Best Online Yoga Teacher Trainings To Take From Home

We’ll start this guide with a caveat because most of the time we’d argue that online yoga teacher trainings (YTT) can’t replace the experience you gain from a face-to-face teacher training.

That being said, we’re living in very unusual times. With a global pandemic keeping us close to home and distanced from each other, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to start a group training any time soon.

So online training offers a timely alternative. You can embark on a course to continue your professional development if you’re already a yoga teacher and crave new knowledge and fresh ideas. Or you can even complete your first YTT, and gain your yoga certification online.

Below, you’ll find some of the top online trainings available right now; as well as all the info you need about how to become a yoga instructor online.

Why you should do an online yoga teacher training

Although no substitute for working directly with real people on the mat in the room with you, online trainings do have a lot to offer, and especially during a time like this.

Pick a good one, and you can expect high-quality teaching and a big dose of yoga inspiration — at a lower cost than in-person training, as your teacher trainer doesn’t need to rent a venue.

Online YTTs take place in the comfort of your home. All you need is a decent internet connection, a computer, tablet or smartphone with a camera, and your yoga mat and props.

Depending on the training you choose, you might be given a reading list too.

You can still order new or used print books online, or instantly grab an ebook or audiobook version if it’s available.

Different trainings come in different formats. Some take place in the form of live classes and lectures, with you and your fellow trainees tuning it at specific times for interactive, real-time teaching.

Others allow you to take things at your own pace, as pre-recorded videos are recorded, and then you can talk through any questions with your personal tutor afterwards.

Both have pros and cons. Obviously.

Live classes are a little more like in-person training, as your teachers will respond to you and you can ask questions as and when they come up.

Pre-recorded trainings take a bit more self-motivation and a pro-active approach, but do give you lots of freedom to fit the training around your life (ideal if, for example, you’re on lockdown with your kids!).

In general, learning at home is a less intense experience, which goes at a more relaxed pace.

If video classes are recorded you’ll be able to watch them back as many times as you like as well — so you can benefit from that teaching again and again.

Good to know: Yes, you can become certified!

The selected courses are all taught by experienced teachers, and all offered in a live-stream format.

This is great news if you’re keen to start your teaching journey. This change is in line with wider changes in the work of yoga teachers right now, with everyone having to move online and find new ways of connecting with students.

And it allows great yoga schools to keep their businesses going, while you get to train at a much lower cost than usual.

Do be aware that when you’re choosing a live-stream training, you’ll need to make sure the timezone works for you.

You probably don’t want to sign up for a course and then realize you’ve got to get up at 2 am for each class…!

Things you can do upon completing your online yoga teacher training

If you opt for an accredited 200-hour teacher training online, you’ll be able to:

• Teach worldwide as a certified yoga teacher
• Teach yoga asanas, pranayama and meditation techniques with confidence
• Structure and sequence yoga classes to suit a variety of students
• Give effective cues and adjustments
• Use your new understanding of anatomy and physiology to teach safely, and in a way, that benefits your students’ bodies
• Weave elements of yoga philosophy into your practice and teaching
• Deepen your own yoga and meditation practice, and feel motivated to keep learning more
• Access further advanced training or specialist courses later on; and some courses may give you credit to attend in-person workshops or course elements after social restrictions have lifted

The best online yoga teacher trainings

Self Paced 200-Hour Certified Online Yoga Teacher Training with One Yoga

One Yoga is one of Thailand’s top yoga teacher training schools, and they’re moving with the times to make their high-quality yoga instructor certification available online.

Delve deep into your practice — and develop your own teaching practice — with a comprehensive course, lead by experienced teacher trainers.

• Duration: Flexible — from 4 weeks to 12 months
• Format: A combination of pre-recorded videos and live sessions via Zoom
• Entry requirements: None, but some yoga experience is advised
• Certification: 200-hour accreditation with Yoga Alliance when completed before 30th June 2020
• Timezone: Various timezones available, to suit students in Asia, Europe and America 
• Cost: $1,999
• Credits to do it in person again? No
• What makes it special? One Yoga’s training covers a variety of styles, including Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative and Ashtanga, so you’ll become a well-rounded teacher and discover what you love teaching the most

Self Paced 300-Hour Online Yoga Teacher Trainings with Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin and Aerial Yoga

Another Thailand favorite, ULU Yoga is offering both its 200-hour and 300-hour courses online.

