Certified yoga instructors are in high demand in 2020. If you’re looking to make a living teaching yoga, getting certified can be a great first step. But how much does yoga teacher training cost, and how do you get started?
From RYT-200 hour yoga teacher training courses to online resources, this ClickEasy business guide will walk you through all the steps to get your yoga certification ASAP.
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What is a yoga certification, and what does it do?
Yoga certifications are basically teaching degrees for yoga instructors. Certifications are earned from legit, accredited yoga schools and separate trained practitioners from average joes. Yoga certifications typically require 200 to 500 hours of training, depending on the style of yoga, school and location you live in.
In the US, yoga certifications are regulated by the Yoga Alliance, but overseas it varies. You can earn a certification from any independent school that’s been approved by the Yoga Alliance. The exact material you’ll study varies by school and program, but usually includes a mix of hatha yoga, chakra study, meditation, anatomy/physiology, philosophy, psychology, teaching methods and basic business practices.
Once you receive a yoga certification, you can officially add RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) in your title. This is similar to how doctors add MD to their title once they complete medical school.
Is a yoga certification required to teach?
Legally, you do not need a yoga certification to teach yoga. However, it can be tough to find a job, lead a class or build a yoga business without the official RYT in your title.
Plus, improving your skills as a teacher will help you wow your students and keep new ones coming in. If you want to make money as a yoga instructor, we recommend getting certified.
How much does a yoga certification cost?
The typical price range for a yoga certification class is from $2,000 - $5,000 USD total. This covers educational materials (training manuals, readings, etc.), training and feedback from a certified teacher, yoga mats/equipment, etc.
Some programs can be dramatically more or less expensive, and prices will vary online or in your area.
What yoga certification program is right for me?
There are tons of options to choose from, and no class is right for everyone. To find the perfect yoga teacher training for you, you’ll need to ask yourself a few questions.
1. What is your goal?
Everybody goes into yoga training with a different goal:
You may be hunting for a job at a local yoga studio or gym. Most yoga businesses will only consider Yoga Alliance certified teachers. So if this is your goal, make sure you choose a Registered Yoga School (RYS) at the 200 or 500 hour level. A directory of these schools can be found on Yoga Alliance’s site here.
You may want to start or grow your own yoga business. If that’s you, you may have some more flexibility in the program you choose. Some yoga schools will offer business and marketing advice to help get you started. Be sure to also check out a marketing tool like ClickEasy which can help you build a website, grow your presence on social media and find/manage new students.
You may want to study a specific style or technique of yoga. Most yoga certifications will share the same core principles, but cover different topics at varying levels of detail. If you struggle to find what you’re looking for locally, this can be a great spot for online courses.
2. How do you like to learn?
There are a few different types of courses that appeal to different types of learners.
Immersion programs are great if you want to escape the world’s distractions and focus on nothing but yoga. These programs tend to be a bit more intense and condensed, which is great for learners who want the full experience.
Extended programs space out the lessons a bit more. This is great if you prefer more time between lessons to practice or study. Lessons can also be scheduled on weekends or at night, if you have a busy schedule.
Lastly, online programs can be great if you love studying at your own pace. If you find classrooms distracting or live far away from any local programs, finding the right online course can be a wonderful alternative!
3. What is your budget?
Like we mentioned earlier, yoga certification courses usually cost between $2000 to $5000 all in. That’s not cheap.
But it’s also important to treat this education as an investment into your own future. If you’re serious about making money in yoga, the perfect course is worth paying a bit more if you can. Free tools like ClickEasy can help you cut costs in other areas, if you need help saving up.
4. Who do you trust the most?
At the end of the day, your education will be in your teachers’ hands.
Like all things in life, this will be a highly personal and complex decision for you. If any studios or teachers just feel like a better fit for you, then we say follow your gut! Or if you’re struggling to find one that feels right, try watching their videos or attending free classes when you can.
What do I do once I have my yoga certification?
So many opportunities will open up for you once your yoga teacher training is complete. You will be a more accomplished teacher and practitioner. So the next steps are really up to you.
If starting your own business or finding private clients is important to you, try ClickEasy. Our free tools make creating a yoga website, growing your social media and managing new customers easier than ever. It’s an essential tool for any small business owner looking to grow.
There are so many unique and amazing things you can do with your yoga certification. From destination yoga getaways to studio classes and solo businesses, you’ll just have to find what’s right for you. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.
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We hope this guide to becoming a certified yoga instructor in 2020 was helpful! Be sure to check back on our blog for more helpful tips and guides for yoga instructors and entrepreneurs.
