn’t always reflect the quality of the yoga certification course. Price will depends on several factors like the location (trainings in India tend to be cheaper than anywhere else), the faculty (whether they have very famous international teachers or new graduated teacher with no experiences), the venue (is it in a local community centre or a five-star eco resort?), how many students they allow per course, etc

6. What’s included in the cost?

As mentioned, most yoga teacher trainings only include the course itself and your final certificate, but occasionally they might also include accommodation and some food. Make sure you are clear on this beforehand so you know exactly how much to budget for.

7. How many students do they take per teacher training for yoga?

Generally, the fewer students there are, the more personal the training, and the more individual attention and time you have with teachers to be able to ask questions, get feedback, and make sure you understand everything. On the other hand, if the group is too small (say 4-8 people) it might feel very intense, and you may miss out on seeing a range of different bodies and perspectives from your peers.

The ideal number would be around 15-20, so that you can still form close relationships and bonds, but there are enough people to create stimulating discussions, and plenty of people to practice teaching and adjustments with.

8. How long will the yoga teacher training be?

Most types of yoga certifications courses last between 23 and 28 days (3-4 weeks). This is known as an intensive yoga teacher training, where you will be studying around 12 hours a day (not all of this is physical practice), with one or two days off in the entire course. Some super intensive courses may fit this into 2 weeks but then you would be training around 15 hours a day! Intensives are perfect for those who want to get their certification as quickly as possible, or are traveling after/before the training (most intensives take place abroad, in destinations like Thailand or Bali, rather than Western cities).

Non-intensive yoga teacher training are more likely to take place part-time, in the evenings or weekends, so people can fit them around work, and can take anything from 6 months to 3 years to complete. These tend to be in Western cities, where students already live and work (so they don’t need to pay for accommodation or food as they go home between classes). This is a great choice for people who have commitments like families or bills to pay, and can’t take the time off work. It’s really up to you and your personal circumstances.

9. Which country is the school in?

Unless you have decided to do a non-intensive training in the same country you live in, generally you will be traveling abroad for your training, so it’s up to you where in the world you choose to go (depending on visas and any travel restrictions). If the school you like has multiple locations then consider where you might like to visit, what kind of climate you prefer, the cost of flights from your home country, any visas or vaccines you might require, etc.

10. Is the teacher training for yoga accredited?

Yoga Alliance is an internationally recognized yoga institution and our principle accrediting body in the field of yoga. Many yoga schools and trainings are Yoga Alliance accredited, which means you can expect a certain standard of teaching, and that the school’s curriculum meets Yoga Alliance’s minimum requirements.

However, there are many good yoga schools that are not Yoga Alliance accredited (for a variety of reasons). This doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t choose them, although if you are hoping to work as a yoga teacher after your training then many employers require that your training was YA accredited, and/or that you register as YA certified teacher, so you need to think carefully about your decision.

11. What’s the curriculum like (and what is the methodology)?

Although Yoga Alliance requires that schools meet its basic standard for what should be included in a training curriculum, there is quite a lot of room for flexibility and for each school to put its unique perspective into the curriculum. This includes which elements are prioritized over others (how many hours are spend on anatomy, for example, as opposed to yoga philosophy).

It’s also worth finding out whether the school favours theory over practice: some schools over very little practical hands-on teaching experience, instead choosing to focus on yoga theory and your own personal practice. If you are looking to teach after the course (rather than just improving your own practice), then you may want to find a school that offers plenty of hands-on teaching experience and learning important teaching skills, in addition to theoretical understanding. Don’t be afraid to ask the school for a detailed curriculum or a typical daily schedule so you can be sure it will meet your needs.

1. The trainers are not dedicated yoga practitioners

As mentioned, your teachers should be a source of inspiration, and role models for you on your yoga journey, so it would be slightly worrying if the faculty don’t take time for their own personal practice, or are not that involved in yoga (unless they are a guest teacher for a niche topic such as Chinese Medicine, but, even then, they will be able to relate their topic to yoga in a much more authentic way if they are also yoga practitioners).

2. Unclear faculty

Given the importance of your teachers, as mentioned above, it would also be worrying if you weren’t sure exactly who was going to be teaching on the course – there may be lots of staff members listed, for example, but no exact mention of who the course leader is and who will be taking the specialised modules.

Unfortunately, some schools may be deliberately vague about who exactly will be teaching on the course, so that they can hire random local teachers or they might get very recent graduates of the course to teach on the next training (very often on a volunteer basis). While this may seem like a great opportunity for new graduates, unfortunately they lack the experience, teaching skills, and in-depth study required to be able to teach other teachers (as well as the risk of exploitation from the school).

