Registering with Yoga Alliance as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) can offer many benefits, like boosting your credibility, a personalizable yoga teacher profile, connecting you to a network of other teachers and studio owners, and offering continuing education resources. But should you register as a yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance, and why or why not?!
When I was researching yoga schools, I was specifically seeking out Yoga Alliance registered schools so I could register as a RYT after I finished yoga teacher training with Aligned Yoga. I am currently registered as a RYT.
In this article we'll look at the benefits and drawbacks of registering with Yoga Alliance as a RYT so you can decide if it's worth it to you, or not.
While Yoga Alliance does offer visibility to yoga teachers, it also involves membership fees and adhering to their standards over time. Furthermore, some yoga teachers simply just don't see any value in it.
Whether or not to register depends on how much you value the recognition and resources from Yoga Alliance. Let's explore the pros and cons of Yoga Alliance now to help you decide.
Article content:
Understanding Yoga Alliance
Yoga Alliance is a major organization in the yoga industry that sets standards and guidelines for teacher training programs worldwide.
Since its founding in 1999, Yoga Alliance has become a key player in ensuring quality across different yoga teaching practices.
It is the largest nonprofit association representing the yoga community. According to statistics, its registry lists over 7,000 Yoga Schools and more than 100,000 Yoga Teachers worldwide.
Their certification process aims to provide a solid understanding of yogic principles while maintaining consistency among various schools and styles. It has deemed that a certain number of learning hours should be spent studying certain subjects like asana and philosophy and other topics during teacher training so that graduates can be effective and knowledgeable yoga teachers.
While many consider Yoga Alliance registration to be proof of legitimacy that can help land jobs at studios or retreat centers, remember that true expertise comes from ongoing learning, teaching students, and maintaining a personal practice, not just accreditation with an organization.
Benefits of Yoga Alliance registration
Registering with Yoga Alliance gives you the respected RYT title recognized around the world, which some say could boost your professional reputation and open up many opportunities. Having that title may give you an edge when applying for jobs at top studios or attracting private clients who want qualified teachers. But that's not the only benefit. Here are three of the main benefits yoga teachers can have from being registered with Yoga Alliance:
1. Boosting your credibility
Building your credibility is an important step in building a successful teaching career. Registration with Yoga Alliance shows potential students that you are committed to high standards and and that you've learned the skills needed for effective teaching.
2. Access to continuing education
As you start teaching yoga classes, remember that continuing education is crucial. It's not just about meeting certification requirements; it's about deepening your knowledge and growing in your practice. A Yoga Alliance registration will ensure that you continue learning because Continuing Education is a requirement.
3. Support & community
As a member of Yoga Alliance you will be invited to events, have access to community support, and get exclusive deals and discounts from the many organizations that Yoga Alliance has partnerships with. This includes Yoga Insurance companies and many more.
Drawbacks of Yoga Alliance registration
While Yoga Alliance membership offers numerous benefits, there are also some notable drawbacks to consider. Critics would argue that three of the major drawbacks of registration are:
1. Costs and membership fees
While the fees aren't exorbinent, they do exist. If we consider that Yoga Alliance has 100,000 Registered Yoga Teachers paying $65 per year in annual fees, that's $6.5 million dollars per year that they're bringing in from fees, not including the initial registration fee. Thee costs incurred to register as a RYT and maintain an annual membership are:
- Registration fee: $50
- Annual fee: $65
2. Their guidelines and requirements
Some critics say focusing too much on meeting specific hour requirements might take away from deeper and important aspects of yoga like living a yoga lifestyle, spiritual growth, and creative teaching methods.
3. Lack of standards and oversight
Some yoga teachers think that Yoga Alliance standards are not high enough, and I agree. While it is good that they do have educational requirements for Registered Yoga Schools, I think there's room for improvement to ensure that yoga teacher trainees get an even better education than they do now. It's unclear how often school curriculums are being reviewed or getting feedback from Yoga Alliance staff.
Pros & cons of Yoga Alliance registration for yoga teachers
| Aspect | Benefit | Drawback |
|---|---|---|
| Credibility | Recognized credential adds legitimacy to your teaching | Not all studios require Yoga Alliance registration |
| Networking | Access to a large network of yoga professionals | The events can be expensive |
| Continuing Education | Opportunities for ongoing learning and professional development | Quality of continuing education varies |
| Marketing | Listing in the Yoga Alliance directory can attract students | Oversaturation of registered teachers reduces individual visibility |
| Insurance Discounts | Potential discounts on liability insurance | Not all insurance companies offer significant discounts |
| Community Resources | Access to forums, groups, and resources for support | Some resources may not be relevant to all teaching styles |
| Standards and Ethics | Adherence to established standards and ethical guidelines | Standards may not align with all teaching philosophies |
| Professional Growth | Encourages personal and professional growth through various programs | Time commitment required for being active in the community |
| Global Recognition | Internationally recognized certification opens global opportunities | Different countries have different regulations and standards |
| Workshops and Events | Discounted or exclusive access to workshops and events | Additional costs for attending these events |
| Student Trust | Increased student trust due to certified status | Certification does not guarantee teaching quality |
| Support and Advocacy | Support from a large organization in legal and professional matters | Limited influence on local regulations and policies |
Takeaway on pros and cons of registering as a RYT with Yoga Allance
While Yoga Alliance registration or certification is not required to teach yoga, being an RYT is generally viewed as a positive thing. With over 100,000 Registered Yoga Teachers, it is a widely recognized title which does seem to convey a level of competency to the public and to other yoga teachers. However, should you decide not to register, I have no doubt that you will still be successful in your yoga teaching career!
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