If you’re hoping to get a yoga teaching certification, you may be wondering how much it’s going to cost you. Yoga is supposed to be relaxing and stimulating for your mind and body, but what concerns over certification costs are keeping you up at night? Before deciding to pursue any kind of certification, read on to know what to expect.
How much does it cost to get a yoga certification? The cost of a yoga certification varies from $200 to $7,000 depending on the type of certification. It varies widely depending on the specific type and depth of the training you pursue. Some specialized certification classes may be as low as $200, while some 500-hour courses may cost as much as $7,000 or more.
Read on to get more in-depth information about the costs of various yoga certification courses. We’ll also take a look at some other questions you may have, such as how to become a certified yoga instructor, what to expect from the training, and whether you can get certified online.
» MORE: Can Yoga Teacher Training Be Done Online?
How Much Does a Yoga Certification Cost?
So you enjoy doing yoga, and you’re thinking it might be fun to get into teaching it. Great idea! The only problem is, you’re worried about the cost. Just how much are you going to be out if you decide to take the plunge and get certified?
As mentioned in the introduction, the cost of teacher certifications can vary widely depending on how in-depth the training is. Other cost factors may include the location of the training, the instructor’s credentials, the school’s reputation, and whether or not the school is Yoga Alliance Certified. We’ll discuss these factors in greater detail a bit later in this article.
For now, let’s take a look at the different types of yoga certifications and how much each type may cost you.
Specialized Yoga Certification
Specialized yoga certification courses are, as you might guess, short-term training classes in specialized aspects of yoga. These classes may or may not lead to a teaching certification but may be a great addition to your own credentials if you’re already a teacher.
They’re also great if you’re not necessarily looking for a full-blown teacher’s certification and you need to stay on a budget. These specialized certifications may only take 1 to 4 weeks to complete and cost as little as $95. Depending on all other factors, such as location and instructor, these classes are almost always under $1,000.
200-Hour Teacher Certification
The 200-hour yoga teacher certification is a good, basic, entry level certification. If you’re looking for a full-fledged teaching certification course but don’t want to spend the real big bucks for a more in-depth course, you may be able to find a 200-hour certification at a relatively bargain price.
Again, pricing will largely depend on other factors such as location and instructor. But it is possible to find these courses for under $1,000. The more premium-end courses at this training level may be up to $4,000. The 200-hour courses generally last for 4-8 weeks, depending on the location and the instructors training.
300-Hour Teacher Certification
As you might guess, the 300-hour training courses are a bit more advanced than 200-hour courses.
A 300-hour course will, of course, look better on a resume when you’re just starting out. It denotes an intermediate level of training, thus making you a great candidate for a wide variety of yoga teaching jobs.
These classes are usually around $1,000-$2,000 on the low end and may be upwards of $7,000 in premium locations with world-class teachers and lots of amenities. A 300-hour certification can take as little as 4-8 weeks to complete.
500-Hour Teacher Certification
500-hour certification is the top level of yoga instruction. Those who complete a 500-hour training course will receive the most well rounded and in depth instruction in the various types and forms of yoga. Upon completing the course, they will likely be able to find some of the best paying jobs available to first-time instructors.
The amount of training received will also make them eligible for the widest range of yoga teaching jobs.
These courses typically start around $1,500-$2,500. Most people interested in taking a 500-hour training course can expect to pay around $5,000, with more premium courses potentially costing much more than that. A 500-hour certification can take as little as 4-8 weeks to complete.
» MORE: Do You Need A Certification to Teach Yoga?
What Other Factors Can Influence Yoga Certification Costs?
As you can see in the section above, the cost of getting a yoga certification depends somewhat on the type of training course you take. But you probably noticed that the cost can vary quite a bit even for the same type of training course–for example, the fact that 300-hour courses can range between $1,000 and $7,000.
What causes this wide range of costs?
Let’s take a look at some of the factors, in addition to the types of trainings, that can contribute to the cost of any given yoga certification course.
