To elevate the profession of yoga teaching, in January 2017 Yoga Alliance-International reviewed and updated its Standards system. The Standards and their descriptors represent an analysis of effective, contemporary practice by yoga teachers throughout the world.
Members and Non-members of the association are welcome to UPGRADE an existing 500 hours programme
These standards describe Yoga Alliance’s requirements for a Registered Yoga School that offers a minimum of 650 hours programme.
The new standards are intended to encourage training providers to develop their own unique curriculum of study.
Before applying to register your training programme as a RYS 500hr PLUS, you may carefully want to consider the following points:
Teacher Training delivery options (intensive, long-term or weekend training).
Learning modes (theory components can be delivered online or correspondence format).
The new “Spirit of Yoga Standards” 500-PLUS for training programme MUST incorporate ALL the Yoga Alliance’s educational categories of study and practice below for a minimum number of designated hours (1-5 mandatory) in the presence of a Senior teacher or ERYT.
*Members of Yoga Alliance U.S, Yoga Australia or a similar recognised organisation are welcome to convert registration to us!
Techniques, Training and Practice: 220 hours.
Teaching Methodology: 50 hours.
Anatomy and Physiology: 40 hours.
Yoga History/Philosophy/Lifestyle: 40 hours.
Yoga Teacher Ethics: 10 hours.
5% of the Training Course MUST be allocated to TEACHING. *Participants MUST be encouraged to practice Teaching.
Safety Risk Assessment: Evaluating the potential risks that may be involved in performing or teaching asana.
Sanskrit: Asana Nomenclature.
Students Teaching: Sequencing and Leading Classes.
Observation/Assisting.
Yoga Text Books.
The business of Yoga - Running and Marketing Studio.
Within all Training Courses the following criteria must be met:
MUST be taught by a Yoga Alliance –International Australia ERYT (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher). Member Teacher of other organisations can convert registration.
The ERYT MUST be teaching a minimum of 80% of the course contact hours.
90% of the Teacher Training total hours MUST be contact hours. For example, for a 250 hours course the minimum contact hours must be 225 hours or, for 200 hours course the minimum contact hours must be 180.
5% of the Training Course MUST be allocated to TEACHING. *Participants MUST be encouraged to practice Teaching.
The correct YAA logos MUST be on the home page and training page of the website.
Schools MUST have their syllabus clearly on their website.
All accepted students MUST have at least one year of documented yoga practice.
All Schools are encouraged to offer post/pre-course mentoring and further training for its graduates.
500 hour PLUS course
Total number of hours – 650
Contact hours (90%) – 585
The minimum number of the Director of Training contact hours requirements within each RYS designation is shown in the following table:
RYS Designation |
Teacher Designation Eligibility by Designation |
Director of Training 80% of 90% Course Contact Hours Requirements by Designation |
RYS 150 | ERYT 200 or ERYT 350 ERYT 500 ERYT 1500 |
108 |
RYS 200 RYS 250 |
ERYT 200 or ERYT 350 ERYT 500 ERYT 1500 |
144 (RYS 200) 176 (RYS 250) |
RYS 300/350 | ERYT 350 or ERYT 500 ERYT 1500 |
216 (RYS 300) 252 (RYS 350) |
RYS 500 RYS 500 PLUS |
ERYT 500/500 PLUS or ERYT 1500 |
360 (Varies according to the course total contact hours) |
RYS 1500 | ERYT 1500 |
1200 |
Before filing for registration of your school, please visit the page below:
For further information, please send us an e-mail: Contact Us
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