Types of Yoga Certifications and Teachers – Which Fits You Best? (2024 Guide)

Types of Yoga Certifications

There are many recognized certifications for teaching yoga, each with a different emphasis and methodology, like Hatha for beginners, Vinyasa for flowing sequences, and Iyengar for precise alignment. You may also consider the traditional Ashtanga, Jivamukti, and Yin yoga. Whichever you choose, the standard for comprehensive training is the 200-hour Yoga Alliance certification.

Regardless of the outcome, experiencing yoga teacher training and flourishing as a teacher is one of the best feelings you will experience. Growing into your own teaching style and having the self-awareness to support yourself through teaching are two of the most important things to consider, regardless of the outcome.

1. Hatha Yoga

Being one of the most in-demand yoga certifications, Hatha yoga is a general term for any physical yoga practice rather than a specific style. While not as fast-paced as more athletic styles, Hatha classes still build strength and stability.

I trained in Hatha yoga because I wanted to learn how to hold poses longer to promote mindfulness. Hatha incorporates basic asanas, breathing exercises, and meditation for a gentle yet well-rounded physical practice.

It focuses on basic poses and alignment principles, like a slower-paced, meditation-based style. Certification builds skills in fundamental teaching methods and adapting yoga for beginners.
• Certification requirements: 200-hour training is recommended at most registered yoga schools, especially in India, for authentic hatha training.
• Certification benefits: Certification builds skills in fundamental teaching methods and adapting yoga for beginners.
• Perfect for: Beginners easing into yoga or seasoned practitioners pursuing certification.

2. Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa yoga focuses on smooth, flowing sequences of poses synchronized with breath. Often called flow yoga, vinyasa seamlessly transitions between asanas with dance-like fluidity.

The steady development of intensity allows for creative expression. While following a structured sequence, teachers can adapt it to students’ needs. I find vinyasa popular among my students because it builds strength while providing some freedom.

Certification develops the ability to build balanced, safe sequences with seamless transitions. Once you master it, you can create dynamic, flowing sequences synchronized with breath, allowing creative freedom in sequencing.
• Certification requirements: No prerequisites, only a 200-hour training that combines poses with yoga philosophy and anatomy.
• Perfect for: Developing mind-body connection. Creative types will enjoy the freedom of sequencing.

3. Iyengar Yoga

Iyengar yoga emphasizes precision and alignment in each pose. Founded by B.K.S. Iyengar, this meticulous style uses yoga props like blocks and straps to achieve anatomical perfection.

While this teacher training course has a slower pace, Iyengar builds strength and flexibility by holding poses longer. The emphasis on anatomical purposes and props makes Iyengar therapeutic in addition to physically demanding.

Unlike yin yoga, Iyengar provides anatomical alignment using props like blocks and straps. Certification establishes expertise in poses, modifications, and using props for injuries or conditions.
• Certification requirements: Study at B.K.S. Iyengar’s institute in Pune, India, or with certified disciples to earn a CIYT certificate.
• Perfect for: Detail-oriented perfectionists seeking a gentle, therapeutic style.

4. Traditional Ashtanga Yoga

K. Pattabhi Jois established Ashtanga in the 1970s and remains one of the most physically intense forms of yoga. True to its name, which means “eight limbs” in Sanskrit, Ashtanga rigorously follows the eight limbs of yoga laid out by Patanjali. This includes poses, breathwork, concentration, meditation, and ethical disciplines.

The yoga practice is very structured, with every class following the same sequence of poses. The primary series focuses on detoxification and opening energy channels. Meanwhile, the advanced levels require immense strength, flexibility, and determination to complete long, rapidly flowing vinyasa sequences.

Physically and mentally demanding, teaching Ashtanga requires rigorous, set sequences of power poses linked by vinyasas. However, my certification proves deep knowledge of key series, adjustments, and assists for advanced students.
• Certification requirements: 200-hour training with the Jois family in Mysore, India, for authentic certification.
• Perfect for: Disciplined practitioners who enjoy set sequences and vigorous yoga.

5. Jivamukti Yoga

Jivamukti yoga is an intense hybrid style created by David Life and Sharon Gannon, combining hatha, vinyasa, and ashtanga sequences with spiritual aspects like chanting, yoga philosophy, and meditation.

