yoga teacher training

Yoga Teacher Training Costs: 5 Things to Consider to Make it Work

Underestimating the investment required for yoga instructor certification leaves passionate students unable to access life-changing programs and diminishes the talent pipeline for this impactful profession. I’m sharing this comprehensive guide on factors to consider in yoga teacher training costs and how you can prepare for it.

Yoga Teacher Training Cost: Expenses, Scholarships, and Budgeting

yoga teacher training

The total cost of becoming a certified yoga teacher depends largely on the location, amenities offered, program length, and certifying body, with price ranges spanning from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. India tends to have the most budget-friendly options, while European and tropical destinations are pricier.

Are you ready to get a yoga teacher training certificate and teach yoga? I’m giving you my first-hand account of financing my course through different means. You’ll also get tips on determining the costs, budgeting, and applying for scholarships.

Yoga Teacher Training Cost

yoga teacher training

Certified yoga teacher training costs depend mainly on the type of training and where you’re getting it from. Check out some of the most common prices below:

    Cost range
  • Low Range [$200 – $999] : Specialized, short training courses from local yoga centers for those on a budget, not after a teaching certification.

  • Mid-Range [$1,000 – $2,999] : Yoga teacher training centers under Yoga Alliance or those in cheap locations like India, Nepal, Mexico, and some parts of the United States.

  • High Range [$3,000 ++]: This price range is standard in some of the best yoga teacher training destinations with world-class teachers and accommodations. You can stay in a luxurious resort, enjoy gourmet meals, and meet like-minded individuals worldwide. You’re most likely to pay this range when you enroll in a yoga teacher training program in Bali, Thailand, and Europe.

As you can see, yoga instructor certification costs vary significantly from $200 to $7,000. Some offer 200-hour yoga teacher trainings from $1,000 to $3,000, while more advanced courses cost up to $7,000.

Expenses of Yoga Teacher Training

yoga teacher training

Yoga enthusiasts undergo certification programs for different reasons. Some want to deepen their personal practice and learn all the postures and poses while studying ancient texts like the Yoga Sutras. Others want to gain insights into teaching yoga classes or meeting other yogis. Whatever your reason is for joining, know that training comes with expenses.

Yoga teachers training costs depend on several factors, such as:

1. Type of training

The yoga style you want to learn can affect your expenses. For instance, niche or trademarked styles such as Corepower Yoga or Jivamukti Yoga are more expensive than AcroYoga or Yoga Nidra programs (where there are more certified yoga teachers, no trademarked routine, etc.).

Foundational styles like hatha and vinyasa yoga are also more affordable. The overall duration of the yoga teacher training course can also contribute to the fees (some styles require you to study for much longer than others).

To enroll in a fundamental yoga therapy course providing essential knowledge and training, the typical cost falls within the range of $3,000 to $4,000. Alternatively, selecting an advanced 875-hour, in-person yoga therapy program may lead to slightly under $14,000, covering expenses such as accommodations, meals, and other related costs.

2. Location

The location also contributes to the yoga teacher training cost. Destinations like Bali, Costa Rica, Hawaii, and the United States are pricey. However, centers like All Yoga Training in Bali and Thailand offer reasonably priced packages.

Meanwhile, the cheapest location is India, the birthplace of yoga. This country has numerous registered schools offering courses with certified instructors. However, this often comes at the cost of Western amenities and luxuries that many students will be accustomed to.

3. Yoga teacher

Many yoga centers hire foreign teachers, while some employ local ones. The teacher’s yoga experience, expertise, practice, and other qualifications can affect the costs.

4. Yoga school

Schools registered with the Yoga Alliance are your best option. A 200-hour YTT program in the DC Metro Area ranges from $2,000-$3,000, depending on the style, location, or presence of a master teacher.

Schools offering Yoga Alliance programs have high standards. Before you teach, you’ll need to learn yoga philosophy, physiology, anatomy, meditation, and business skills for personal practice.

5. Additional Expenses

There are other additional expenses to consider. For example, investing in comfortable yoga clothes and equipment. You should also investigate your transportation expenses when traveling to your local yoga center to join classes for a few weeks.

On the other hand, if you’re attending a yoga certification program abroad, consider how much you’ll pay for airfare, insurance, and accommodation.

Scholarships and Grants

Are you an aspiring yoga instructor? Yoga teacher trainings can be expensive but don’t let that stop you from pursuing your dream. These days you can find many yoga teacher training scholarships and grants.

Here are the steps on how to apply for these scholarships:

1. Research and look for available scholarships

The internet is the perfect place to find yoga teacher training scholarships worldwide. You’ll find tons of options, from full scholarships to those offering free online classes. Narrow your search by listing what training you want to do, the location, and your budget.

2. Send your application

After finding some good possibilities, it’s time to get started with the paperwork and applications. Fill in the forms accurately and honestly to increase your chances of getting the scholarship.

3. Submit all requirements on or before the deadline

Many training centers accept scholarship applications year-round, while some set a deadline. Submit earlier to avoid missing the deadline.

Top Yoga Teacher Scholarships Available

There are various options for scholarships under yoga teacher training programs. Qigong & Yoga Specialist, Wenlin Tan, explains how finding a school that offers a scholarship can be an excellent way to reduce your overall expense:

“If cost is a key consideration for your Yoga teacher training, consider looking for training academies or schools that offer scholarships. Many accredited and reputable schools offer partially or fully-funded 200 hour teacher training, especially for individuals with financial difficulty or those who belong to specific populations e.g. individuals who identify as BIPOC, those who are specially-abled etc.

