Best Yoga Certification Courses [Updated]

Welcome to the ultimate roundup comparison of the top yoga certifications.

In this yoga instructor certification breakdown, I judge each of the top yoga certification training courses based on the following:

• Review of content in each certification
• Yoga certification
• Online yoga certification continuing education requirements
• Study materials

I also judge the yoga certification online options versus in-person courses. Through my completion of all 7 yoga certifications, I’ve developed a great insight as to which ones are better than others.

Additionally, my PT Pioneer staff includes many certified yoga instructors and multiple yoga studio owners who have confirmed and collaborated on my recommendations.

Upon reading my article, there’s no doubt you’ll choose the best yoga certification for you.

I cover the following topics:

• Best overall programs
• How to get yoga certified
• Best for beginners
• A brief history of Yoga
• Yoga benefits 

Also, since a yoga teacher certification goes hand-in-hand with a personal trainer certification, I recommend looking into getting certified as a personal trainer for additional knowledge and skills to apply to your yoga teaching.

Make sure to take the quiz to see which personal trainer certification is the best match for your fitness career.

Let’s get into it.

Yoga Cert	Yoga Cert	Features	Price
	ISSA Yoga Basic Certification	NCCA Accredited exam Comprehensive yoga framework Practical guidelines for yoga teaching Less global recognition than longer existing certifications	ISSA Yoga Basic Pricing
	ISSA Yoga 200 Certification	Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga School (RYS) LIVE Weekly Virtual Studio Studio Learn pose sequencing inspired by the 7 body chakras for Hatha and Vinyasa-style classes Comprehensive 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Manual and Asana Guidebook Powered by the global leader in online fitness certifications	ISSA Yoga 200 Pricing
	Aura Wellness Center	Education for many styles of yoga 20 years of industry recognition Not NCCA accredited Available online but in-person lessons more comprehensive	Aura Wellness Pricing
	Brett Larkin Yoga	Top name in online yoga training Great “Uplifted” global network Includes science-backed anatomy curriculum 16-week course before final exam Pricey compared to other certifications	Brett Larkin Yoga Pricing
	Parayoga Online Master Training	First step in Rod Stryker online yoga training Lifetime coursework access Online forum community access Affordable compared to other RYT courses	Parayoga Pricing
	Soul Ascension Healing Arts	Great RYT-200 self-paced video course Excellent for beginner yoga teachers Hands-on skillset development Heavy focus on metaphysical elements of yoga	Soul Ascension Yoga Pricing
	Yoga Course Online Yoga Training	Interactive calls and assignments during course Final assessment includes practical recorded yoga class Highlights both small and large group yoga skills Covers running a yoga business	Yoga Course Pricing
	Online Yoga School	Lifetime access to online yoga community Covers anatomy of yoga Very affordable base cost Study materials must be purchased separately	Online Yoga School Pricing

There are a substantial number of yoga certification options. Luckily, any of the certifications I look at here will put you well on your way toward a successful career as a yoga instructor.

Regardless of which certification you go with, adding a yoga certification to your personal trainer bio is a great boost to your personal trainer resume.

Getting a yoga certification is the first step in becoming a yoga instructor. You can also boost your personal trainer income and expand your personal trainer career by adding yoga to your offered services.

The Best Yoga Training Certifications Online

The following is my list of the best yoga certifications you can take online. While I recommend online yoga training due to its convenience, I will dive into in-person yoga training programs later.

1. ISSA

What is the ISSA Yoga Certification?

ISSA, also known as the International Sports Sciences Association, offers two different yoga certification courses:

• Yoga Basics: This yoga certification training course is perfect for a certified personal trainer or fitness professional who is interested in incorporating yoga postures, stretching, and balance into their client’s routines, conducting small group classes, or deepening their knowledge of yoga and applying it to their daily practice.
• Yoga 200: This is a robust and comprehensive 200-hour online yoga teacher training course recognized by the Yoga Alliance. It is perfect for someone who wants to launch a professional yoga career by becoming a certified yoga instructor and Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200). 

ISSA’s credibility and reputation

The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) is a top 10 organization in the fitness industry across various fitness certifications. They are especially world-recognized for the ISSA CPT certification.

ISSA is the only mainstream provider of an NCCA-accredited yoga instructor course with their Yoga Basics. 

