| You may think that yoga teacher classes are only for | | | | hours required for certification: an intensive program |
| those people who have studied the practice for many | | | | that meets daily over the course of a month or two, or |
| years and can do every advanced yoga posture. In | | | | an extended program that meets weekly or bi-weekly |
| reality, people with all levels of experience and | | | | over the course of several months to a year. The |
| backgrounds decide to get their yoga instructor | | | | intensive program format is perfect for those who are |
| certification every year! Even if you don't plan to | | | | transitioning jobs or visiting from out of town, while the |
| become a yoga teacher, a training course will expand | | | | extended format is great for those who work day |
| your knowledge base and give you additional insight | | | | jobs or have obligations that prevent them from doing |
| into yoga's history, philosophy and postures, as well as | | | | the intensive. With either course format, students are |
| a deeper understanding of anatomy, alignment and | | | | required to complete 200 full hours of training before |
| breathing techniques. | | | | they can receive certification. The cost of yoga |
| Yoga Alliance Certification | | | | teacher training varies by school, but is typically $3,000 |
| There are many things to consider before signing up | | | | or more for the 200-hour certification. Some schools |
| for yoga teacher classes. First, if you are taking | | | | offer financial aid or scholarships to a select number of |
| courses in the United States, make sure that your | | | | students who meet specific requirements. |
| training program is recognized by the Yoga Alliance, a | | | | Finding the Right Yoga Instructors |
| nonprofit organization that supports the study and | | | | Finally, make sure that you get to know the instructors |
| teaching of yoga. They have a strict set of guidelines | | | | who will be teaching your courses. You'll be spending a |
| that outline the requirements for 200 and 500-hour | | | | lot of time under the direction of these yoga |
| yoga training programs, and most yoga studios require | | | | professionals, and it's important that you will be |
| that their instructors be certified by the Yoga Alliance. | | | | comfortable and confident during your training program. |
| Yoga Teacher Training Time and Cost Considerations | | | | Remember that what you learn during yoga teacher |
| Second, understand that yoga teacher classes are a | | | | classes will include more than just exercise or |
| serious time and financial commitment. Many yoga | | | | memorization. The training process is a journey of the |
| centers provide two options for completing the 200 | | | | mind, body and spirit! |