It’s no secret that yoga has become incredibly popular in the last few years. And one testament to that is the fact that you are reading this article! What may come as a surprise, however, is how much people are spending on yoga teacher training courses.
The cost of teacher training can vary greatly depending on the program you choose. Some programs offer certification on the cheap after minimal contact hours while others require many thousands of dollars and months of study and practice – and then there is everything in between.
So how much does it cost to do a yoga teacher training anyways? Let’s find out
How Much Money Can You Expect to Pay for a Yoga Teacher Training – In Person vs Online?
The short answer is you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000-5,000 for in-person yoga teacher training and $300-2,000USD for online yoga teacher training.
The long answer we will go through here in a minute as there are a lot of variables.
Now, why the huge variance?
Well, that’s because it depends on where you take your course and if it’s online or in person.
Not only that but it matters where in the world you decide to take your training.
Yoga Training Cost by Country
The cost of a yoga teacher’s training varies across the world. All numbers are approximates.
| Country/Region | 200-hour Course Cost | 300-hour Course Cost | 500-hour Course Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | $4,000-$6,000 | $5,000 | $6,000-$8,000 |
| India | $1,500 | $2,500 | $3,000 |
| Bali | ~$3,000 | ~$4,000 | ~$5,000 |
| Thailand | $2,000-$3,000 | $3,000-$4,000 | $4,000-$6,000 |
| Costa Rica | $3,000 | $4,000 | $6,000 |
USA you can expect to pay around $3000-5000 on average, with some courses ranging upwards of $8,000 for a 200 hour course.
For 300-hour courses, you can expect to pay around $5000 and for 500 hour you can expect to pay $6000-8000.
If you decide to go abroad you can usually find them a bit cheaper as the overhead is less.
In India, you can expect to pay $1,000-1,500, which is the cheapest yoga training I have seen.
Two other popular destinations are Bali and Thailand where programs cost on average around $2,000-5,000. Here you will find a vast number of yoga schools that have sprouted up over the years and are major industries in places like Chiang Mai and Ubud.
Other popular destinations are Mexico and Costa Rica although they tend to be on the more expensive side coming in around $3000+.
Costs also vary depending on what type of course you chose, while a 50 or 100hr course does not qualify you as a teacher, they are much cheaper.
What does it cover?
These fees typically cover costs related only to the course, usually including course materials, food, and lodging (lodging sometimes can be shared so you might be required to pay extra for a private room). A yoga teacher certification course typically lasts 1 month (or 4 weeks), full time, which means 8-10 hours a day 6 days a week.
So you could expect to pay extra for your airfare, travel insurance, yoga gear, and all the other costs needed to actually get there. Once you are there and have started the course you will not need to pay anything extra besides on field trip days, and a bit extra for food when you go out, or for upgrading to a nicer room.
How much does an online yoga teacher training cost?
Since COVID there has been a massive movement toward doing yoga teacher training online; as they are virtual they can be much cheaper than in-person courses with prices ranging between $300-$2000.
The courses that are priced at a few hundred dollars are typically all prerecorded videos, with limited live teacher involvement, although you can ask the teacher questions, you likely will not get more than once-a-week interaction with the teacher. Whereas courses that cost $1000-$2000 are ones that typically have more live classes, 1-on-1 time with the teacher and are more interactive.
While there are significantly cheaper that doesn’t mean they skimped on the quality.
What does it cover?
Costs for online teacher certifications usually cover the fees for the course which gives you access to the online platform where they have the pre-recorded videos, as well as live sessions, and course material (though some course materials are extra.
Usually, you have up to 1 year to finish the course if you want the actual certificate, though most will give you lifetime access to the online material so you can go back to learn more later on.
Should you do a yoga teacher training online or in person?
Whether you chose to do an online training or in person training largely depends on your current circumstances.
If you want to start immediately, are looking for something cheaper, flexible, and do not want to travel then check out some of the online yoga trainings.
If you want hands-on instruction and would like a deeper experience and have both the time and money I would suggest doing a yoga teacher training in person if you have the time and money as nothing compares to being physically present. However, doing an online TTC is equally rewarding. In fact, I think it will become the new normal soon enough. Check out all the Pros and Cons of Online YTTC.
Online is mostly for convenience. It works, but does not compare to the immersive experience you get when you are together in a group, has structured days, all going through the experience together. It can be quite powerful.
The journey
Whatever path you choose any type of yoga course is worth it, no matter how much it costs. Teacher trainings can be instrumental in transforming not only your life, but the lives of everyone you share the gift of yoga with.
