RetreatExplorer200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training
200 hours
The 200 hour yoga teacher training is the entry-level credential recognised worldwide as the baseline for teaching yoga professionally. Graduating from a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga School (RYS 200) qualifies you to register with Yoga Alliance as an RYT 200 — the credential most studios, gyms and retreat centres ask for when hiring.
Yoga Alliance's RYS 200 standard requires the curriculum to cover five core categories: techniques, training and practice; teaching methodology; anatomy and physiology; yoga philosophy, ethics and lifestyle; and practicum (supervised teaching experience). A serious program blends all five rather than front-loading asana at the expense of anatomy or philosophy — that balance is worth checking when you compare schools.
Most students choose a 200 hour program abroad as a three- to four-week residential immersion — Rishikesh, Bali and Thailand are the most established markets — because the intensive format removes the distractions of daily life and builds a genuine sense of community with fellow trainees. Others prefer a part-time format spread over several months closer to home. Both routes lead to the same RYT 200 registration provided the school is Yoga Alliance registered.
What you'll learn
- Techniques, training & practice: asana, pranayama, kriya, chanting, meditation
- Teaching methodology: principles of demonstration, observation, assisting and correcting
- Anatomy & physiology: physical and energetic anatomy relevant to yoga
- Yoga philosophy, ethics and lifestyle: yoga sutras, yamas and niyamas, teaching ethics
- Practicum: supervised practice teaching and receiving feedback
- Sequencing: building safe, intelligent classes for different levels
- Voice, cueing and hands-on adjustment practice
Who this is for
For practitioners ready to commit to Yoga Alliance's core standard — whether the goal is teaching professionally, deepening a personal practice to an expert level, or building the credential needed to lead retreats and workshops later on.
Format & duration
Available as a 3–4 week residential intensive, a part-time evenings-and-weekends program over 4–9 months, or (less commonly, and worth scrutinising closely) online/hybrid formats. Confirm the school is listed as a current Yoga Alliance Registered School (RYS 200) before enrolling — that registration is what lets you register as an RYT 200 on graduation.
Featured trainings
Frequently asked questions
What is RYT 200 and why does it matter?
RYT 200 (Registered Yoga Teacher, 200-hour) is the credential Yoga Alliance issues to graduates of a Registered Yoga School's 200-hour program. It's the baseline most studios, gyms and retreat centres require before hiring a teacher, and the prerequisite for every higher Yoga Alliance credential.
How long does a 200 hour yoga teacher training take?
Residential intensives typically run 21–28 days full-time; part-time programs spread the same 200 contact hours across roughly 4 to 9 months of weekend or evening sessions.
Is a 200 hour yoga teacher training abroad worth it compared to one at home?
Both lead to the same RYT 200 registration if the school is Yoga Alliance registered. Training abroad (commonly in India, Bali or Thailand) tends to be more affordable and fully immersive; training locally is easier to fit around work and family. The right choice depends on your budget, schedule and whether you want the cultural immersion.
Explore more courses
Also browse retreats by destination, by category, or read how RetreatExplorer works.