The five core principles are scripture, devotion, compassion, music, and meditation. Jivamukti aims to be a vigorous yet holistic practice for self-growth on physical, ethical, and spiritual levels.

Compared to yin yoga, this spiritual style incorporates the five principles of shastra, bhakti, ahimsa, nada, and dhyana. Certification integrates physical rigor with deeper yoga wisdom and lifestyle.
• Certification requirements: At least 300-hour training from Jivamukti Yoga training centers in the USA, Costa Rica, or India.
• Perfect for: Spiritual people, vegans, and activists interested in chanting, music, and meditation.

6. Yin Yoga

Yin yoga, developed by Paulie Zink, blends long-held Chinese Taoist yoga poses to target deeper connective tissues versus a flowing style. Poses are held for two to 20 minutes to find your body’s edge without overexertion.

With just 30 main poses focused on ligaments, fascia, and other tissues, yin is meditative. The passive approach and a few poses allow practitioners to master key movements while developing physical and mental stillness.

This meditative style is perfect for teachers looking for long-held, passive floor poses targeting connective tissues. Getting certified in teaching yin yoga lets you specialize in safe pose holds, anatomy, and guiding stillness.
• Certification requirements: 200-500 hours of training from yoga schools, like the Yin Yoga Institute by Paulie Zink.
• Perfect for: Patient and Zen-like personalities seeking stillness and relaxation.

Insights From a Certified Yoga Instructor

We connected with Wenlin Tan, a women’s Qigong & Yoga Specialist who has over 15 years of experience in the field, because she’s also holds multiple certifications in the areas we shared above. When asked on her recommendations for what to get certified in and some caveats that instructors should know, here’s what she said:

Despite the cultural and social backgrounds of yoga teachers around the world, they share the common denominator of spirituality, healing, personal, and physical development through asanas (yoga poses). While there are similarities between them, many yoga teachers also share the same biased nature in their teaching styles and identities.

What kind of teacher do you want to become when you graduate from your 200-hour yoga teacher training course? There’s a recurrent thread of different styles, approaches, and trends that are as different and quirky as the next.

• Bootcamp teacher: Perhaps you are structured, militant, enjoy routine, and put your students through their paces. Many authoritative yoga teachers throw the more challenging poses into the mix and really enjoy pushing their students to their limits.
• Spiritual woo-woo teacher: The woo-woo teacher normally comes in the form of a person dressed in white and embodies a higher spiritualistic sense of self. This kind of teacher has a strong emphasis on using mantras within their classes, and will glare into your soul by staring deep into their student’s eyes.
• Stick-to-my-mat teacher: Walk around the space and make use of physical adjustments (that’s what they are there for!). Engage with your student’s energy levels, and start to build a rapport with who is in the room to ensure they return to your next class.
• Traditional Ashtanga teacher: COUNT, POSE, BREATH, DRISHTI – does that pretty much sum it up? Strictly speaking, that is all you need when teaching traditional ashtanga. However you might want to inject a little more personality into your teaching style. Ashtanga isn’t the easiest style of yoga to grasp as a student, so not sticking to the script will help you explain the tougher asanas and make the practice more personal and achievable for a wide range of students.
• Instagram teacher: Save the pictures and videos for after the class; social media and Instagram are some of the best free-selling tools to utilize. Try using it as a business tool for your teaching rather than demonstrating your most recent yoga.
• DJ teacher: There is nothing quite like a perfectly curated playlist and designing a sequence that flows alongside it. Try to use the music to create and add to the atmosphere of the class and the environment you are trying to achieve.
• All Yoga teacher: All Yoga teachers are successful as they have a strong sense of self-practice and can guide their students in an authentic nature while safely adjusting throughout the class.

All Yoga teachers are confident, playful, and creative in their teaching, as they have the freedom to sequence in a style that is authentic to them while drawing on a strong foundation of the modified primary series.

Do these resonate with you? Do you want to teach these types of yoga?
Join us!
• So what teacher do you think you will be?
• Do any of the above sound like they would resonate?
• Maybe you have yet to explore what type of teacher you are, and that’s totally fine!

Being informed about the various types of yoga teaching certifications will ensure you select the right program to suit your goals and teaching style. Consider factors like lineage, physical demands, and teaching methodology when choosing the best yoga certification.