Whether you aspire to become a yoga teacher or are looking to become a serious yoga practitioner, a yoga teacher training certification is certainly the ideal step to take. When deciding on the apt. yoga teacher training and certification programs, several questions and doubts come to mind. The fear of ending up in a yoga TTC that is not the right fit stops us from going on this journey or advancing in the journey of being a yogi that some of us are already on. This guide is your answer to all the major questions that we must have the answers to so as to land at the apt. yoga class and program.
WHAT ARE REQUIREMENTS TO TEACH & PRACTICE YOGA?
In simple words, ‘None’. Yes, that’s right! You do not need an accreditation or certificate to practice or teach yoga. All you need is a yoga mat and the right skills to lead a yoga class. If you are a yoga teaching aspirant then you must be looking to professionally teach at yoga studios or open your own studio. Either way, any yoga studio is most likely going to hire you only if you have a certificate that validates your skills as a yoga teacher. It is the same for the students as well. Whoever looks for a yoga studio to get into, prefers to study under a Yoga Alliance certified teacher only. So, if you wish to make a career as a yoga teacher, we guide you to get into a reputed yoga TTC program first. You can begin with 200 hour Yoga teacher training.
WHAT IS YOGA ALLIANCE?
Yoga Alliance is the world’s largest and most reputed registration body for yoga schools and yoga teachers. It is the largest, independent organization (Non-profit) that represents the yoga community with thousands of yoga schools and yoga teachers registered on its portal. They have set guide standards that a yoga school or program should meet in order to register with them. Once you complete a Yoga Alliance validated yoga teacher training program, you will be eligible to register yourself onto their website and get the RYT license (Registered Yoga Teacher).
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 200 HOUR, 300 HOUR, & 500 HOUR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING CERTIFICATION?
200 hour Yoga Teacher Training is the initial step to becoming a yoga teacher. It is the base-building phase during which you study the core subjects of yoga such as Yoga Asana, Yogic Philosophy, Meditation, Pranayama, Shatkiryas etc in both theory and practice.
300 hour Yoga Teacher Training is the next step that comes after 200 hour. It is the stage where you foray into advanced yoga teachings.
The 500 hour YTT is more of a combination of 200 hour and 300 hour Yoga TTC. Yogis who can manage 12-15 weeks of continuous yogic studies at a school, can enroll into this program.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RYT & CYT?
RYT is specific to Yoga Alliance, i.e., a yoga teacher who is registered with Yoga Alliance, is eligible to get RYT designation. CYT means ‘Certified Yoga Teacher’. There are several yoga programs that are conducted at schools and colleges from basic to highly-advanced levels. These might not be registered with Yoga Alliance and could be registered with another body. Such yoga teachers fall under the designation of CYT.
WHERE TO STUDY YOGA TEACHER TRAINING?
You can study yoga teacher training anywhere across the globe, keep in mind that the school is reputed and you have chosen the right program. However, if you wish to gain some of the most authentic exposure to yoga, then it is best to go with a 200 hour Yoga teacher training in India, the birth land of Yoga. Apart from 200 and 300 hour YTTC in Goa, you can even go to a 500 hour YTT at a reputed yoga school in Goa. Go ahead and book an on-campus yoga TTC in India, if you have the bandwidth and budget as residential programs are quite extensive and work on holistic transformation of an aspiring yogi into a serious yoga teacher and practitioner.
ONLINE YOGA COURSE V/S OFFLINE YOGA PROGRAM: WHICH IS BETTER?
First off, ‘yes’ you can undergo a yoga teacher training online and get a validated certification as well. If you are short on time and are unable to fully-devote yourself to a yoga program, then going with an online yoga teacher training makes a lot of practical sense. However, studying at the school under the guidance of the yoga teachers in-person is certainly beneficial in terms of getting practical exposure, proper advice on posture correction and of course, getting all the practical doubts cleared in person is also an added advantage. Both modes have their own pros and cons. We guide you to go for offline.
IS THERE AN EXPIRATION DATE ON A YOGA TTC CERTIFICATE?
A yoga teacher training certificate does not expire. However, there could be certain add-ons that you might be expected to do from time to time to keep your certificate active on Yoga Alliance.
It helps if you remain active in the field of study and teaching both. It keeps your skills sharp, guide you, helps you continually evolve as a yoga practitioner. Remember, yoga is a journey and not the destination. There are miles and miles to go before you fully transition into a yogi.
Good luck!