The 300-hour course is designed for those who have already completed a 200 hour, and wish to gain their 500-hour certification.

The international team of experienced teachers is well equipped to adapt to online teaching, and you can expect a motivating and supportive experience.

• Duration: Flexible — from 1 to 12 months 
• Format: Live streaming classes
• Entry requirements: Students for the 300 hour course should have completed a 200 hour course or have equivalent experience
• Certification: Accreditation with Yoga Alliance when majority of course is completed before 30th June 2020
• Timezone: Various timezones available, to suit students in Asia, Europe and America
• Cost: $599
• Credits to do it in person again? Yes — $500 in tuition credits to attend future courses in Thailand and Bali
• What makes it special? This course includes bonus aerial yoga workshops to expand your teaching potential

28 Day 200-hour Online Meditation and Yoga Teacher Training

This online yoga teacher course has a focus on the tradition of Tantric Hatha Yoga, and classes and lectures take place at set times so everyone on the course works through it together.

Through a private Facebook group and live sharing circles, you’ll get to know your fellow students and be able to buddy up for support.  

• Duration: 28 days
• Format: A combination of pre-recorded videos, sharing circles and twice-weekly live tutoring sessions
• Entry requirements: None, but some yoga experience is advised
• Certification: Eligible for registration with Yoga Alliance 
• Timezone: Flexible, to be scheduled according to student locations
• Cost: $1,100
• Credits to do it in person again? No
• What makes it special? Daily synchronized meditation sessions keep you tuned in with your fellow students and teachers, creating a sense of togetherness in spite of the distance between you

28 Day 200-Hour Online Multi-Style Yoga Teacher Training Course

Wonderland Healing Center in Thailand is known for its transformative YTTs.

It’s now offering one of the best online yoga teacher trainings around — inviting you to turn crisis into an opportunity and benefit from its top teaching and a lower price.

• Duration: 28 days (but can be extended to up to 90 days)
• Format: A combination of pre-recorded classes, live-stream classes via Zoom, and live Q&A sessions with the teachers 
• Entry requirements: None, but some yoga experience is advised
• Certification: Eligible for registration with Yoga Alliance 
• Timezone: GMT+7
• Cost: $1,083
• Credits to do it in person again? No
• What makes it special? You’ll complete an online practical exam at the end of the course, giving you valuable experience of teaching others before you step out into the world as a pro

80-Hours Continuing Education Online Teacher Training Course “Awakening Somatic Intelligence”

This course is part of Bhakti Prema Yoga’s 300-hour YTT, and when you complete it, you’ll have the option of doing the rest of those 300 hours on location in Italy at a later date.

Explore intermediate to advanced Vinyasa Flow, with a focus on somatic movement and functional applied anatomy.

• Duration: 80 hours over 49 days
• Format: A combination of live classes and self-study
• Entry requirements: 200-hour or 300-hour Yoga Alliance certification, or equivalent experience
• Certification: 80 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for Yoga Alliance
• Timezone: CEST
• Cost: $759 
• Credits to do it in person again? Yes — option to take this module again in person and only pay for food/accommodation  
• What makes it special? The teacher! Ameriga has a wealth of experience in functional anatomy and somatics — her training has included studying skeletal variations with Jo Phee, and participating in a fascia study at Plastinarium in Germany

21 Day 200-Hour Online Yoga Teacher Training for Aspiring Lifestyle Entrepreneurs

Want to start your yoga career with a strong understanding of how to make it work as a business? This is the online yoga course for you!

Learn the basics of teaching yoga, and benefit from business coaching as you develop an entrepreneurial mindset.

• Duration: 20+ days 
• Format: Live-stream classes and self-study
• Entry requirements: None, but some yoga experience is advised
• Certification: Eligible for registration with Yoga Alliance
• Timezone: Various timezones available, to suit students in Asia, Europe and America 
• Cost: $1,497 
• Credits to do it in person again? No
• What makes it special? You’ll receive the bonus content of Kaya Yoga Therapy’s 12-week Entrepreneurial course

Self Paced 200-Hour Low-Cost Online Yoga Teacher Training

This online yoga teacher training will give you a solid grounding in the basics of Hatha Yoga or Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga (your choice).

