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Best Yoga Teacher Training Programs

YogaWorks offers the best yoga teacher training program

Are you ready to take your yoga practice to the next level? Whether you’re looking for a career change or just interested in taking a deep dive into yoga philosophy and technique, enrolling in the right teacher training program can help you achieve your goals. Yoga teacher training programs are offered in-person and online. Most have a 200-hour registered yoga teacher (RYT) curriculum, with some providing further instruction to earn a 300- or 500-hour certification. 

Completing a 200-hour yoga teacher training allows you to provide instruction online or in person. You can choose to be self-employed or to work for a company. From practicing internationally to teaching in a yoga studio, gym, health club, school, or even for a special population, the possibilities are endless. That said, sifting through all the options and determining which programs are legitimate can feel overwhelming, so we've done the research for you. Here, we've compiled a list of the best yoga teacher training programs.

Best Yoga Teacher Training Programs of 2024

Best Yoga Teacher Training Programs
Best Yoga Teacher Training Programs

Best Overall : YogaWorks


YogaWorks

YogaWorks

Key Specs
  • Cost: $2,700 and up; all-inclusive starts at $4,775; self-paced program starts at $1,500
  • Program length: Weekends take three to six months; all-inclusive takes four weeks; self-paced takes 90 hours
  • Specialty/focus: Vinyasa-based
Why We Chose It

YogaWorks teacher training program offers both an entry-level and advanced curriculum at a reasonable price.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Offers weekend, online, and all-inclusive trainings 

  • Choose between 200- and 300-hour programs 

  • Focus on philosophy, postures, breathing, and meditation

Cons
  • Requires payment in full to receive lowest price

  • All-inclusive trainings are very expensive 

Overview

Offering a series of 200- and 300-hour yoga teacher trainings in various locations around the world, YogaWorks is flexible with the types of education provided. Courses are offered as four-week immersives, self-paced programs, or on weekends over several months. 

The training puts equal focus on both the philosophical teachings of yoga and the postures and hands-on adjustments. Learning about proper alignment and anatomy is critical for every YogaWorks training, and the use of props to modify postures plays a key role.

The 300-hour training is more advanced, offering one-on-one mentorship as well as more in-depth insight into meditation and yoga philosophy. Participants also gain free access for three months to the online classes offered on YogaWorks' website. 

Training rates vary depending on the location and the type of instruction you choose—expect to spend anywhere from around $2,700 to $3,300 for a month-long training. YogaWorks hosts both domestic and international training locations including Bali, Norway, Morocco, New Hampshire, and more.

People over 62 years old receive discounted tuition at $2,700. Check out the YogaWorks training calendar for more information on dates, locations, instructors, and pricing.

Best for Beginners : Kripalu


Kripalu

Kripalu

Key Specs
  • Cost: Base price of $2,808 plus accommodations and meals
  • Program length: Two in-person, 12-day sessions; one-month intensive; four-month online program
  • Specialty/focus: Kripalu methodology
Why We Chose It

The Kripalu Center offers three ways to receive a 200-hour certification, making it easier for beginners to become certified teachers.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Well-known and respected program

  • Online and in-person courses available

  • Thorough curriculum and knowledgeable teachers

  • Beautiful setting

Cons
  • More expensive than other trainings

  • Hour credits from other programs do not transfer

Overview

The non-profit Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health is located in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and is an immersive experience perfect for greener yogis. The in-person model requires your attendance at the center for two 12-day sessions, usually hosted about two months apart, or for a month-long intensive. Kripalu also offers 300- or 1000-hour yoga certificates.

The foundational program focuses on Kripalu Yoga's 20 foundational asanas. You will also learn anatomy and physiology, as well as how to structure engaging classes, including assists, warm-ups, asanas, pranayama, relaxation, and meditation techniques. There is an emphasis on yogic tradition.

It’s not mandated that you stay at the center for your training, though it’s highly recommended.

The course costs $2,808 whether you opt for in-person or fully online certification (in-person programs also have associated fees for food and accommodation). The Kripalu dining hall and cafe serve whole, nourishing foods including poultry, fish, whole grains, seasonal vegetables, bakery items, and more. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.

