Are you ready to take your passion for yoga to the next level by becoming a certified yoga teacher? If so, the first thing you should do is undergo a teacher training program with a reputable yoga school. Get ready to invest in yoga teacher training costs and other expenses and prepare yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as you start your journey.
Expenses of Yoga Teacher Training
Yoga enthusiasts undergo certification programs for different reasons. Some want to deepen their personal practice and learn all the postures and poses while studying ancient texts like the Yoga Sutras. Others want to gain insights into teaching yoga classes or meeting other yogis. Whatever your reason is for joining, know that training comes with expenses.
Yoga teachers training costs depend on several factors, such as:
Type of training
The yoga style you want to learn can affect your expenses. For instance, niche or trademarked yoga styles such as Corepower Yoga or Jivamukti Yoga trainings are more expensive than AcroYoga or yoga nidra programs (where there are more certified yoga teachers, no trademarked routine, etc.). Foundational yoga styles like hatha and vinyasa yoga are also more affordable. The overall duration of the yoga teacher training course can also contribute to the fees (some styles require you to study for much longer than others).
Location
The location also contributes to the yoga teacher training cost. It must be within your budget. Destinations like Bali, Costa Rica, Hawaii, and the United States are pricey. However, yoga teacher training centres like All Yoga Training in Bali and Thailand offer reasonably priced packages.
Meanwhile, the cheapest location is India, the birthplace of yoga. This country has numerous registered yoga schools offering yoga teacher training courses with certified instructors. However, this often comes at the cost of Western amenities and luxuries that many yoga students will be accustomed to.
Yoga teacher
Learning from the best yoga teachers comes with a price. Many yoga centers hire foreign teachers, while some employ local ones. The teacher’s expertise, experience, and other qualifications can affect the yoga teacher training costs. Prepare to pay more for a famous and highly skilled teacher but rest assured you’ll get value for your money.
Yoga school
Yoga teacher training schools registered with Yoga Alliance are your best option. They can occasionally be cheaper than other yoga schools. However, in general, a registered yoga school may have higher costs than one offering in-house yoga certification programs.
For instance, they offer 200-hour and 500-hour intensive yoga courses that last a month or more. They’re expensive because they already include accommodations and meals.
Schools offering Yoga Alliance programs have high standards, too. You’re getting the best quality training for your money. Their yoga teacher training programs allow you to study important subjects to understand yoga and its workings. These include yoga philosophy, physiology, anatomy, meditation, teaching methodology, business skills, and allow you to practice teaching. You’ll learn all kinds of yoga poses, too.
If you aim to become a certified yoga instructor, becoming a registered yoga teacher (RYT) with the Yoga Alliance is the first step toward your dream.
Yoga Teacher Training Cost
The cost of your yoga teacher training will depend on the aforementioned factors. Expect to pay more for a training in an all-inclusive resort with world renowned yoga teachers. But if you’re on a tight budget, check out your local yoga studio that may offer teacher trainings for a cheaper fee.
The cost of yoga instructor certification varies significantly from $200 to $7,000. Some offer 200-hour yoga teacher trainings from $1,000 to $3,000, while more advanced courses cost up to $7,000. Yoga teacher training costs depend largely on the kind of training and where you’re getting it from. Check out some of the most common prices below:
- Yoga Training Cost range
- Low Range [$200 – $999] : Specialized, short training courses from local yoga centers for those on a budget, not after a teaching certification.
- Mid-Range [$1,000 – $2,999] : Yoga teacher training centers under Yoga Alliance or those in cheap locations like India, Nepal, Mexico, and some parts of the United States.
- High Range [$3,000 ++]: This price range is standard in some of the best yoga teacher training destinations with world-class teachers and accommodations. You can stay in a luxurious resort, enjoy gourmet meals, and meet like-minded individuals worldwide. You’re most likely to pay this range when you enroll in a yoga teacher training program in Bali, Thailand, and Europe.
Additional Expenses
There are other additional expenses to consider. For example, investing in comfortable yoga clothes and equipment. You should also investigate your transportation expenses if traveling to your local yoga centre to join classes. On the other hand, if you’re attending a yoga certification program abroad, consider how much you’ll pay for airfare, insurance, and accommodation if it’s excluded.
Scholarships and Grants
Are you an aspiring yoga instructor? Yoga teacher trainings can be expensive but don’t let that stop you from pursuing your dream. These days you can find many yoga teacher training scholarships and grants.
Here are the steps on how to apply for these scholarships:
1. Research and look for available scholarships
The internet is the perfect place to find yoga teacher training scholarships worldwide. You’ll find tons of options, from full scholarships to those offering free online classes. Narrow your search by listing what training you want to do, the location, and your budget.
2. Send your application
After finding some good possibilities, it’s time to get started with the paperwork and applications. Fill in the forms accurately and honestly to increase your chances of getting the scholarship.
3. Submit all requirements on or before the deadline
Many training centers accept scholarship applications year-round, while some set a deadline. Submit earlier to avoid missing the deadline.
