15 Best Online Yoga Teacher Training Certifications & Schools (Based On Real Yoga Alliance Reviews) 2024
15 Best Online Yoga Teacher Training Certifications & Schools (Based On Real Yoga Alliance Reviews) 2024
Last updated: February 11, 2024
By Lori Lowell, Drishti Beats mentor, co-founder, and fitness visionary, is the 2015 Julie Main Woman Leader Award recipient. She often interviews for Ask An Expert in Club Solutions Magazine, regularly appears on Club Industry, and is an accomplished E-RYT 500.
The 15 Best Online Yoga Teacher Training Certifications & Schools February 2024:
| School Name | Overall Rating | NPS Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Drishti Beats | Rating 4.97 | NPS 9.9 |
| 2. Akasha Yoga Academy | Rating 4.92 | NPS 9.6 |
| 3. Yoga Farm | Rating 4.90 | NPS 9.4 |
| 4. Zazyoga | Rating 4.90 | Hidden |
| 5. Yoga International | Mazé Method | Rating 4.86 | NPS 9.1 |
| 6. Online Yoga School | Rating 4.82 | NPS 8.9 |
| 7. Brett Larkin Uplifted Yoga | Rating 4.81 | NPS 8.8 |
| 8. Siddhi Yoga | Rating 4.80 | NPS 8.9 |
| 9. YogaRenew | Rating 4.79 | NPS 8.8 |
| 10. My Vinyasa Practice | Rating 4.79 | NPS 8.7 |
| 11. Sampoorna Yoga | Rating 4.68 | NPS 7.9 |
| 12. East+West | Rating 4.61 | Hidden |
| 13. The Kaivalya Yoga Method | Rating 4.61 | Hidden |
| 14. Samadhi Yoga Ashram | Rating 4.61 | Hidden |
| 15. Santosha Yoga | Rating 4.34 | Hidden |
So this is probably the 45th article you’ve read about The 11 Best Online Yoga Teacher Trainings and The 17 Top Yoga Teacher Training Certifications. I have a feeling if you’re reading this you’re pretty sick and tired of trying to figure out which blog post/article/opinion to trust with your yoga education, and why different websites rate them the way they do. Trust me, I get it.
A lot of “advice” out there tries to deconstruct online yoga teacher trainings into these nice little lists, as if you can just find the right yoga school (!) by clicking on an affiliate link (more on this later on) like you’re going grocery shopping in the today’s special aisle. And sure, you probably should google “the top…” and “the best…” and all that, as we will see, but to me, all of these affiliate lists seem like slapping a couple of sun salutations in the middle of a savasana. Technically, they don’t really hurt to read, but by themselves, they don’t actually answer the question. Which are the best online yoga teacher training certifications and schools out there right now? Luckily, the many students (over 100,000 to date!) who came before you and registered with Yoga Alliance hold the answer to that question.
My goal in this completely impartial, unbiased, and with no under-the-table endorsements article is to give you a well-rounded understanding on how to do your own research into the best online yoga teacher trainings that are currently available to you. It is essential to weigh your best options when deciding which school to trust with your money. But even more importantly, with your yoga education. So, let’s help you find the online yoga teacher training certification that is right for you.
What is Yoga Alliance?
Composed of over 7,000 Registered Yoga Schools (RYS) and more than 100,000 Registered Yoga Teachers (RYT) as of April of 2020, Yoga Alliance is the largest nonprofit association representing the yoga community. Their mission is to “foster and support the high quality, safe, accessible, and equitable teaching of yoga.”
Advocacy is a key component of the Yoga Alliance, but they have taken it to the next level to ensure quality and safety in yoga teaching and practice by:
- Creating quantitative standards for yoga instruction
- Establishing a member-wide Ethical Commitment that includes a Code of Conduct, Scope of Practice, and dedication to equity.
- Fostering accountability through fair and full feedback regarding RYSs.
Why Does The Yoga Alliance Certification Matter?
Founded in 1999 to protect diversity and set quality standards for yoga training and teaching, Yoga Alliance has worked diligently to improve the yoga education experience and continue to help positively shape its progression. Thus, the Yoga Alliance-approved certification has become the benchmark by which most practitioners measure trainings and teachers.
So, why does the Yoga Alliance Certification matter? Because it is the most highly respected authority on yoga training. The immense work and collaboration that went into their 18-month Standards Review Project has ensured that quality yoga teachers are available and accessible.
This is the reason why many fitness facilities, gyms, and studios require yoga teachers to become certified with a Yoga Alliance-approved program.
To become a certified yoga teacher, you need to complete a 200 hour program. Although different schools offer shorter certificate programs, in terms of the number of hours, Yoga Alliance requires that you to receive 200 hours of educational training, at a minimum, before becoming a recognized yoga teacher.
As part of the Yoga Alliance Social Credentialing system, trainees that complete a teacher training with a Registered Yoga School (RYS) are required to review and give feedback on the school and their yoga teacher training journey before they are able to continue registering as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT). In other words, Yoga Alliance isn’t telling you one training is better than another, the students are. They become the eyes and ears for Yoga Alliance in teacher trainings around the world, and the yoga community becomes more accountable as a whole.
How Yoga Schools Get Reviewed?
During the RYT application process, all trainees are required to review the school, staff, and the yoga program they completed. The survey asks trainees to provide feedback on:
- Whether the syllabus reflects what was taught during the training
- Whether the training met the outlined learning objectives
- Whether the number of Lead Teacher Contact hours matched the course description
- Whether or not they would recommend the teacher training
Trainees also have an option to leave general comments and this is when things get interesting.
