Yogaveler Blog | Yoga Lifestyle, Philosophy and Travel

How Much Does it Cost to Become a Yoga Instructor in 2023?

If you have been considering becoming a yoga instructor, one important question that comes up is how much does it cost to become a yoga instructor. 

The cost of a yoga teacher training, though is quite variable, mostly falls within the bracket of $1500 to $2500. Online yoga teacher training is usually the cheapest, ranging anywhere between $800 and $1300. If you do it in India, you can expect a price range of $900 to $2000, and if in Europe, a price range of $1500 to $3000.   

Here, we help you figure out the cost of yoga teacher training in all its different permutations and combinations along with some important things to consider before you start with your yoga teacher training. 

The cost of a yoga teacher training is dependent upon the kind of program that you choose. 

The most commonly accepted categories are 200-hour yoga teacher training, 300-hour yoga teacher training, and 500-hour yoga teacher training

Besides, there are also specializations that qualify as yoga teacher training.

The difference between these programs is in the breadth and depth of what they cover. 

Other factors that impact the cost are the location of the yoga teacher training institute, the standard of food and accommodation that they provide, and the duration of the course. 

Since each program is of different duration and intensity, they are also priced differently. 

Let’s look at each of them individually. Prices are averages for yoga teacher training including all meals and private standard accommodation (except for online YTT).

India

200h YTT

U$D 1200

300h YTT

U$D 1500

500h YTT

U$D 2500

100h YTT

U$D 650

Bali

200h YTT

U$D 2400

300h YTT

U$D 3500

500h YTT

U$D 4500

100h YTT

U$D 1600

Nepal

200h YTT

U$D 1400

300h YTT

U$D 1700

500h YTT

U$D 2800

100h YTT

U$D 800

US/Canada

200h YTT

U$D 3000

300h YTT

U$D 4500

500h YTT

U$D 5000

100h YTT

U$D 1800

Europe

200h YTT

U$D 3000

300h YTT

U$D 4000

500h YTT

U$D 5000

100h YTT

U$D 1800

Online

200h YTT

U$D 600

300h YTT

U$D 800

500h YTT

U$D 1400

100h YTT

U$D 450

How much does a 200-hour yoga teacher training cost?

A 200-hour yoga teacher training is usually spread out between 3 to 5 weeks, if done full time, and could cost anything between $400 and $3000. 

The average/most common price you will see for a 200-hour yoga teacher training is $2200.

How much does a 300-hour yoga teacher training cost?

A 300-hour yoga teacher training is longer and can last for 5 to 8 weeks of full-time engagement. 

The price range for a 300-hour yoga teacher training varies from $1000 to $5000. 

The average/most common price is $3000.

How much does a 500-hour yoga teacher training cost?

A 500-hour yoga teacher training is the most intensive and can take 3 months to 6 months depending on the time you give to your course. 

The usual price range is from $1500 to $7000. 

The average/most common price for this type of yoga teacher training is $3800.

What is the cost of a yoga teacher training specialization?

In addition to these, some teachers like to train in certain specialties like children’s yoga, prenatal yoga, restorative yoga, or yoga therapy. 

Most of these yoga teacher training includes 100 hours of course.

These specialty training courses are usually 1 to 3 weeks long and fall within the price range of $200 to $1800. 

The average/most common price for a 100-hour yoga teacher training is $1300.

How much does it cost to travel abroad to do your yoga teacher training? 

Logically, a local course should be cheaper as it helps you save on travel and accommodation. 

However, it is possible that programs in certain countries abroad are cheaper compared to what one would pay for some courses in western countries. 

The most popular Asian destinations for yoga teacher training are India, Nepal, Bali, and Thailand. 

Traveling to these places for a yoga teacher training could cost anywhere between $600 and $1600 if flying from the US. 

Some destinations in Europe are also popular for yoga teacher training with France, Spain, and Portugal leading the way. 

Traveling to these places could fall in the range of $400 to $1300 if flying from the US. 

Other popular destinations are Costa Rica, known as the Central American home of yoga, and Guatemala. 

These could be cheaper to fly to, of course, depending on where you are. You could look at an average price range of $200 to $500 if flying from the US.

What is the BEST place to do a yoga teacher training?

If you are looking for a traditional experience that is rooted in yoga philosophy and is also affordable, India is one of the best places. 

If you study at an ashram, it can be one of the most authentic yoga experiences. 

Bali is home to some of the best yoga teachers in the world which makes this island a strong contender for the best place to do yoga teacher training.

What are the most AFFORDABLE places to do a yoga teacher training?

Nepal has some of the most affordable a yoga teacher training courses. 

Nepal also offers an authentic yoga experience. 

