The Path to Becoming a Certified Yoga Teacher

Let’s be real: if you’re thinking about becoming a yoga teacher, you’ve probably seen some confusing letters tossed around—RYT 200, E-RYT 200, RYT 500, E-RYT 500. It’s like the alphabet soup of yoga certifications. But what do these actually mean for you, and do you really need them?

Spoiler alert: you probably do. Whether you’re just getting started or you’re aiming to lead classes like a pro, these certifications from the Yoga Alliance aren’t just some fancy letters to throw behind your name. They’re the standard that most studios (and students) look for to know you’re the real deal.

So, if you’re ready to dive into what each certification means and how to level up your teaching game, keep reading. We’ll break it all down in a way that doesn’t feel like reading a textbook—promise.

What is RYT 200?

Alright, let’s kick things off with the RYT 200. This is your entry ticket into the yoga teacher world. It stands for Registered Yoga Teacher with 200 hours of training under your belt, certified by the Yoga Alliance. Think of it as Yoga Teacher 101—where you dive into the essentials like asana (poses), pranayama (breathing techniques), meditation, and yes, even the anatomy that’ll help you understand how bodies move and bend.

But here’s the catch: not all yoga teacher trainings are created equal. You need to make sure your program is registered with Yoga Alliance, otherwise, you’re just doing a bunch of stretches with no real credentials to show for it. That’s why heading to a legit Yoga School is key—and this is where Joga Yoga in Canggu comes in. Their 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program is registered with Yoga Alliance, and it gives you everything you need to teach yoga confidently and safely. Plus, who wouldn’t want to learn yoga while chilling in Bali’s yoga paradise?

So, what do you get out of the RYT 200? Once you’ve completed your training, you’ll be ready to teach foundational classes, from understanding proper alignment to creating flowing class sequences. Most studios won’t even let you in the door to teach without at least an RYT 200, so this is the basic starting point. Whether you’re itching to start teaching right away or just looking to dive deeper into your practice, this is where the journey begins.

But don’t stop here. If you’re serious about making yoga your thing, RYT 200 is just the beginning of your yoga teaching career.

E-RYT 200: Taking It to the Next Level

So, you’ve got your RYT 200. What’s next? That’s where the E-RYT 200 comes into play. The E stands for “Experienced,” and believe me, they don’t just hand this out to anyone. To get your E-RYT 200, you’ve got to put in the work—1,000 hours of teaching, to be exact, after completing your RYT 200. Plus, you need at least two years of teaching experience. It’s not just about how many hours you log, but the quality of those hours.

The Yoga Alliance basically says, “Okay, you’ve learned the basics, now let’s see if you can really lead a class.” And with E-RYT 200 under your belt, you’re not just leading classes—you’re mentoring new teachers, running workshops, and even training up-and-coming instructors. Want to run a Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) program yourself one day? You need that E-RYT 200 credential.

And again, if you’re looking for the right place to stack those hours, Joga Yoga has you covered. Not only do they set you up with a solid RYT 200, but their network and community are perfect for helping you rack up the teaching experience you’ll need to hit that 1,000-hour mark. It’s one thing to get certified in paradise (hello, Canggu), but having the support system to grow as an instructor is another.

With an E-RYT 200, you’re not just a yoga teacher—you’re a leader in the yoga community. Studios know they can trust you with more than just a standard class, and students look up to you because, let’s face it, you’ve earned it.

What is RYT 500?

If you’re ready to go pro in the yoga world, RYT 500 is your next big step. This certification shows you’ve put in a total of 500 hours of yoga teacher training—starting with your RYT 200, followed by an additional 300 hours of advanced training. At this level, you’re getting deep into yoga’s advanced practices: challenging asana (poses), advanced pranayama, in-depth meditation, and way more on anatomy and yoga philosophy.

Why does this matter? With an RYT 500, you’re not just teaching beginner classes anymore. You’re now qualified to lead more advanced classes, workshops, and even niche areas like therapeutic yoga or specific styles like Vinyasa or Yin. The RYT 500 essentially says, “Hey, I’m serious about this.”

But here’s the thing—you don’t need to complete all 500 hours at once. Once you’ve got your RYT 200, you can tack on another 300 hours to reach that RYT 500 status. And this is where schools like Joga Yoga come into play. While they don’t offer a full RYT 500 program, their 300-hour advanced training is perfect for those who’ve already got their RYT 200 and are ready to level up. It’s all about deepening your practice in paradise (seriously, Canggu is a dream), while learning from experienced teachers.

With your RYT 500 in hand, you’ll have the expertise to lead everything from beginner to advanced yoga classes. It’s like having a PhD in yoga—you’re the go-to teacher for more specialized and challenging content.

E-RYT 500: Mastering the Craft

Now, if you’re aiming for the top, the E-RYT 500 is where you want to be. The “E” stands for “Experienced,” and that’s exactly what this credential proves. You’re not just a yoga teacher at this level—you’re a seasoned pro who’s put in the time, with over 2,000 teaching hours to your name. This isn’t just about teaching regular classes; it’s about leading teacher training programs, running workshops, and mentoring the next generation of yoga instructors.