Overall School Rating
Yoga Alliance Social Credentialing System is intended to provide future yoga teachers (so you) with useful information when choosing the right yoga teacher training certification. Each Registered Yoga School must have a public profile that includes a rating, between one and five stars. This is the unit of measurement of the quality of the teacher training program based on the schools’s past alumni experiences.
Each yoga school can choose to publish on its own public profile the reviews former trainees left upon graduation. If a yoga school wishes to publish any of the comments provided, then all comments will be made public and attributable to the reviewer. Now, think about it for a second. Yoga helps us cultivate a deep sense of surrender (Pranidhana) to life. It is about self-awareness (Svādhyāya), trust (Shraddha), and community (Kula). If a yoga school chooses NOT to make its hard earned reviews public on Yoga Alliance directory to people like you, this should be your first red flag.
We as teachers, mentors, and schools should have a clear understanding of the value of teaching yoga as a service and being of service to others through our own teachings.
What Is Net Promoter Score (NPS)?
The Net Promoter Score (NPS) is a standard business measure of loyalty and enthusiasm. It is important to note that unlike the Overall School Rating, the NPS is not a measurement of the quality of the teacher training program, or any other business, (not directly anyway), but rather a reflection on how likely trainees who already completed the training are actively recommending the training to the yoga community at large.
NPS ratings are calculated by taking each trainee’s response, to the same question as the Overall School Rating (i.e. “How likely are you to recommend this teacher training to a friend?”), and putting them into one of three groups:
- Ratings of 9 – 10 are considered “promoters.” These trainees are likely to be enthusiastic about urging their friends to take this teacher training certification.
- Ratings of 7 – 8 are considered “passives.” These trainees are satisfied with the teacher training, but are not likely to be recommending the training to others.
- Ratings of 6 or less are considered “detractors.” These trainees are unhappy with their experience and unlikely to recommend the school to others.
The NPS is calculated by taking the percentage of promoters minus the percentage of detractors. The resulting number is a measure of how likely the trainees, who have completed the training, are to actively recommend the training to others.
Like with the reviews, a yoga school can choose whether to display the Net Promoter Score (NPS) on the school’s public profile. If it’s not there, well there is your second red flag. Just ask yourself this question: “Why would a school choose to hide such an important factor from the yoga community?”
What Is Public and What Is Not?
Overall School Rating will always be publicly visible on the school’s profile within Yoga Alliance. Trainees rate from 0-10 how likely they are to recommend a yoga teacher training program, and this is converted to a five-star rating. Beyond the public Overall School Rating, schools can decide what other information is shown on their public profile related to:
- Training content ratings and comments
- Knowledge/teaching skills ratings and comments
- Net Promoter Score
- General comments
Here is a sample School Evaluation Survey to give you an idea how the rating system works:
Your Best Interest Or Theirs
We are increasingly researching the internet for the advice and experience of others. All too often yoga studios, schools, and teacher training certifications get “reviewed” and rated on different websites that are saturated with affiliation links. An affiliate link is a great way for a blog to recommend a service or product while asking the school to give the blogger “a cut” $ each time a visitor makes a purchase. The problem with this kind of a “relationship” is the bloggers will always put their bottom line before the best interests of yoga or those earning a living by teaching it.
By contrast, Yoga Alliance Social Credentialing System’s sole motivation is to serve the interests of the yoga community while maintaining the integrity of both the practice and the profession of yoga. Social Credentialing provides a meaningful alternative to the unverified, arbitrary, and sometimes inflammatory ratings and comments that consumer sites and blogs deliver. It protects the community while providing the public with a reliable and fair source of information and advice.
By combining feedback with established educational and training standards, Social Credentialing expands the Yoga Alliance credentialing process from a closed, centralized system to a transparent, dynamic dialogue between all members of the yoga community.
How It Helps Our Community
Yoga Alliance Social Credentialing System adds both credibility and transparency to the whole yoga community. By capturing feedback from trainees, schools are able to grow and improve their yoga teacher training programs, but more importantly, it helps potential trainees make an informed decision when selecting a yoga teacher training program.
It also:
- provides transparency about what schools teach in their trainings.
- asks the community to self-regulate and ensure compliance with Yoga Alliance Standards.
Choosing the Right Yoga School and Yoga Certification
Pursuing a training that is internationally recognized is key for a successful yoga teacher career. More importantly, investing in the right Yoga Alliance approved training can dramatically increase your chances for fantastic results in the long run, and actually make you a more knowledgeable and more effective yoga teacher.
I highly recommend that the school you pick to trust with your yoga education should always have these five factors:
- The school is registered with Yoga Alliance AND you can easily find it listed on the Yoga Alliance directory. Too many “online schools” and different blog articles will tell you that they are registered with Yoga Alliance but will NOT provide you with an easy access link to their public profile. This is a major red flag!
- The school should have published authentic reviews on it’s public profile within Yoga Alliance
- The school should have a healthy Net Promoter Score (ratings of 9 – 10)
- The school should have over a 100 student reviews. This is a tough one, I know. But as of 2024, some of the new “online schools” out there are just in it for a quick profit so pay attention to this. If the school has been registered 2-3 years ago and has 10-20 reviews, something is wrong
- The school you pick should have its own Yoga Alliance recognized certificates*
*If the school name is different from the name printed on the certificate, then there is something wrong. Pay attention to this. Here are two great articles for your continuing research: 10 Reasons to Choose Online Yoga Teacher Training Certification and What To Look For In Online Yoga Teacher Training In 2024.