The NCCA is an independent, non-profit agency that sets the gold standard for fitness professional certification programs.

This is perfect for fitness professionals looking to earn CEUs and expand what services they offer to their clients. 

However, this yoga certification training program differs from a 200-hour Yoga Alliance-certified course that requires far more learning and will take longer to complete. We’ll talk more about ISSA’s Yoga 200 in a moment.

Although yoga instruction typically leans toward a more abstract, intuitive approach to motivate your clients, it has a recognizable set of practical guidelines.

ISSA aims to add value to yoga practice by merging it with the natural principles of biomechanics and exercise science engaged through the discipline – perfect for the average personal trainer.

ISSA study materials and costs

The ISSA Yoga Instructor course costs $66.58/month for 12 months or one payment of $798.96.

This yoga training certification includes the following:

• ISSA Certified Yoga Instructor textbook (online)
• Guided, self-paced study timeline
• Library of video learning lectures 
• Unlimited educational support
• Online, open-book final exam with one free retake
• Nationally accredited by the NBFA (National Board of Fitness Examiners)
• NCCPT exam accredited by the NCCA

The ISSA 200 costs $99/month for 12 months or $1,188.

This comes with the following:

• Yoga 200-Hour Teacher Training Manual
  Over 260 pages of comprehensive mind, body, and yoga expertise and guidance.
• Asana Guidebook
  Includes the purpose, cueing, props, variations, and cautions of over 80 fundamental yoga postures.
• LIVE Weekly Virtual Study Studio Sessions
  In-depth interactive instruction and feedback from expert yoga teachers. All sessions are recorded and uploaded for on-demand access.
• 30 Hours of Immersive Video Lectures
  ISSA’s team of expert yoga teachers provides comprehensive guidance on proper alignment, intricate posture adjustments, pose sequencing, verbal cueing, safety considerations, prop placement, and more. 
• Unlimited Support from a dedicated Success Team
  Reach out for help anytime via phone, chat, or email.
• Final Exam
  Online, open-book, multiple choice final exam with 1 free retake for stress-free testing.
• Worksheets & Suggested Practice Sessions
  Practical applications to apply your learning and build confidence.
• Guided Meditations
  Study sessions begin with guided meditations to clear and prepare your mind to learn.
• Signature Foundational Yoga Class with 37 poses
  You’ll be ready to teach yoga from day 1.
• Guided or Self-Paced Study Options
  100% online yoga teacher training course so that you can complete your certification on your own time from any location.

Yoga Alliance Eligibility
You can register with Yoga Alliance as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) upon completion.

ISSA content coverage – yoga methodology 

The ISSA Certified Yoga Instructor course (Yoga Basics) teaches:

• The foundational philosophy and History of Yoga
• Class prep and programming
• Pranayama and breathing techniques
• Functional applications of yoga
• Yoga techniques and yoga poses across all levels 

Out of my picks for best online yoga certification, ISSA is at the top of my list, based on the flexibility of course options and the free exam retake. 

The Yoga Basics program is NCCA-accredited. Certification accreditation is an important aspect most gyms and facilities look for. 

You can also get this yoga training certification as part of a package deal.

From time to time, ISSA offers a special to get three certifications for $1308, called the ISSA Elite Trainer package, which includes the following:

• ISSA Nutritionist
• ISSA Certified Personal Trainer
• ISSA Yoga Instructor

It’s clear that nutrition, personal training, and yoga complement each other well, so when this deal is running, it’s difficult to pass up. This includes both in-person and online training.

I will say the ISSA Yoga Basics certification is less focused on the philosophy of yoga than more traditional yoga certifications. 

You should consider the Yoga 200 course to learn deeper concepts like vipassana meditation or understand aspects of selfless compassion. 

ISSA is officially a Registered Yoga School (RYS) with the Yoga Alliance (the only fitness certification company to have this designation), and this certification course will qualify you to become a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200).

Yoga Alliance is the largest non-profit organization representing the yoga community. They are the industry leaders in upholding ethics in yoga instruction and course framework standards to ensure safe, high-quality, accessible, and equitable yoga teaching.

Being an RYT through the Yoga Alliance is important if you plan on working in a studio and not just adding a yoga training certification to your offerings as a personal trainer. 