To get the E-RYT 500, you need to complete your RYT 500 certification and then go on to log those 2,000 hours of teaching. And no, you can’t just count hours from any point in your career. At least 1,500 of those hours must come after finishing your RYT 200 or RYT 500 training, with an extra 500 hours logged after you complete the RYT 300 portion. So yeah, this takes time—but it’s totally worth it if you want to be seen as an expert in the yoga world.

Once you’ve got that E-RYT 500 badge, you’re qualified to teach other yoga teachers, and this opens up a whole new world of opportunities. You can lead Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) programs, host Continuing Education workshops, and become a key figure in the yoga community.

While Joga Yoga doesn’t offer a direct RYT 500 program, their 100-hour, 200-hour, and 300-hour trainings can set you up perfectly for the journey toward E-RYT 500. With their solid foundation and hands-on experience in beautiful Canggu, you’ll be on track to rack up those teaching hours with confidence. Plus, their advanced programs can help you sharpen the skills needed to hit that E-RYT 500 status.

At this point, being an E-RYT 500 means you’re not just teaching—you’re shaping the future of yoga.

Specialty Certifications: RCYT and RPYT

So, you’ve got your RYT 200, and maybe you’re eyeing that RYT 500, but what if you want to specialize? Enter RCYT (Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher) and RPYT (Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher). These are specialty certifications that allow you to work with specific groups—whether it’s kids or moms-to-be—and they come with their own set of requirements.

Let’s start with RCYT. This certification is for those who want to teach yoga to children. It requires completing a 95-hour children’s yoga teacher training through a Yoga Alliance-registered school. After that, you’ll need to rack up at least 30 hours of teaching experience with kids. Once you’ve got those under your belt, you can officially register as an RCYT. Teaching children’s yoga isn’t just about scaling down regular classes—it’s about creating a safe, fun, and engaging environment that fits their unique needs.

On the other hand, the RPYT certification is for teachers who want to specialize in prenatal yoga. This one requires 85 hours of prenatal-specific training, and just like the RCYT, you’ll also need 30 teaching hours that focus on prenatal yoga. Working with pregnant women isn’t just about modifying poses; it’s about understanding the changing needs of their bodies and minds, ensuring that both moms and babies are safe during practice.

While Joga Yoga doesn’t offer these specialty certifications, their strong foundation in RYT 200 and 300-hour trainings can get you prepared for the advanced knowledge needed to branch out into these specialties later on. If you’ve got a passion for teaching kids or prenatal yoga, completing your basic training first is a must.

The Importance of Continuing Education for Yoga Teachers

So, you’ve nailed your RYT 200, maybe you’ve even got that shiny RYT 500 or E-RYT 200 title. But guess what? The learning doesn’t stop there. Yoga isn’t static—it’s constantly evolving, and staying on top of new trends, techniques, and research is key. That’s where Continuing Education comes in.

Once you hit the E-RYT 200 or E-RYT 500 level, you’re allowed to offer Continuing Education programs yourself, which is a game-changer. But even before you get there, you’ll need to keep learning to maintain your certification through the Yoga Alliance. This might mean taking workshops, courses, or diving into specific styles like Yin Yoga or therapeutic yoga. The Yoga Alliance requires teachers to log a certain number of Continuing Education hours every three years to keep their certifications valid, and that’s where things like the YACEP 84-HR courses come into play.

If you’re with Joga Yoga, you’ll already have a great foundation for continuing your yoga journey. Their 200-hour and 300-hour programs give you the skills and knowledge to teach, but they also set you up for a lifetime of learning. Whether it’s refining your teaching methods or exploring new areas of yoga, staying curious and open to growth is what will make you stand out as a teacher.

The truth is, yoga is as much about your personal growth as it is about teaching others. The more you learn, the more you have to offer your students. So, don’t look at Continuing Education as a chore—think of it as a way to keep your teaching fresh and exciting.

Your Yoga Teaching Journey with RYT 200, RYT 500, E-RYT 200, and E-RYT 500

Whether you’re starting out with a RYT 200 or working toward an advanced E-RYT 500, becoming a certified yoga teacher is an ongoing journey. Each certification—RYT 200, RYT 500, E-RYT 200, and E-RYT 500—opens up new teaching opportunities and helps you grow both as a teacher and a practitioner.

If you’re looking for the right place to begin, Joga Yoga in Canggu is a fantastic choice. Their 100-hour, 200-hour, and 300-hour programs are registered with the Yoga Alliance and give you the tools to start or advance your teaching career. Plus, training in Bali? That’s hard to beat.

Remember, being a yoga teacher isn’t just about leading classes or mastering asana. It’s about creating a welcoming space where your students can feel supported and grow in their practice. Your credentials—RYT 200, RYT 500, E-RYT 200, or E-RYT 500—show your expertise, but your passion and dedication are what truly make you a great teacher.

So, no matter where you are in your yoga journey, keep learning, keep teaching, and keep growing. With each certification, you’re taking your yoga career to the next level.