Always visit the Yoga Alliance website to look at these important factors before making your decision!
15 Best Online Yoga Teacher Training Certifications & Schools (With Real Yoga Alliance Reviews) 2024
Below is a list of Yoga Alliance-approved schools that offer 200 hour and 300 hour online yoga teacher trainings and are available to you right now. Every review includes Overall School Rating and Net Promoter Score (OSR | NPS). Blue badge 
indicates full transparency by the school to help you make the most informed decision when deciding which yoga teacher training is right for you.
Yoga Alliance Rating 4.97 | NPS 9.9
School has been approved since April 2015
Built on a Vinyasa flow style of yoga, the Drishti Beats yoga teacher training covers a blend of Yin, Restorative, Yoga Nidra, Sound Healing, Dharma, and encompasses a wide range of techniques including: a detailed breakdown of yoga postures, breathing, meditation, mudras, and much more. You will learn how to apply principles of alignment to create a balanced and blissful yoga space, and explore the business of yoga both in the studio space and online.
Filmed around the world and nearly a year in the making, this training is one of the most in-depth, fun, energy-lifting, and globally connected yoga teacher training certification ever made. With over 25 years of hands-on experience in fitness and wellness education, the Drishti Beats team developed a unique truly unique immersive yoga teacher training experience.
The curriculum is well organized and carefully designed so each chapter builds on top of the previous one using the power of storytelling. Everything comes together in a very logical structure to allow you to set your own schedule around the training.
With the exception of the live weekly call, all masterclasses, lectures, talks, and practical practice are available to you on demand 24/7, so you can journey through the curriculum in your own space and at the comfort of your own pace. And come back to it whenever you need.
Communication with students is on-going with the weekly community zoom calls (beautifully named ‘Gather round’). Calls are extremely interactive and they fluctuate in content — from discussion points to guided meditation, flows and students teaching. The calls are your connection to the teachers and mentors, to other students, and to ensure you are on the right path to unlocking your true teaching potential. In addition, the team offers plenty of One on One calls with the mentors along the way.
The Drishti Beats yoga school has been set up to respect your own specific learning style and will allow you to create the schedule that works for you. No matter where you are in the world, upon completion you will receive the internationally recognized and Yoga Alliance accredited Drishti Beats certificate in your graduation package.
Yoga Alliance Rating 4.92 | NPS 9.6
School has been approved since March 2012
About the school:
We provide a variety of highly professional online courses, so you can immerse yourself into genuine yogic wisdom from the convenience of your home.
The cornerstones of our teachings are:
• breath-based classical Hatha Yoga,
• energy-based Kundalini Yoga,
• Spiritual Heart Meditation, and the
• non-dual teachings of Advaita Vedanta.
We aspire to synchronize mind & heart, to combine rational understanding with deep-going practice, and to develop present moment awareness.
Our offerings range from Teacher Training Courses and yoga intensives to meditation retreats and workshops which we hold in tropical Bali and other destinations around the globe.
Authenticity & inspiration, passion & enthusiasm are our hallmarks.
Yoga Alliance Review by: Deb Moore April 01, 2023:
Very knowledgeable, and the program itself was very thorough and complete. The level of professionalism balanced by a nurturing, inclusive environment made this the best possible experience for me–highly, highly recommend the Akasha Yoga Academy!
Source: School Profile | Yoga Alliance
Yoga Alliance Rating 4.89 | NPS 9.4
School has been approved since April 2017
About the school:
Yoga Farm Ithaca is a nonprofit center for education, yoga and retreat on 65 beautiful acres of woods, waterfalls, and meadows just outside of Ithaca, NY.
We offer incredible online yoga teacher trainings to an amazing community of students and teachers all over the world.
We’ve been called “The Most In-Person Online Yoga Teacher Training in the world”, by our graduates.
Our original 200 hour YTT is called the ‘Radiant Warrior Online Yoga Teacher Training’. It teaches Hatha yoga, vinyasa yoga, mindfulness, meditation and inquiry. More than 1000 have graduated from this program.
We’ve since added the ‘200 hour Kundalini Warrior Online Yoga Teacher Training’, which is a modern, feminine form of Kundalini yoga. Our educators have been inspired by ancient teachings of Kundalini and have modernized the technology for the modern householder.
Our 300 hour YTT is called the ‘Spiritual Warrior Advanced Yoga Teacher Training’. In it, we teach kundalini yoga (a modern, trauma informed method drawn from ancient traditions), the science of Ayurveda, Lunar Wisdom and the Enneagram.
Yoga Alliance Review by: Kacie Fisher April 15, 2023:
Yoga Farm Ithaca offered a unique opportunity to complete my yoga teacher training program online. I felt very supported during the process and learned a lot of useful information for both my yoga practice and personal life. Thank you so much!
Source: School Profile | Yoga Alliance
Yoga Alliance Rating 4.90 | Hidden NPS
School has been approved since November 2018
About the school:
Why chose Zazyoga for your 200-hour YTTC?
Gain an in-dept understanding of the practice of yoga
With the recent rise of yoga injuries, we make it our mission to teach you how to practice and teach safely. Whether it is during practices, asana labs, or anatomy classes, proper alignment is our underlying theme! Beyond the physical practice, each of our classes give you tangible and applicable tools to integrate in your own life and in your career as a yoga teacher, from pranayama and kriyas to how you can transform your thoughts with yoga philosophy.
