This is a common quandary most newly certified yoga teachers experience. Therefore, you may also wonder: what is the value in registering with the Yoga Alliance (YA)?  After all, it is somewhat pricey, at an initial total registration fee of $115.00 (2021 rate of a $50 application fee and $65 annual dues) it is nothing to sneeze at (so to speak). 

So, what exactly is the Yoga Alliance and why should you even consider registering? The Yoga Alliance is a private, non-profit organization which represents the yoga community. The YA sets standards for yoga professionals (teachers and schools).  According to their website “[they] foster and support the high quality, safe, accessible, and equitable teaching of yoga.” As of April 2020, the Yoga Alliance had over 7,000 Registered Yoga Schools (RYS) and more than 100,000 Registered Yoga Teachers (RYT) in its directory.

Read on for the pros and cons of registering with the Yoga Alliance.

I first became aware of the Yoga Alliance while shopping for yoga schools for my teacher training. The RYS (Registered Yoga School) designation was prominently displayed on each of the brochures and in the information I read online.

During my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) we reviewed a few “business of yoga” segments which very briefly covered the topic of registering with the YA.  The discussion went something like this:

• It isn’t a requirement to be registered with the YA in order to teach yoga
• Some studios don’t care if you are registered with the YA
• There is an annual fee to stay registered with the YA
• Members are listed in the YA directory of teachers on their website
• The YA offers online trainings and discounts for members
• It is up to each individual if they feel YA registration is right for them

Let’s continue by addressing each of these points above.

REQUIREMENT

It is true that being registered with the YA is NOT a requirement to teach yoga. After all, it’s not even a requirement to have a 200-hour yoga teacher certification.  I’ve learned over the past few years that there are many active teachers without this credential.  Some teachers have overarching “group fitness instructor” certifications, which may have included some yoga in their training but it was not the main focus.  In some cases, these instructors may be well equipped to teach additional types of fitness classes such as Pilates or barre.  This could be an attractive feature for a potential studio employer, but these instructors, in my opinion, don’t have the depth or breadth of yoga knowledge that an RYT 200 or 500 yoga instructor has, once they’ve completed their training. 

DO STUDIOS CARE ABOUT A YA REGISTRATION?

Remember the “some” studios don’t care if you are registered with YA bullet point? Is this true?

Not in my experience. Each studio owner who interviewed me asked if I was registered with the YA. Having this designation does account for something. It says that the organization who sets the standards for the Registered Yoga Schools (RYS), has recognized you as completing one of their approved programs. It acknowledges that you have met their standards, which includes a core curriculum of a set number of hours in the following categories:

There is also a practicum and elective hour requirement. See the complete Elevated RYS 200 Standards here.

But you may elect to teach somewhere other than a studio. For example, I taught to faculty and staff at a university and the YA question never came up.  I don’t believe they were even aware of such an organization/designation or standards. I thought that was odd coming from an institution of higher education who is bound by an accrediting agency.  Nevertheless, they weren’t concerned with it, and I would imagine there are other organizations which are also unaware of the Yoga Alliance.

As a side note: The difference in an institution of higher education accreditation and the YA designation is that colleges and universities undergo periodic reviews to ensure they are continuing to meet the educational standards. This process includes site visits, review of faculty, curriculum, and student learning outcomes.

To my knowledge, there is no accountability to the Yoga Alliance once an RYS submits their curriculum, lead trainer information, etc. No periodic review. No site visits. See the application process for yoga schools here.

ANNUAL FEE

Moving on to the next point. There IS indeed an application fee for instructors to initially register with the YA, AND an annual fee from there out.  This could be considered a con, but although the initial investment is more, the annual fee is smaller and I feel the credential and benefits are worth the renewal cost.

DIRECTORY

The registration allows me to be listed in their directory.  No one has ever contacted me and said, “I found you on the Yoga Alliance directory!” but being listed in the directory does hold some weight as it confirms that I’m registered.  In other words, someone can verify that I’m registered and in good standing. 

TRAININGS AND DISCOUNTS

Why is it important that the YA offers trainings and discounts? In order to maintain your credentials, you must complete 75 hours of continuing education every three years. That includes 45 hours of teaching yoga, and 30 hours of yoga training (at least 10 of these training hours must be contact hours but currently there is an online teaching exemption due to COVID-19).  The Yoga Alliance offers a vast collection of online training resources which certainly helps you to meet this requirement – as well as keeps you informed and broadens your yoga knowledge.  To me, this is an exceptional benefit.

Discounts are offered as a membership benefit as well.  This includes discounts for liability insurance, technology, apparel, props, gear, even travel and leisure.  Unfortunately, I always forget about this perk! If you become a YA registered member, please don’t forget to check out these discounts  before you purchase a new mat, bolster, or even insurance!

DECISION TIME!

When I received my 200-hour YTT certification, I had very little to include on my resume to offer a potential yoga studio employer.  Therefore, in my mind at the time, having a YA designation could only enhance my credentials and benefit me. I have to admit, each year when it comes time to renew, I question the value of continuing as a member. Then I remember the trainings, the discounts, the directory, and the low cost for maintaining membership and decide it is worth it. That’s not to say that at some point in the future, I won’t change my mind. That is my prerogative, as it is yours in making an informed decision.

I hope this post has presented some prudent information that will help you decide if a Yoga Alliance registration is right for you!