Last updated on November 18th, 2023.
Whether searching for a new career or just ready to dive deep into discovering yoga philosophy and technique, the right teacher training program will help you achieve your goal. You can find yoga teacher training programs online or in person. Both have the same teachings. The only difference is that you can take things at your own pace with online teacher training. Upon earning an online yoga certification, you can become a yoga teacher online or have a physical studio and help other yoga enthusiasts change their lives with this ancient practice.
While historically, yoga has always been a hands-on practice, trying times call for changes. Yoga is adaptable, so it is easily moved to the online sphere. We all know how most people travel to Bali for their teacher training, and while that is beautiful, not everyone can do it, especially with the constraints of a job, money, and other duties. Online yoga teacher training allows you to keep your day-to-day life while putting aside a few hours every day for your online teacher training. Here, we’ll discuss the five best studios for online teacher training. These are quite a few choices, and you can decide which one of the five yoga studios is more to your taste or which teaches what you want to learn.
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Is online YTT worth it?
Most yoga enthusiasts are held back by financial constraints and time. While dedicating a month to yoga practice sounds delightful, not every single yogi would find the time for this or the finances for it. On the other hand, online teacher training is more affordable because neither the yoga teacher nor yourself spends your whole time on the training. You get to do your training according to your schedule, and your yoga teacher is an email away.
Of course, I’d we all had the time or finances, going for the physical experience would be great. However, you can learn all the same things online, making it easier and more accessible. Online yoga teacher training will improve your ability to achieve better control and alignment in the asanas, deepen your knowledge, and train you to help others practice yoga and fall in love with it the same way you have. An online YTT is worth it as it will give you the tools to become a yoga teacher at your convenience since you won’t have to give up anything to study and train in yoga and earn a certification.
What's the difference between YTT and RYT?
Even though people use RYT and YTT interchangeably, they’re different terms with varying meanings. RYT is also known as Registered Yoga Training, while YTT stands for Yoga Teacher Training. A person with RYT 200 certification has completed the 200-hour yoga teacher training. An RYT 200 is a person certified by Yoga Alliance and is certified by a recognized Yoga School. Simply put, you get the RYT title upon completing the hours you were studying; that’s why there are RYT 200 and RYT 500. Both indicate different levels of teacher training because of the varying hours of training and practicing yoga. Once you have the RYT recognition, you can start teaching yoga in gyms, studios, schools, and recreational facilities.
How long does it typically take to get certified to teach?
The amount of time it takes for you to teach yoga solely depends on you and your situation. It will take a little while if you’ve been practicing yoga for years before going in for a YTT. However, if the YTT was your first attempt at learning yoga, it will take you quite a while to practice before you can become a teacher.
Typically, it takes most yoga teachers three to four months to complete the 200-hour YTT online. However, when going for intensive in-person yoga teacher training, it will take you a month of thorough practice to earn that certification. This intense yoga teacher training takes a lot of mental, physical, and emotional effort; hence isn’t for the weak. That’s why it’s normal for yoga teachers to speak of how YTT changed their lives. Dedicating so much time to teacher training and so many daily hours is quite an effort, and it spiritually awakens you. If you are doing an online YTT, then you won’t have to go through that intense teacher training because you can take it at your own pace, and it could even take you longer than four months to complete the training depending on how many hours you choose to practice and study yoga in every week.
The 5 Best Studios to Get Your Online Yoga Certification
When choosing a yoga studio for your teacher training, there are so many factors you need to consider. These five best yoga studios will give you varying benefits, and you can choose which one you find to be the most appealing.
1. My Vinyasa Practice
My Vinyasa Practice is a yoga studio that offers both online and physical YTT. The studio is a registered yoga school recognized by Yoga Alliance. The founder and instructor, Michelle Young, is a E-RYT 500 certified instructor. So, you’ll be trained by one of the most qualified instructors. To set the studio apart from others, My Vinyasa Practice offers career counseling and job placement as part of your teacher training. Their online training is pre-recorded, and you can pace yourself. The online teacher training is laid out in weekly formats that help you get through the videos, readings, and other course content.
