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In Person vs. Online Continuing Education Yoga Courses

Continuing education yoga courses are essential for all yoga teachers to develop their skills and maintain their certification. But continuing education courses are not just about checking off a box on a to do list; they are also a fantastic opportunity to learn something new, deepen your yoga practice, and explore the vast practices and philosophy of yoga! 

One of the most common questions that yoga teachers ask is whether or not they should take their continuing education yoga courses online or in person. There are pros and cons to both of these formats for course delivery. In this article, we will explore the benefits of in person versus online continuing education yoga courses to help you make the decision that is best for you. So, let’s get started! 

Why are Continuing Education Yoga Courses Important?

The primary purpose of continuing education yoga courses is to meet the requirements of Yoga Alliance yoga teacher certification maintenance. Since July 2023, Yoga Alliance has required all registered yoga teachers (RYTs) of all levels to complete 75 hours of continuing education every three years. Of these 75 hours, 45 hours must be spent teaching yoga, and 30 hours must be spent continuing education yoga training courses. 

Beyond the basic requirement of maintaining your yoga teacher certification, continuing education yoga courses are also vital to your development as a yoga teacher. Yoga is an incredibly deep and vast subject that requires immense study to fully understand, well beyond the standard 200 or even 500 hours of most trainings. 

Studying yoga is a lifelong process, and continuing education yoga courses are an excellent avenue to deepen your own yoga practice and develop new skills as a yoga teacher. Many continuing education yoga courses can provide an opportunity to specialize in a new yoga style, review subjects you struggle with, and so much more. 

The Top 5 Benefits of In Person Yoga Continuing Education Courses

1. Hands On Adjustments

Taking a continuing education yoga course in person gives you the opportunity to get hands on adjustments from a teacher. Clearly, this is something that cannot be experienced online. Learning the art of hands on adjustments and experiencing it for yourself is best learned while in person so that you can feel it in your own body and practice this skill on others as well before bringing it into your yoga classes. 

2. Direct Connection with the Teachers

In person continuing education yoga courses provide a more profound experience with direct connection to the teachers. Often, there is time between classes or around the training when you can develop these personal relationships with your teachers and have more social connections. Networking is a crucial aspect of many in person events, and continuing education yoga courses are another great way to do this! 

3. Building Community with Other Yoga Teachers

Beyond building connections with the teachers, you can also cultivate deeper relationships with other yoga teachers and yoga practitioners. Continuing education yoga courses offered in person are an excellent opportunity to meet new people and develop meaningful friendships that can sometimes last a lifetime! Many students who attend in person yoga trainings often report creating lasting relationships.

4. Immersive Learning Experiences

In person yoga trainings are an immerse learning experience where you typically explore the topic within one day, weekend, week, or even month long course. These experiences can be a wonderful break from your normal routine and allow you to truly immerse yourself in the deep teachings of yoga. Yoga is not just a subject of study; it is a way of life, and in person, continuing education yoga courses can allow you to fully immerse yourself in yoga practices.

5. Access to Beautiful Yoga Centers 

Often, in person continuing education yoga courses are offered in beautiful retreat centers or exotic locations, including Costa Rica, Italy, India, Bali, Mexico, and many others. Exploring these beautiful locations can be like a mini-vacation and an educational yoga course at the same time. In person continuing education yoga courses allow you to explore these beautiful environments and learn something new. 

The Top 5 Benefits of Online Yoga Continuing Education Courses

1. Convenient Online Yoga Courses 

Online continuing education yoga courses are the most convenient way to meet your continuing education requirements or learn something new. These courses can often be completed from the comfort of your own home or from any location with a Wi-Fi connection around the world. This added convenience of online yoga courses makes it easier to fit into a busy work schedule or other responsibilities. 

2. Lower Cost for Online Yoga Courses 

Yoga training can often be expensive, and the cost can add up over time. Thankfully, online yoga courses tend to be more reasonable and affordable. They also do not require additional travel or accommodation costs. With a lower price tag, online yoga continuing education courses allow you to keep more of your earnings as a yoga teacher instead of getting stuck in the certification price mill. 

3. Access to Yoga Teachers Around the World

One of the greatest benefits of online yoga continuing education courses is that you can study with yoga teachers all over the world. This can be especially powerful if you are passionate about learning traditional yoga practices from yoga teachers based in India or other areas of the world. Through online yoga courses, you can easily learn from highly respected yoga teachers without even leaving your home.

4. Comfortable Learning Environment for Yoga at Home

Online learning and remote work have entirely transformed the way we live and function in our daily lives. Online yoga continuing education courses support this process by allowing you to study from the comfort of your home and to save on the costs of travel. Many people with disabilities or accessibility concerns may also find studying from home to be more supportive of their daily needs. 

5. Flexible Scheduling and Self-Paced Yoga Courses 

Many busy yoga teachers often struggle to find the time in their schedule to travel for a yoga course. Online yoga continuing education courses allow you to fit the study around your schedule and easily work it into your routine. Many of these courses can even be self-paced, providing increased flexibility so that you can watch the course videos whenever you have free time rather than having to join live for a particular class. 

Should I Take My Yoga Continuing Education Courses Online?

Taking your continuing education yoga courses online can help streamline your process for getting these hours completed and allow you to access high-quality yoga courses around the world straight from your home. Online yoga courses are truly the wave of the future and more often than not, trainings are now almost exclusively offered online.

Now, here’s the really good news – Yoga Alliance now allows all continuing education training hours for yoga teachers to be completed online. So, you no longer have to struggle with the inconveniences or high costs of in person yoga continuing education courses! Previously, Yoga Alliance required a portion of continuing education to be done in person, but they recognized the wave of online courses and that online training truly can be just as effective as in person. 

Is Learning Yoga Online Worth It?

One of the most common questions that yoga teachers have when pursuing online training is if learning yoga online is worth it compared to in person. Based on all the information we went through today, we can say that, undoubtedly, yes, it is! Online training gives you the same experience and quality of training as in person courses can provide. 

In fact, online training can often allow you to access highly acclaimed teachers and subjects that you likely would not find in your local area. Unless you are able to pay thousands of dollars to travel for yoga training, online yoga courses can give you the same (or even better) level of access to teachers around the world. So, don’t hesitate to register for an online yoga course for your continuing education as a yoga teacher – it is truly the mode of learning for the future and will likely remain that way moving forward. 

Take Our Online Continuing Education Yoga Courses Today!

Both in person and online continuing education yoga courses have unique benefits. In person continuing education yoga courses can be unique immersive experiences where you can meet new people, explore beautiful retreat centers, and get hands-on guidance. However, online continuing education courses often provide more flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and access to teachers around the world from the comfort of your own home. 

If you are interested in exploring online continuing education yoga courses, make sure to check out our wide selection of high-quality programs. We specialize in online and self-paced continuing-education yoga courses that you can take right from the comfort of your home with our expert yoga teachers. So, contact us today for more information on how you can join our online continuing education yoga courses today!