The ISSA Yoga 200 course is very robust and comprehensive in its offering, which includes:

• Foundational training for yourself, your clients, and your practice
• The History of Yoga
• Anatomy and Physiology and practical application of Yoga Asana Sequences
• The key elements of teaching meditation and breathing techniques
• The art of pose sequencing and transitions for safe and creative classes
• The Signature Foundational Yoga Class of 37 pose breakdowns
• Over 80 yoga postures and when to use modifications
• Techniques for verbal and assisted cueing 
• How to structure a yoga class for all levels
• Professional and ethical components of Building a successful yoga business and career path

As you can see, this is much more in-depth for the yoga professional and digs a lot deeper into the history and philosophies of yoga practice. 

You’ll also have weekly guided meditations, 10 weeks of guided online study, the yoga teacher training manual AND a manual full of yoga poses, weekly live sessions called the Virtual Study Studio (which are also recorded) as you learn, nearly 30 hours of video content, 37 audio recordings, and, of course, the industry-renowned educational support from ISSA. 

You can also get this yoga certification online and the exam is online for your convenience.

This course is a big deal because most 200-hour RYT courses must be done at least partially in person.

Since the ISSA Yoga 200 course is much more in-depth, it is a little more expensive, and it’ll cost $99 per month for 12 months, but it’s still worth every penny, especially since most other RYT courses can cost twice as much or more (and take far longer to complete).

You also have the option to bundle ISSA’s Yoga 200 with other courses and take advantage of their payment options. 

ISSA really covered all the bases with these two yoga training certification offerings.

Taking the ISSA certification exam

All learning and teaching resources are accessible digitally, and the final yoga certification training exam is online and self-paced, including one free retake.

ISSA continuing education

The Yoga Basics program is the best choice for personal trainers who want to incorporate yoga concepts into their practice.

If you’re just interested in teaching yoga by yourself at a private studio, the Yoga-200 course will be perfect for getting you started. 

Both the Yoga Basics certification and the Yoga 200 require continuing education units to stay certified stay on the cutting edge of new techniques.

All the Yoga Alliance approved programs require teachers to complete 75 hours of CE every three years. This total number of hours must include the following:

• 45 hours teaching yoga
• 30 hours of yoga training that is related to the Educational Categories, of which:
  • At least 10 training hours must be contact hours.

No more than 20 training hours may be non-contact hours.

ISSA requirements

To begin the ISSA yoga instructor certification, you will need a valid CPR and AED certification, as well as a high school diploma, and you must be 18 years of age, which is the same as most personal trainer certification requirements.

2. Aura Wellness Center Online Yoga Training

What is this program?

The Aura Wellness Online Training Center offers a range of yoga teaching courses including:

• Hatha Yoga Teacher Training
• Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training
• Meditation Teacher Training
• Holistic Weight Control Course
• Yoga Self-Mentoring
• Yoga Stress Management Therapy
• Power Yoga

The Hatha Yoga Teacher Training is one of the most popular ones.

Aura Wellness Center credibility and reputation

Aura Wellness Center, based in Massachusetts, has over 20 years of experience in yoga training. It certainly ranks among the 10 best yoga certification online schools.

Their mission is to enhance the yoga community by inspiring personal excellence in and out of the yoga studio.

They’re known for excellent customer service for their online programs.

Aura Wellness Center study materials and costs

The Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Camp-in-a-Box – Level 1 (BASIC), covers 250 hours of home study using a special study portal and electronic study aids with workbooks.

Students in this course will receive the following:

• Access to over 10 hours of video
• 200 photographs
• Audio clips to facilitate learning
• Knowledge of over 100 yoga postures

This course costs $547.

Other online courses prices are below:

• Vinyasa Teacher, $547.
• Hatha/Restorative Yoga, $747
• Hatha/Chair Yoga, $747
• Certified Meditation Teacher, $297
• Certified Yoga Nidra, $147

Aura Wellness Center content coverage – yoga methodology

The 250-hour Hatha Yoga certification course is broken down as follows:

• Yoga techniques, the practice of yoga, and training (100 hours)
• Yoga teaching methodology (25 hours)
• Kinesiology, physiology, and anatomy related to yoga (20 hours)
• Yoga lifestyle, ethics, and philosophy (30 hours)
• Practical aspects (25 hours)

The Online Hatha Yoga Teacher curriculum includes the following:

• Study of yoga asanas, alignment, and assisting
• Pranayam teaching and the anatomy of breathing
• Effective meditation and teaching it to others
• How to plan a yoga class
• Teaching specialized aspects of yoga
• The yoga business

Besides the online learning portal, you’ll have access to email and telephone support while exams are graded for free.

