The Happiness Function

Have you been thinking about whether or not to pursue getting your yoga certification? Maybe you don’t know where to start. Or perhaps you’re not sure if it is worth the time or money.

I’m a certified yoga instructor, and my article will walk you through the styles of yoga, levels of training, and benefits of getting your certification with attention on how and why to do it.

“Yoga does not just change the way we see things; it transforms the person who sees.”

B.K.S. Iyengar

What Style of Yoga Is Right for You?

Knowing the type of yoga your body likes the most or what kind of teacher training you would enjoy pursuing is important in determining your path — because there are eight styles of yoga.

My first advice is to find the type of yoga you love. However, don’t get stuck on the style because they can cross over in practice.

I’ll explain more below.

The 8 Styles of Yoga

1. Bikram Yoga

Developed by Bikram Choudhury, Bikram yoga is practiced in a hot room and follows a strict and structured 26-pose practice. The 26-pose series never changes and follows the same sequence every time.

To be called an official Bikram yoga studio, the teacher must be trained in Bikram and follow the 26-pose series and sequence precisely.

Make sure to bring a yoga towel and water bottle because this type of yoga makes you sweat like crazy.

2. Vinyasa Yoga

When thinking of Vinyasa, think fluid movement, linking breathe to body movement, as well as moving to a fast-paced tempo.

No two classes are the same and every instructor will teach the class a little differently. If you enjoy having a different experience every time, then Vinyasa might be for you.

Vinyasa flow is typically accompanied by music and it is known for testing personal limits. Be ready to sweat — this is a workout.

3. Ashtanga Yoga

Popularized by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Ashtanga is known as a strict and rigorous practice. Think power poses but in the same order. Tone your body and build core strength.

This style will also make you sweat so don’t forget a yoga towel and water bottle during your practice.

4. Anusara Yoga

Open your heart and tap into your inner goodness with Anusara yoga made famous by John Friend. This practice is most famous for the Universal Principles of Alignment.

5. Hatha Yoga

In Hatha yoga, your practice will gently flow into basic yoga postures. This style is best known for being gentle, and you’ll leave feeling relaxed and loose.

If a studio you attend doesn’t call out a specific style of yoga, it is most likely practicing Hatha.

6. Iyengar Yoga

My personal favorite style of yoga is Iyengar created by B.K.S. Iyengar. This style focuses on proper alignment, using props, and holding poses for long periods.

7. Hot Yoga

Hot Yoga is done in a heated studio. It will most likely be a Vinyasa style flow (and it’s not the same as Bikram).

Be ready to sweat. You’ll want your towel and water bottle.

8. Restorative Yoga

Restorative yoga is my other personal favorite. It is slow-paced and supportive. You will most likely use props and hold poses for a long time to rest and recharge your body.

This style of yoga is known for being a calm and meditative practice.

What’s the Best Yoga Certification?

After determining which style of yoga personally calls to you, find a 200-hour yoga teacher training to attend.

Keep in mind, being trained in a particular style doesn’t mean you can only teach in that specific style. Picking a style your body enjoys is recommended because going through teacher training is going to challenge you.

You don’t want to get trained in Bikram if your body doesn’t do well in the heat. That would make for a difficult experience.

How To Get a 200-hour Yoga Certification

Find a Local Studio Offering Training

To start, look online and find a local studio or studio within driving distance of where you live. Ask your yoga teacher and friends for referrals.

I did my training in Grand Junction, Colorado, when we used to live there. The course was once a month for nine months on the weekends. This flexible schedule allowed me to work full time and live my everyday life without traveling or paying travel expenses.

Find a Yoga Certification Retreat Abroad

There are studios and resorts worldwide offering four to six-week intensives where you can stay at a resort and learn. These types of programs involve committing to a timeframe and doing the training full time.

Think places like India, Costa Rica, and Hawaii.

Research online, ask around, look at yoga blogs, and check out big-name yoga websites to find an intensive that fits your goals.

Find an Online Yoga Teacher Training Certification

The pandemic was a catalyst for online education, and that didn’t stop the yoga community. Do some research and see if online learning is right for you.

How To Get a 300-hour Yoga Teacher Training

Once you have the 200-hour yoga certification, next, you can pursue your 300-hour (you don’t have to, but in case you want to).

Instructors with 500-hour certifications have a 200-hour plus a 300-hour certification.

When going through your own training, look for instructors with the 500-hour credential. They have spent a lot of time in their field.

To find a place to obtain a 300-hour yoga certification, find a local studio, study abroad, do an intensive somewhere or find a school or studio online offering training.

Reasons To Get a Yoga Certification

Getting a yoga certification goes beyond teaching. The philosophy learned during the teacher training deepens you as a person and how you see the world.

You’ll learn a more comprehensive understanding of the body and how everything is connected. Do you have back pain? Well, when was the last time you stretched your hamstrings? Those are examples you will learn.

The 8 limbs of yoga teaches you a holistic approach to life. The 8 limbs of yoga advance moral and ethical self-discipline to help you live a purposeful life.

A dedicated practice will strengthen the body, mind, and spirit. Not only will you help yourself, but you’ll also see and learn how to help others.

Yoga isn’t just a workout. You will discover your body and how to care for it.

Yoga cultivates a powerful meditation practice. Patience and stillness are at the forefront and you’ll gain mental strength like no other.

“Yoga allows you to rediscover a sense of wholeness in your life, where you do not feel like you are constantly trying to fit broken pieces together.” 

B.K.S. Iyengar

Make Yoga a Career or Do the Training for Yourself

It is important to invest in ourselves; especially, our physical and mental health.

Maybe you get a yoga certification to teach full-time or part-time. Or perhaps you do it for yourself to deepen your personal practice.

I thought I would end up teaching yoga, but instead, my career went another direction into writing. But, I am equipped with a yoga practice and the eight limbs of yoga to live my best life and serve others around me.

How Long Does It Take to Get Certified?

There are yoga certification trainings that offer different timelines for completion.

Some courses are a month, while others are spread out over a few months.

How Much Does It Cost?

Plan on training costing a couple thousand dollars — somewhere between $1,000-5,000.

“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.”

The Bhagavad Gita

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