Build your teacher skills to become a confident and inspiring teacher
Our course offers extensive teaching practice experience, so that when you graduate, you can immediately start your career as a confident yoga teacher.
Embrace the yoga tradition in your modern life
Respecting the yoga tradition does not have to deny our modern lives! Our course is practical and adapted to your reality, so that you can apply tangible tools to your life.
Receive personal support in an intimate environment
We create a safe environment to learn, growth, and discover more about yourself. You will receive dedicated personalized one-on-one support from your teachers for your own unique specific needs.
Yoga Alliance Review by: Charity Coleman February 21, 2023:
The community was really supportive and the both Ella and Marylene were really helpful and you could see how knowledgeable they were of yoga anatomy, philosophy, etc. when answering question and giving advice.
Source: School Profile | Yoga Alliance
Yoga Alliance Rating 4.86 | NPS 9.1
School has been approved since November 2018
*Yoga International is not a registered school with Yoga Alliance. Instead, upon completion graduates receive a certificate of completion from The Mazé Method School.
About the school:
Upon completion of this training, graduates will receive a certificate of completion for 200 hours of study with The Mazé Method School. The Mazé Method teacher trainings consist of a step-by-step approach to becoming a skillful, confident teacher. The curriculum combines detailed alignment knowledge and intelligent sequencing with vinyasa theory to provide you with sound skills for teaching safe and effective yoga classes. Lead teachers have spent over 75 years collectively investigating nearly every style of yoga, its practices, and associated philosophies. Their knowledge, combined with their approach to experiential education, creates a learning environment that is rich and multi-faceted. We study and deconstruct asana (yoga poses), pranayama (breathwork), meditation, adjustments, yoga theory, yoga practice, yoga history and philosophy, basic Sanskrit, and ethics. Each day in training is treasure trove of learning about anatomy, kinesiology, applied biomechanics, and how to use this knowledge to optimize your yoga and movement practice and teaching. Students learn to apply healthy critical thinking through an inquisitive approach to yoga studies. They practice innovative teaching drills, gain clarity about how scientific principles substantiate training techniques, explore the deeper dimensions of yoga practice, and leave with a cutting-edge understanding of human movement and physiology. In all, students can expect to complete this school’s training with new perspectives on yoga study, a greater understanding of biomechanical alignment principles, and expanded general knowledge.
Yoga Alliance Review by: Kamal Irani February 11, 2023:
I was impressed with the quality of the information that I learned. Nichol was very helpful in helping me navigate through the program. I enjoyed learning about the yoga philosophy. The in-depth training videos about anatomy were very beneficial.
Source: School Profile | Yoga Alliance
Yoga Alliance Rating 4.82 | NPS 8.9
School has been approved since March 2012
About the school:
Yoga & Ayurveda Center / Online Yoga School is a Registered Yoga School (RYS) with Yoga Alliance, which designates this teacher training program as one which follows Yoga Alliance’s standards. Students who complete a verified training with this school may be eligible to register with Yoga Alliance as Registered Yoga Teachers (RYTs).
Yoga Alliance Review by: Key Chancey April 17, 2023
The anatomy section felt overly done/ forced and did not connect to the overall yoga alignment well.
Source: School Profile | Yoga Alliance
Yoga Alliance Rating 4.81 | NPS 8.8
School has been approved since July 2016
About the school:
Alignment-based vinyasa with a focus on igniting your through the science of yoga. Strong emphasis on myofascial release, mindset, and translating yoga’s wisdom into our modern lives.
Source: School Profile | Yoga Alliance
Yoga Alliance Review by: Heidi Potton March 08, 2023:
Incredible program, so much knowledge and passion. I would recommend to everyone!
Source: School Profile | Yoga Alliance
Yoga Alliance Rating 4.80 | NPS 8.9
School has been approved since May 2015
About the school:
Siddhi Yoga is a premier institute offering yoga teaching in a holistic environment, under the guidance of great yogis. RYT 200 residential courses are taught at Siddhi Yoga. Students come from all across the globe to learn this vedic science, in its true and original form.
Teachers at Siddhi Yoga have deep knowledge of yoga, Ayurveda, sadhna (meditation) and other vedic scriptures. Conversant with many yoga styles including hatha, ashtanga, kundalini and vinyasa yoga they bring to their students not just vedic scripture knowledge but also initiate them into the process of achieving divinity or oneness of mind and body through yoga.
Source: School Profile | Yoga Alliance
Yoga Alliance Review by: Sky Aulita March 14, 2023:
Siddhi Yoga was great at teaching the philosophy and history of yoga, and I really enjoyed all of my teachers. However, it was not the best place to learn how to teach. I didn’t get much instruction on how to come up with the poses for a complete class or how to address students. We didn’t practice teaching outside of the teaching exam at the end of the intensive, and I felt like this was not enough to feel confident in leading a class.
Source: School Profile | Yoga Alliance
Yoga Alliance Rating 4.79 | NPS 8.8
School has been approved since June 2015
About the school:
The YogaRenew Yoga Teacher Training Program was designed to enable yogis from all different backgrounds worldwide to be able to follow their dream and passion of getting their yoga teacher certification.
Our program was designed to make yoga teacher training accessible and affordable for all looking to deepen their practice and share their love of yoga to the world.
Our trainings offer you the opportunity to deeply enrich your practice and understanding of yoga. This comprehensive YTT will give you a strong foundation for yoga philosophy and practice.
As a student, you’ll learn all the aspects of yoga teacher training and learn all the skills needed to become a knowledgeable yoga teacher.
