A 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program is an immersive experience that offers yoga teachers a nuanced approach to the philosophy and physiology of yoga.
It provides teachers a more subtle approach to the practice, building upon the fundamental properties learned in a 200 Hour program and adding the esoteric layers.
Where a 200 Hour Program presents the fundamentals of the yoga practice, inclusive of the asanas, anatomy, and philosophy with Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, a 300 Hour Program is for those who wish to go deeper into their own exploration of yoga, develop a unique teaching style and embody the subtle practices, and receive accreditation to lead 200 and 300 Hour teacher training programs.
If you’re considering a 300 Hour yoga teacher training, you must have a 200 Hour certificate before signing up. There are fewer qualifications than a consistent yoga practice to take a 200 Hour. A 300 Hour program is more rigorous and goes into more advanced theory and training, so the practitioners must have a fundamental understanding of yoga asanas, anatomy, and instruction.
Keep reading to see the items to consider, questions to ask, and why a 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program may be for you.
Table of Contents:
What a 300 Hour Program Gives You.
Yoga Alliance Standards to Check Before Registration.
Questions to Ask Before Your Register.
Benefits of the 300 Hour Program Experience.
Yoga Teacher Training Online Versus In-Person.
The Average Investment for a 300 Hour Program.
Where to Find a 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Progam.
How To Put Your 300 Hour Certificate to Use
Get Certified with the Lila School of Vinyasa Yoga.
What A 300 Hour Teacher Training Program Gives You
If you are interested in developing your yoga practice and understanding the more subtle techniques and methodologies—such as Ayurveda and hands-on assistance—a 300 Hour program is for you.
You may also want to become an Experienced Registered Yoga Trainer (E-RYT) and open your own yoga school or develop more knowledge of the business of yoga.
To become an E-RYT at the 500 Hour level and teach yoga teachers, you must have taught for a minimum of 2,000 Hours with four years of teaching experience AND have completed a 200 and 300 Hour yoga teacher training program.
You do not have to do the 200 and 300 Hour programs with the same schools or under the same styles of yoga.
A 300 Hour program is for you if:
- You’ve been teaching for a few years and want to advance your skills.
- You want to build your own yoga business and teach 200 and 300 Hour programs.
- You want to deepen your knowledge of a particular aspect of the practice, such as Ayurveda, Prenatal Yoga, Vinyasa sequencing, Restorative, Chakras, the Yoga Sutras, Kundalini, and so forth.
Get Clear On Your Intention; It’s an Investment!
There are so many options to seek and choose from—so before you register, get clear on what you intend to do with your certification, what you want to learn, and what elements you want to teach your students.
A 300 Hour Program is an investment. It requires time, effort, and energy over a duration. Yoga Alliance requires thirty practicum Hours, including practice teaching, receiving and giving feedback, observing others teaching, and assisting students while someone else is teaching.
This experience is worth the effort if you are dedicated to your practice and teaching.
It is important to assess your values, how they align with the program you are considering signing up for, and what your end goal is in the process.
Yoga Alliance Standards of Education
Yoga Alliance has outlined specific standards for all 300 Hour programs. If you choose to go with a school not accredited by Yoga Alliance, the curriculum will entirely depend upon the school and the instructors.
Five Educational Category outlines must be included:
50 Hours of Techniques, Training and Practice.
5 Hours of Teaching Methodology.
15 Hours of Anatomy and Physiology.
30 Hours of Yoga Philosophy, Lifestyle and Ethics for Yoga Teachers.
30 Hours of Practicum.
The Educational Categories add up to 80 of the 270 contact Hours of your 300 Hour YTT. The remaining 190 Hours are Electives and distributed according to your chosen training focus.
The Electives account for more than double the Educational Categories, so it is important to consider the overarching theme of the training you choose. Each RYT must adhere to the 80 Educational Categories, and then the 190 Electives are their choice and personal preference.
This way, the 300 Hour Program you choose is wholly unique to the style and subtle body practices you will embody and teach.
The final 30 Hours are designated as non-contact Hours, which include:
Reading, audio/visual assignments, and resources related to the curriculum.
Yoga-related webinars.
Written assignments on yoga that fit into the curriculum of Educational Categories.
Group discussion, peer work, teaching practice, breakout sessions.
Attending yoga classes and considering each class via written or verbal assignments.
Read more about Contact and Non-Contact Hours on the Yoga Alliance website.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Sign Up:
What do I want to get out of this experience?
What styles of yoga do I want to teach or enjoy the most?
What kind of teacher do I want to become? Is my emphasis on adjustments, anatomy, philosophy, mythology, or something else?
What kind of a space do I want to create for students? How do I want them to feel after a class?