What I like most is this program’s emphasis on business.

While building your own business isn’t easy, you can always read up on the best tactics and marketing ideas for your business to thrive.

If you want to obtain and retain clients, there are great tips to help you.

Since each style of yoga has its own flow, time management is key when designing your class layouts taught in this program.

On average, you should know how long your classes are.

Also, considering its holistic approach, most people pair a certification such as this with becoming a health coach.

And what does a health coach do?

Weight control, self-monitoring, stress management. These concepts align very closely with yoga concepts, so it makes sense to put these two together.

Taking the Aura Wellness Center exam

Again, this is an online exam. Getting your yoga certification online

Aura Wellness Center continuing education

Getting your yoga certification online stills requires the same continuing education requirements as in-person.

75 hours of CE every three years. This total number of hours must include:

• 45 hours teaching yoga
• 30 hours of yoga training that is related to the Educational Categories, of which:
  • At least 10 training hours must be contact hours.
  • No more than 20 training hours may be non-contact hours.

3. Brett Larkin Online Yoga Training

What is the Brett Larkin Online Yoga Training program?

Brett Larkin offers several online yoga courses incorporating Hatha and Vinyasa flow techniques. 

While the most comprehensive course is the RYT-500, there are two other options: a 350 and a 200-hour yoga teacher training course.

And the RYT-200 is the certification I will be looking at specifically. 

Brett Larkin credibility and reputation

Brett Larkin is one of the foremost names in online yoga training in the United States, providing some of the best yoga teacher training online. This curriculum was one of the first online yoga certifications, beginning in 2005.  

Larkin also devised an online network of yoga trainers and students which she calls “Uplifted.”

Brett Larkin study materials and costs

The RYT-200 course offered online through Brett Larkin costs $2850. You don’t have to pay this whole amount upfront, as monthly payment options are available.

With this, you get: 

• Self-Paced Pre-Training Curriculum

• Start watching the second you enroll. 100+ hours of high-quality videos in 30-minute lessons designed for tight schedules. Download videos via a mobile app for easy on-the-go learning. 
• Lifetime access to the content of both your core curriculum and Live Call replays. 
• Mailed you the 600-page color manual, which is a companion workbook to the videos (the first section provided as an immediate digital download).
• Progress with the same students weekly in a 4-month transformational journey with Live Q&A and group discussions expanding on the Home Study Curriculum. 
• Real-time Feedback on your poses and as you practice teaching with fellow students LIVE.
• Peers keep you motivated and accountable from Day 1 to celebrating your graduation, just like in-person training.

Brett Larkin content coverage – yoga methodology

The course itself taps into this network and students take part in live lessons (with replays if necessary) while studying the core modules that form part of the course, which include:

• Anatomy
• Philosophy
• Alignment
• Live assessment

While the course itself takes 16 weeks to complete, the final exam must be passed within the 18 months following the end of the course. 

The curriculum for this online yoga training course includes:

• Methodology of training
• Various yoga techniques and practices (breathing, yoga mantras, meditation, etc.)
• Anatomy and physiology
• The ethics of yoga and the yoga lifestyle
• Practical lessons 

Overall, this program offers a lot; once complete, you can apply this education to any population, whether it be children, adults, or seniors. Note that teaching kids yoga can be a great niche to fall into as it requires a slightly different teaching skill set. 

Without a doubt, these options from Brett Larkin are some of the best online yoga teacher training courses in the industry.

So if you want to become an online yoga teacher, this may be your best yoga certification program.

Taking the Brett Larkin certification exam

The exam is online and has a 96% pass rate. 

4. ParaYoga Online Master Training

What is the ParaYoga program?

ParaYoga Master Training gives an online yoga training course run under the auspices of Rod Stryker.

Their main program is the 300-Hr ParaYoga Master Training course, which is quite an undertaking. Many students take 2 to 3 years to complete it. 

ParaYoga credibility and reputation

ParaYoga’s master training program is approved by Yoga Alliance, the main criteria most studios look for in a yoga instructor. 