Yoga Alliance Review by: Gabriela Stiles April 18, 2023:
YogaRenew is a very organized virtual program where I learned wonderful content! I love that I can access my work anytime for review, that is a major plus. It would have beeb nice to have one short real time connection with someone when completing the course, for feedback. Overall, great course! Thank you : )
Source: School Profile | Yoga Alliance
Yoga Alliance Rating 4.79 | NPS 8.7
School has been approved since October 2016
About the school:
My Vinyasa Practice is a yoga school training yoga teachers in vinyasa, hatha, and the application of yogic philosophy to daily life. My Vinyasa Practice l is founded on the principles of accessible and affordable yoga teacher training designed to meet teachers where they are at while facilitating interpersonal growth. All of our trainers have had extensive training with truly amazing teachers. It is our mission to make yoga, spiritual self studies and education affordable and scalable.
We offer multiple training formats that span several different industries. My Vinyasa Practice offers yoga teacher trainings, health and wellness certifications, and continuing education programs for yoga teachers and professionals. We are currently offering trainings in Austin, TX and international intensives.
Yoga Alliance Review by Dan Pichette March 20, 2023:
Great course delivery and curriculum. There is a huge benefit to in group training and sessions which is difficult to replicate online but there were many great opportunities to engage with others. Sound quality on certain elements of delivery could have been improved.
Source: School Profile | Yoga Alliance
Yoga Alliance Rating 4.68 | NPS 7.9
School has been approved since May 2011
About the school:
If you are in search of a great Yoga TTC, Sampoorna Yoga may be the best place for you!
We are a Yoga Teacher Training Center rooted in Indian yogic tradition. Our name, ‘Sampoorna’, is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘full’, ‘total’, or ‘absolute’. And it truly reflects what we aim to bring to our students through our yoga courses and retreats.
This concept of totality and completeness is reflected in our teachings, in the respect we have for yoga traditions, and the acceptance of students from all traditions and lineages, all over the world. We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional and comprehensive yoga instruction to support your personal practice and your teaching journey.
Yoga Alliance Review by: Haylee Barsky March 23, 2023:
This is the type of school where it’s really what you make of it. Overall my personal growing experience was great.
Source: School Profile | Yoga Alliance
Yoga Alliance Rating 4.61 | Hidden NPS
School has been approved since August 2019
About the school:
East+West is a school dedicated to sharing authentic yogic practices from India with a western audience. We bring Indian master teachers all over the world to luxurious resorts. We are committed to bringing our students the best of all worlds.
School has chosen not to share its community reviews as of this time.
Source: School Profile | Yoga Alliance
Yoga Alliance Rating 4.61 | Hidden NPS
School has been approved since April 2012
About the school:
The Kaivalya Yoga Method has been formulated after over a decade of dedicated study and research and teaching experience. It is a comprehensive compilation of the fundamentals of yoga directed at creating teachers who can translate this ancient practice for a modern-day audience while staying true to yoga’s highest aim.
School has chosen not to share its community reviews as of this time.
Source: School Profile | Yoga Alliance
Yoga Alliance Review by: Ali Sherwood March 20, 2023:
The content of this course was good; however, the feedback was very slow and did not follow the 72-hour window. I believe with more instructors they could provide better support to all students. Some of my assignments were even graded with the incorrect name and I received a second certificate weeks after completing my program with a different completion date.
Source: School Profile | Yoga Alliance
Yoga Alliance Rating 4.61 | Hidden NPS
School has been approved since September 2017
About the school:
Samadhi Yoga ashram is a Registered Yoga School (RYS) with Yoga Alliance, which designates this teacher training program as one which follows Yoga Alliance’s standards. Students who complete a verified training with this school may be eligible to register with Yoga Alliance as Registered Yoga Teachers (RYTs).
Yoga Alliance Review by: Maria Roig February 28, 2023:
I thanks Samadhi Yoga Ashram not only to teach me Yoga, but also the kindness and very friendly teachers , thanks for the good time and schow me a new lifestyle that makes me feel more peace and at the same time powerfull. Everytime again.
Source: School Profile | Yoga Alliance
Yoga Alliance Rating 4.34 | Hidden NPS
School has been approved since February 2009
About the school:
Santosha has been running trainings and retreats since 2008 – meaning we can celebrate 10 amazing years of helping our students transform their lives and step into their strength!
Santosha means contentment and gratitude for all that was, all that is, and all that will be. Our goal is that all those we encounter can gain an experience of Santosha – and then share and spread this experience back into communities through teaching; creating a ripple effect that will change the world and the hearts of all beings in it.
We are happy when our students and graduates are happy – leading joyful and fulfilled lives, sharing their passion and living in integrity and peace. Our greatest pride is being part of the journey, walking alongside our our students to follow their true path and embrace the happiness and beauty inside them.
School has chosen not to share its community reviews as of this time.
Source: School Profile | Yoga Alliance
Community-Based Yoga Schools
While flexible and accessible, learning online can be isolating. Community encouragement will play a role in inspiring you to complete your online yoga instructor training. Always ask if your yoga school and their yoga teacher program provides opportunities to communicate with others, includes social support via Facebook groups, forums, etc.
Trust Your Intuition
Your thorough research into the best yoga online teacher training certification will leave your intuition telling you, “that’s the one.” Listen to your instinct; it rarely misleads you.
If you are considering a yoga teacher career path, becoming a yoga teacher is not as difficult as you might think. Once you’ve done your research, there are various ways to train and teach yoga. Some of these focus on a more modern style while others focus on traditional techniques. Some have a beautiful blend. Once you become an accredited yoga teacher, you will be free to develop your own signature style.
