Yoga Alliance - Our standards

Click here for a chart outlining the existing 200 Hour Standards for Yoga Alliance^® registration as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT^®) or as a Registered Yoga School (RYS^®). These standards are effective through December 31, 2005 for new RYS^® 200 applicants, and through December 31, 2006 for existing RYS^® 200. Teacher trainees completing training at an RYS^® are eligible to register as an RYT^® .

Click here for a chart outlining the existing 500 Hour Standards for Yoga Alliance^® registration as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT^®) or as a Regsitered Yoga School (RYS^®). These standards are effective through December 31, 2007 for both new RYS^® 200 applicants, and for existing RYS^® 200. Teacher trainees completing training at an RYS^® are eligible to register as an RYT^® .

Revised Standards for Yoga Alliance^® registration as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT^®) or as a Registered Yoga School (RYS^®)

Yoga Alliance^® announced revised standards in June 2005. These standards take effect for new RYS^® 200 applicants as of January 1, 2006, and new RYS^® 500 applicants on January 1, 2008. Existing RYS^® 200 will have until January 1, 2007, and existing RYS^® 500 until January 1, 2008, to comply with the revised standards.

The spirit of the changes in RYS^® standards is to include a yoga teacher training program in the RYS^® registry only when it:

Trains teachers under a definite, pre-defined curriculum;
Is taught by experienced instructors in direct contact with teacher trainees;
Offers a consistent approach conducive to depth, rather than merely breadth, of topics and approaches.

RYT^® 200 Independent Study ends December 31, 2005;
Additional experience requirements for RYS^® teacher trainers;
RYS^® registration guidelines are clarified and contact hours increased;
RYT^® Continuing Education contact hour requirements are slightly modified beginning January 1, 2006.

Other than the modified CE requirements, the Standards changes do not affect existing Registered Yoga Teachers, those currently in training at registered schools, or those completing yoga teacher training within established grace periods.