11 Best Yin Yoga Teacher Training

With busy lives full of stress, many people struggle to find inner calm and balance. Without an effective tool for reducing anxiety and tension, health and well-being suffer. Here is a list of the best yin yoga teacher training centers that will equip you to lead others through restorative poses that unlock deep relaxation.

Master the Art of Serenity: Yin Yoga Teacher Training

You can take reputable yin yoga classes from centers like Annie Au Yoga, Science of Self, Rise and Shine Yoga, Love and Thrive, Shanti Atma Yoga, Yoga Academy International, Yinside Yoga Bali, Ananda Yoga and Detox Centre, Yoga Medicine, and Yinspiration. These institutions offer multi-faceted curricula and experienced teachers.

Looking to learn a new style of yoga? Are you looking for a competitive edge as a yoga teacher using continuing education? Enrich your experience and skills by learning to teach yin yoga and becoming an accredited yoga instructor.

1. Annie Au Yoga

As part of the 200-hour Yin/Yang Yoga teacher training, Annie Au offers a 30-hour Soulful Yin program in Bali. For those who prefer to learn yin yoga from home, she also teaches a 70-hour online yoga training.

Annie’s training combines yin practice with Chinese Meridians, acupressure, and Qi Gong. It also includes her signature ‘Soulful method’, which focuses on emotions and self-love through yin yoga. She also teaches how to integrate stories into your classes and sequencing.

Type: 100-hour Soulful Yin
Length: 10 days
Class size: 20
Curriculum: Yin foundations, poses, sequencing, adjustments

2. Science of Self

Rose Erin Vaughan from Science of Self offers a 100-hour yin yoga online. There is also the option to do two 50-hour in-person immersions on top of the 100-hour course to come out with a 200-hour TT.

Her approach is heavily focused on Chinese Meridians, pranayama, and therapeutic yin for emotional and physical healing

Type: 100-hour and 200-hour Meridian Yoga Therapy and Yin
Length: 5 weekends
Class size: 25
Curriculum: Anatomy, energetics, sequencing, postures

3. Rise and Shine Yoga School

In Rise and Shine Yoga School’s 60-hour yin yoga, you will be taught by Kata Van Doesselaar, who studied with Sarah Powers (one of the founders of yin in the West).

Set on the beautiful island of Ibiza, off the coast of Spain, this yin yoga program includes modules on myofascial release, meridians, sequencing, and mindfulness, all with a gentle, feminine approach to yin yoga.

Type: 60-hour Yin TT
Length: 7 days
Class size: 25
Curriculum: Asanas, anatomy, meditation, sequencing

4. Eleanor Evrard (Love and Thrive Retreats)

Elea offers unique, women-centered yin yoga retreats in Corfu (Greece) and Puglia (Italy). The 50-hour yin certification course includes modules you would expect, such as fascia, meridians, acupressure, sequences, and theory.

It also practices specifically designed for nurturing feminine energy, such as cacao ceremonies, ecstatic dance, journaling, and Taoist energy work.

Type: 50-hour Yin and Yinyang (Heart and Womb Wisdom) TT
Length: 6 days
Class size: 15
Curriculum: Adjustments, sequences, trauma-informed

5. Shanti Atma Yoga

Shanti Atma Yoga offers a range of very reasonable online yin yoga teacher training, ranging from 50 to 80 hours. They combine yin practice with other disciplines, such as neuroplasticity and mindfulness, emotional intelligence and aromatherapy, and yoga nidra.

The online format is self-paced, so you can start anytime, and there’s no time limit. The content is also downloadable, and you have lifetime access to the material!

Type: 50-hour to 80-hour Yin, Neuroplasticity, and Mindfulness; Yin, Emotional Intelligence, and Aromatherapy; Yin and Yoga Nidra
Length: Self-paced
Class size: 20
Curriculum: Yin poses, anatomy, sequencing, adjustments

6. Yoga Academy International

Yoga Academy International offers a 60-hour yin yoga program in a luxurious retreat setting in Morocco. You can also take it as a retreat for those who don’t want to teach or don’t already have a 200-hour TT.

The usual modules include Chinese Meridians, the anatomy of yin and fascia, history, and theory. You’ll also discover moon cycles and how they relate to the practice, the safe use of props in yin, and how to create your own personalized classes.

Type: 60-hour Yin TT
Length: 7 days
Class size: 25
Curriculum: Anatomy, poses, sequences

7. Yinside Yoga Bali

Led by Hayley Wenn, Yinside Yoga Bali offers in-person yin training and yin yoga classes in Bali. The 100-hour program comprises three shorter courses (50-hour, 30-hour, and 20-hour), which you can take individually.

The 30-hour and 20-hour trainings are aimed at people who want to deepen their YTT practice in Bali. While the accommodation is not included in any of the courses, you are free to find your own accommodation to keep the cost of the program low.

Type: 50-hour to 100-hour Yin TT
Length: 6 days (for the 50-hour program)
Class size: 25
Curriculum: Asanas, anatomy, philosophy, meditation

8. Ananda Yoga and Detox Centre

This 100-hour in-person yin yoga training from Ananda Yoga and Detox Centre takes place on the stunning tropical island of Koh Phangan in Thailand. Over the span of 12 days, you will learn everything you need to start teaching yin yoga immediately upon graduation.