Lori Lowell, Drishti Beats mentor, co-founder and fitness visionary, is the 2015 Julie Main Woman Leader Award recipient. She often interviews for Ask An Expert in Club Solutions Magazine, regularly appears on Club Industry, and is an accomplished E-RYT 500.
Perfectionism Is The Enemy of Progress | Lori Lowell | Drishti Beats Yoga
200 yoga teacher training
Last updated: December 17, 2023
By Lori Lowell, Drishti Beats mentor, co-founder and fitness visionary, is the 2015 Julie Main Woman Leader Award recipient. She often interviews for Ask An Expert in Club Solutions Magazine, regularly appears on Club Industry, and is an accomplished E-RYT 500.
So let’s get right to it. I am going to invite you to drop the thought of being perfect, in any aspect of your life. Mainly because I want you to complete your yoga teacher training and if you are wrapped up in being perfect it will take you longer than you would like.
Being in yoga is not about being perfect. We, Drishti Beats, truly believe that you are absolutely perfectly imperfect and everything you do is about your authenticity and your organic self. What makes a masterful yoga teacher and even more importantly, you, as a masterful person, is not being perfect and never making a mistake. If you live life in the space of seeking perfectionism it will interrupt your progress.
So let’s look at this dirty 13 letter word – Perfectionism.
Lori Lowell, Drishti Beats mentor, co-founder and fitness visionary, is the 2015 Julie Main Woman Leader Award recipient. She often interviews for Ask An Expert in Club Solutions Magazine, regularly appears on Club Industry, and is an accomplished E-RYT 500.
7 Best Yoga Festivals To Explore In 2023
200 yoga teacher training
Last updated: March 23, 2023
By Lori Lowell, Drishti Beats mentor, co-founder and fitness visionary, is the 2015 Julie Main Woman Leader Award recipient. She often interviews for Ask An Expert in Club Solutions Magazine, regularly appears on Club Industry, and is an accomplished E-RYT 500.
No matter where you travel around our world, everybody loves to celebrate. And when it comes to celebration, festivals offer something for everyone. Whether it’s the arts and culture, food and wine, music and yoga, or religion you’re into, there’s a gathering somewhere that is just waiting to be discovered.
Each year there’s a growing number of yoga festivals around the world to choose from that cater to different types of yoga and provide different experiences. Do not worry! Whether you’re an experienced festival goer or just wondering how to begin exploring the festival scene, I got you covered! My team and I crafted a list of the best yoga festivals in the world so that you can start planning your dream yoga festival trip today.
Yoga festivals and music festivals are abundant and the yoga festival scene is hitting hard this year. The most important thing you need to know is how to pick the right and best yoga festival for you. A yoga festival can be a transformational experience… but it can also be a complete disaster. Here are some things to consider when choosing the right yoga festival for you.
The 7 Best Yoga Festivals To Explore In 2023:
- Drishti Beats Yoga & Music Festival | Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado
- Inspire Yoga Festival | Verbier, Switzerland
- Mountain Yoga Festival | St Anton, Austria
- Mammoth Yoga Festival | Mammoth Lakes, California
- Move Copenhagen | Refshaleøen, Copenhagen
- Envision Festival | Costa Rica
- Bali Spirit Festival | Ubud, Bali
My goal for this article is to give you a well-rounded understanding on how to do your own research into the best and the top yoga festivals that are happening around the world this year. It is essential to weigh what each festival offers beyond the lineup and type of yoga that can be enjoyed during your visit. Think about the weather and facilities at the festival location for example. Are you ok with ridiculous heat temperatures, dry desert air, heaps of dust and miserable camping with gross facilities? Sure, porta potties are an “experience” too…
Festivals like to be in places where there is no weather meaning only a small chance of rain. This brings you to desert conditions. Other things to consider are huge humidity and potential rain for a uncomfortable camping experience and a lot of mud. You are always taking a chance. But if you set your mind to the fact that you will deal with whatever conditions and have a good attitude about it you will be fine.
So what do you want? Beautiful scenery, great weather, not too hot, not too cold, a warm hotel to sleep in and a connected community with heaps of fun options. Good food perhaps? A transformational experience? An opportunity to experience a myriad of yoga styles, teachers and music? Not too guru? Super cool destination? There are a few options to consider to ensure an amazing experience.
Below, I share some of the top yoga festivals around the world that are worth traveling to for an unforgettable experience.
1. Drishti Beats Yoga & Music Festival
Where: Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado
When: July 7-9, 2023
Ticket Cost: $85 - $349 + $12 fee
For some, there can be fewer more spiritual places to sit and contemplate than in the mountains. The ancient, jagged peaks, clear air and vast horizons serve as a reminder of our place in the world, bringing a perspective and dimension to life’s stresses that few other locations can offer.
So imagine for a moment how flowing in a vinyasa class or de-stressing in a soothing sound bath could feel in those surroundings? The Drishti Beats Yoga & Music festival explores the symbiotic connection between music, yoga, and the outdoors. Each carefully selected yoga class features a live music artist accompanying the teacher creating a beautiful and magical experience as you flow in the beautiful surroundings of the Rockies in Snowmass Village, Colorado.