ParaYoga study materials and costs

The cost for all four courses that encompass the program is $2195.

With this, you get: 

• A range of lectures, meditation practices, and yoga instruction (130 hours)
• Access to notes for all four modules and a course manual
• Assignments and quizzes
• An online Q&A forum
• Lifetime access to all coursework

ParaYoga content coverage – yoga methodology

This course encompasses four of the modules that form part of Strykers Yoga Master Training. 

The four modules covered in the curriculum involve different styles of yoga:

• Vinyasa Krama: The Energetics of Sequencing 
• Tantra Shakti: The Power and Radiant Soul of Yoga 
• Secrets of the Yoga Sutras: Light on Self Mastery 
• Prana Shakti: The Power and Path of Yoga 

Note that this course counts towards the full Master Training course offered by ParaYoga, so if you want to be a Certified Yoga Teacher, you must complete this course first.

On another note, if you are interested in prenatal fitness certifications, you can look at the ParaYoga prenatal or postnatal yoga program.

5. Soul Ascension Healing Arts Online Yoga Course

What is the Soul Ascension Yoga program? 

Soul Ascension Yoga offers several certification options, but the easiest starter is the 200-hour certification course, divided into 30 video lessons.

While their RYT-200 course is self-paced, most complete it in around four weeks.

Soul Ascension’s credibility and reputation

Based in Canada, the Soul Ascension Healing Arts Center is one of the best yoga schools registered with the Yoga Alliance, meaning it has the industry recognition to make it a safe bet.

Soul Ascension study materials and costs

The 200-hour course is very reasonably priced at only $555. They even have payment plans to make the cost less prohibitive. 

With this, you get:

• A 30-lesson, multi-media online program to guide you
• SAHA’s online school portal for your lessons, assignments, and Library of Instructional Videos, including Yoga Workshops & Teachings, Guided Meditations, Sound Healing & Medicine Music, Energy Work & Spiritual Guidance.
• 200hr RYT Manual for download & printing
• Weekly LIVE yoga & basics of meditation classes/workshops with instruction & feedback
• 3 times per month Sunday Sangha at 11:11 am PST – space held for all SAHA Community & Students via Zoom most Sundays
• Workshops & Satsangs via Zoom & private groups
• Learn from 300hr YTT Teacher Students & discover new paths of Yoga, 
• 1:1 Calls with Teachers as needed
• Yoga Alliance Certification upon completion (including virtual contact hours)
• Discounts on future SAHA courses, programs, webinars, and retreats 

Soul Ascension content coverage – yoga methodology

Over and above the 30 video lessons, students will also receive a PDF manual to help them with their studies.

This is one of the best yoga certifications to learn in-depth training on the following:

• Energy dynamics of yoga
• The energy body and yoga psychology
• Energy healing for yourself and others through yoga
• Energy management for healing

You’ll also learn some great beginner core workouts and breathing techniques to help strengthen and align you.

6. Yoga Course Online Yoga Training

What is the Yoga Course program?     

Based in the United Kingdom, Yoga Course, which meets the training stipulations of a registered yoga school set out by Yoga Alliance International, has two different online yoga courses and basic meditation techniques.

These are the RYT-200 and RYT-300, which are based on Hatha and Vinyasa yoga concepts.

Yoga Course study materials and costs

The cost of the RYT-200 Gold is £1350 ($1472). 

An online study portal gives students access to all the online material needed to complete the course, and all lessons are recorded and can be replayed at any time. 

Yoga Course content coverage – yoga methodology

The curriculum includes:

• Asana practice (standing, seated, etc.)
• Teaching students
• Yoga class structure
• Meditation
• Human Anatomy
• Yoga chakras
• The yoga business

Overall, this program highlights teaching small group and large group yoga, structuring your classes, and in-depth knowledge of the human body related to yoga.

And with the addition of quality advice on how to sell your unique yoga brand, it’s certainly a win.

Taking the Yoga Course certification exam

Assessments are carried out through assignments, interactive calls with lecturers, and videos.

The final assessment is a practical class that needs to be given by the student, recorded, and uploaded.

7. Online Yoga – Various Online Training Options

What is the Online Yoga program? 

Based in the United States, Online Yoga offers many course options, including a 200-hour Yoga Instructor Training Online Certification.