3. Big group size

As mentioned, the ideal size for a yoga teacher training is around 16-22 students per yoga course. The problem with more than 25 students per training is that you might just feel like a number. There may also be less personal attention or individual contact time with your teachers, as well as time/opportunity to ask questions, offer your opinion, and make sure you understand everything. It may also be harder to form close connections with people in such a big group, and it may suggest that the school is more profit-driven, rather than focussed on providing you the best experience possible.

4. Lots of days off

While this may sound like a good thing (!), the problem with too many days off, or only a few hours of training each day, is that it becomes more like a holiday than a teacher training for yoga. After all, you are here to become a certified yoga teacher, not to go on a yoga holiday, and you want to choose a school that takes this process as seriously as you do.

5. Multi-style yoga teacher training (or no clear style)

While it might sometimes be ok to learn a general yoga style such as Hatha or Vinyasa for your first 200hr training (see point 2 in previous section), if the school only teaches ‘multi-style’ courses or it’s unclear from the description exactly which style(s) you’ll be learning, this can be an indication that the school (or teachers) are not experts in one distinct style, and/or that the yoga teacher training is not so focused on the teaching part.

Take a skill such as dancing, for example: if you wanted to learn to dance you wouldn’t start learning jazz and street and breakdance and tap and ballet all at once! You would quickly confuse yourself; it’s better to focus on one style at a time, and master the foundations, and then build on that by adding in another style, and so on.

6. Only one teacher

Even if they have the best teacher in the world, the fact that there is only one teacher would be worrying because we learn best by being exposed to different experiences, backgrounds and teaching styles. Moreover, with only one teacher they might not be able to give you as much personal attention and feedback as they have too many students to deal with by themselves.

7. Very few reviews

This would be a very big red flag – the more students who have trained at the school, the more feedback they have gained (and hopefully improved and adapted the training accordingly) as well as experience in what works and what doesn’t. If there aren’t very many reviews or testimonials available, this implies that the school is either very new and hasn’t yet trained many people, or that it hasn’t received good enough feedback that it is willing to share (although seeing negative reviews is not necessarily a bad thing – it shows a level of honesty and transparency from the school – as long as the school can demonstrate what it has done to change or improve things, having taken on board this feedback).

Now that you know what you want from a yoga certification course, and what to look out for, why not check out the200-hour All Yoga Teacher Training before you make your final decision? Here are some of the highlights:

1. Highly experienced leaders in the Yoga Instructor Certification Course Industry

All Yoga has been training yoga teachers for over 10 years now, and certifies hundreds of successful graduates each year. With so much experience and feedback from so many students, the course has been improved and refined over the years to deliver the best quality training to our students.

2. Small class sizes

All Yoga limits the number of students per yoga teacher training to a maximum of 20-22 students. This ensures personalized attention and guidance for each student, as well as hands-on support, and means that students can develop close bonds with their peers.

3. Train in Ashtanga-Vinyasa yoga

We have chosen to focus on Ashtanga-Vinyasa yoga because it gives you a strong foundation in yoga knowledge (including yoga history and philosophy), as well as improving your strength, flexibility and discipline (your focus). Since you learn a set sequence, training in Ashtanga-Vinyasa also gives you a foundation from which to create your own sequences (and therefore the ability to teach Vinyasa yoga), as well as the confidence to begin teaching immediately (since you already have a class sequence and don’t need to come up with – and learn by heart – any new ones).

4. Stunning locations for our Yoga Instructor Certification Course

All Yoga teacher trainings take place in unique locations on the tropical islands of Bali and Thailand. The yoga shalas are reserved exclusively for yoga teacher trainings so students can practice yoga to the sound of the waves, enjoy a glorious sunset on the beach after class, and explore the culture and beauty of these countries on their days off.

5. International faculty of highly trained and experienced teachers

All Yoga’s teachers have been leading yoga teacher trainings for many, many years, and are passionate about sharing All Yoga’s vision and mission of creating a safe and nurturing environment for students to explore and develop on their own yoga journey. We also bring in guest teachers for certain topics; these teachers are international experts in their field, highly experienced in yoga teacher trainings, and share All Yoga’s values.

6. Global network and community

At All Yoga, our yoga teacher training courses are always fun and nurturing. With the addition of group bonding activities, students have the opportunity to grow into an extended family of yoga lovers from all over the world, who are there to provide their support and friendship. This support network remains in place even after graduation, as alumni are encouraged to share their successes and are even provided with a platform to promote their own yoga course through our website.

For more information check out these articles:
• The 10 best yoga teacher trainings in 2024
• 10 Best Ashtanga yoga course in 2024
• Is 200 Hours enough to become a yoga teacher?
• 5 best Locations for a Yoga teacher training

Online Yoga Teacher Training Overview

Entering the realm of online yoga teacher training offers a myriad of choices, from the best online yoga teacher training courses in vinyasa and hatha to specialized options like the best online yin yoga teacher training and those accredited by the government of India. The shift to online yoga training became prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a boom in online options, making it easier for aspirants to become a yoga instructor online. This surge has brought forth both opportunities and challenges, emphasizing the need to weigh the pros and cons before embarking on a yoga certificate course online.