Some schools also offer a karma work exchange, where in exchange for a certain number of hours doing administrative, marketing, or other kinds of work for the school, you receive a discount or fully-paid for Yoga teacher training. Another viable option is to opt for payment plans instead of a single upfront payment for your Yoga Teacher training, which breaks the cost down and makes it more feasible to fund in the long run.”

Here are some popular scholarship programs:

  • A $500 scholarship from Yoga Alliance when you do their 200-hour teaching certification.
  • The National Ayurvedic Medical Association offers annual scholarships for classes.

Scholarships are also available from private organizations and foundations like the following:

When you search online, you’ll be overwhelmed by the scholarships offered every year. They can help shoulder your yoga teacher training cost, but remember, they’re very competitive, with applicants coming from across the globe.

Once you’ve found the scholarships you want to apply for, do your best to submit all requirements on time and show off your personality and capability. Always review your application or have others check it for you. Don’t forget to follow up on your application if they haven’t responded after some time.

The Perks of Getting a Scholarship

There are many perks to getting a scholarship. It can cover the cost of your yoga teacher training and other associated expenses and show your love and dedication to yoga.

Many are impressed by those who obtain their yoga certification through a scholarship, which means you’ll have better chances of getting hired or when you want to further your yoga education.

Other scholarships also provide stipends, free housing, and yoga equipment, so you don’t have to worry about anything else and can focus on your training.

You can travel for free if you get a scholarship to attend a yoga teacher training abroad. Imagine spending a few weeks on an exotic island, learning and doing what you love while immersing yourself in a new culture. You’ll make lots of new friends, too.

Tips for Funding and Budgeting for Yoga Teacher Training Programs

yoga teacher training cost

There are different ways to fund your yoga certification course. One way that Jules McDonald, an owner of YogaBliss recommends (and did herself!) is enrolling in programs near your current location:

In my journey to reduce teacher training costs, I prioritized finding local or community-based programs. These options frequently come with lower tuition fees, and the proximity reduces travel and accommodation costs. Choosing a local training not only allowed me to save money, but I also felt more connected to the local yoga community, enriching my overall training experience.

Another avenue she chose was to complete some programs online, saving her a lot of money:

Online Certification Programs are also options I have explored. These often offer significant cost savings compared to in-person trainings, allowing me to acquire the necessary skills without costing a fortune.
    Here are some tips for you:
  • Apply for scholarships or enroll in Yoga-Alliance registered schools.
  • Get a loan from the bank or your loved ones.
  • Avoid unnecessary expenses like buying expensive apparel.
  • Consider enrolling in an all-inclusive yoga training course abroad to save on food and accommodation.
  • Sign up early for your chosen training to take advantage of early bird offers (you can sometimes save a significant amount on training costs just by making the most of these deals).
  • Look for trainings offering additional perks such as free accommodation or referral discounts. For example, All Yoga offers free accommodation to the first 10 people who sign up for their November 2023 training (in advance). I used this offer when I trained with them in 2017, saving me a considerable amount of money.

Funding Your Yoga Certification Course

What happens if you don’t get a scholarship? The solution is to self-fund your yoga certification course. This won’t be a problem if you have enough savings in the bank, but it could be a problem if you’re just starting. You can get a loan from the bank or from loved ones who are willing to support you (in exchange, you can offer them free, private yoga classes once you’ve graduated!).

Another is to conduct fundraising. Inform your family and friends that you’re holding a fundraiser to help pay for your yoga teacher training. You can sell second-hand items online or have a garage sale.

Start by enrolling in a 200-hour course, which is the minimum requirement for you to become a yoga instructor. Once certified, you can offer private lessons at home or online. You may also join local yoga studios and ask to become one of their teachers. If you have enough savings, you can take more advanced courses or, better yet, learn internationally.

Yoga teacher training costs can be expensive, but it’s a good investment. Nowadays, many people are doing yoga for its numerous health benefits. The future is bright for those who want to become certified yoga instructors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

yoga teacher training

How much does it cost to become a yoga instructor?

The total cost to become a 200-hour yoga instructor depends on whether you choose to study abroad, on an intensive immersion course, or at your local studio (for example).

If you’re studying abroad, you should budget around $1000-5000 (for the course itself), plus airfare and spending money (assuming food and accommodation are included), which could be another $1000.

If you’re studying locally or online, the costs may be much lower (anything from $200-$1000) but the training will usually take much longer (as it may be part-time over several months).

Is Paying for a 500-Hour Yoga Teacher Program Worth It?

Yes, it’s worth paying for the 500-hour training because it opens opportunities to teach yoga, train, coach other instructors, hold specialized workshops, and command higher pay rates. It easily offsets the premium price over a basic 200-hour.

What Can You Expect to Pay for a 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training?

A quality registered 200-hour YTT typically costs between $2,000 and $4,000 when the course’s budget and food and lodging expenses are averaged. Expect higher costs in luxury venues or abroad.

How Do I Plan for the Costs of Yoga Training?

Map out the course, travel, living, and miscellaneous expenses in your location of choice, and research any available cost offsets like scholarships or work exchanges. After that, create a savings plan to fund the total via jobs, fundraising, or loans.

Conclusion

While variable, enrolling in a yoga teacher training program requires significant capital and planning to navigate effectively. Understanding budget dynamics beforehand allows aspiring instructors to make informed decisions on the style, location, and schedule.

About Charlie

Charlotte is a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, a Women’s Life Coach, yoga teacher, Thai Yoga Massage therapist, and Researcher. She is passionate about women’s hormonal health, plant-based nutrition, sustainability, movement, mindfulness, and travelling. She offers online coaching through her website, and currently offers massage and yoga classes in Glasgow, Scotland.

Find out more about her journey at drcharlottehay.com or connect with her on Instagram @drcharlottehay.

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