Online Yoga credibility and Reputation

Yoga Alliance approves the yoga Course and has been featured in many top publications as one of the best online certifications for yoga. You are definitely in good hands with this organization.  

Online Yoga study materials and costs

This is another quite inexpensive Yoga program, costing $395, which you can pay upfront or in 5 or 6 smaller payments.

Materials you get include:

• FREE bonus certifications that you can use as continuing education
• Lifetime access to our library of yoga business forms, class plans, themes, and playlists
• Listing in Ultimate Yoga Directory
• Learn through video lectures, text lessons, downloads, and manuals.
• Join international community of yoga teachers and connect daily
• Support by phone, email, zoom, messenger, live Q&A and more
• Ongoing support post-graduation with weekly playlists, sequences, quotes, anatomical pose breakdowns, and other teaching tools you can use
• Lifetime access to curriculum even after graduation
• Learn from any device (smartphone, ipad, other tablets, laptops or desktops) and get certified from anywhere

Online Yoga content coverage – yoga methodology

As with all the other online courses I have already mentioned, this is a self-study course and can be broken down into various lessons, such as:

• The history of yoga
• Various yoga philosophies
• Yoga chakras and yoga chants
• The anatomy of yoga
• The methodology of teaching yoga

While students receive lifetime access to the Online Yoga community and all course materials, a range of study materials that are required for this course will need to be purchased separately.

Practical in-person yoga certification programs

Perhaps you are not looking for yoga certification online and instead desire the in-person training experience in traditional yoga teacher training.

Note that yoga certification programs differ from other fitness certifications in that most of them cover 200 hours of training and usually take around 15 days to complete.

Here are some more options, which I will also look into to give you an overall look at what is available and what might suit you.

1: 200-hour/18 Day Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training – Hawaii Island Retreat Center

Cost: $3997 (subject to change)

Offering courses for both beginner, intermediate, and advanced yoga practitioners, the Hawaii Island Retreat Centre’s yoga course covers over 200 hours of instruction over 18 days of immersion.

This course covers 11 different styles, including Yin, Hatha, Yoga Nidra, Critical Alignment, and Therapeutic yoga.

With modules taking place daily, students stay on-site during the course duration.

Upon completion of this course, you will be recognized as a Registered Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance

The 200-hour course is broken down as follows:

• Techniques, training, and practice (120 hours)
• The methodology of yoga teaching (30 hours)
• Physiology and anatomy (15 hours)
• Yoga philosophy, ethics, and lifestyle (15 hours)
• Practical work (15 hours)

2: 200-hour/29 Day Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training – California

Cost: $2856 (subject to change)

Yoga is pretty big in California, so it’s no surprise to find any number of organizations that offer practical yoga teacher training.

This one is a little different.

Normally, these are 200-hour training sessions, but they do vary in length and are generally around 19 days long.

This one takes place over 29 days, or a 4-week period.

Focusing primarily on Ananda Yoga and Hatha Yoga styles, the course is held on a 700-acre commune.

Other than learning to become a yoga teacher, there are many other on-site services, including:

• Yoga therapy
• Cranio-sacral therapy
• Healing through Reiki
• Astrology consultations

3: 30-hour/5 Day Restorative Yoga Teacher Training – Florida

If a 200-hour or 19-day yoga experience seems too long, shorter courses are available, such as this Restorative Yoga Teacher Training.

It runs in Florida and is part of the continuing education units (CEUs) offered by the Yoga Alliance.

This course is held at the Full Circle Yoga School.

Aimed at beginners, it incorporates yin yoga practices.

While the course is offered as a way to expand overall knowledge of yoga, it’s the perfect start for anyone who wants the opportunity to move from practicing yoga to becoming a teacher.

The curriculum includes:

• Studies in a range of Eastern yoga practices
• Anatomy workshops
• Meditation
• Practical workshops

4: 10-Day Yoga Therapy in Cancer and Chronic Illness, Virginia

Cost: $1830 (subject to change)

The final practical yoga course I’d like to highlight is a little different and primarily aimed at yoga teachers who want to work with people dealing with cancer and other chronic illnesses.

Incorporating both Hatha and Integral yoga styles, the curriculum deals with physiology and biology related to cancer patients and other chronic illness sufferers, adapting yoga for use in medical settings, and much more.

