Best Yoga Teacher Training Programs

YogaWorks offers in-person and online formats, 30 years of accreditation, locations around the world, and more than 15,000 alumni.

The YogaWorks 200-hour training can benefit true beginners as well as advanced students who’ve decided to finally dip their toes into teaching. The course covers asana, pranayama, anatomy, bodily mechanics, sequencing, adjustments, props and modifications, history, philosophy, and business best practices.

One notable feature about the YogaWorks RYT program is that it offers several course formats, making it easy to select one that works for you. YogaWorks hosts weekly training in which students attend training Monday through Friday for six weeks; weekend-only training in which students attend lessons on Saturday and Sunday for three to six months; and all-inclusive, global training that lasts four weeks.

The pricing varies depending on which course format you choose, and attending in-person comes with additional travel costs. The current calendar includes training with costs ranging from $2,450 to $5,400.

The surprisingly low tuition covers study materials, on-demand options, and lifetime access to all materials and is available for multiple levels of practitioners.

YogaRenew offers an affordable online-only yoga teacher training great for beginners and intermediate yogis. Advanced practitioners may find this training too easy or repetitive with regard to their current knowledge and skills, although it could serve as a great refresher.

In any case, the YogaRenew online training establishes a strong foundation for yoga instructors with its robust curriculum that includes asana, pranayama, anatomy, history, philosophy, meditation, business and marketing, mudras, teaching techniques, sequencing and structure, chakras, styles of yoga, and a unique module called “Beyond The Mat,” which covers ethics, confidence, and other important factors that go into yoga teaching. 

With a tuition cost of $1,637 (though often discounted), this yoga teacher training is highly affordable compared to most others. The online-only format makes it a great option for self-directed, committed learners who have busy schedules.

You’ll enjoy weeks of immersive training at the Himalayan Institute in rural Pennsylvania, complete with instruction in anatomy and physiology, breathing, asanas, meditation, philosophy, diet and lifestyle, teaching methods, and more.

The Himalayan Institute offers 200- and 300-hour yoga teacher training. The 200-hour training in particular is a great choice for people looking to kick off a career as a yoga instructor. 

With a decades-long teaching history and a robust curriculum, the Himalayan Institute provides an exceptional education for aspiring yoga teachers. Unlike some of the other courses on this list, which offer on-demand learning or extended formats to accommodate busy schedules, the Himalayan Institute training requires weeks of on-campus learning. 

The time commitment is hefty, but if you’re looking for an immersive, in-person, on-campus experience in the U.S., there’s no better option. Tuition for this yoga teacher training costs $2,399 and accommodations are not included.

With only 10 hours per week required, it’s great for yogis wishing to deepen their knowledge but who aren’t ready to commit to a full 200-hour training.

While not a full 200-hour yoga teacher training, the East+West Yoga Foundations Training has a lot to offer. You’ll study Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and focus on hatha yoga, as well as Buddhist and Vedic meditation. Students graduate with a foundation certification, which can be applied toward a future 200-hour certification from East+West Yoga.

The curriculum covers ancient yoga wisdom, history and philosophy, modern practices and methods, and how to use yoga as a tool to fight depression, anxiety, loneliness, and more. 

This program requires just 10 hours of your time each week and classes are delivered fully online. Tuition for the Foundations Training costs $1,150, and you can opt to add on two more training modules later in the year for an additional $1,350 (total of $2,550), which completes your 200-hour RYT training.

The Kripalu School of Yoga provides beginners with an extensive yet refined set of skills needed to effectively teach yoga to others.

The Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health has a long history and is highly respected in the yoga community as both a center for professional training and a center for retreats. The 200-hour teacher training at Kripalu is the perfect way for beginners to start their yoga career.

With a Kripalu education, you’ll earn a respected certification and feel confident in your abilities as a yoga instructor, even as you’re teaching your very first classes. The Kripalu curriculum includes five primary learning modules: asana, pranayama, philosophy, anatomy and physiology, and relaxation and meditation. 

Kripalu hosts in-person training at its Massachusetts campus and offers an online curriculum as well. Tuition for the online version of Kripalu yoga teacher training ranges from $2,700, and the cost of the in-person retreat ranges from $195-$345 per night, with day passes available for $150 per day.

For advanced yogis yearning for deeper, broader knowledge, the American Viniyoga Institute utilizes a comprehensive approach that covers multiple facets of yoga often taught in separate courses. It’s also a stepping stone to a clinical yoga therapy certification.

The American Viniyoga Institute applies an approach that combines the elements of yoga—asana, pranayama, bandha, sound, chanting, meditation, history, and literature—into one advanced training. This program is quite intensive, requiring a significant financial and time investment, so it’s best for current or soon-to-be instructors serious about advancing their careers. 

The institute runs the program at the Ancient Yoga Center in Austin, Texas, and each session runs for 12 nights. Tuition costs $3,250 per session (you must complete sessions one and two for the 200-hour training, one through three for the 300-hour training, and all four for the 500-hour training). So, if you opt for the complete 500-hour training, expect to remain on the campus for 48 nights and spend $20,000 plus some for lodging, travel, and food.