Have you ever thought about what it takes financially to become a certified yoga teacher?
If you already see the benefits of the Yoga practice in your daily life and are considering becoming a certified Yoga instructor then it is crucial to understand the cost of Yoga teacher training (YTTC).
In this guide, we will break down all the expenses involved, provide tips on choosing the right yoga teacher training course and discuss how you can manage the costs more effectively.
Breakdown of the costs of Yoga teacher training course
Tuition fee
The most significant expense in Yoga teacher training is the tuition fee of the course.
Normally on average:
A 200 hour YTT program (beginner to intermediate levels) course can cost from $1000 to $3500.
A 300 hour YTT program (advance course for those who already have completed 200 hrs) can cost from $2000 to $7000.
A 500 hour YTT program (Beginner to advance levels) can cost from $4000 to $8000.
A 50 hour YTT program (Beginner to advance) including courses like 50 h Yin yoga training, 50 h Arm Balancing training, 50 h Pranayama course, 50 h Meditation course and many more targeting a specific field of Yoga can cost between $500 to $3000.
These fees cover the instruction, study materials, and additional amenities like Yoga mats and other probs.
Accommodation and Food Expenses
Residential YTT programs either have accommodation and food included or non-included.
The cost for it can vary widely, depending on country, venue or school facilities.
For example:
Yoga Teacher Training in Bali Indonesia – One month’s cost of accommodation and food for a YTTC in Bali might cost $500 to $3500.
Yoga Teacher Training in Germany, Portugal, Greece in Europe or USA – One month’s cost of accommodation and food for a YTTC in Europe or USA might cost $1400 to $4000.
Additional Expenses
Other potential costs:
Course material and Textbook: $50 to $300 (Most schools are providing the course material and include it in the tuition fee)
Yoga Props: Yoga mat, block, straps, bolsters etc can cost $50 to $300 (Normally schools are providing props during the course and include it in the tuition fee)
Travel Expenses:
Flight cost can vary from destination to destination. It is one of the biggest expenses after YTTC Tuition fee, Food and stay and can be $100 to $2000.
Travel Insurance (If you are planning to do it abroad) can cost $50 to $100,
Visa Fee: If you are planning to do YTTC from abroad then this can be an additional cost and varies from country to country, for Bali visa it is around $50, for Europe visa it is around $100 and for USA it is $100 also. It mostly depends on which country you are from.
Certification: Some schools might charge an additional fee for certification, ranging from $50 to $200 (Most schools already have it included in the tuition fee)
Yoga Alliance fee: If you would like to have a registry card from Yoga Alliance and would like to have your name on their website there will be an additional cost. For first time registration it’s around $150 and every year renewal fee is $50.
Other Factors influencing the cost
Location
The YTTC total cost depends on the location. YTTC programs in western countries like Canada, USA, or Europe tend to be more expensive compared to Asian countries like India, Bali, or Thailand.
But it does not mean that the total cost of the YTT Program in exotic locations like Bali, Thailand or India will be less because there are international travel expenses like flight, travel insurance, and Visa fee etc are on the top too.
Reputation and Quality of School
Well-established schools with a good reputation, and high-quality or luxurious facilities generally charge higher prices.
These schools often charge higher prices for TTC but it does not mean that the training quality is better. The Yoga Teacher Training quality depends totally on the course curriculum and the teacher’s experience.
You can find the best quality training at lower prices. It is very important to check the curriculum of the course and the teachers rather than location and venue facilities.
It is also a good sign if the owners of the school are the teachers as it allows for an authentic experience. If the teachers are also the owners of the school, they are typically more invested in the quality of instruction, hold themselves to high standards of professionalism and accountability and they ensure that the school’s philosophy, values, and teaching methods are consistently communicated and practiced.
Duration of the YTTC
YTT intensive programs duration can be from 5 days to 60 days, depending on the course you choose, often including food and accommodation.
For example, a 200 hrs YTTC can be 15 days to 28 days. Choosing a course duration in the middle like 21 days can keep the cost in the middle or lower. But before choosing the TTC program make sure to have a look at the curriculum and the time schedule to ensure it aligns with your needs.
Return on Investment of Yoga Teacher Training
When thinking about investing into a Yoga Training, you should also be aware of the return of the investment.
Career Opportunities: Investing in a YTT can open many career opportunities. As a certified yoga instructor, you can teach Yoga sessions at different Yoga studios, community centers, schools, Gyms, or might open your own Yoga business.
You can teach to different groups of people, private classes, and in retreat or even organize your own retreat. Good and experienced teachers always have great potential to have income, especially when starting to give private lessons and organize different events, or workshops.
Connect to and help yourself: Apart from the material aspect a Yoga training allows you better health and understanding of the body and mind. A Yoga training can increase self-awareness and support you on your healing journey.
Support and build a healthy and better community: The world needs good Yoga teachers who help people to improve their and form conscious communities. It is a great investment return that you can help many people to connect with themselves and have a better understanding of their bodies and minds. Only good and conscious people can build better communities, which is essential for the next generations.
Continuing Education: As a Yoga Teacher you can continue your further education of Yoga with different advanced training like Yin Yoga, Pre and post-natal, yoga therapy, advanced yoga anatomy, Arm Balancing, Ashtanga Yoga, Mediation, and many more.
These continuing education programs can give possibilities to deepen the knowledge of Yoga and bring opportunities to teach different things about Yoga like Yoga styles, and to organize workshops and retreats allowing the investment to return.
You can experience returns from Yoga training on personal, social and spiritual levels.
Tips for choosing the Right YTT Program
Research: Take time to research, thoroughly research various YTTC, read their reviews, check the qualifications of the teachers, read the full curriculum of the course, check the social media of the school, try to connect with previous students of the school, and if possible, have an online meeting with the teachers.
Accreditation: Ensure that the YTT program is accredited by any recognized, certification body, or Yoga Alliance USA.
There are many different accreditations for Yoga so choose it depending on where you would like to teach after. If the course is not accredited, then you should do more research about that school and the program. You can get certified as a Yoga teacher also with schools who don’t have any accreditation.
Before all these modern accreditation bodies came up Yoga was already being taught. Choose the program and school that can give you a strong foundation of Yoga. It is a lifelong process to learn more and more about Yoga. Just ensure that the training meets the industry standards.
Location: If you like traveling then you can do the training wherever you would like. Just keep in your mind that travel arrangements bring extra cost. You can also choose a Yoga training near you. Try to choose a peaceful and quiet place and make sure the quality of the course is assured.
Personal Fit: Consider your personal goals about Yoga training, preferred Yoga styles in the training, pranayama and teaching philosophy when choosing the YTT course.
Make sure that the YTT program meets your goal, interests and long-term career aspirations.
Personal Stories and Testimonials: Read the stories and watch the video testimonials of graduated students from the school. This can give you a great overview of the YTT program and about the school. If you can find the details of the school graduate students, you can get in touch with them to hear their stories.
Conclusion
High costs do not necessarily mean high quality.
Make sure the accommodation is clean and comfortable. However, you will not spend much time in your room anyways.
The food should be vegan, vegetarian and easy to digest.
Find a location that resonates with you, ideally a peaceful place close to nature.
Most important is the quality of YTT program, meeting your goals and requirements
The total cost of Yoga teacher training can range widely from $1500 to $12000.