It also focuses on using yoga to help ease pain and suffering and is open to healthcare professionals.

So that’s it for this section of the types of yoga courses that are available in the United States.

And while there are many of them, it seems to me that the most popular are those that clock in at 200 hours.

However, there are also RYT-300 and RYT-500 options available.

So, just what is yoga?

Before sharing any information on the best yoga certifications, you should know that yoga focuses on three important things.

And that’s body, mind, and spirit.

It uses a series of mental, physical, and spiritual ideas that incorporate exercise techniques and poses, breathing techniques, and meditation to help to transform your overall well-being.

Depending on the clientele you plan to serve, I recommend pairing a yoga certification with one of the fitness industry’s best corrective exercise certifications or best group fitness certifications to dominate across multiple training disciplines completely.

A brief history of Yoga

While Yoga has certainly increased in popularity over the past few decades, it’s anything but a fad.

In fact, yoga dates back to over 5,000 years ago, when it was first described in ancient texts as Rig Veda by the Indus-Sarasvati people who lived in Northern India.

Modern yoga first came to the West in the early 1900s.

The first yoga schools were opened by Indian spiritual leaders, known as Swamis, in the 1920s in India.

In the United States, the first yoga practice was opened in 1947 by Indra Devi in Hollywood.

And from that point, the popularity of yoga has continued to skyrocket throughout the country.

The benefits of yoga

So why would you consider adding a yoga-certified course to your overall fitness knowledge?

The art of yoga offers many incredible benefits to those who practice it, including the following:

• Helps improve muscle strength and flexibility
• Helps improve overall posture
• Improves balance
• Improves bone health
• Improves blood circulation
• Strengthens the immune system
• Increases heart rate
• Lowers blood sugar levels
• Improves focus
• Improves sleep patterns

By participating in a yoga certification program, you can add so much extra knowledge to what you already know about fitness and the human body.

One of the greatest personal trainer benefits that apply to yoga certs is the variety of certifications and courses you have available to you for continuing education.

In fact, many yoga certifications can even provide personal trainer CEU credits to keep your CPT current.

A good personal trainer is one who never stops learning!

Finally, learning how to sell yoga training is key to a successful yoga instructor career and earning a high salary. This is similarly as important as knowing how to sell personal training is to be a successful personal trainer.

Best overall

My top pick for the best online yoga teacher training is either of the certifications from ISSA. They are well priced compared to some of the other options, and ISSA provides some of the best online programs. Their customer service is also top-notch. 

Best for beginners

ISSA again would be a good choice, but I think Online Yoga is also a good option for beginners entering the yoga world. Online Yoga looks to be the least expensive of the Yoga Alliance-approved programs and requires the least amount of time to complete.  

Best for hot yoga

Aura Wellness Center provides a great add-on online yoga teacher training program for hot yoga.

The course is 20 hours and requires you to register as a yoga teacher through a 200-hour Yoga Alliance approved program.

The current cost stands at $197, which is a great deal, versus some higher programs out there.

Best yoga training certification (frequently asked questions) FAQs

Best Yoga Training Certifications: Video

The 10 Best Yoga Certifications [In 2023]

Conclusion

Ok, there you have it – the best yoga certifications and programs in my perspective.

Though each yoga program offers unique values, if you seek additional training besides yoga, such as personal training or nutrition coaching, then I’d definitely recommend the ISSA Elite Trainer.

Overall, I hope that you found this article on the best yoga certifications and yoga instructor schools to be informative.

Without a doubt, yoga is on the rise in America, and thankfully for online yoga teacher training programs, you can find some of the best ones in the world without the hassle of traveling.

May you find the best yoga certification that suits you and your career the best.

Namaste!

References

1. “Effects of Yoga on Mental and Physical Health: A Short Summary of Reviews.” PubMed, 2017, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28040996/.
2. “Yoga for Health: Physical and Mental Benefits of Yoga.” PubMed Central (PMC), 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8039334/.
3. “Mental Health Benefits of Yoga in Women.” PubMed Central (PMC), 2014, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4067931/.
4. “Yoga Instructor Salary: How Much Do Yoga Teachers Make?” Yogi Times, https://www.yogitimes.com/article/yoga-instructor-salary-how-much-do-yoga-teachers-make.
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