Are you ready to bend, twist, and Om your way to becoming a certified yoga instructor?
Well, hold your horses because before you jump into the world of downward dogs and warrior poses, you need to decide on the level of certification you want to pursue. Are you going for the 50-hour quickie, the 100-hour commitment, or the 200-hour deep dive?
Let’s explore the differences and find the perfect fit for you!
Difference between 50, 100 & 200 Hour Yoga Certification
The main differences between these three different types of courses are that 50hr and 100hr courses are usually courses you do after you are a certified yoga teacher. They are shorter dives into a specific module (for instance Yin Yoga, or pranamaya) whereas a 200hr is your standard certification needed to be a qualified teacher or 200RYT.
While none of these qualifications are needed to actually teach yoga a 200-hour teacher training course is one that is typically referred to as a YTTC or yoga teacher training course.
The 50hr or 100hr courses are great for specific focused areas of study and usually are for people who have already done their 200-hour course, (though this prerequisite is not always required) and are looking to go deeper, gain more proficiency or specialize in a certain form of asana, style, method etc…
Again just to note: none of these certifications or courses are legally required to teach yoga, but they are widely recognized as the standard in the yoga community, and many studios require their teachers to have a 200-hour certification.
Common 50, 100 & 200 Hour YTTC Questions
How long does it take to get your certification to become a yoga instructor?
It is generally accepted that a minimum of 200hrs of training is necessary to begin teaching. While this is true in theory it actually takes much longer in practice to become comfortable teaching which can take much longer than a single course. However, after finishing a 200hr TTC, you will be eligible to register as a RYT-200 with Yoga Alliance. So if you are looking to do that then a 200hr is the one you want.
Is certification for 50 or 100 hours of yoga sufficient to teach yoga?
No. In truth, you need much more time than 50 or 100 hours. While there could be people who have been practicing for a decade which might be enough, however, in today’s world most yoga studios are asking for a 200hr TTC certification. No one bothers to ask if you have done a 50 or 100 hours course.
Do I need a 200-Hour Registered Yoga Teacher credential to legally teach yoga?
No, there are no legal requirements although, many studios and retreat centers do ask for it.
Do 50 or 100 hours of yoga training count as continuing education?
Yes, in order to maintain their RYT-200 certification according to Yoga Alliance yoga teachers are expected to complete a minimum of 30 hours of additional training every three years.
However, the number of hours spent in training that came before RYT 200 registration does not count toward continuing education. So if you complete the 50hr course after your 200 hr training then it could count as part of your continuing education requirements.
| Online Yoga TTC | Cost | In-person Yoga TTC | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 hours | $100 – 200 | 50 hours | $300 – 500 |
| 100 hours | $300 – 500 | 100 hours | $500 – 100 |
| 200 hours | $300-3000 | 200 hours | $1000 – 5000 |
After completing a yoga teacher program that lasts for 200 hours, what are the advantages of taking a course that lasts for only 50 or 100 hours?
A course of either 50 or 100 hours is considered a follow-up course. In this course, you will learn additional knowledge and skill that was not covered in the course of 200 hours. In addition to assisting you in satisfying the prerequisite for further education, it contributes to the development of your yoga teaching knowledge and abilities.
What certifications can I get after completing a 50/100/200-hour course?
You can only get a certification from a 200hr teacher training course. The 50 and 100 hours can count as part of continuing education but are not the same as a 200hr.
Learn more about the Yoga Alliance certifications and terminology.
Are these courses accredited by the Yoga Alliance?
Courses that are 200 hours and fulfill the requirements of Yoga Alliance are accredited. Just because it is a 200 hours training doesn’t mean it is accredited. 50 hours and 100 hours have no official accreditation like the 200, 300, and 500hr courses do.