Best for Vinyasa : Rishikesh Vinyasa Yoga School


Vinyasa Yoga School

Vinyasa Yoga School

Key Specs
  • Cost: Starts at $1,400 for the 200-hour program (some discounts available)
  • Program length: 24, 27, or 56 days
  • Specialty/focus: Vinyasa, hatha, pranayama, anatomy and physiology, yoga therapy, meditation, shatkarmas 
Why We Chose It

The Vinyasa Yoga School offers a 30-day intensive training for 200- and 300-hour yoga certifications with a focus on vinyasa flows.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 200-, 300-, and 500-hour trainings available 

  • Overall cost is reasonable

  • Intensive model immerses you in the yoga world

Cons
  • Need to travel to school, located in Rishikesh, India 

  • Reservation deposits are non-refundable 

Overview

If you're looking to immerse yourself in all things yoga during your teacher training, consider choosing a program in Rishikesh.

Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas beside the Ganges River, this Indian city is renowned for its numerous yoga and meditation ashrams. Vinyasa Yoga School, one of the first in Rishikesh to offer this type of flow style, has multiple 200-, 300-, and 500-hour yoga teacher trainings throughout the year. 

Its immersive 200- hour training lasts for 24 days, the 300-hour training is 27 days, and the 500-hour training is 56 days long. Participants live onsite studying yoga six days a week. The school's primary goal is to impart to future teachers that yoga is a holistic practice that goes beyond just the physical postures.

Vinyasa Yoga School might be a good fit if you're looking to gain insight into the other aspects of the practice. The programs all dedicate time to the spiritual elements of yoga, such as pranayama, meditation techniques, mantras, and more.

A 200-hour teacher training, perfect for establishing your yoga foundation, costs around $1,400 (not including travel expenses).

The program includes all training (the length varies by course), yoga course materials, a room (you can opt for private or shared) with a hot shower and WiFi, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, field trips, yoga props for classes, access to a garden, and a Yoga Alliance RYT200 certificate. Check the calendar to find out about upcoming teacher trainings. Note that the school also has a location in Bali.

Best for Hot Yoga : Y7 Studio


Y7 Studio

Y7 Studio

Key Specs
  • Cost: $3,000 with scholarships available
  • Program length: About 2 months, 4 days a week 
  • Specialty/focus: Community-centered programs to make yoga more inclusive and accessible, with a focus on spiritual dimensions
Why We Chose It

Y7 Studios' high-temperature classes are just one reason this teacher training program made the list. It offers a comprehensive online teacher training program appropriate for all levels.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Engaging interactive online training program 

  • Expanded offerings include prenatal yoga, restorative yoga, and trauma-informed yoga

  • Option to complete the program fully online or in a hybrid model in NYC

Cons
  • No in-person training programs beyond New York City

  • Must commit to four days a week of Zoom classes

  • Requires a non-refundable deposit

Overview

Y7 Studio works to make yoga inclusive and accessible for all members of its community with a mission to break down the traditional barriers that beginner practitioners face. It's also a great option for those looking for a fully remote yoga teacher training program.

The brand's candle-lit classes focus on high-energy beats and high temperatures. Each studio is heated via infrared technology to between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit to help improve blood circulation and increase flexibility. 

Hands-on training is key to any Y7 training, which focuses on an in-depth exploration of over 100 asanas, as well as the proper alignment techniques and modifications for each pose.

The studio has shifted its format slightly to make training more engaging, even in online sessions. There is also the option to take in-person classes on Saturday in New York City; you can choose to attend some Saturdays in person and others online.

The business of yoga, its philosophy, and meditation and breathing techniques are all part of the Y7 curriculum. Pricing for the 200-hour teacher training is $3,000 with a non-refundable deposit. Y7 also offers early enrollment discounts and a payment plan option. Partial scholarships are available to yoga teachers in need, and preference is given to those working to spread the practice of yoga within their communities. 

Best for In-Depth Study : Himalayan Institute


Himalayan Institute

Himalayan Institute

Key Specs
  • Cost: Starts at $2,599
  • Program length: Two 100-hour sessions, each about a month, for 200-hour training; three segments for 300-hour training
  • Specialty/focus: Training in classical yoga, meditation, and holistic health
Why We Chose It

The Himalayan Institute fully immerses students in trainings that dive deep into different aspects of teaching yoga, including philosophy, asanas and forms, and teaching methods.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Prepares you for all aspects of teaching

  • Well-regarded program

  • Online

  • Scholarships available

Cons
  • Expensive

Overview

Located in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, The Himalayan Institute is a quiet, peaceful setting of over 400 acres in the foothills of the Pocono Mountains where you can get well-rounded, comprehensive yoga teacher training. 

