If you've ever wanted to learn how to become a yoga teacher, 2021 is very likely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Before COVID-10, it was not possible to become a certified yoga instructor by completing an online course. Now, the Yoga Alliance, the biggest nonprofit association that represents the yoga community, has extended the online teaching exemption till the end of 2021 for existing registered yoga schools.
While it is not a requirement to sign up with a school that is certified by Yoga Alliance, it can open more doors for you. After all, considering that you will be working with the physical and emotional well-being of your students, it is good to have certain levels of standards and practices in place.
What's more, while researching the best online programs available, we discovered that there are currently amazing deals in the light of the pandemic. Some of the online yoga teacher training courses included in our list are currently half price (and if you have ever read up a bit you will know that these types of courses are not the cheapest). So, to help you fulfill your dream of joining the yoga industry or start a new side hustle, we’ve created a shortlist of some of the best online training courses. If online learning is not really your thing, some of these courses also have a hybrid option that includes some form of in-person training under the wing of experienced teachers.
How to Train Your Inner Yoga Teacher: 12 Top Online Yoga Teacher Training Courses:
- 1. East+West
- 2. Santosha Yoga Teacher Training Online
- 3. YogaRenew
- 4. The Kaivalya Yoga Method
- 5. Yoga Farm Ithaca
- 6. Brett Larkin Yoga
- 7. Yoga International
- 8. Zazyoga Online Yoga Teacher Training
- 9. My Vinyasa Practice Online Yoga Teacher Training
- 10. Online Yoga School
- 11. Siddhi Yoga
- 12. StretchBodyMind
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. East+West
East+West is one of the biggest yoga training schools across the globe and it is also one of the most recognized courses. FindYoga voted it as the World’s #1 Overall Teacher Training, while LA Yoga Magazine described this course as “The World’s Coolest Teacher Training”. Though, what sets it apart from other courses is that you will be learning from Western as well as Eastern yoga teachers.
This 200-hour course requires a time commitment of about 16 hours per week for 10 weeks. They also introduced an online and hybrid option in 2021. Students will have the option to complete the 10 weeks online or complete the first six weeks online and the second half of the course during a 10-day in-person training session. The in-person training will either be held in Costa Rica or Bali.
While this is a great course, it is one of the more expensive options. The full price is $1950, but monthly payment plans are also available.
2. Santosha Yoga Teacher Training Online
Santosha’s Online Yoga Teacher Online Training Level 1 Course is more flexible than some of the other courses as they will create a schedule each month by taking into consideration your needs and time zone. Plus, it is almost half the price of East+West and costs about $1,140 if you pay in full. Alternatively, you can opt for the four-month payment plan with monthly installments of about $330.
Boasting more than 12 years experience and a 4.8-star rating on Google, their training is completely self-paced. You can either join the optional live Zoom classes or watch the recorded sessions in your own time. They also offer access to video modules, handouts and specialized manuals. After completion, you will graduate as a Certified RYT-200 Yoga Teacher.
3. YogaRenew
YogaRenew is a registered yoga school with Yoga Alliance and offers four online teacher training programs. So, whether you have only 20 hours available or can afford to set 500 hours aside, you will find a program for your schedule.
For example, their Yin Yoga Certification Program requires only 20 hours and focuses on the study of stillness. In addition to learning how to teach this style of yoga, you will also learn about the history, philosophy, benefits and impact on the body. Not only is it much shorter, but it is also a fraction of the price of some of the other 200-hour courses. You can either opt for the one-time payment of $237 or make three monthly payments of $99. Even their 200-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training is much cheaper and costs only $437.
4. The Kaivalya Yoga Method
Similarly to YogaRenew, the Kaivalya Yoga Method also offers different certification options to meet your time requirements. In addition to offering the “standard” 200-hour course, it also offers a 300-hour and 500-hour course.
Presented by Alanna Kaivalya, the 200-hour and 500-hour programs cover topics like anatomy, alignment, sequencing a vinyasa class and teaching techniques. One of the advantages of this course is that it also focuses on how to build a business. During this module, you will learn how to use the web and improve your business skills.
In addition to being accredited by Yoga Alliance, the programs are also accredited by Group Fitness Instructors United and Complementary Therapists Accredited Association. Currently, the programs’ pricing ranges between $400 and $1000.
5. Yoga Farm Ithaca
In addition to teaching live online courses, as the name suggests, Yoga Farm also teaches in-person classes on their 65-acre farm. Though, this facility is currently closed, but a reopening plan and plans for an expanded center are in the pipeline.
Their 200-hour Online Yoga Teacher Training and Certification stretches over a period of three months and is approved by the Yoga Alliance. Though, if life gets a bit hectic, you have up to one year to complete the certification. Their team of 10 educators and yoga teachers come from all walks of life and will teach you how to teach hatha yoga, vinyasa yoga and mindfulness.
The 200-hour program normally costs $1,899, but in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is currently $1,499 when paid in full. Similarly to the The Kaivalya Method, a section of Yoga Farm Ithaca’s course also concentrates on the business of yoga. From marketing to the pros and cons of streaming services, they will teach you how to run a successful online yoga business.
6. Brett Larkin Yoga
Brett Larkin is one of the top yoga influencers on YouTube and an award-winning yoga instructor. She boasts over a decade’s teaching experience, more than 400,000 subscribed students on YouTube and over five years of experience in leading live online training. As she has already been teaching online for more than five years, she has already refined the online experience to create one of the most personal and interactive online yoga courses.
One of the major appeals of her Yoga Alliance-accredited courses is the strong focus on teaching business strategies to her students. In fact, she actually uses her own Uplifted Yoga Teacher Training app. Not only does it make online learning more convenient and engaging, but it is a great example of how you can brand your online yoga studio.
