200-Hour Certification Introduction and Overview
Integral Yoga Institute’s comprehensive certification programs provide a foundation for personal and spiritual development and for strengthening your own practice. Integral Yoga Teacher Training will prepare you to become a knowledgeable and professional Yoga teacher. IYI is a safe environment where students feel free to realize their own potential, gaining respect for themselves and a capacity to be of service to others.
Introduction Video
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you registered with Yoga Alliance?
Integral Yoga Institute is one of the founding members of Yoga Alliance, and our program exceeds the minimum 200 hours required at the basic level. Upon completion of our teacher training, students will be eligible to register with Yoga Alliance as RYT 200.
How experienced are the instructors?
All the instructors have an average of at least ten years’ experience in practicing and teaching Yoga. The lead trainers are all E-RYT 500, C-IAYT, and individually have additional teaching certifications such as Prenatal Yoga, Therapeutic Yoga, Yin Yoga, Accessible Yoga, Raja Yoga, Meditation, and Stress Management. You can learn more about our instructors by reading the ‘Teacher Bio’ section on the training page.
IYI also invites special guest presenters who are currently working and practicing in the field of Yoga and have expertise in the area of their presentation. These special workshops will be included throughout the course of the training program.
Are there any requirements for admission?
Familiarity with the Integral Yoga system is required, applicants must take at least three Integral Yoga Level I classes before acceptance into the program. A minimum of six months of regular Yoga practice is strongly recommended prior to undertaking the training. Applicants with less than six months of experience may be advised to wait until they have established a personal practice.
What is the application process?
The first step is to submit your application and deposit. The trainers will review your application and contact you for a personal interview. After the interview, you will be notified of your acceptance into the program.
If you do not meet the qualifications for acceptance, the trainers may give you a provisional acceptance based on completing certain steps to help you become better prepared for the training.
How much time is spent in class practicing asana?
Sixty-five percent of the time is spent studying and practicing asana. The remaining time is devoted to anatomy and other aspects of Yoga including philosophy, meditation, pranayama, and an introduction to the Sanskrit language.
Are there exams?
Students are evaluated through a series of three exams. Comprehensive written tests cover the elements of Raja Yoga and Hatha Yoga studied during the training. The final exam is a practicum, teaching a 90-minute Integral Yoga qualifying class which will be monitored by a senior teacher.
What are the requirements for certification?
Attending all classes, missing no more than the allowed number of absences and making up any work missed; completion of all written assignments, passing all tests/exams; attending and evaluating all designated Integral Yoga Institute (IYI) classes; tuition paid in full.
How many absences are allowed?
No more than 5% of the training hours may be missed. Students who miss class are expected to make up the hours and material in a timely manner to stay on track with the course.
What is included with tuition?
Tuition includes the training manual, books for required and recommended reading, free Hatha classes at IYI for the duration of the program, as well as a 10% discount in the IY Shop and Wellness Sanctuary.
Do you offer financial aid?
Payment plans are available for most trainings. If you opt in to the payment plan, your tuition will be divided into installments due at regular intervals over the course of the training. We have a limited number of scholarships available, based on financial need. If you would like to be considered for a scholarship, please include this request in your application.
What is the average ratio of staff/instructors to students?
5-7 students to 1 instructor.
How many students are accepted in the training?
A maximum of 23.
Will I have the opportunity to teach at IYI after I graduate?
Invitation to teach comes as a result of a student’s overall level of participation in the course and demonstration of competency in teaching a basic Level I class. Graduates of the training program may be invited to begin teaching community classes, in which they will be mentored by a senior teacher. As new teachers continue to improve, they have the opportunity to begin subbing regular classes, and may eventually be invited to teach their own class.
Is it difficult to find a job teaching Yoga?
Although we do not guarantee employment, positions are available. The 200-hour teaching certification is the minimum qualification that most employers look for when hiring Yoga instructors. You may also find opportunities to teach outside of Yoga studios, in community centers, schools, corporate offices, and online.
Does Integral Yoga offer continuing education after the training?
Yes, we frequently host workshops for teachers to develop their skills and learn more about various aspects of teaching Yoga. These workshops may be counted toward continuing education hours for maintaining your membership with Yoga Alliance. Integral Yoga also offers many advanced and specialty trainings for those looking to expand their teaching credentials. You may take these trainings individually, or as part of our 300-hour Advanced Teaching Certification program or our 800-hour Integral Yoga Therapy Certification program.