Both 200- and 300-hour training sessions are fully online. Yoga trainings with the Himalayan Institute consist of several sessions per day for five days a week. The 200-hour training session is divided into two 100-hour segments, and the 300-hour training session is divided into three segments.

The curriculum covers skills, techniques, and teaching methods from highly trained faculty. You’ll learn asana, pranayama, meditation, philosophy, ethics of yoga, scientific knowledge like anatomy and physiology, and much more. Pricing for the course starts at $2,599 (it's more for the 300-hour training).

Final Verdict

The YogaWorks program is our pick for the best overall yoga teacher training program because its flexible and well-regarded offerings include weekend, online, and all-inclusive trainings. The curriculum is thorough, with an emphasis on the poses themselves, safety, and how to teach engaging classes. Need-based scholarships are available.

If you're looking to be immersed in a month-long, all-inclusive experience, consider Vinyasa Yoga School.

How to Choose a Yoga Teacher Training

Hatha, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Yin, Yoga Nidra: There are lots of different styles of yoga. If you’ve been going to a particular style of yoga class and enjoy it, then you may want a teacher training program that offers that style. Or, maybe you can't find the type of class you want in your area, so you'd like training so you can offer it yourself.

The next step is to determine where exactly you want to get trained. Schools that are Yoga Alliance-certified follow a strict framework that allows them to lead not just 200-hour yoga teacher trainings but 300- and 500-hour programs as well. Studios that are Yoga Alliance-certified will feature the Yoga Alliance logo on all of their courses. When in doubt, it’s best to inquire with the school directly. 

Usually, teacher trainings offered abroad in India, Mexico, and Southeast Asia are immersive programs that require you to stay for three or four weeks onsite, and pricing is often reflective of room and board, as well as meals. While these comprehensive trainings are invaluable, they may be cost-prohibitive for some.

That said, if you're looking to combine a vacation with yoga training, some yoga schools offer add-on amenities depending on the location, like adventure tours or cultural immersion programs. You also may want to consider hybrid programs (like those offered at the Kripalu Institute) that combine online or self-paced instruction with shorter in-person sessions and retreats to better fit your schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do I Have to Teach Yoga After a Teacher Training?

    Yoga teacher training programs are designed to help meet the goal of becoming a teacher, but it is not necessary that you do. Participants join yoga teacher training sessions not just to become a teacher, but also to learn more about yoga and its philosophies, and to deepen their own personal practice.

  • What Does RYT 200 and RYT 500 Mean?

    RYT 200 indicates a registered yoga teacher who has completed a 200-hour teacher training, the minimum required to teach. RYT 500 indicates a registered yoga teacher who has completed both a 200-hour training and an additional 300 hours of yoga training, which is often more specialized. 

  • What Is the Difference Between YTT and RYT?

    YTT is the abbreviation for Yoga Teacher Training, used by some providers. RYT stands for Registered Yoga Teacher. The standardized Yoga Alliance credentials also include E-RYT, a designation for Experienced training, RCYT for teaching children, and RPYT for teaching prenatal yoga classes.

  • Is Yoga Teacher Training Worth It?

    The value of yoga teacher training depends on the individual. If you plan a teaching career, then it's an investment you can expect to pay off over time. If you're choosing a retreat-like immersion experience for personal growth, the costs lead to other benefits. Check into local options if you're working on a budget.

Methodology

We ensured that the teacher training programs we recommend are all-encompassing, were well-received by past students, have a comprehensive curriculum and structure, and offer multiple sessions throughout the year, extending beyond the United States. To do so, we checked the Yoga Alliance’s directory of recommended schools and yoga teacher training programs offered around the world and read comprehensive reviews—both positive and negative.

For some, we even sought the recommendations of former yogis who participated in past teacher training sessions. We also paid special attention to diversity, not just in the curriculum, but with regard to the teachers and students themselves. 

Best Yoga Teacher

VERYWELL FIT / Design by Amelia Manley

By Christabel Lobo
Christabel Lobo is a Registered Yoga Teacher and freelance writer. She has written for AllRecipes, LIVESTRONG, Leaf.TV, Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, and more. 

Edited by
Ally Hirschlag
Allison "Ally" Hirschlag

Ally is a senior editor for Verywell, who covers topics in the health, wellness, and lifestyle spaces. She has written for The Washington Post, Scientific American, The Guardian, BBC Future, and more.

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