Top Yoga Teacher Training Scholarships Available
There are various options for scholarships under yoga teacher training programs. Some yoga studios or centers offer them directly, while others are provided through private organizations or foundations. You can contact them directly to apply or inquire.
Meanwhile, here are some popular scholarship programs you can check out:
- A $500 scholarship from Yoga Alliance when you do their 200-hour teaching certification.
- The National Ayurvedic Medical Association offers annual scholarships for yoga teacher training courses.
Scholarships are also available from private organizations and foundations like the following:
When you search online, you’ll be overwhelmed by the scholarships offered every year. They can help shoulder your yoga teacher training cost, but remember, they’re very competitive, with applicants coming from across the globe.
Once you’ve found the scholarships you want to apply for, do your best to submit all requirements on time and show off your personality and capability. Always review your application or have others check it for you. Don’t forget to follow up on your application if they haven’t responded after some time.
The Perks of Getting a Scholarship
There are many perks to getting a scholarship. It can cover the cost of your yoga teacher training and other associated expenses and show your love and dedication to yoga.
Many are impressed by those who obtain their yoga certification through a scholarship, which means you’ll have better chances of getting hired or when you want to further your yoga education.
Other scholarships also provide stipends, free housing, and yoga equipment, so you don’t have to worry about anything else and can focus on your training.
You can travel for free if you get a scholarship to attend a yoga teacher training abroad. Imagine spending a few weeks on an exotic island, learning and doing what you love while immersing yourself in a new culture. You’ll make lots of new friends, too.
Tips for Budgeting and reducing your yoga teacher training cost
Whether you’re on a scholarship or not, budgeting can help you get certified without spending all your savings.
- Here are some tips for you:
- Avoid unnecessary expenses like buying expensive yoga apparel.
- Enroll in a yoga teacher certification course near you to avoid travel expenses.
- Consider enrolling in an all-inclusive yoga training course abroad to save on food and accommodation.
- Apply for scholarships or enroll in Yoga Alliance registered schools.
- Sign up early for your chosen training to take advantage of early bird offers (you can sometimes save a significant amount on training costs just by making the most of these deals)
- Look for trainings offering additional perks such as free accommodation or referral discounts. For example, All Yoga offers free accommodation to the first 10 people who sign up for their November 2023 training (in advance). I used this offer when I trained with them in 2017, saving me a considerable amount of money overall.
Funding Your Yoga Certification Course
What happens if you don’t get a scholarship? The solution is to self-fund your yoga certification course. This won’t be a problem if you have enough savings in the bank, but it could be a problem if you’re just starting. You can get a loan from the bank or from loved ones who are willing to support you (in exchange, you can offer them free, private yoga classes once you’ve graduated!).
Another is to conduct fundraising. Inform your family and friends that you’re holding a fundraiser to help pay for your yoga teacher training. You can sell second-hand items online or have a garage sale.
Start by enrolling in a 200-hour course, which is the minimum requirement for you to become a yoga instructor. Once certified, you can offer private lessons at home or online. You may also join local yoga studios and ask to become one of their teachers. If you have enough savings, you can take more advanced courses or, better yet, learn internationally.
Yoga teacher training costs can be expensive, but it’s a good investment. Nowadays, many people are doing yoga for its numerous health benefits. The future is bright for those who want to become certified yoga instructors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does it cost to become a yoga instructor?
The total cost to become a 200-hour yoga instructor depends on whether you choose to study abroad, on an intensive immersion course, or at your local studio (for example). If you’re studying abroad, you should budget for around $1000-5000 (for the course itself), plus airfare and spending money (assuming food and accommodation are included), which could be another $1000. If you’re studying locally or online, the costs may be much lower (anything from $200-$1000) but the training will usually take much longer (as it may be part-time over several months).
How much does a yoga teacher training cost in average?
The cost of the yoga training itself depends on location, whether it is an intensive, full-time course (as opposed to part-time), whether food and accommodation are included, the quality of the teachers, and how ‘luxurious’ the training is. On average, you should expect to pay around $3000 for a good quality training in a touristy location such as Southeast Asia.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the journey to becoming a certified yoga teacher is not without its financial considerations. The yoga teacher training cost, while variable, is an investment into your passion, wellness, and future. Whether you’re considering a traditional Hatha course in India or a specialty training in Bali, understanding the factors that influence these costs – from the style of yoga, location of the training, the instructor’s qualifications, to the choice of the yoga school – is crucial.
However, it’s important to remember that there are ways to navigate these costs effectively. Through scholarships, grants, smart budgeting, and possibly even self-funding methods, the dream of becoming a yoga teacher can become a reality, no matter your financial situation. As you embark on this transformative journey, keep in mind that while the upfront yoga teacher training cost may seem daunting, the return on investment is invaluable. Not only will you deepen your personal practice and knowledge of yoga, but you also gain the opportunity to share this wisdom with others and contribute to their wellbeing.
The post The Financial Side of Yoga Teacher Training: Costs, Scholarships, and Making It Work appeared first on All Yoga Training.