Benefits of Becoming a Registered Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance
Reading Time: 5 minutes
BY: ISSA
DATE: 2024-04-30
Yoga and Pilates studios bring in roughly $12.8 billion annually in the U.S. alone (1). This amount is growing at a rate of 1.1 percent per year, increasing 5.1 percent since 2015. That makes this a great market to get into.
Are you thinking of becoming a yoga instructor? One training option is to complete a teacher training course approved by the Yoga Alliance. What does this mean?
Understanding the Yoga Alliance Credential
The Yoga Alliance is a nonprofit organization focused on providing “education and community” among yoga practitioners. It does this, in part, by defining minimum training standards.
Yoga teacher training programs can apply to become a Registered Yoga School (RYS). This credential is offered by the Yoga Alliance. A Registered Yoga School designation signifies that the program meets certain quality standards. These include:
having a defined curriculum
employing experienced yoga teachers
offering a consistent teaching approach
Registered Yoga School graduates can join the Yoga Alliance. When they do, they earn the designation of Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT). An RYT credential tells the yoga community that you have completed an approved Yoga Alliance training program.
Holding an RYT designation requires that you remain up to date within the yoga practice. This is because you must complete continuing education courses to keep this credential.
The Yoga Alliance adds that being an RYT comes with a few benefits. This includes a listing in the RYT directory and access to free online workshops. Teachers with the RYT designation can also attend networking events. This provides access to others who have completed an approved yoga course.
All of these benefits can be helpful. Especially if you are not an experienced Registered Yoga Teacher. But must you be an RYT to be a yoga instructor?
Can You Teach Yoga Without a Yoga Alliance Certification?
Admittedly, there are many advantages to obtaining a Yoga Alliance RYT designation. Its marketing assistance can help you grow your business. It also enables you to connect with other individuals who are teaching yoga. This is helpful if you have questions or are looking for advice. It provides access to the tips and tricks that can help make your yoga program a success.
That said, this designation is not required to teach a yoga class. All you need is an understanding of yoga’s principles and good teaching techniques. And if you don’t want to learn this from the Yoga Alliance, other training methods do exist.
Benefits of Becoming a Registered Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance
Becoming an RYT with the Yoga Alliance can offer several benefits to yoga instructors, in addition to those mentioned previously. Here are some to consider:
Credibility and Recognition: The Yoga Alliance is one of the most well-known and recognized yoga organizations. Being an RYT with the Yoga Alliance can add credibility to your teaching credentials and enhance your professional reputation within the yoga community.
Increased Teaching Opportunities: Many yoga studios and fitness centers prefer to hire instructors who are registered with the Yoga Alliance. Being an RYT can expand your job opportunities and make it easier to secure teaching positions.
Access to the Yoga Alliance Directory: As a registered yoga teacher, you become part of the Yoga Alliance's online directory, making it easier for potential students to find and connect with you.
Continuing Education: The Yoga Alliance encourages ongoing professional development. You'll have access to a variety of continuing education programs, workshops, and resources to deepen your knowledge and improve your teaching skills.
Networking Opportunities: Being a part of the Yoga Alliance community allows you to connect with other yoga professionals, attend conferences, and participate in events, fostering a sense of community and support.
Liability Insurance: The Yoga Alliance offers access to liability insurance for registered teachers, which can provide financial protection in case of any legal claims related to your yoga teaching.
International Recognition: The Yoga Alliance is known internationally, so being an RYT can be beneficial if you plan to teach yoga in different countries or travel for teaching opportunities.
Finding Yoga Teacher Training Options
The Yoga Alliance is only one organization providing yoga teaching methodology. A quick online search reveals many different yoga teacher training program options. Some courses require that you appear at a physical yoga school. Others offer training online.
When choosing a yoga school—whether it is Yoga Alliance approved or not—select one that provides a rounded training program. The more you understand about the yoga practice, the easier it is to convey this to students. Choose a training program which goes over:
yoga philosophy and theory
different yoga styles (Vinyasa yoga, therapeutic yoga, prenatal yoga, etc.)
various yoga poses and how to modify them for individual yoga students
effective yoga teaching techniques
professional development
Additional considerations may include cost, online access, and student support. With so many yoga teacher training courses to consider, look for websites that compare the top programs, like Yoga Aligned. They research the courses and provide detailed reviews to help you pick a course that fits you best.
Can You Become a Registered Yoga Teacher If You Don’t Attend a Registered Yoga School?
There are many teacher training program options. But do they all allow you to earn your RYT designation? Unfortunately, no.
The Yoga Alliance reports that you must complete your training at a Registered Yoga School to become a Registered Yoga Teacher. Currently, there are more than 7,000 schools registered with the Yoga Alliance. If you obtain your training at one of them, you can apply for the RYT designation.
To find out if a yoga teacher training school is Alliance approved, you can do an online search (2). Simply enter the location or school name and you’re provided a list. If your school is not listed, you will not be able to apply for the RYT designation.
Check Your Studio’s Requirements
As a new yoga instructor, working at a studio is a great way to get experience. It also gives you an insider view as to what it’s like to run a successful yoga business.
Some studios may require that you obtain your certification through the Yoga Alliance. Others might want certification through another institution. It’s important to learn this upfront. The last thing you want to do is invest in the wrong training program to work as an instructor for that business.
In some cases, the job posting will share the training needed to be hired as an instructor. If it doesn’t, call the studio and ask. If they want a specific type of certification, they will let you know. This may dictate the program you pursue.
Why Get Your Certification If It Isn’t Required?
Some studios don’t require an RYT designation or certification to work as a yoga instructor. In these instances, is it worth the hassle and expense of attending yoga teacher training?
Even if certification isn’t required, attending training can increase your understanding of yoga. You learn what it means to create a dedicated yoga practice. This is in addition to also learning how to create a fun and effective class. You begin to hone your own teaching experience.
Obtaining your certification says that you know how to be a safe and effective yoga teacher. This gives new clients a higher level of trust. It says that you’ve met a minimum amount of training hours as a yoga therapist. This makes you more appealing than a yoga teacher who doesn’t have this designation.
Obtaining training is an investment in your career and your future. It benefits you in your personal yoga practice. It also offers access to the information needed to create a successful yoga business.
If you’re ready to make this investment, the ISSA Yoga & Wellness Academy offers a Yoga Alliance approved online Yoga Teacher Training course. In this 200-hour training, you will gain the knowledge and skillsets necessary to become a great yoga teacher. You’ll also learn how to build and grow your yoga business. Upon completion, you are eligible to register with Yoga Alliance as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200).
References
Pilates & Yoga Studios in the US - Market Size 2004–2027. Ibisworld.com. (2021). Retrieved 27 July 2022, from https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/market-size/pilates-yoga-studios-united-states/.
Directory | Yoga Alliance. Yogaalliance.org. (2022). Retrieved 27 July 2022, from https://www.yogaalliance.org/Directory?Type=School.