7. Yoga International
While most of the other programs mentioned made the list for the comprehensive 200-hour course that they offer, Yoga International makes this list for its comprehensive restorative online yoga teacher training program. In short, during restorative yoga, positions are held for longer with the help of props to experience deep relaxation.
This 6-hour self-paced program is led by Cyndi Lee and teaches students how to work with various skill levels and body sizes. It concentrates on introducing a restorative pose and different ways to sequence a class.
While it does not include live videos, for $225 you get digital access to short videos and a 15-page PDF yoga manual. Upon completion, students will also receive a digital certificate of completion.
8. Zazyoga Online Yoga Teacher Training
Zazyoga’s 30-day online video course offers more than 16 hours of content. In addition to the expert content, you will also get weekly live group calls with the course teachers, three one-on-one coaching calls with the founder of the school, and two one-on-one personal practice supervision with the teachers. So, it promises to offer enough opportunities for meaningful interaction too.
While the course is entirely self-paced and you have up to a year to complete the training, they recommend that you stick to the 30-day schedule. Upon completion of the teacher training program, students will be eligible to register with Yoga Alliance.
With regards to its pricing, it currently costs $1397. Though, unlike most courses, they actually offer a free trial.
9. My Vinyasa Practice Online Yoga Teacher Training
Boasting almost 20 years of yoga teaching experience, Michelle Young, the founder of My Vinyasa Practice, has made it her mission to create affordable, yet high-quality, online yoga teacher training. Her 200-hour yoga teacher training course, that includes yoga therapy for anxiety, costs only $750.
The training follows a weekly format that includes readings, videos and Zoom sessions over the weekend. Students can either complete her program in as little as eight weeks or work at their own pace. Upon completion of the course, students will receive a certificate and be eligible to register with Yoga Alliance.
10. Online Yoga School
Online Yoga School (Yoga & Ayurveda Center) is a Registered Yoga School (RYS) with Yoga Alliance and boasts a 4.83 overall school rating that is based on more than 3,000 reviews. For less than $1,000, you can complete a variety of courses that are entirely self-paced. While the course is online, rest assured, you will still have ample support. Students have access to contact Steph, the founder and lead trainer. Moreover, you will also have access to online support groups where you can connect with fellow students.
11. Siddhi Yoga
Siddhi Yoga is one of the leading yoga schools in India. For the past seven years, they have offered professional online courses that are accredited by Yoga Alliance. During this time, more than 2,000 students from over 60 countries have already completed Siddhi Yoga’s courses.
Included in the course is a 300-page manual, more than 200 hours of self-paced training, and over 250 video lessons. Students will also have the chance to attend weekly live Zoom sessions during which they can ask their teachers questions directly. If you need more convincing than their hundreds of five-star reviews on Facebook and YouTube, they also offer a free trial.
12. StretchBodyMind
While Victoria, the founder of StretchBodyMind, has only recently adapted her Yoga Teacher Training course so that it can be completely online, it promises to offer one of the most personal interactions. During the course, you will work with her on a one-to-one basis in addition to pre-recorded videos. And, there is a lot you can learn from her. Victoria is a Yoga Alliance Professionals Senior Yoga teacher and has been teaching yoga for more than 20 years and in 2020 she was shortlisted for Health & Wellbeing Entrepreneur by the Great British Entrepreneur Awards. Not only has she personally trained hundreds of professionals, but she has also helped her students to start their own successful businesses.
However, this live one-on-one interaction comes at a price. While her website invites you to join from just $499, be sure to read everything carefully. The $499 is just a deposit. In total, it costs $4999! While this package includes more than just the initial training, the extras like private access to Victoria via WhatsApp might just be bells and whistles that you will rarely use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to be certified to teach yoga?
While you do not have to be certified to teach yoga, by completing a course that is accredited by the Yoga Alliance, it can open more doors for you. Also, considering that students will entrust you with their physical as well as mental well-being, it is important to stick to certain levels of standards and practices. The Yoga Alliance has also extended the online teaching exemption till the end of 2021 for existing registered yoga schools making it easier to complete an accredited course online.
Where can I learn more about yin yoga?
You can check out YogaRenew. It is a registered yoga school with Yoga Alliance and offers a Yin Yoga Certification Program. This course requires only 20 hours and it focuses on the study of stillness. In addition to learning how to teach this style of yoga, you will also look at the history, philosophy, benefits and the impact on the body. You can either opt for the one-time payment of $237 or make three monthly payments of $99.
Where I learn how to run a yoga business?
Brett Larkin offers a Yoga Alliance-accredited course with a strong focus on teaching business skills to her students. She is one of the top yoga influencers on YouTube and an award-winning yoga instructor. She boasts over a decade’s teaching experience, more than 400,000 subscribed students on YouTube and over five years of experience in leading live online training. She has refined the online experience to create one of the most personal and interactive online yoga courses.
Are there any online courses that teach restorative yoga?
Yoga International offers a comprehensive restorative online yoga teacher training program. It is a six-hour self-paced program led by Cyndi Lee. Students will learn how to work with various skill levels and body sizes, how to introduce a restorative pose and different ways to sequence a class. While it does not include live videos, for $225 you get digital access to short videos and a 15-page PDF yoga manual. Upon completion, students will also receive a digital certificate of completion.
Where can you learn more about yoga therapy for anxiety?
Michelle Young, the founder of My Vinyasa Practice, offers a 200-hour yoga teacher training course that includes yoga therapy for anxiety. It costs only $750 and follows a weekly format that includes readings, videos and Zoom sessions over the weekend. Students can either complete her program in as little as eight weeks or work at their own pace. Upon completion of the course, students will receive a certificate and be eligible to register with Yoga Alliance.