Who are the teacher’s teachers? Where did they train? What are they most passionate about?
Your 300 Hour Program is more nuanced and draws upon the elements of the practice that the teacher of the training deems relevant. Consider where the teacher is from, who they studied with, and their approach, as you will be studying with these teachers for your whole program.
For example, all 300 Hour Programs must include fifteen Hours of anatomy and physiology and 30 Hours of yoga philosophy. Depending upon the instructor, the resources, references, and reading will differ as there is no prescribed coursework.
If you are interested in learning more about the chakras or weaving Ayurveda into your yoga classes and workshops, seek a teacher offering training that includes these elements.
Benefits of a 300 Hour Training Experience
There are many advantages to taking a 300 Hour Program if you are invested in continuing your education and deepening your yoga practice. Aside from the tactile skills and knowledge, you’ll embrace throughout the experience, here are a few of the tertiary benefits of a 300 Hour program.
- Peer-to-peer feedback and mentorship.
- Access to a community of yoga teacher trainers.
- Direct insight into how to run a yoga teacher training program.
- Access to resources to continue your learning after training.
- How to give and receive feedback and develop as a yoga teacher.
How to Choose Between an Online or In-Person Training
Yoga Alliance revamped its Registered Yoga School (RYS) 300 Standards in 2020 in response to the global pandemic and has extended the timeline for online yoga teacher training. Many registered yoga schools offer online, in-person and hybrid yoga teacher training experiences for students.
There are advantages and disadvantages to each option. In-person training usually presents the opportunity to travel abroad to a beautiful destination. It creates the space to connect and practice with fellow teachers, studio owners, and the local community.
Online yoga teacher training allows participants to study with a teacher or school that they may not otherwise have had the time, resources, or funds to do so. It is an opportunity for you to manage your time and schedule accordingly, as many online options offer on-demand coursework to do at your own pace within a specific period.
If you’re debating an online yoga teacher training program, here are a few things to consider:
The ratio of LIVE versus on-demand content.
The feedback, support, and mentoring with instructors during the training.
How to hold space for students online and in-person.
Business of yoga tips and how to set up your own virtual yoga studio.
The dynamic nature of the fitness industry is focusing more on hybrid options with in-person yoga classes and the option of Livestream. For this reason, it may be worth your time to learn how to teach an online yoga class and take a hybrid training or online YTT.
The Average Investment of a 300 Hour Training
Depending on your chosen program, a 300 Hour training will cost anywhere from $2000 to $7000. It may be more or less considering where you go, who you train with, and how long the experience lasts.
Things that affect the cost of your training:
- Location. It may be more cost-effective to take yoga training online as many in-person retreat experiences do not include food and accommodation in the program’s cost.
- Instructors. Consider the experience of the instructor you are studying with—in some cases, a more experienced trainer will charge a bit more due to their level of expertise.
- Yoga Alliance Accreditation. You do not need to take a YTT that is YA Certified, though it may help your chances of teaching in select studios abroad. You also must be YA Certified to become an RYT and open your own yoga school.
How to Find a 300 Hour Program that Suits Your Teaching Style and Goals
The first question to ask yourself before you sign up for a 300 Hour program is whether or not you care if the program is Yoga Alliance Accredited.
Yoga Alliance is a globally recognized company, and many studios and insurers ask that you have an up-to-date YA certification in order to teach. Depending on where you live and how you plan to teach yoga, a YA stamp of approval may be required to get insurance, teach at a studio/gym, or host workshops and training abroad.
To maintain your YA certs, you must pay an annual fee to Yoga Alliance and maintain your continuing education Hours.
All Registered Yoga Teachers (RYTs) with Yoga Alliance must complete 75 Hours of CE credits within three years of registration. The 75 Hours are comprised of 45 teaching Hours and 30 training Hours.
Read more about continuing education requirements with Yoga Alliance.
If you want to uphold a YA certification, your first step is to seek out training that Yoga Alliance accredits.
3 Ways to Find a Yoga Teacher Training Program
- Ask your community.
Reach out to your fellow practitioners and bodyworkers who may have intel on a quality 300 Hour program. A direct referral is the best way to assess whether or not the training is for you. - Ask your yoga teachers.
You must have a fairly consistent yoga practice if you are considering a 300 Hour program. Ask your previous or current yoga teachers where they studied, if they have any recommendations, or if they plan to host a YTT soon. - Research.
Look up the styles of yoga and elements of the practice you are passionate about. Do your due diligence and give yourself some time to explore the website, resources, and reference points online affiliated with the training you are considering. Take a class online if you don’t have access to the program directly to see if the teaching style is suited to what you are looking for.
Signing up for a 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program is a big commitment. First, define what you want to learn and achieve, then seek the space and instruction that serves what you are looking for.
