Yoga Teacher Training Demystified

Becoming a yoga teacher — what does it really mean?

Yoga is a fascinating cultural phenomenon.
It sits at the intersection of science and mysticism, discipline and freedom, intimacy and solitude.
It is at once a rich history, a living practice, and, in today’s world, a booming industry.

Like many industries, it has myths and misunderstandings baked into its foundations.

The truth about “certification”

Here’s something most people don’t realise: yoga teaching is an unregulated profession.
There’s no global governing body ensuring minimum standards. No official “license” to teach.

A persistent myth circulates that the Yoga Alliance is the main certifying and regulatory authority worldwide.
It isn’t.
Yoga Alliance is a registry, essentially a paid directory that lists teachers and schools who meet its application requirements. It does not vet or guarantee the quality of graduates. It does not set enforceable teaching standards. It does not recognise or insure teachers.

This doesn’t mean yoga teacher trainings are meaningless, but it does mean we are responsible for seeking education that is coherent, deep, and grounded in lived practice.

So, how do you become a yoga teacher?

In my experience, there are three pillars that matter far more than a stamp on a certificate:

1. Practice : You cannot teach what you haven’t lived. Deep, consistent personal practice is the foundation of teaching with integrity.

2. Study : Learn widely and with curiosity: anatomy, physiology, meditation, philosophy, neuroscience, history, psychology. Test what you learn in your own body and life.

3. Community: Practice with others. Seek mentorship. Allow peers and teachers to witness and refine your process over time.

After years of committed practice, study, and community engagement, you’ll be ready to begin sharing what you’ve embodied, certificate or not.

The limitations of “fast-food” trainings

Short, one-month, 200-hour trainings without follow-up support often leave new teachers without the skills, depth, or confidence to guide others safely. This is why so many studios, students, and senior teachers are calling for higher standards and more ongoing education.

How we approach teacher training at Spanda

Since 2017, we have offered 200-hour trainings that meet Yoga Alliance registry requirements, but we have never believed that 200 hours alone makes a teacher.

That’s why we have redesigned our programs to be integrated with:

• Intensive retreats for immersive practice

• Ongoing philosophy and embodiment courses

• Mentorship to help you refine your skills in real-world teaching

• A supportive community that keeps you connected and accountable

Our curriculum evolves each year to reflect new research, lived experience, and the needs of our students, not just what looks good on paper.

We are committed to preparing teachers who are grounded in nervous system awareness, trauma-informed principles, and embodied wisdom, able to guide students with both skill and presence.

If you’re considering yoga teacher training, I encourage you to look beyond the stamp of approval. Seek out programs and teachers who will walk with you beyond the course dates into the ongoing journey of practice, integration, and growth.

We invite you to do the research. Check out this article about the standard from teacher training Alexandra Crow: ARTICLE