YAI Standards

Yoga Alliance International® sets standards that intend to regulate the Yoga sector and support the integrity of all Certified Yoga Teachers and Certified Yoga Schools.Yoga Alliance International® certifies yoga teachers from all traditions and yoga schools whose training programs meet international standards, giving a great foundation to all members in the competitive field that Yoga has become nowadays.

A Yoga Alliance International certified teacher or certified school, may use the acronym YAI-CYT® / CYS® (Yoga Alliance International Certified Yoga Teacher or School) after their name.

01. PRENATAL YOGA TEACHERS

To register with Yoga Alliance International as a Prenatal Yoga Teacher you must have completed as part of your curriculum or as an additional component of the 200hr-500hr or above existing qualification the following training hours:
General Background in the Specialty Area (7 hours) 7 contact hours
Pathologies of pregnancy,yoga therapeutic and alternative healing options. Understanding the yoga teachers relationship with childbirth educators, midwives, nurses. Knowing when to suggest that the student consult a health care professional regarding pregnancy issues. How to distinguish between high-risk and non-high-risk pregnancy.The physiological, emotional, and social considerations of childbearing and parenting giving support to mothers, assisting mother-infant bonding and fostering community among new mothers and parents.
Techniques Training/Practice (20 hours) 20 contact hours
Appropriate asanas and pranayama, class observation and sequencing, childbirth preparation exercises, contraindicated poses, dealing with problem areas associated with pregnancy, yoga therapeutics for pregnancy, a prenatal yoga teacher”s responsibilities. Techniques include: alignment for the expectant mother, appropriate yoga techniques for each trimester, how to practice yoga techniques safely and relaxation and stress management techniques. Sequencing a prenatal class.Observation and teaching in prenatal yoga classes. Contraindication for practice.
Teaching Methodology (15 hours) 15 contact hours
Plan a progressive programme of Yoga for expectant mothers,plan yoga class,plan a detailed lesson for the beginning and/or advanced student during each trimester.
Anatomy and Physiology (8 hours) 8 contact hours
Anatomy and Physiology of pregnancy and birth, and the postpartum, how organs function during pregnancy, overview of the complications, including miscarriage, premature labor, hypertension, preeclampsia and biomechanics.
Yoga Philosophy, Lifestyle and Ethics for Prenatal Yoga Teachers (5 hours) 5 contact hours
Includes Medical and holistic models of care,traditional yoga philosophy as it may apply to lifestyle and well-being during pregnancy.
Practicum (10 hours) 10 teaching Total: 65 hours

02. CHILDRENS YOGA TEACHERS

To register with Yoga Alliance International as a Children’s Yoga Teacher you must have completed as part of your curriculum or as an additional component of the 200hr-500hr or above existing qualification the following training hours: General Background in the Specialty Area (10 hours) 10 contact hours

Yoga fundamentals:Yoga and meditation and how to present them to kids. The study and understanding of all childhood developmental stages from age 2-16 and what is appropriate for teaching them.Principles of traditional yoga themes, poses, games, partner yoga, breathing exercises and relaxation techniques. Age appropriate application along with specific “do’s” and “do not’s” for yoga with children. Behaviour management techniques that support a positive, non-competitive environment.

Techniques Training/Practice (20 hours) 20 contact hours Breathing techniques to calm, energize, and balance the nervous system, specific exercises to help kids transition between activities, yoga-based practices appropriate for child development and age, asanas, asana-based movement, breathing techniques, meditation and relaxation techniques..

Teaching Methodology (10 hours) 15 contact hours Includes knowledge of classroom techniques, how to lesson plan, sequence and lead fun, creative and educational yoga classes.Ideas for incorporating art, music, books. Age-appropriate teaching skills for yoga class techniques (including effective communication skills). Developing a yoga class that is fun, safe, effective and engaging.How to make yoga philosophy accessible to teens.

Anatomy and Physiology (8 hours) 10 contact hours Anatomy and physiology related to changes during child development. Application of yoga techniques for children age 2-16.Study of anatomy and physiology and application of its principles to yoga practice (benefits, contraindications, correct movements).

Yoga Philosophy, