Although becoming a registered teacher is not legally required to teach yoga, it lends credibility to your practice and makes you more employable in the eyes of studio owners. There are as many ways to teach future yoga teachers as there are schools, but the best programs are registered with either the Yoga Alliance or the Yoga Register, and some are registered with both. Beyond that, the best yoga teacher training programs depend on your style of learning, your yoga philosophy and your teaching goals.
Registries
The Yoga Alliance and Yoga Register are the two main yoga registries. The Yoga Alliance includes yoga teachers and training programs within the Unites States, while the Yoga Register accredits internationally as well as nationally. Both organizations are equally reputable, and any program with their endorsement includes quality training. The difference is that each organization has fundamentally different views of yoga practice and training methods. If the program is also registered with a local yoga commission, it can signify a good local reputation.
Curriculum vs. Process
Programs registered with the Yoga Alliance are generally structured like a college course, with a strict curriculum involving 200 to 500 hours of training. Skills are clearly outlined, including the number of hours devoted to class time and self-study, and courses consist of instruction in poses, teaching methods, anatomy and yoga philosophy. Students are also required to student-teach before graduating. Programs endorsed by the Yoga Register are generally more focused on the process of becoming a yogi, rather than the goal of a specific skill set. The Register requires teachers to be educated in practical skills, safety, practice and knowledge of yoga, but no specific curriculum is proposed. Instead, programs focus on the three principles of satya -- truthfulness, non-violence and self-study. Neither method is better than the other, it just depends on which is better for you personally.
Residential vs. Class-Based
Yoga teacher training programs take many forms, from a series of weekly classes over the course of a year to weeklong intensive immersion seminars. If you plan to work while attending training, the class-based programs offer the flexibility to fit teacher training into your schedule. Yoga teacher training classes are frequently offered at regular yoga studios and even at some gyms. If you prefer to complete the training quickly, an immersion-style course would suit you better. Immersion courses are offered retreat-style, and you will stay on the school's premises for the entirety of your training. Check to make sure the school's accommodations suit any dietary or lifestyle issue you may have. Generally, class-based programs are also curriculum-based, and immersion-style classes are usually process-based.
Special Training
Keep your ultimate teaching goal in mind. There are many styles of yoga, so if you want to teach a style other than the popular Bikram, ashtanga, vinyasa, or kundalini, make sure the program you choose offers that type of training. If you want to teach special populations like seniors, children or pregnant women, check to see if your program offers training in those areas. In the case of Yoga Alliance, you must take separate classes and add hours to your training to teach anyone other than healthy adults.
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