Aside from the usual modules on functional anatomy, introduction to Chinese medicine, and theory, this session emphasizes the practical side of teaching. Plus, there are two massages included in the fee!

Type: 100-hour Yin TT
Length: 12 days
Class size: 25
Curriculum: Poses, anatomy, sequencing

9. Yoga Medicine

Co-founded by Tiffany Cruikshank, Yoga Medicine is now one of the leading yoga institutions globally. It’s recognized for the high quality of its yin yoga classes because of its focus on anatomy and science-based approach to yoga.

The 55-hour online program combines meditation, neuroplasticity, obstacles to meditation, the science of stretching, and joint mechanics. Co-taught by Tiffany herself, you can start the program anytime and complete it at your own pace.

Type: 55-hour Yin and Meditation TT
Length: Depends on the current class offering
Class size: 25
Curriculum: Anatomy, physiology, poses, adjustments

10. Yinspiration

The longest program on offer in this list, the 200-hour yin yoga training by Yinspiration has no prerequisites, so you don’t need to have yoga experience to join. Founded by Jo Phee, one of Paul Grilley’s original students, Yinspiration was the first-ever yoga school to offer a 200-hour yin TT.

Qigong & Yoga Specialist Wenlin Tan, had the opportunity to train with Jo Phee personally, and here’s what she had to say about the experience:

The session covers the usual modules. Here, you’ll get a deeper understanding of Indian lineage and tradition, anatomy and physiology, the business of yoga, and more.

Type: 200-hour Yin TT
Length: 6 months, part-time
Class size: 15
Curriculum: Foundations, anatomy, sequencing, adjustments

11. Yin Yoga Therapy® – A Global Vision of Connection and Healing

Yin Yoga Therapy® was born from a vision: to create a world where yoga is not just a
practice but a pathway to deeper presence, healing, and connection. By equipping
teachers with pioneering tools and fostering a community of care, we aim to bring this
vision to life, one practice at a time.

What Makes Yin Yoga Therapy® Unique?

Yin Yoga Therapy® honors the essence of yin yoga while incorporating innovative
elements of alternative therapies. This approach fosters not only physical renewal but also
emotional balance, energetic harmony, and a deeper sense of connection to oneself and
the world.

Why Yin Yoga Therapy® is Transformative:

1. Releases Stress Stored in the Body
Stress isn’t just in your head—it’s stored in your body’s tissues. The long-held poses of Yin
Yoga Therapy® target the fascia and connective tissues, allowing deeply held tension,
both physical and emotional, to release. By improving tensegrity—the balance between
tension and compression in your body’s structure—it promotes alignment and ease.

2. Improves Sensory Processing
With trauma-aware guidance, Yin Yoga Therapy® enhances sensory processing,
interoception (awareness of internal sensations), and proprioception (your body’s sense of
movement and position). As you explore your edge and hold poses in stillness, you
develop a deeper connection to your body and its subtle messages, improving self-
awareness on a physical level so that we can then apply this wisdom on an energetic level
as well. We get to know ourselves and our boundaries well, we fine-tune our intuition.

3. Restores Energy Flow and Chi Balance
Rooted in Taoist philosophy and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yin Yoga Therapy®
stimulates meridians (energetic pathways), restoring the flow of chi (life force energy). This
helps balance internal systems, boost vitality, and foster a deep sense of harmony and
well-being.

4. Regulates the Nervous System
By integrating mindfulness and breathwork, Yin Yoga Therapy® teaches you to observe
your breath, sensations, emotions, and thoughts without judgment. This presence activates
the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress hormones and creating a sense of
calm and relaxation.

5. Builds Emotional Resilience
Through the exploration of our edge and our sensations in long-held poses, Yin Yoga
Therapy® offers space to meet and process discomfort—both physical and emotional. This
builds resilience, patience, and self-compassion, teaching you to face life’s challenges
with greater ease.

6. Enhances Flexibility, Mobility, and Structural Balance
The Yin Yoga Therapy® practice hydrates the fascia, promotes the production of synovial
fluid, creates collagen and elastin in the right places, improves joint health, and enhances
overall flexibility. It also refines the body’s tensegrity, ensuring a stable balance of tension
and compression for long-term structural health.

7. Supports Injury Recovery and Physical Therapy
Especially in injury recovery or physical tension, Yin Yoga Therapy® serves as a form of
physical therapy, supporting rehabilitation and restoring movement with mindful,
therapeutic stretching. By gently targeting affected areas, it promotes healing, reduces
stiffness, and enhances mobility over time.

8. Reduces Inflammation and Supports Chronic Pain Management
Long held stretches have been shown to reduce inflammation, making it a valuable
practice for individuals with chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia. Emerging
research also suggests that prolonged stretching may play a role in preventing the
formation of cancerous cells by improving cellular function and tissue health.

