Yoga Alliance is an external registry of yoga teachers in the United States. Yoga Alliance does not offer any trainings. Yoga Alliance simply registers schools and teachers that meet its qualifications. Not all yoga teacher training programs are Yoga Alliance certified, and registration with Yoga Alliance is not a legal requirement for teaching yoga in the United States.
The first tier of Registered Yoga Teachers (RYT) through Yoga Alliance has 200 hours of teacher training from a Registered Yoga School (RYS). These hours must all be from the same school and at least 180 must be contact hours. That means they must be spent in class with an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (ERYT)--an additional Yoga Alliance status for teacher trainers. RYT, RYS and ERYT are all trademarked terms owned by Yoga Alliance.
It is possible to become a certified yoga teacher through home study programs, but it is not possible to register through Yoga Alliance. Distance learning can be a convenient and affordable way to get started teaching if studying at a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga School is not an option. Some people find that a home study program is all they need. Other use it as a first step, while continuing to pursue Yoga Alliance registry.
Aura Yoga Teacher Training is the major provider of home study yoga certifications. It offers "Yoga Teacher Training Camp in a Box" programs (starting at $367), as well as specialized packages in restorative, prenatal, therapeutic and vinyasa styles and yoga for children and seniors. Aura Yoga Teacher Training also offers advanced certification and Meditation Teacher Training. A benefit of Aura's program is that it can connect distance students with an ERYT mentor, allowing them to eventually gain the contact hours necessary to become an RYT.
CorePower Yoga is a rapidly growing chain of over 30 studios in Oregon, California, Colorado, Illinois and Minnesota. It specializes in hot and power yogas and offers an online teacher training to certify its own instructors in basic level 1 classes. Costs range from $499 to $699.
Yoga Education Institute offers a basic home study teacher training program covering 110 yoga postures, yoga history and philosophy, as well as teaching methodology. This program is the most affordable at $267.
Yoga is a physical discipline. Teaching yoga requires extensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology, as well as the ability to safely give students hands-on adjustments and instruction. While Yoga Alliance certification is not necessary to become a successful yoga teacher, home study programs should be supplemented by contact hours with experienced yoga teachers for best results.