Location of the Training
Some parts of the world are known for offering premium yoga certification courses at premium prices. Some of the most expensive countries for taking yoga courses include Costa Rica, Bali, and, in some regions, the United States.
While it is possible to find more affordable options in all of these countries, you may have to spend some time looking for them. The cheaper courses will probably be offered by less experienced or credentialed instructors, and they are most likely to be found in smaller cities and rural areas.
On the other hand, some countries such as India and Thailand are known for providing the best training courses at the best prices. If you study in India, for example, you’re likely to find lots of training options with plenty of experienced teachers at some of the lowest prices in the world.
Of course, if you have to travel to India, perhaps taking time off work to do so, you’ll need to factor these into your overall cost and decide whether it’s worth it.
Another option is online. Many people may be turned off by this idea, due to not being physically in the classroom. But the many perks of taking an online course is that you can complete it as fast or as slow as you’d like, and the price is cheaper since it is online.
The Instructor’s Credentials
The world-renowned yoga teachers typically command world-renowned prices. Granted, it will look great on your resume if you get your training from a Yoga Alliance certified teacher with decades of experience and all the credentials; but you’ll need to be prepared to pay top dollar for such instructors.
» MORE: My Vinyasa Practice vs. YogaRenew: Which Training is Better?
The School’s Reputation
The school where you get your training may also affect the price you pay. You may be part of a brand new instructor’s first class of trainees, but if that new instructor works for a top school that’s known for commanding top prices, you probably won’t get a price break just because the instructor’s new.
That said, most of these types of schools are located in yoga hotspots like Costa Rica and will probably be full of experienced and world-famous instructors. They are meant to give the students a once-in-a-lifetime experience of everyday yoga in a tourist’s dream sort of place. You can expect to pay big money for these schools.
Yoga Alliance Registration
Is the school you’re considering registered with the Yoga Alliance? If so, there’s a good bet it’s going to be a high level of training that follows certain standards. The Yoga Alliance sets the standards and oversees some of the most reputable yoga teacher training programs, Yoga Alliance-certified schools are a good choice for those interested in becoming teachers.
That said, Yoga Alliance approved teacher training classes tend to be on the pricier end of instructor courses.
» MORE: Do I Need to Get A Yoga Alliance Certification?
Added Amenities
Finally, it’s worth noting that, with some training courses, you get much more than just yoga training. Many of the most premium courses also include gourmet meals and other accommodations such as room and board and transportation. If you pay a pretty penny, you can be fairly confident that you’re going to get treated like royalty.
If you can afford this special treatment, you will find that it’s absolutely worth the money. That said, if you’re looking for a less expensive option, you may be able to find a perfectly good yoga teacher training program closer to home or even online.
» MORE: Top 3 Best Online Yoga Teacher Training [My Honest Opinion]
Can You Get Yoga Certification Online?
With all this talk of international training programs and having to travel to get certified as a yoga teacher, you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed. Maybe you don’t have time or money to travel, but there aren’t any good in-person training courses in your area. What are you supposed to do?
Is it possible to get certified as a yoga instructor by taking online classes?
The answer is yes!
There are many online teacher training programs, and as you might imagine, they aren’t all created equal. But a good online yoga instructor course will allow you to go at your own pace, on your own schedule, while also allowing plenty of opportunities for gaining teaching experience.
Online training courses also tend to feel more relaxed, which is absolutely necessary for learning and practicing yoga. If you’re already feeling relaxed going into the training periods each day, you can accomplish much more in the allotted time than you might be able to do in an in-person course.
Again, though, it’s important to find a good online training course. How do you go about doing that? You may not want to simply rely on a quick Google search. Research any online training you consider enrolling in. Check the program instructor’s credentials, experience, and testimonials, if available.
A great online yoga teacher training school too check out is listed below.
- My Vinyasa Practice – This yoga alliance approved school gives you a state of the art, well-rounded foundation of yoga and goes for 4-8 weeks. Most of the material is pre-recorded, which really allows you to go at your own pace and study when you have the time. Live on-screen sessions with the instructors are always available. All required materials, one-on-one mentorship, and a private Facebook group to get to know the community, are all included in the cost as well.