As good locations go, the three-day Drishti Beats Yoga & Music festival is nothing short of spectacular. The skies are a sparkling electric blue, while the temperature hovers at that goldilocks range of high 70°F/°21C, low 80°F/°26C. Indian paintbrushes and blue bells dot the meadows, and the air seems to carry a certain fresh sweetness from all that’s in bloom. The Rocky Mountain peaks, unburdened from heavy snow, exude their full majestic glory. There are abundant trails for mountain biking and hiking, and the Roaring Fork River is a paradise for paddle-boarders, kayakers, and flyfishers alike.
During the day you will enjoy accessible yoga for all levels, educational Talks, great welcoming community, live music, a yoga market filled with artisanal vendors, and more. When the sun goes down and the yoga mats are rolled up, the evening music lineup of the top of downtempo, electronic chill and house music artists continue into the night so you can dance the night away. And since the hotels are right on the festival grounds around Snowmass Village, you can get a good night sleep and be refreshed for the next day to do it all over again.
Drishti Beats began its Journey (also the name of its first original track) as a live music vinyasa flow yoga experience in the music festivals scene. EDC Las Vegas, Okeechobee in Florida, Mysterland in the Netherlands and others were some of its first footsteps. Today Drishti Beats is among the Top Rated Yoga Alliance accredited yoga schools with its in-depth, fun, energy-lifting and globally connected 200 hour, 300 hour, and 500 hour yoga teacher trainings. So they are well versed in all aspects of yoga and know how to carefully select their teachers, speakers, musicians and artists for an enlightening yoga festival experience.
Website: festival.drishtibeats.com
2. Inspire Yoga Festival
Where: Verbier, Switzerland
When: 25-27 August, 2023
Cost: From $277
Lovely Switzerland. Fondu, chocolate, cows and snow-covered mountains. For many, the first season associated with Switzerland is winter. But some of the best of what is on offer is best experienced through Summer in Switzerland.
Nestled into splendid landscapes of Val de Bagnes in the south west of Switzerland, you’ll find the stunning resort town of Verbier. With rolling green hills of pastures covered in cows and wild flowers. The Inspire Yoga Festival was launched five years ago from a local yoga and fitness studio. The studio has a team of incredible therapists offering massage and other holistic treatments as well as fitness, pilates, and yoga teachers. The studio is open every day, with classes for everyone. Their aim is to provide holistic wellbeing for all.
The festival offers participants of all levels the opportunity to explore classes, workshops and holistic therapies, meet new people, and share experiences immersed in the beautiful Swiss Alps. Without a doubt the most popular activity in Verbier in summer is mountain biking. With hundreds of kilometres of maintained trails, epic scenery, and lifts providing access to downhill runs, it’s easy to see why.
In the evenings, the temperature can drop to below 46°F/°10C, making it perfect weather to test out the fireplace in your chalet. Even in the warmest months, be sure to bring a warm coat and plenty of layers.
One thing to beware of though. When you’re outside in full sunshine, make sure you’re wearing lots of sun screen. The sun can really burn up in the mountains.
Website: inspireyogafestival.com
3. Mountain Yoga Festival
Where: St Anton, Austria
When: August 31-3 September, 2023
Cost:
This year’s festival is being run on the theme of diversity — conscious handling of variety in society — with 13 experts and yoga teachers guiding yogis through four days of wellness. The programme includes hikes, daily meditation, breath work and yoga classes as well as picnics and communities meals.
“In a time of constant acceleration, nothing can be more exhilarating than going slow. In a time of constant distraction, nothing is so luxurious as paying attention. In a time of constant movement, nothing is so urgent as sitting still.”
Expect a healthy food, Tyrolean hospitality, mountain yoga classes, and plenty of fresh air during this 4-day festival. Ticket includes all yoga sessions, hikes, meditations, workshops, talks according to the festival programme. Lunch on September 1st and September 2nd, 2023 at the GAMPEN RESTAURANT is also included, as well as the cable car ride on Friday and Saturday. If you are staying in one of the accommodation places in the holiday region of St. Anton, you will receive the St. Anton summer card at the reception. With this card you can use all cable cars for free.
Website: mountainyogafestivalstanton.at
4. Mammoth Yoga Festival
Where: Mammoth Lakes, California
When: 22-25 June, 2023
Cost: $499 + $32.01 service fee
Mammoth Lakes is nestled into the breathtaking Eastern Sierra mountain range and is the perfect backdrop for you to develop a deeper connection with your practice and your community. Over 4 days, the Mammoth Yoga Festival will provide you with yoga for all levels, educational immersions, speaker panels, live music, and plenty of vendors.
Flow from day to night. Move and groove under the Sierra stars as the days transition into exciting evenings of live music. Four days of yoga and meditation for everyone — regardless of age and ability — from kids yoga to SUP yoga, yoga for fitness instructors, hot yoga and much more. There are Barre and dance classes, functional medicine talks, meditation and moving meditation as well as talks on how to teach yoga around the world. With food vendors and live music in the evenings, this is a fully immersive experience.
Experience a place where everyone is welcome. Whether you’re discovering yoga for the first time, deepening your practice or expanding your wellness journey, Mammoth Yoga Festival offers options for all abilities and preferences.
Website: mammothyogafestival.com
5. Move Copenhagen
Where: Refshaleøen, Copenhagen
When: 24. – 27.07.2023
Cost:
An old industrial area that was once home to one of the world’s largest shipyards, Now, Refshaleøen is home to cozy restaurants, cool bars, creative office spaces, activity centers, and music festivals. Only about a 15-minute-bike ride away from the city centre, this place is like a peaceful, undiscovered island in the middle of bustling Copenhagen.
At Move Copenhagen they rethink what it means to move. They move, play, explore and inspire to rebuild the very idea of movement.