Study classic texts including the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, under the guidance of an experienced yoga teacher trainer.  

• Duration: Flexible — 1 to 6 months
• Format: Pre-recorded classes and self-study
• Entry requirements: None, but some yoga experience is advised
• Certification: 200-hour accreditation with Yoga Alliance when completed before 30th June 2020
• Timezone: Any — all classes are pre-recorded; the teacher trainer is based in Spain
• Cost: $596
• Credits to do it in person again? No
• What makes it special? You can start this course when you want to, and complete it in your own time

Self Paced 200-Hour World's Premiere Multi-Style Online Yoga Teacher Training

This online yoga school has been created by 11Exhale Yoga, a USA-based team of teachers who have already successfully guided more than 500 students through online training.

The course is comprehensive and class sizes are limited, so you can expect individual attention and tailored support.  

• Duration: Flexible — a minimum of 2 weeks
• Format: A combination of pre-recorded videos, live sessions via Zoom, self-study and an online accountability group
• Entry requirements: None, but some yoga experience is advised
• Certification: 200-hour accreditation with Yoga Alliance when completed before 30th June 2020
• Timezone: USA PDT
• Cost: $2,588
• Credits to do it in person again? No
• What makes it special? This course is taught in three phases to build your skills bit by bit: the science of yoga, the art of the yoga lifestyle, and the illumination of teaching methodology

Self-Paced Online 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training with 6-Hour Ayurveda Massage Therapy Course

This is the least expensive course on our list, but it’s certainly not lacking in value.

An Ayurvedic massage therapy module is woven into this 200-hour online yoga teacher training, which will set you apart from the average YTT grad.

• Duration: Flexible — students usually take around 1 month to complete the course
• Format: A combination of live sessions via Zoom, 1-1 calls, Q&A sessions and self-study
• Entry requirements: At least one year of yoga experience 
• Certification: 200-hour accreditation with Yoga Alliance when completed before 30th June 2020; and a 6-hour Ayurveda massage therapy certificate
• Timezone: GMT+1
• Cost: $434 
• Credits to do it in person again? No
• What makes it special? You get ongoing access to Bend it Like Buddha’s private mastermind group, so you’ll have a support system to help you as you move through your teaching journey

Self Paced 200-Hour Online Yoga Teacher Training Course

This well-rounded course offers self-paced learning to fit around your life.

All course materials are provided in ebook form, and you’ll have access to post-training support too.  

• Duration: Flexible — from 30 days to 10 months
• Format: Pre-recorded classes, direct support from teachers and self-study
• Entry requirements: None 
• Certification: Eligible for registration with Yoga Alliance
• Timezone: Any, as all classes are prerecorded. Teacher trainers are based in the UK (GMT+1)
• Cost: $1,489
• Credits to do it in person again? No 
• What makes it special? The practical exam is in the form of a 60-minute video that you record at home — so you’ll finish the course with useful experience of online teaching

Self Paced 200-Hour Online Rajadhiraja Yoga Teacher Training 

The Himalayan Yoga Institute is one of the best known — and most respected — yoga teacher training providers in the world.

Now you can train with them from wherever you are in the world, either in real-time or at your own pace.

• Duration: Flexible
• Format: A combination of live-stream video conferencing via Zoom, pre-recorded classes, audio lectures, one-to-one support and self-study
• Entry requirements: None, but some yoga experience is advised 
• Certification: 200-hour accreditation with Yoga Alliance when completed before 30th June 2020
• Timezone: UTC
• Cost: $1,240 
• Credits to do it in person again? No
• What makes it special? You’ll experience the Himalayan Yoga Institute’s authentic approach in a modern format — and access lifelong mentoring if you want to

Ready to start your online yoga teacher training?

If you’re interested in taking your yoga teacher training online and get yoga alliance certified, we hope this has given you everything you need to get started.

The best online yoga teacher training certifications can give you some, if not all, of the profound experiences and in depth learning that takes place on any face-to-face training.

But remember, this is just the start of your journey. Keep learning; keep training, and your teaching practice will develop more and more.