What is a 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training?

The 200hr yoga teacher training, or 200hr YTT for short, is considered the gold standard in yoga teacher training courses. Essentially every yoga teacher has completed at least one 200 hour YTT course to certify them as a yoga teacher. While yoga is an unregulated industry, the organization Yoga Alliance seeks to self-regulate by registering these trainings, which ensures that every yoga teacher meets a certain level of criteria to teach yoga safely.

If you are thinking about becoming a yoga teacher, it is essential to understand what is a 200hr YTT and what to expect when pursuing a 200 hour yoga teacher training course. In this article, we will explore the basics of a 200 hr YTT and give you all the information you need to determine which is the best 200hr yoga teacher training for you. Let’s get started!

What is a 200hr YTT?

A 200hr YTT is the foundational level of yoga teacher training to become a certified yoga teacher. Essentially, a 200hr YTT course covers the basics of yoga and becoming a yoga teacher within the span of 200 hours of course material.

The standard 200hr YTT course follows a set of topics established by an organization called Yoga Alliance. The topics covered in a 200 hr YTT course include:

1.     Techniques, training, and practice – 100 hours

This component of a 200hr YTT course covers the basics of yoga poses or asanas, pranayama or breathing techniques, kriyas or cleansing practices, and meditation techniques. In this section of a 200 hr YTT, you will learn the ins and outs of various yoga practices along with guidance on alignment, adjustments, theory, and guided practice tips.

2.     Teaching methodology – 25 hours

The teaching methodology section of a 200 hour yoga teacher training course focuses on specific techniques for how to be an effective teacher. You will learn valuable communication skills, time management, group dynamics, qualities of a teacher, and about the business of being a yoga teacher.

3.     Anatomy and physiology – 20 hours

Anatomy and physiology are essential for guiding students safely into various yoga poses and breathing practices to prevent injury and provide modifications for students with unique needs. This section of a yoga teacher training course also covers energetic anatomy and physiology, such as the chakra system and the nadis or energy channels of the body.

4.     Yoga philosophy, lifestyle, and ethics for yoga teachers – 30 hours

Yoga is so much more than just a physical practice; it is a way of being in the world. The yoga philosophy and ethics section of a 200hr YTT teaches you about the traditional elements of yoga, including the eight limbs of yoga, the Patanjali Yoga Sutras, and the ethics of yoga teaching. Becoming a yoga teacher is a great responsibility, and it is essential to understand the ethical and moral nuances of this practice.

5.     Practicum – 10 hours

In the practicum section of a 200hr YTT, you will get the opportunity to put everything that you learned into practice. You will teach practice yoga classes, and through mentored feedback from your lead teacher, you will gain valuable insight into how to adjust your teaching skills and become a more effective yoga teacher. This section also includes observing others teaching yoga and assisting in yoga classes.

6.     Elective hours – 15 hours

The remaining hours of a yoga teacher training are up to the discretion of the lead yoga teacher or yoga school. These hours may be used to go deeper into another element of yoga or provide specific training in a different yoga style, such as restorative yoga, yin yoga, or trauma-informed yoga.

All of these topics can somewhat vary depending on the lineage or background of the specific 200 hour yoga teacher training course that you register for. Every yoga school has a unique angle to these teachings, but you can rest assured that no matter where you go to study yoga, you will get the foundational level of training that you need to become a yoga teacher.

What is the Difference Between a 200 Hour and 300 Hour YTT?

One of the most common questions for new yoga teachers is understanding the primary differences between a 200 hour YTT and 300 hour YTT course. These course outlines were established by the organization Yoga Alliance as a way to set the standards for yoga teacher training.

Essentially, a 200 hour yoga teacher training course is the first or foundational level of yoga teacher training. Then a 300 hour YTT is the second or advanced level of yoga teacher training. Some yoga schools combine the 200hr and 300hr YTT into one course called the 500 hour yoga teacher training. But many yoga schools split them into two courses so that you can first get the foundational 200hr YTT training and then pursue the additional 300hr YTT at a later time if you choose to do so.

But to start as a yoga teacher, you only need a 200hr YTT certification. The 300hr YTT is an optional additional level of yoga teacher training which can deepen your skills as a yoga teacher and potentially provide you with additional employment opportunities as a yoga teacher trainer or advanced yoga teacher.

What Certification Do You Need to Teach Yoga?

The only certification that you need to start teaching yoga is a 200hr YTT course. But it is important to note that there are currently no government-regulated standards for teaching yoga. Anyone can begin teaching yoga, even without a formal yoga teacher training. However, the 200hr YTT course is viewed as the bare minimum for becoming a yoga teacher. Many gyms and yoga studios will only hire yoga teachers that have at least a 200hr YTT certification.

How Many Days Does a 200 Hour YTT Take?

To complete a 200 hour YTT, it often takes at least 3 weeks of full-time work to complete the course. Some yoga teacher training courses spread these 200 hours of training over a longer period of time for months or years. But one of the most popular ways to take a 200hr YTT is through a one-month intensive course in person. These courses are often done in beautiful locations, retreat centers, or ashrams around the world.

Many yoga schools that offer a 200 hour yoga teacher training online give you greater flexibility in the timeline for completing a 200 hour YTT course. These online 200hr YTTs are often self-paced, giving you as much time as you need to complete the training. But the average timeline for completing a 200 hour YTT is at least 3-4 weeks of full-time work.

Is 200 Hours Enough to Teach Yoga?

200 hours is considered the bare minimum level of training to become a certified yoga teacher. It is important to note that there is some controversy in the yoga communities on what is considered a sufficient amount of training for a yoga teacher. Given the vast depth and breadth of yoga, some yoga teachers believe that you are never truly fully “certified” to teach yoga as it is a lifelong journey of self-discovery and introspection.

The work of becoming a yoga teacher is never truly complete, but starting with the 200 hour yoga teacher training will give you the foundations of this exciting journey of a lifetime!

What is the Difference Between an Online and In-Person 200hr YTT?

With the online learning boom, there are now thousands of online yoga teacher training courses. But many students are still concerned about the quality of online learning compared to in person. The good news is that many online yoga teacher training courses provide the same (if not better!) quality of training as in-person courses. An online yoga teacher training course can also provide you with greater flexibility and accessibility in completing a 200hr YTT from the comfort of your own home.

Is a 200 hr YTT with Yoga Alliance Important?

Yoga Alliance is the organization that establishes the training standards for yoga schools and yoga teacher training courses. Completing a 200 hr YTT from a school registered with Yoga Alliance provides you with a reliable and trustworthy certification that you can take with you anywhere in the world. Yoga Alliance ensures that your yoga teacher training course covers the necessary topics in a 200hr YTT to certify you as the highest-quality yoga teacher in the industry.

Join Our 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Online!

Becoming a yoga teacher is an exciting journey, and the first step on that path is taking a 200hr YTT course. This foundational level of yoga teacher training certification gives you all the information and tools you need to build a strong personal yoga practice and begin sharing the power of yoga with others. Once you complete a 200 hr YTT online, you will be ready to start teaching yoga online and in person.

For many people, an online 200 hour yoga teacher training makes this valuable information easily accessible from the comfort of your own home. In our high-quality 200hr YTT online, we provide you with some of the best yoga teacher training certification courses that you can find. So, reach out to us for more information on how you can join our 200 hour YTT online today!