What does it take to become the best yoga teacher in the world? We all know that feeling of being fully immersed in a yoga class. You are lost in your practice, your mind is clear, and you feel completely at peace. This article will give you the best advice for becoming one of these amazing teachers!
There are so many programs great programs out there that it’s hard to narrow one to just one shortlist! out there.
What makes a great yoga school? That’s the first place to start. So what elements make up a good yoga School? Or, better yet, what elements make up a GREAT Yoga school?
First off: The teachers. It always comes down to the people. Are they passionate? Do they care? Are they knowledge?
Then, location and environment. Does the location provide you with the right place (*for you) in order to learn, go deep and enhance your practice?
Finally, cost, tools, and all the other operational stuff that goes along with it. How smooth is it? How well set up is the ability to maintain connections after the training is over?
These and more are criteria we used in our research of the Best Yoga Studios in the World. We could have easily added a dozen more but we had to try and keep the list consumable short. Here they are:
The 8 Best In-Person Yoga Teacher Training:
- Loka Yoga School
- Santosha Yoga
- Asia Pacific Yoga
- Yoga Teacher Academy
- Soma Yoga Institute
- Samasti Yoga
- Yoga South Africa
- Summa Karuna
1. Loka Yoga School
This 200-hour yoga teacher training from Loka Yoga School offers the opportunity to get certified to teach yoga in a tropical paradise. Not only will you explore the depths of yoga and advanced teachings from yoga experts, you will also be taught:
Fundamentals of Meditation
- Fundamentals of Pranayama Breathwork
- Fundamentals of Yoga Philosophy
- Fundamentals of Yoga Anatomy
Along with comprehensive workshops on ‘The Art of Sequencing’, ‘Adjustments & Corrections’ and the ‘Business of Yoga,’ this yoga school are really setting you up for success as a yoga teacher, carefully guiding and allowing every student to prepare and teach an entire 1-hour class and receive constructive feedback to help them grow.
With smaller class sizes that do not exceed 16 students, ensuring you receive the focus, care, and attention and any personal requirements are met.
When you have completed the training with Loka Yoga School, you will be ready to share your passion and teach various styles of yoga, whilst having a deep understanding of the anatomy, philosophy, and history of yoga. Loka Yoga School also offers their 200-hour graduates exclusive discounts and access to their famous internationally certified and accredited online training too (including Yin Yoga, Breathwork, Meditation, Children & Teens, and Yoga Philosophy).
What also sets this course apart from any other is the beautiful and unique atmosphere. Taking place in Bali, Loka Yoga School is nestled amongst the stunning rice fields and located by the most popular surf beaches, which gives this course a feel that no other course can offer.
Embracing the earth and water elements, you will feel at one with nature while learning about your passion for yoga. What better way to experience yoga teacher training than on a relaxing vacation in the most incredible space?
There are packages that include shared or private accommodation, or you may book course-only and choose your own place to stay if you prefer. It is all the things you love about vacation and yoga combined into one retreat!
2. Santosha Yoga
Situated in Byron Bay, Santosha’s Yoga Teacher Training provides personal transformation and spiritual teachings through online and in-person guidance. With access to 100 hours of online training and an incredible 14-day yoga experience in Byron Bay, you will have the best yoga teaching experience.
With teachers from all over the world, you will get a deeper understanding of yoga through live training sessions in Byron Bay. Not only will you learn about different elements of the practice, but you will also learn to apply yoga to daily living.
Thanks to smaller class sizes, you get personalized attention from instructors to perfect the art of yoga. Apart from this formal training, you will go through a deep transformation and be a part of a supportive yoga community. Once you complete the course, you will learn to share your yoga knowledge and view the world differently.
3. Asia Pacific Yoga
The 200-hour teacher training course is an internationally accredited course that offers a transformative teaching experience. If you have a passion for yoga and are ready to take your expertise and skills to the next level, investing in this course is a great idea.