Online teacher training is quite affordable, but it still maintains the integrity of the training, personalized experience, and in-depth learning. All study materials will be provided at no extra cost upon paying the tuition fee. They also offer one on one interaction between the students and teachers. You can schedule a live call whenever you need guidance from your instructor. The live calls are not at an additional cost, allowing you to interact more personally with your instructor and learn as much as you need to. Once you sign up for the course, you also join a private Facebook page for students. Here, you can interact and get to know those you’re in the program with and the alums.
2. YogaRenew
YogaRenew is a Yoga Alliance-approved yoga school. Yoga Renee’s mission is to educate and inspire yogis around the world. YogaRenew’s online training sessions make yoga accessible and affordable worldwide. On top of paying for tuition, you’ll have to purchase two reading materials. YogaRenew has a team of mentors and curriculum directors with 24/7 online support. Upon enrolling, you can join a private Facebook group where you’ll meet similar students taking the course and alums.
At YogaRenew, you also get to interact with your instructors. You’ll get to choose your own pace when studying the course material and take as long or as short as you need to. The course material you get during your yoga teacher training will remain accessible, and you can refer to them for as long as you need to.
3. Brett Larkin Yoga Uplifted
Uplifted Yoga, founded by Brett Larkin, was the first online yoga school in 2015 before online YTT became mainstream. She started the online YTT to help create thriving online communities. She has various yoga certifications from Yoga Alliance too. The online videos are very in-depth and provide lots of helpful information to help you teach yoga. Once you sign up for the course, you also get a physical manual. This manual will give you a break from the screen and even allow you to keep studying offline.
Uplifted Yoga doesn’t allow you to self-pace yourself like the rest, as the institution guarantees that all students graduate simultaneously. You will have interactive live calls where you can ask questions and get further clarifications from your instructors on different aspects. You will need approximately 8-10 hours a week set aside for this YTT. But ultimately, you’re given eighteen months to move through the course at your own pace and graduate.
4. Santosha Yoga Institute
Santosha Yoga Insitute offers not only online YTT but also in-person. Sunny Richards is the founder of this yoga institute. The online YTT by this yoga school is self-paced, and you can learn it for as long as you make time for it. The instructors are always there to guide you whenever you need someone to guide you in any manner. Santosha Yoga Academy is a Yoga Alliance-certified institution, and so are the teachers.
Upon signing up for the YTT, you will get all the reading materials needed. You will also access a private Facebook group with past and current students. The group will offer you a safe space to share your experience, get the guidance, and even get recommendations for openings from the community. The materials you’ll get include pre-recorded lessons and classes, live workshops, mentor calls, and prescribed readings.
5. Movement Wisdom Yoga
Introducing Movement Wisdom Yoga, the comprehensive online 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training that blends modern movement science with ancient yogic wisdom to elevate your yoga practice and transform you into a highly skilled and radiant yoga teacher. This unique program teaches you a genius yet lesser-known method to perfect your poses, ensuring proper alignment and technique, while also immersing you in four distinct styles of yoga – Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, and Restorative – opening new dimensions in your practice.
Highlights of Movement Wisdom Yoga:
- Become a kickass yoga teacher: Gain mastery in teaching with a fool-proof system, advancing the physical practice of every student and standing out with your profound knowledge in both yoga philosophy and movement science.
- Radiant human being: Experience a profound shift from cynicism to compassion and centeredness through powerful yogic mindset tricks, creating a positive aura that attracts admiration from others. Build a robust library of personal practices for lifelong well-being.
- Uniting movement and wisdom: Embrace a holistic approach to yoga that delves deeply into both the physical and spiritual elements, unlocking the transformative power of this incredible practice.
Join the Movement Wisdom Yoga 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training to access in-depth courses on yoga anatomy, philosophy, teaching methods, subtle body, meditation, breathwork, personal growth, and much more.
Enroll now for $945 to seize the opportunity of a reduced training price and embark on a life-changing journey that extends far beyond your yoga practice, permeating every aspect of your life with purpose, knowledge, and inner growth.
Final Thoughts on the Best Studios Online to Get Certified
Online YTT is a great step for you if you want to advance your yoga practice and learn yoga philosophies and alignment. As discussed above, the five best yoga studios to get your online yoga certification will help guide you to the best institutions. They all offer great experiences and have teachers who are accredited. The institutions also are registered yoga schools, so you won’t have trouble practicing yoga once you’ve earned your certification.
