Becoming a yoga teacher is not always cheap, and when choosing a yoga teacher training program, the cost is often a deciding factor.
So, how much does yoga teacher training cost? The truth is it depends!
Every school has its own pricing, and it also varies on the training type and setting.
Let’s look at the general costs of completing a yoga teacher training and how to choose the proper training for you.
An Overview of Yoga Teacher Training Costs
Yoga teacher training can cost anywhere from $99 to more than $5,000, depending on the type of training.
It’s possible to find a 200-hour yoga teacher training program online for less than $100. While this may seem like a great deal, just remember that you often get what you pay for.
Conversely, some programs can cost upwards of $5,000. And unless you have a solid connection to that teacher or lineage, it’s certainly not required to go this route.
Additionally, a full 500-hour yoga teacher training program will undoubtedly be more expensive than a 200-hour one, but this level of knowledge is not required to teach at most places. Plus, it can take a long time to complete.
Related: How Long Does It Take to Become a Yoga Teacher?
Other costs may include travel expenses, yoga props, reading materials, and group classes at a yoga studio. Some yoga teacher training programs include all these costs in the training price, whereas others have individual prices for each part of the training. Investigating these factors before signing up is essential to get a clear picture of the total cost.
What is the Difference Between a Cheap and Expensive Yoga Teacher Training?
So, how do you differentiate between the super cheap and the crazy expensive training programs?
Firstly, ask yourself – what are you looking for in a program, and what kind of experience would you like to have? Then, look into the background, experience, and quality of the teacher and school to help guide this decision.
Online yoga teacher training will likely be cheaper than in-person programs. But some yoga teachers believe that you may miss valuable skills without in-person guidance, particularly for the first 200-hour yoga teacher training level.
On the other hand, online yoga teacher training can be easier to complete on your own time or while working, helping to make the training cost more accessible.
There are also intensive yoga teacher training programs that involve spending a month at an ashram or retreat center. The price for these programs can vary depending on the country. India, Nepal, Thailand, and Bali are some of the cheaper countries to get your yoga teacher training certification. But you also need to consider the cost of travel and time off from work.
Training programs are often more expensive in regions of the United States, Canada, Europe, or Australia. But they also likely have limited travel costs if you live nearby and are often done on the weekends, so you don’t have to worry about taking time off from work.
Additionally, a more highly acclaimed yoga teacher or school will likely have a higher cost of training due to the expertise provided.
Oh, and the price can also be influenced by what’s included in the program, such as accommodations, food, studio memberships, books, props, and more.
As you can see, many factors go into the cost of a yoga teacher training program.
So, browse around to find what works best for you and your budget.
Can You Make a Living as a Yoga Teacher?
Yoga teachers make on average $63,885 per year, according to Glassdoor. Actual salaries for instructors can vary greatly, however, with some making less than $30,000 per year while a few are hitting an annual salary of $294,000 or more.
In other words, it is absolutely possible to make a living as a yoga teacher. But like any self-employed profession, it requires dedication, hard work, and an entrepreneurial spirit!
Often, yoga teachers work at multiple yoga studios to make ends meet or take on private clients, which can be more lucrative.
Working as a yoga teacher means that you often work independently and run your own business to find teaching jobs and clients. This can mean that there is not always job stability in this field, but it can also have an immense potential for growth if you play your cards right.
Learn More: How Much Do Yoga Instructors Make (Is It Worth It?)
How to Find the Cheapest Yoga Teacher Training
Often the cheapest yoga teacher training options are online programs. Online learning does not require any costs for travel time and accommodations that in-person training may need, and it is easier to fit into your work schedule.
Some yoga teacher training schools offer scholarships, work-trade arrangements, or financial aid. So, if you are in a tight financial position, it may be beneficial to ask if this is possible. This information may be listed on the school’s website. But if not, you can always try emailing the school owner directly as they may not advertise these scholarship programs all the time.
Yoga teacher training in cheaper countries, such as India, Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka, or Bali, can also be a more affordable option. But it is essential to also include the cost of travel expenses and time off from work for these training programs compared to a yoga teacher training local to you.
But a good question to ask yourself when choosing a cheaper yoga teacher training is if it will actually give you the skills you need to become a good yoga teacher?
Sometimes when pursuing more affordable training programs, you may need additional training to get the skills you need, making it more expensive in the long run. But again, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to sign up for the most costly training either.
Should You Do a Yoga Teacher Training Online or In-Person?
Online yoga teacher training tends to be cheaper than in-person yoga teacher training. However, some yoga teachers believe you won’t learn all the skills needed to be a successful yoga teacher through online learning alone.
If this is your first yoga teacher training class, it may be beneficial to get some in-person training to understand how to adjust students, read bodies, and run an in-person class. But if you only plan on teaching online, then online yoga teacher training is likely an excellent option for you.
Additionally, online yoga teacher training is much more accessible to people with disabilities or financial constraints. And if you choose a higher-quality program, you can often get the same caliber of in-person and online training.
What are the Benefits of Becoming a Certified Yoga Instructor?
Becoming a certified yoga instructor can open up a world of possibilities for your career, and it is also a profound journey into the vast knowledge of yoga.
As you go through your yoga teacher training, you will deepen your personal yoga practice and gain more experience and understanding of your own body and self.
Through this beautiful journey, you gain the skills to show up for others and create a healing space through yoga, offering your gifts to the world.
The benefits of becoming a yoga teacher are uncountable. But ultimately, you need to ask yourself if this is something you feel called to do?
If this profound journey aligns with your soul, it will undoubtedly be a life-changing experience.
You cannot put a price on happiness and living your life purpose!