Yoga Alliance 500-Hour Standards
The below information on training standards for the YA RYT-500 Hour Teacher Training Certification is taken from the Yoga Alliance web site at www.yogaalliance.org
The 500-hour curriculum must incorporate training hours in the following educational categories:
Techniques Training/Practice (150 hours)
100 contact hours* with primary E-RYT®s (Experienced Registered Yoga Teachers)
Includes asanas, pranayamas, kriyas, chanting, mantra, meditation and other traditional Yoga techniques. These hours must be a mix between: 1) analytical training in how to teach and practice the techniques and 2) guided practice of the techniques themselves. Both areas must receive substantial emphasis.
Note: Contact Hours in this category must be in a dedicated Yoga teacher training environment (into which others might occasionally be invited) rather than in classes intended for the general public.
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YOGA ALLIANCE STANDARDS |
GLOBAL YOGA SHALA STANDARDS |
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100 with primary E-RYT * |
139 with primary E-RYT 500 |
Teaching Methodology (30 hours)
20 contact hours with primary E-RYTs
Includes principles of demonstration, observation, assisting and correcting, instruction, teaching styles, qualities of a teacher, the student's process of learning and business aspects of teaching Yoga. Although your curriculum may include more than five hours on business aspects of teaching Yoga, a maximum of five such hours can be counted.
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YOGA ALLIANCE STANDARDS |
GLOBAL YOGA SHALA STANDARDS |
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20 with primary E-RYT |
66.5 with primary E-RYT 500 |
Anatomy and Physiology (35 hours)
20 contact hours
Includes both human physical anatomy and physiology (bodily systems, organs, etc.) and energy anatomy and physiology (chakras, nadis, etc.). Includes both the study of the subject and application of its principles to Yoga practice (benefits, contraindications, healthy movement patterns, etc). A minimum of 15 hours must be spent applying anatomy and physiology principles to Yoga.
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YOGA ALLIANCE STANDARDS |
GLOBAL YOGA SHALA STANDARDS |
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20 contact hours |
37 contact hours |
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No E-RYT requirement |
34 with primary E-RYT |
Yoga Philosophy, Lifestyle and Ethics for Yoga Teachers (60 hours)
45 contact hours
Includes the study of Yoga philosophies, Yoga lifestyle and ethics for Yoga teachers. A minimum of two contact hours must be spent on ethics for Yoga teachers.
Note: A minimum of 2 contact hours must be spent on ethics for Yoga teachers.
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YOGA ALLIANCE STANDARDS |
GLOBAL YOGA SHALA STANDARDS |
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45 contact hours |
52 contact hours |
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No E-RYT requirement |
34 with primary E-RYT |
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Ethics: 2 contact hours |
Ethics: 4 contact hours |
Practicum (40 hours)
20 contact hours, 10 contact hours with primary E-RYTs
Includes practice teaching, receiving feedback, observing others teaching and hearing and giving feedback. Also includes assisting students while someone else is teaching.
Note: A minimum of 10 contact hours must be spent actively teaching (not assisting or observing)
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YOGA ALLIANCE STANDARDS |
GLOBAL YOGA SHALA STANDARDS |
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20 contact hours |
20 contact hours |
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10 with primary E-RYT |
10 with primary E-RYT |
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10 contact hours of active teaching |
10 contact hours of active teaching |
Electives (185 hours)
Elective hours to be distributed among educational categories according to the school’s chosen emphasis (may be contact or non-contact hours).
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YOGA ALLIANCE STANDARDS |
GLOBAL YOGA SHALA STANDARDS |
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185 hours (contact or non-contact) |
185 hours (contact or non-contact) |
Remaining Contact Hours (245 hours)
Contact hours to be distributed among educational categories according to the school’s chosen emphasis.
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YOGA ALLIANCE STANDARDS |
GLOBAL YOGA SHALA STANDARDS |
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245 hours |
245 hours |
Total: 500 hours
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YOGA ALLIANCE STANDARDS |
GLOBAL YOGA SHALA STANDARDS |
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500 hours |
500 hours |
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450 contact hours |
456.5 contact hours |
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50 non-contact hours |
43.5 non-contact hours |
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200 hours with E-RYT (100 hours with E-RYTs 500) |
285.5 hours E-RYT 500 |
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15 hours Application of Anatomy/Physiology to Yoga |
25.5 hours Application of Anatomy/Physiology to Yoga |
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2 Hours on ethics |
4 hours on Ethics |
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10 Hours Student Teaching |
10 Hours Student Teaching |
* Contact Hours Requirements:
- Contact Hours: A contact hour is an in-person classroom hour in the physical presence of a faculty member. Contact hours in each category must be in a dedicated teacher training environment (into which others might occasionally be invited) rather than in classes intended for the general public. Of the required contact hours, a number are specified in the five educational categories. Remaining hours must be distributed among the five educational categories and can be taught by any faculty member.
- Non-Contact Hours: All outside resources should be thoughtfully chosen to support the training and be relevant to Yoga and/or anatomy and physiology. Non-contact hours must be an assigned part of the curriculum and may include:
- Reading, Audio/Video, Internet that incorporate an assessment including reports, class discussions, presentations or tests
- Written Assignments on Yoga-related topics; may be counted for all categories except Practicum
- Group Activities including directed discussion, techniques practice or teaching practice
- Evaluation of Yoga Classes outside of the program; each class must be evaluated via a written or oral exercise and may count for up to two hours of credit towards Techniques, Teaching Methodology or Practicum categories