Put Your 300 Hour Certificate to Use
Once you’ve completed your 300 Hour, you will be qualified to register with Yoga Alliance as E-RYT 500.
An E-RYT 500 Certification allows you to be the lead training of 200 Hour, 300 Hour programs, and 500 Hour teacher training programs. This means you can register your own yoga school and provide continuing education workshops and training to teachers and students.
Teaching teachers is a wonderful way to maintain your practice, develop your knowledge, build community, and advance your skills as a trainer. It also ensures that you’re feeding the industry by supporting varying levels of education.
Benefits of becoming an E-RYT 500:
Open your own RYS and diversify your skills as a yoga teacher.
Build a yoga business and establish yourself as a trainer.
Provide education and insight to students and teachers, and contribute to the community.
Connect with similar minds who share your passion for niche elements of the yoga practice.
See the teaching and training requirements on the E-RYT 500 guidelines through the Yoga Alliance website.
Online 300 Hour Teacher Training Program Options
If you are considering advancing your skills and an online option is the best for your schedule, the Lila Vinyasa School of Yoga has an upcoming 300 Hour Program in October!
Practitioners may register for the full program or per module. There are three modules in the 300 Hour Program through the Lila School of Vinyasa Yoga.
You must have a 200 Hour certificate to join the full program and modules 1 + 2.
Anyone can join module 3; you do not need to have any teaching certificates to join the last module.
About the Lila Vinyasa 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program:
Module 1 –
Covers vinyasa yoga sequencing, how to communicate/create boundaries with students, and a 6-month mentorship program.
Module 2 –
Covers Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga, Restorative yoga and anatomy with Erin Moon ERYT 500 & C-IAYT 800 and introduces ways to stay inspired as a teacher on and off the yoga mat.
Module 3 –
Covers subtle body practices, including the Art Of Mantra and Meditation, Sacred Scripture, Chakras, Pranayama, The Subtle Body, and Ayurveda.
*** This module is for practitioners at any stage of their journey. You do not need to have a teaching certificate to join.
Participants have the option to take the modules out of order depending on the timing of each course.
Get Certified with the Lila School of Vinyasa Yoga
All participants in the 300 Hour Program with Clara Roberts-Oss must complete the following in order to receive the certification.
To receive 300 Hour certificate of completion from the program, you’ll need to:
- Complete the 6-month co-mentoring program.
- Read and write book reports for ALL books on the reading list for Module 3.
- Complete 30-day Sadhana.
- Complete Final Exam, given after you hand in your book reports.
You have one year after Module 3 to complete the above list.
See how to sign up for the 300 Hour Teacher Training Program with the Lila School of Vinyasa Yoga.
Join Our Virtual 300 Hour Program
Discover how to sequence to peak yoga postures and flows in the 300 Hour Teacher Training Program with Clara.
This training is VIRTUAL and for aspiring teachers and advanced practitioners that are curious about the holistic science of vinyasa yoga.
**Accredited by Yoga Alliance.
The 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training is broken up into 3 modules.
*You must have a 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training certificate to participate in the first two modules.*
The third module is OPEN to anyone who would like to explore the more esoteric aspects of the practice.
Module 1: Create
Module 2: Sustain
Module 3: Transform
**We only take 12 people for the program/per module**
—for you to learn in an intimate setting
Resources For Teaching Yoga –
#PracticewithClara Podcast
At Practice with Clara, we believe in the power of education and creating aspirational content that allows students and teachers to advance their understanding of the yoga practice and what it takes to maintain a yoga lifestyle.
Check out the five #PracticewithClara Podcast episodes to learn more about how to teach yoga and run a yoga business.
Why we need teachers and a community. Listen here.
The value of advanced vinyasa yoga training. Listen here.
Key takeaways on hosting global yoga retreats. Listen here.
Retreat planning for yoga teachers. Listen here.
Class planning with intelligent sequencing for new yoga teachers. Listen here.
Resources For Teaching Yoga –
Educational Blog Posts
Apply the Forrest Yoga Roll to Relieve Abdominal Tension – read the full blog post.
5 Easy Steps to Create a Mandala Yoga Sequence – read the full blog post.
Your Guide to the Anatomy of the Shoulder – read the full blog post.
Anatomy of Meditation – read the full blog post.
The Power of Cultivating Your Lifeforce – read the full blog post.
Advantages to Savoring the Small – read the full blog post.
Why Breathwork is Important in the Yoga Practice – read the full blog post.
6 Poses for Menstruation, Menopause, and Migraines – read the full blog post.
Anatomy of Anxiety and Stress – read the full blog post.
Yoga Drop Backs for Beginners – read the full blog post.