9. Deepens the Understanding of Somatic Science
Yin Yoga Therapy® is deeply intertwined with Somatic Science, which explores how we
experience the body from within. This practice heightens bodily awareness, allowing for
profound nervous system regulation and trauma-aware healing.

10. Teacher Trainings Enhanced by Alternative Therapies
Yin Yoga Therapy® teacher trainings include:

• Somatic Science
• Body Work & Fascial Release Techniques
• Breath Work
• Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupressure
• Ayurveda
• Sound Healing
• Cacao Ceremony Facilitation
• Yoga Nidra / Meridian Nidra
• Emotional Regulation Techniques
• Aromatherapy
• Reiki
• Meditation & Mindfulness
• Energy Work

11. Integrates Body, Mind, and Energy
Yin Yoga Therapy® bridges movement and stillness, action and rest, doing and being. It
harmonizes your physical, mental, and energetic systems, leaving you grounded,
centered, and revitalized.

Why Pursue a Yin Yoga Therapy® Teacher Training Course?
Our trainings go beyond poses – they are transformative journeys that blend the art of Yin
Yoga with advanced holistic methods. We empower teachers with the knowledge and
tools to guide their students in a deeply impactful way.

What Sets Our Trainings Apart:

Type: Yin Yoga Therapy® Teacher Training (various modules)
Length: Varies by program
Class size: Intimate groups for personalized guidance
Curriculum: Somatics, trauma-informed teaching, TCM, meditation, energy healing, alternative therapies

Join the Yin Yoga Therapy® Movement
Whether you’re looking to deepen your personal practice or share the transformative
power of yin yoga with others, Yin Yoga Therapy® offers a unique and holistic approach.
Our programs are the perfect way to deepen your connection to your body and energy
while exploring the healing potential of Yin Yoga Therapy®.

Let’s grow together in healing, connection, and purpose.
Take a breath. Tune in. This is Yin Yoga Therapy®.

Unlike other styles of yoga, which traditionally draw on Indian culture and heritage, yin yoga draws heavily on traditional Chinese medicine and its associated ideas of yin and yang (yin being more passive and yang being more active).

Brought over to the West by Paul Grilley and popularised with the help of his student, Sarah Powers, this practice consists of long holds (poses are held for around 3-5 minutes) and passive stretching. It’s often in conjunction with instruction on the Chinese Meridians or acupressure.

Since the poses are held for a long time, mindfulness is also required. Some might even think of this style as a meditation practice itself! As a result, practicing yin yoga can be challenging, despite being a very slow sequence.

Even if you don’t intend to teach yin, attending a workshop is a great way to deepen your own yoga practice and achieve continuing education.

• It helps with mindfulness and teaches you more about the connective tissues and their importance in overall health and flexibility.
• Learning a little about traditional Chinese philosophy, medicine, and theory will make you a more well-rounded teacher. This will also allow you to add something different to your yoga sessions.
• There are fewer yin instructors than ‘yang’ yoga teachers, such as Vinyasa and Hatha teachers. Becoming a certified yoga teacher gives you a competitive advantage!
• Because poses do not require active muscle engagement, they help target the fascia and connective tissue in the body, thereby improving flexibility.

Selecting the right teacher certification is crucial, as you want to ensure you graduate with complete mastery of Yin’s techniques. Taking the time to evaluate programs carefully will help you identify the highest-quality immersive preparation to share the transformative power of Yin as an instructor.

Yoga Alliance-Registered Curriculum

Check if a school is a Registered Yoga School (RYS®) with the Yoga Alliance that will provide continuing education credits. Look for courses registered with Yoga Alliance at the 200-hour or 300-hour level.

A Yoga Alliance-certified program will provide you with a credential that is recognized globally when applying to teach at studios and facilities. Look for a solid foundation in:
• Philosophy
• Principles
• Poses
• Anatomy
• Sequencing
• Alignments
• Adjustments
• Meditation
• Teaching methodology
• Meridian theory

Most programs require that you already have a minimum of 200-hour yoga teacher training. When you don’t already have a 200-hour yoga alliance certification, check out All Yoga’s courses in Bali and Thailand, or look for a program that doesn’t have any prerequisites.

Program Module

Consider whether you need an online course or an in-person residential session. This will undoubtedly give you more hands-on experience, which can be important for a yin practice, especially if you are also learning about acupressure or massage.

Many yin practices include other subjects, such as meditation, yoga nidra, sound healing, Chinese Meridians, and so on. Decide what interests you the most.

Faculty

You should also look at the faculty. Who is going to be leading the program? How long have they (or the school) been running the program?

Reading reviews on Yoga Alliance’s website is also a good way of getting a feel for the course and whether it’s worth the money.

Training Schedule

Choose a schedule that fits your availability and learning needs. Yin teacher trainings are offered in varied timeframes:
• Intensive immersions
• Weekends over several months
• Modules over a longer period

Yin Yoga courses immerse trainees in the foundations they need to share the restorative power of Yin. With knowledge of anatomy, postures, and sequences, you’re on your path to becoming a certified teacher who can guide students into poses that release tension and cultivate mindfulness.