Pro and cons of Online Yoga teacher training

Pros of online yoga training are notable: flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and unique opportunities, such as training with renowned instructors or exploring niche yoga styles. However, challenges include maintaining motivation, potential feelings of isolation, and navigating the practical elements of teaching. When considering an online 200 hour yoga training, it’s vital to balance these aspects and assess whether the benefits align with individual goals and learning preferences.

How to choose an Online Yoga teacher training?

Choosing the best yoga certification online involves considering several factors, including the yoga style, budget, accreditation—such as Yoga Alliance approval or a specialized online yoga certification course by the government of India—and the chosen school or instructors. Prospective students might explore our hand picked 10 best online yoga teacher training for an enriched understanding of yoga’s history and lineage. Evaluating the curriculum, schedule compatibility, the school’s experience in online training, and reading reviews are essential steps in making an informed decision.

Conclusion on online yoga courses

Whether you’re seeking a 200 hour yoga teacher training online free or a specialized certification, exploring online options requires careful consideration of individual needs, goals, and preferences.

By now you’ve hopefully decided on which yoga teacher training or school you would like to attend, and you know where and when you want to go. Maybe you’ve even thought about your onward travel plans and accommodation. But how should you start preparing yourself for this life-changing experience?

1. Set aside your expectations for the Yoga Teacher Training Course

One of the best tips for preparing for a yoga instructor certification course is to arrive with an open mind; be open to the experience and the process, and you will have a far more enjoyable time than someone who resists, or comes with loaded expectations or preconceived ideas of how a training ‘should’ be. This includes setting aside what you think you already know about yoga, as every teacher you meet has a different perspective and something you teach you – and this might contradict what you have heard or been told by your current teacher.

2. Be prepared to face your emotions

If you have never done any inner work before, nor practiced meditation consistently, it may be quite confronting how emotional you may feel during the yoga instructor certification course. We are not generally taught to face and sit with our emotions, but you will be asked to do this during the yoga teacher training (in a safe and supportive environment). Try to embrace this unique opportunity (when else will you have so much time to meditate, go inward, and reflect on your emotions?), and to trust in the process. You will have plenty of support from your teachers and fellow students, who will be going through the same process.

3. Maintain your fitness

As you will be practicing yoga for several hours a day in a hot climate, the yoga course will be intense physically, so it’s a good idea to make sure you are in good enough shape that you won’t be struggling too much, and so that you don’t injure yourself. Ideally, at least 3 months before the yoga instructor certification course , you would make sure you are practicing yoga consistently (by that we mean at least 3 times a week, for at least an hour) – unless you are already doing so, in which case, keep it up!

It’s also a good idea to start practicing the style that you will be training in, so that you will have more of an idea of what is expected physically (and, if you are training in Ashtanga-Vinyasa, so that you have an idea of the primary sequence before the training begins). By doing so you will also have an idea of what poses you need modifications for, which will then help you understand…

4. Bring any props you will need for your Yoga Instructor Certification Course

… what props you need! If you know you require a block, for example, then check with the school what props will be available to use (if any). If you need to bring your own, make sure you factor this into your luggage allowance (for the flight, boats you might be taking, etc.).

5. Bring appropriate medication

Besides any regular medication you take (make sure you have informed the school if you have any health issues, and that you have enough medication to last the whole training), it’s also a good idea to bring general travel medication (including rehydration salts/electrolytes, Imodium, and something for diarrhea, coughs, fevers, flu or sore throat) as you may not have time between classes to get to a pharmacist, there may not be one close, or it might not sell what you need.

Just as important to remember is adequate sun protection (high factor sun cream) and after-sun care for if you do burn (but please try not to, as it will not be fun trying to do yoga covered in sunburn!).

6. Pack appropriate clothing

Consider the climate of the place you will be training, including the time of year, temperature at night vs during the day, etc., and, if you are traveling after the training, will you be staying in the same climate or will you need different clothes?

For the training itself make sure you pack appropriate yoga clothes (bearing in mind the temperature again – yoga shorts might be better in some cases than long pants), and enough of them, as you will be sweating a lot and may need to change at least twice a day. On the other hand, you don’t need to overpack, as there are laundry facilities in most towns/hotels, but make sure your budget allows for this too.

7. Book everything you need

If you haven’t already, make sure you know what is included in the training cost (e.g. accommodation and food) and book any accommodation and flights you need. Many trainings offer airport transfer to the venue, but check beforehand, and plan out how you’re going to get there if necessary.

8. Check visas and travel restrictions

Hopefully you have checked already whether you need a visa for the training destination and any vaccinations you might need, so now is the time to get your visa, and to book in for any vaccines you need in plenty of time.

