What Does Yoga Alliance Certified Mean? And Why You Need It

Like in other areas of fitness, you do not need a credential or certification to teach yoga, but it is strongly recommended. Getting clients and helping them get results is difficult without the right training and credentials. 

For yoga, the largest certifying organization is Yoga Alliance (YA). If you’re serious about working in this field, you need to know more about YA, what it offers, and how to be recognized as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT). 

What is the Yoga Alliance? 

The Yoga Alliance is the largest non-profit organization for yoga in the U.S. As of 2020, YA recognized more than 7,000 yoga schools and 100,000 yoga instructors. The purpose of YA is to support the yoga community with high-quality instruction and access. These are some examples of what YA does: 

• Promotes self-regulation in the industry to ensure access, quality instruction, and safety

• Provides safety standards, a code of conduct, an ethical commitment, and a scope of practice for yoga schools to follow

• Fosters accountability in members 

• Advocates for the yoga community against unfair practices

• Provides schools and instructors with business advice and best practices

The Yoga Alliance is led by executives and is governed by a board of directors. Committees help carry out specific functions, and a public charity promotes broader access to yoga. The YA became an official organization in 1999. 

What Does Yoga Alliance Certified Mean? 

For yoga schools and instructors, one of the most important things YA does is set standards. YA is not actually a certifying organization. It does not provide training or certifications. Instead, it offers standards that allow instructors and schools to self-regulate. 

Registered Yoga School (RYS)

Schools that train yoga instructors can earn the distinction of being an RYS through the Yoga Alliance’s process. An RYS has been recognized as upholding the YA standards for training teachers. It is not an accreditation but rather a registry. 

The registry serves as a listing of credible professionals based on set minimum standards. One of the reasons YA uses a registry system rather than certification or accreditation is that it aims to maintain diversity in the yoga community. The system is designed to uphold basic standards while allowing schools and instructors to represent all aspects of yoga practice. 

To apply to become an RYS, a school must complete an in-depth application describing how they meet the standards. They can choose from several categories of standards that differ in the number of hours of training students complete and specialties like children’s or prenatal yoga. Once the YA has reviewed and accepted the application and the school has paid the fee, it is able to call itself an RYS. 

Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT)

Individuals interested in teaching yoga can earn a similar distinction to the RYS. The Registered Yoga Teacher recognition is similarly a registry rather than a certification. If you are an RYT, it means that you have met the training and experience standards for instructors as outlined by the YA and have become a member of the organization. 

The basic requirements for becoming an RYT include completing a yoga teacher training program through an RYS, completing 30 hours of continuing education every three years, and paying the annual membership fee. The registered schools are required to provide instruction in techniques and training, teaching methodology, anatomy and physiology, and yoga philosophy and ethics. 

As with schools, teachers can select from among several levels of membership: 

• RYT 200. This is the basic level, which requires 200 hours of training within one RYS. 

• RYT 500. At this level, the instructor has completed 500 hours of training and 100 hours of teaching experience. 

• Experienced RYT 200. Experienced RYTs qualify to be lead trainers and to provide continuing education to instructors. Requirements include the RYT 200 designation and 1,000 teaching hours. 

• Experienced RYT 500. To achieve this level, instructors need 500 hours of training and 1,500 hours of teaching. They can train other instructors and offer continuing education credits. 

You can also become an RYT for kids yoga and prenatal yoga. These require 200 hours of yoga instructor training, plus additional training in each area of expertise. 

Check out this ISSA blog article to learn more about various yoga styles such as yin yoga, hatha yoga, and more. 

What Does Yoga Alliance Certified Not Mean? 

It’s important to understand the limitations of the YA registry. The organization sets standards and recognizes schools and instructors for meeting those standards. This is not the same as issuing a yoga teacher certification or accrediting a program. 

If you complete a yoga training program at an RYS, meet the Yoga Alliance standards, and join the organization, you can call yourself an RYT. The school you attend may offer you a specific certification separate from this distinction. 

The Benefits of Becoming a Registered Yoga Teacher

No particular credentials or certifications are required to become a yoga teacher, but it’s a good idea to have something to illustrate your qualifications. You’ll find it much easier to break into the industry, to get a job, and to win over clients if you have something to show for your training and experience. 

The Yoga Alliance certification is a great option because it is so widely recognized. You can go anywhere in the U.S., and many places beyond, and employers and clients will understand what it means and what it says about you as certified yoga instructor. It holds you accountable for starting out as a well-trained instructor and staying up to date. 

Additionally, membership in YA gives you access to their many resources and perks. These include a customizable profile to help clients find you, online workshops, an online community for discussion and support, and other useful tools. You can even get discounts on numerous products. 

Working as a yoga instructor can be so rewarding. Here are some of the major benefits of helping clients practice yoga. 

How to Get Started Becoming an RYT

The first step in becoming a Registered Yoga Teacher is to find a school on the RYS registry. Keep in mind that at least your first 200 hours of training must be completed at one school, so choose carefully. Enroll in the instructor training program to become an RYT 200. From there, you can start gaining teaching experience and work your way up to an RYT 500, and experienced teacher, and beyond. 

Teaching yoga is a great career, side hustle, and addition to an already fulfilling fitness career. Wherever you are on your personal training journey, aligning with Yoga Alliance and becoming an RYT is a smart move. 

The ISSA now offers a Yoga-Alliance-approved online yoga teacher training course that will certify you and prepare you to apply to become an RYT. It’s easy to enroll, affordable, and quick to complete. You will end up with a credential from ISSA—recognized by leaders in the fitness industry—and an RYT listing to help you start getting clients. Start your ISSA Yoga 200 course today!