Attaining yoga certification through an intensive yoga teacher training offers multiple benefits. Not only do you earn your certification in a short period of time, but you also open up the opportunity to study yoga in another country or region, and possibly have a life-changing experience for a few weeks.
Transformational Yoga Experience

Living at an ashram in India for a month in order to earn a yoga certification is an incredible opportunity and experience. You will learn yoga techniques in an environment where yoga has a long and rich history. But even if you don't go abroad for an intensive yoga teacher training course, the format of earning a certification in 30 days is one that affords opportunities to meet new people, consider new perspectives, and truly focus on yoga 24-hours a day. While year-long or nine-month yoga teacher trainings offer the chance for new skills and ideas to sink in over the course of the week between classes, being immersed in yoga seven days a week can be an eye-opening experience.

Intensive Yoga Teacher Training in the U.S.

5th Element Yoga: Located in Arizona and inspired by the Bihar School of Yoga in India, this school specializes in not only traditional yoga, but also a yoga lifestyle. During intensive trainings, vegetarian and tridoshic meals are included in the cost of tuition, as are accommodation fees. Students can choose two different intensive formats, both of which can be completed in a 30-day time period. The cost of the program is between $2,600 and $2,800 depending on the format chosen; everything is included except travel to and from the center and your own personal clothing and necessary items.

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres: With training locations in several U.S. states, as well as Canada and several other countries, this large organization has been training yoga teachers in the traditional Indian style since the first centre was opened in Montreal in 1959. Sivananda yoga teacher trainings are available at 200- and 500-hour certification levels, and feature a broad range of yoga skills and practices. Students are immersed in a yogic lifestyle for 30 days and will experience the effects of meditation, prayer, and a healthy diet in addition to the course elements of asana, pranayama and teaching skills. Prices range from $1,800 (dorm accommodation in India) to 4,000 Euros for a private room in some European locations. Prices for trainings in the U.S. range from $2,400 (tent accommodations) to $3,900 (single room).

Yoga Teacher Intensives Abroad

Yandara Yoga Institute: Located in a beautiful ocean-front region of Mexico, this yoga institute offers an ideal setting for two different yoga certification programs. The 26-day training costs just under $3,000, while a 16-day version is also offered, and costs $300 less than the longer training. During these intensives, students will learn and practice all of the elements required by the Yoga Alliance for 200-hour yoga teacher certification. With classes often taught outdoors, and the beaches offering excellent meditation opportunities, this teacher training is as appealing as it is valuable for learning everything you need to know to start teaching yoga.

Yoga Bound: An intensive course in Bali, Indonesia, this program offers intensive daily practice of yoga and 200-hour certification upon completion of the program. The course is sponsored by an American yoga studio based in Tampa, Florida, but for this program, U.S. teachers travel to Bali, and stay on the training premises with the students for the duration of the program. A comprehensive program in an inspiring setting, this training costs $3,500 and has a discount for early registration.

Attaining Yoga Teacher Certification

All of the programs mentioned in this article are certified by the Yoga Alliance, which means that upon successful completion of one of these programs, you can become a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with the Yoga Alliance. This designation, though not required, will help you to find a job as an instructor or will provide credibility to your studio if you plan to start teaching yoga independently. Regardless of your teaching goals for the future, an intensive yoga teacher training certification course is a great way to start your career as a yoga instructor.