9. Prepare your intention

Finally, come back to the intention you set when thinking about which yoga instructor certification course to choose. If you didn’t set an intention before, then now is the time! This will be really helpful when things become challenging on the yoga instructor certification course (whether that’s due to the intensity of the experience, or if it’s the first time you’ve travelled alone); to remind yourself why you are here, and what this training will mean for you.

Congratulations! You’ve taken the leap and decided to undertake a yoga teacher training. If this is your first teacher training for Yoga, chances are you’re feeling a little in the dark about what to expect. Maybe it’s been years since you’ve been a ‘student’ and you’re wondering if your brain can even retain new information anymore. Then there’s the travel factor. If you’ve booked your teacher training for Yoga oversea, then you’ll be traveling away from your friends and family to a foreign destination, potentially for the first time. There’s a lot to consider!

To help you navigate the unfamiliar waters, here are some tips that I found helpful when embarking on my own YTT.

1. No Expectations Are The Best Expectations

I think this is the number one tip that any teacher trainee would offer. Even if you’ve had friends take the exact same training, the experience will vary hugely from one person to another. Try to keep an open mind and arrive without too many pre-conceived ideas of what your training will be like.

Teacher training for Yoga is different to a yoga retreat. If you’ve enjoyed A Yoga retreat experience in the past, you’ll probably find teacher training for Yoga to be more intensive – and it’s supposed to be! Your yoga trainers have a lot of content to fit into each day! Conversely, if you work yourself into a fearful frenzy beforehand and worry that your asana practice won’t be up to scratch, you’re already starting on the wrong foot. Don’t think too much about it – if anything’s going to teach you to live in the moment and without attachment, it’s the experience you’re about to have.

2. Your Teachers Are There To Help You

It’s easy to be awe-struck by your teachers on training – I certainly was! To a teacher trainee, our fearless leaders seem flawless and it’s easy to get in our heads about asking ‘silly questions’. Remember there’s no such thing as a silly question! If you’re curious about it, or you’re struggling with it, chances are somebody else is too – don’t be shy, ask away. Whether it be asana alignment or yoga philosophy, having an enquiring mind will help you get the most out of your teacher training for Yoga. Which brings me to my next point…..

3. Write Stuff Down

…because trust me, you’re definitely not going to remember it all! And six months later when you’re teaching your own classes back home, it’s going to drive you crazy trying to remember the name of that guru/kriya/asana that you learned about on your training.

4. Don’t Rush Your Body

We all come to yoga instructor training with varying levels of physicality and strength in our asana practice. The biggest learning that I took home from my teacher training was this: Yoga is so much more than asana practice. It’s only one of the eight limbs! That means there are SEVEN whole other aspects of yogic living that you can work on cultivating, during your teacher training and beyond. If you can’t get into sirsasana and your classmates can, don’t sweat it. Take the opportunity while you’re on your training to practice compassion towards yourself.

Teacher training can be physically tiring and I actually found I became less physically flexible on my training. It’s normal. You have the rest of your life to work on your tight hamstrings or your tense shoulders – but you have a pretty unique opportunity to work on opening your mind while you’re completing a training. Practice and all is coming.

5. Be Prepared For Life On The Fast Track

Lastly, I’d like to give you all a heads up about the changes you may or may not experience in your life immediately after a teacher training. Completing a teacher training for yoga is a means of holding a mirror up to ourselves – we start to notice things that perhaps were always there, but we never saw before. You might be inspired to let go of things in your life that you suddenly realize weren’t really serving you – this can mean relationships, jobs, or long-held habits. A yoga-teaching friend of mine told me before I went on my training to ‘buckle up and enjoy the ride’ – she was right!

For me, the changes were subtle but substantial. I now have a daily yoga practice and I teach yoga to others. These two things alone have given me a greater connection to others, richness in my daily life, and a sense of peace that I didn’t have before. It’s a new way of living with yourself and the world around you, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Namaste yogis, enjoy your practice!

– Holly

You’re almost there! Before you quit your day job to become a yoga teacher and #liveyourbestlife (!), take a quick glance at our handy checklist to make sure you’re fully prepared and ready to go…
• Fill in the training application form
• Save your spot with a deposit
• Book your flights
• Book any accommodation needed (check with the school what’s included first)
• Make sure you have the budget for food and laundry
• Transfer money into the correct currency (if you’re taking cash)
• Get visas if needed
• Get vaccines if needed
• Buy any books or required reading (the school should give you a list)
• Start practicing regularly 3 months before the training
• Try out the style you are training in!
• Prepare any medication you want to take with you
• Book airport transfer or make sure you know how you’re getting to the place
• Pack your bags! Make sure you have adequate sun protection, yoga clothes, and any props you need
• Have an amazing time 😊