What is a Registered Yoga Teacher?
It makes sense that yoga instructors would have to be registered or certified in some way, but what exactly does the term “Registered Yoga Teacher” mean?
Simply put, a registered yoga teacher, or RYT, is a yoga instructor that was trained by a Yoga Alliance-registered school, but there’s more to it than that. RYTs have to maintain several standards to be considered a registered yoga teacher.
- RYTs must receive and maintain confirmation from the Yoga Alliance. This means completing a registered yoga school (RYS) training program and keeping up with continuing education requirements.
- RYTs must pay membership fees to the Yoga Alliance.
- In addition to continuing education, RYTs must demonstrate experience with teaching or practicing yoga in accordance with Yoga Alliance standards.
According to their website, “Yoga Alliance does not certify teachers or accredit schools. Yoga Alliance’s credentialing system is a directory, not to be confused with other types of credentialing systems (such as certifications, accreditations, licensure, etc.).”
In other words, the Yoga Alliance doesn’t standardize how yoga is taught; it is simply a membership community with its own set of standards for the training received and practiced by its members.
That said, the Yoga Alliance is seen as a highly reputable and professional association, and any yoga instructor having an RYT designation is more likely to find a good number of job opportunities even if just starting out.
» MORE: How Much Do Certified Yoga Teachers Make Vs. Non-Certified?
How Do You Become a Registered Yoga Teacher?
After reading the section above, you may have decided you want to become a registered yoga teacher. Good choice! RYT training programs are some of the best yoga certification programs you can get, and they’ll give you a number of options for putting your training into practice once you graduate.
So what are the steps you should take to become an RYT? Let’s take a look!
Learn Yoga from an RYT
Before becoming a yoga instructor, you should already be practicing yoga on your own. If you’re fairly new to doing yoga, or if you haven’t learned from a registered yoga teacher, it might be a good idea to do so.
If possible, find a local teacher with the RYT designation and begin practicing under their guidance. This is not completely critical, but it may help you later on, after getting your teacher certification, when you attempt to become registered with the Yoga Alliance. The more experience and credentials you have in your favor, the better.
Enroll in a RYS Teacher Training Program
After practicing and learning from an RYT for awhile, you’re feeling ready to become an instructor yourself. Find an RYS and enroll in the teacher training program.
Your RYT may be able to recommend a program, or they may offer one themselves that you can enroll in.
Remember to make sure that the program you enroll in is registered with the Yoga Alliance. You can find these training programs around the world. As mentioned earlier, some of the most expensive, luxury training programs can be found in places like Costa Rica and Bali, while the most inexpensive ones are offered in countries such as India and Thailand.
Register With the Yoga Alliance
Once you’ve completed your training course, go to the Yoga Alliance website and register your training and credentials. You will need to pay an initial $50 application fee and an annual fee of $65, both of which are due up front when you register.
After that, you will be expected to pay the $65 annual fee each year to maintain your registration with the Yoga Alliance. Although this is not necessary, it will set you apart from other candidates when you apply for a yoga teaching job.
Stay Up to Date on Continuing Education
The Yoga Alliance standards require that you complete 75 hours of continuing education every three years. At least 45 of these hours must be hands-on training, gained simply through teaching yoga. The other 30 hours must be in accordance with one of the Yoga Alliance’s educational categories.
Final Thoughts
Yoga teacher training can be a bit pricey, but there are definitely some lower-cost options available as well. Whether you’re looking for a luxury 500-hour training course in Costa Rica or an inexpensive online course, you should be able to find a training program that fits your needs and budget.
» MORE: My Vinyasa Practice Review [My Honest Opinion]
Our Recommendation
If you’re looking for an online training, approved by the Yoga Alliance, we recommend My Vinyasa Practice. They offer all kinds of certifications that are completely online and self-paced so you can take as much or as little time completing it as you’d like.
They also provide 50% off tuition when paid in full, making the 200-hour yoga teacher training certification only $375. So what are you waiting for? Get your learning on!
~Namaste