Another option for affordable yoga teacher training courses is India. 

However, India has courses available at a wide range of prices. It is advisable to check for the quality of the course before booking. 

How much does online yoga teacher training cost?

An online yoga teacher training usually costs less than in-person as it helps save on travel and accommodation. 

The price range of online yoga teacher training is between $400 and $2000. 

An online 200-hour yoga teacher training costs $600 on average.

What are the differences between online yoga teacher training and in-person yoga teacher training?

Like everything else, there are pros and cons.

An online yoga teacher training helps save time and money and offers flexibility. 

It allows for more diversity of participants and you can learn from some of the best teachers because there is no constraint of location. 

What one misses out on in online yoga teacher training is access to physical contact with the teacher, which means that corrections in alignment become difficult to achieve. 

Unlike in-person training where life does not get in the way and you can have an immersive yoga experience, online training is difficult to achieve. 

Is online yoga teacher training legit?

Doing a yoga teacher training online does not make it any less legit than an in-person course. 

However, the factors to watch out for remain. 

Some things to check are if the online yoga teacher training has a curriculum that is approved by Yoga Alliance. 

Doing some research on the teacher(s), their style of teaching, practice hours, alumni network, quality of course manuals, and end of course examination can give insights into the quality and standard of the training.  

online yoga teacher training

Are there any other costs to becoming a yoga teacher other than tuition and traveling fees? 

While there are no mandatory costs that have to be incurred, gaining some certifications helps with building credibility as a yoga teacher.

Yoga Alliance is the largest body representing the yoga community and it certifies both schools and teachers. 

Since this association is globally recognized, becoming certified with Yoga Alliance is a fruitful investment. 

Yoga Alliance also requires that all registered yoga teachers must complete 75 hours of continued education within three years of their initial registration, which includes 30 hours of yoga training in one of their educational categories like anatomy and physiology, or teaching methodology. 

This means incurring additional costs of training. 

To be better equipped with dealing with any injuries or mishaps during a yoga class, there are certifications for first aid. 

CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation for North American teachers) and EFAC (European First Aid Certificate for European teachers) are two of them. 

Another important add on is buying Liability Insurance. 

It legally protects a teacher in case any injuries happen in class. 

Some yoga studios make getting liability insurance mandatory for teachers who want to teach at their studios. 

A quick internet search will throw up many affordable options for coverage

yoga books
Yoga teacher training coursebooks

What are the recurring expenses as a certified Yoga Alliance instructor? 

To register as a teacher with Yoga Alliance, there is an initial application fee of $50. 

Other than that, there is a recurring annual fee of $65. 

There is also an upgrade fee of $50 in case one wants to upgrade their designation on Yoga Alliance. 

Frequently asked questions

Here are answers to some of the most pertinent questions. 

Becoming a yoga instructor in the UK can be an expensive affair with courses ranging in price from $4000 to $8000.

Most yoga teacher training courses in India fall within the range of $700 to $3000. 

The most common price for a 200-hour yoga teacher training in India is $1200.

Most yoga teacher training courses in Canada fall within the range of $1500 to $4000. 

The most common price for a 200-hour yoga teacher training in India is $3000.

Most yoga teacher training schools have high fixed costs of infrastructure and registration fees. 

Then there are all kinds of expenses like those of yoga mats, other accessories, course materials etc. 

There are the usual business costs of marketing and administration.  

And another important component of the costs is the price of the teachers and guest faculty. Experienced teachers usually charge higher prices.

There is also the factor of time. Running an intensive teacher training program that runs over weeks does take a lot of time and resources.

While there might never be a consensus on this, undergoing a yoga teacher training does instill the basic building blocks to teach yoga. 

It also helps to develop an appreciation of the holistic aspects of yoga.

Though a yoga teacher training is not imperative to teach yoga and requires an investment of both time and money, the experience certainly helps to deepen your own practice, without which teaching would not come easy.

The initial cost of registering with Yoga Alliance as a teacher is $115. 

This includes a one-time application fee of $50 and a recurring annual fee of $65.

While the books that you study could change according to the lineage and form of yoga, some of the most important books for yoga teacher training are Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Swami Satyananda Saraswati, the Bhagavad Gita, and Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. 

Besides, you could be studying books on anatomy, chakras, asana and pranayama, and yoga philosophy.

Conclusion

Because of the huge difference in price and quality, it is always good to spend some time researching the course and the center that is offering the course. 

But more importantly, take some time to think about what you would like to achieve from yoga teacher training. 

Setting an intention will help you get the most out of your time, effort, and money.

Did you find this post useful? Save THIS PIN below to your Pinterest Yoga Teacher Training board on Pinterest for later!