“Our purpose is to create better lives by making people move more and in new ways. And we believe that the best starting point is a welcoming world based on fun and fascination. That’s why we’ve created a festival for celebrating the diversity of movement.
We don’t have a leader, and we never pocket profits. Our only guide is a set of shared beliefs. We call it our credo.”
Move Copenhagen was founded in 2013. Their goal is to create a gathering for various movement forms, where you can get inspired to develop your movement practise. The guideline was to make people move more and in new ways.
And If you dreamed of sleeping “out in the wild” just bring your tent and camping gear as camping is free together with other movers at Move Copenhagen. You are free to camp from Sunday to Friday. Just note that no toilets and showers are provided outside the festival dates. Last year more than 400 people stayed at the camping site, creating a super cozy and super friendly atmosphere for all as the campsite is placed right at the center of it all. Move Copenhagen want the meals to be a central gathering for everyone. So they have created a dining area where everyone can enjoy their meal in a community atmosphere right in the middle of the festival site.
Website: movecopenhagen.com
6. Envision Festival
Where: Costa Rica
When: February 27 – March 6, 2023
Cost: From $729 + fees
Nestled between the jungle and the beach, Envision Festival is an awakening of the soul. Through an emphasized focus on our pillars of movement, spirituality, music, art, health, sustainability and education, it is so much more than just a music festival.
Envision’s mission is to create an eye-opening experience that turns us onto a new form of living; a new way to be inspired. To provide tools that can be integrated into the life we are already living or to inspire a complete shift in our life path. The connection to nature can be felt in every aspect of Envision and the ripple effect of what people then take away from the festival is much more potent than just a good party.
Whether you’re zipping through the jungle canopy, feeling the rush of a cool splash from a waterfall, catching your first wave, or ascending a misty mountain peak – Costa Rica not only packs an epic adventure; it reconnects you to the raw force of nature that awakens your inner wild. In moving toward a 7 day event, we invite you to take it easy, explore the area, maximize your experience, and truly root down into your being. Your illuminated presence in the world is needed now more than ever.
Traveling to Costa Rica and exploring its many ecosystems can be an amazing experience. The big question for many is how close you might get to creepy crawlies. After all, seeing them in the wild is one thing, but having a meet and greet just before bed time is another. In Costa Rica, the most common disease from mosquitoes is called Dengue Fever. It is most common in the rainier months (May-November) when there are more mosquitoes around. They won’t bother you if you’re sunbathing on the hot sand or walking in the heat of the day. But watch out if you are resting under palm trees, hiking on shady trails, or passing by wetlands, ponds, or rivers. Also be extra careful in the morning and evening hours when it is a little cooler outside.
Website: envisionfestival.com
7. BaliSpirit Festival
Where: Ubud, Bali
When: May 4-7, 2023
Cost: From $425 + $12.50 fees
Note: Ticket does not include Special Events, Masterclass, and Shuttle Service
The goal of the BaliSpirit Festival is to awaken and nourish each individual’s potential for positive change within, leading to positive change in our homes, in our communities, and around the world. Through the beneficial and inspirational traditions of Yoga, Dance, and Music, the BaliSpirit Festival embodies the Balinese Hindu concept of Tri Hita Karana: living in harmony with our spiritual, social, and natural environments. Committed, particularly, to nourishing our own home in Bali, the founders of the BaliSpirit Festival pledge to provide financial, logistical, and organizational support to local charities, with a special emphasis on children’s programs, multicultural education and performance, healthcare, HIV& AIDS awareness, and environmental conservation in Bali and greater Indonesia.
World renowned teachers, presenters and performers are selected with the intention to inspire attendees by showing them the possibilities to make a difference in the world. It is such a diverse festival that lights a fire in the hearts of everyone that comes.
The spectacular grounds of Purnati Center for the Arts is just 15 minutes from Ubud Center. The open-air venue is surrounded by lush tropical nature and a sacred river. It is a beautiful space with something new to be discovered around every corner. There are hundreds of workshops and classes that take place all day long. Music playing from noon until midnight, from local Balinese ceremonies to African Tribal drums. A delicious food selection with local and international cuisines cateres for all dietary requirements. And there is a Kids Zone loved by parents and children alike.
Many different styles of yoga and movement represented at the festival have included Hatha, Vinyasa Flow, Yin, Laughter, Power, Anusara, Ashtanga, Silat, Capoeira, Poi, Qi Gong, and hula hooping. Dance styles draw from Mandala, Javanese, Balinese, Indian, and West African traditions. Each night ends with a music line up of global performers.
The BaliSpirit Festival is indeed a celebration—of the richness of culture, the sanctity of the environment, and harmony between people of all nations.
Website: balispiritfestival.com
Trust Your Intuition
Your thorough research around the different yoga festivals out there will leave your intuition telling you, “that’s the one.” Listen to your instinct; it rarely misleads you.
If you are new to the yoga festivals scene (welcome!) know that planning to join your first festival is not as difficult as you might think. Once you’ve done your research, you’ll notice that some focus on a more modern style yoga festival while others focus on a more traditional approach. Some have a beautiful blend. Whichever yoga festival, or festivals, you choose to discover this year, you should always feel free to be yourself and bring your own signature style of love and kindness ❤️.
Lori Lowell, Drishti Beats mentor, co-founder and fitness visionary, is the 2015 Julie Main Woman Leader Award recipient. She often interviews for Ask An Expert in Club Solutions Magazine, regularly appears on Club Industry, and is an accomplished E-RYT 500.