The 200 Hour training course includes immersive neuro-physiological yoga training sessions for 20 days with luxury accommodation at the destination home in New Zealand.
This Yoga Alliance registered training not only caters to ambitious teachers, but also helps individuals who want to improve their emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. The training stretches over a span of 2 weeks.
4. Yoga Teacher Academy
This 200 Hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training meets all Yoga Alliance standards. More than 400 graduates worldwide have received the training through LIVE sessions. Participants acquire a deep understanding of yoga and receive a full range of knowledge on postures, breathing, philosophy, and applications of yoga in daily life.
Yoga Teacher Academy tends to keep the class size small, in order for every student to receive personalized attention and establish direct interaction with their instructor. The exclusive teacher development module at the Yoga Teacher Academy makes it stand out from other kinds of training and certifications.
Yoga Teacher Academy helps students discover their unique teaching styles. The training program covers Vinyasa, Yin, and Hatha, which are the three major yoga techniques. The program focuses on how to lead a safe and well-balanced class by helping students determine their strengths and weaknesses.
5. Soma Yoga Institute
Soma Yoga Institute in California offers a 300-Hour advanced teacher training course for those who are passionate about teaching yoga and want to strengthen their knowledge base in order to teach with more authenticity.
The curriculum is based on a liberated approach towards Yoga sequencing, alignment concepts, an individual Yin yoga training segment with a separate certificate, level 2 poses, yoga philosophy, meditation techniques, pranayama, Ayurveda, and much more.
The institute does not believe in keeping its students bound for too long. For that reason, the program offers special physical activity and deep relaxation.
6. Samasti Yoga
The 200-hour yoga teacher training program at Samasti is an internationally accredited program that provides you with a complete understanding of the philosophy, art, and techniques of yoga. It is one of the top-notch programs open to anyone interested in practicing yoga so they can teach others within their country or internationally.
If you are looking forward to receiving intense knowledge of yoga traditions and sharing your expertise with others, this is the best place for you.
Located in the heart of Bali, Samasti formulates its curriculum with a focus on elevating your understanding of yoga, spiritual knowledge, and teaching potential. To complete the learning experience, Samasti trainers immerse students in the exciting local culture of Bali through guided tours and excursions.
7. Yoga South Africa
Founded in 2015, Yoga South Africa serves as an online community to establish a link between aspiring students and yoga teachers. The network initially started out as a single Instagram page. Today, Yoga South Africa is a multi-faceted online platform. Subscribe to their newsletter to get all yoga-related information and the best yoga teacher training centers in South Africa.
8. Summa Karuna
Being an International School of Awakening and Healing, Summa Karuna is a reputed and reliable Retreat center in Thailand. If you want to live a more fulfilled and happier life, the retreat center offers specialized programs to help you detoxify your mind, body, and soul.
Their primary programs include Yoga Teacher Training, Tantra Teacher Training and Detoxification Program, The Awakening & Healing Program, and Dance Therapy. Every student develops his own action plan to discover his/her identity and underlying potential.
The center’s awakening and healing program runs throughout the year and revolves around experiential activities to discover your path for leading a happy and fulfilled life. Through guided meditation, you learn to unlock your true potential and learn how to become a successful yoga trainer.
The school embraces Tantra, Yoga, Buddhist, and Taoist values and also incorporates modern scientific research to offer an inclusive Yoga Teacher Training Course in Thailand.
At the end of the course, graduates benefit from lifetime access to all regular yoga classes in the school. (If you enjoy mixing yoga and religion, you may also enjoy discovering the mystery of Taoist meditation!)
Students enjoy learning in a serene environment, as the campus is located in Koh Pagan beach, one of the most beautiful islands of Thailand. The campus also offers onsite accommodation and facilities for your convenience.
Conclusion:
Some of the best yoga teacher training programs in South Africa, Thailand, and Bali are listed here. These centers offer specialized courses to help you become a popular Yoga Teacher.
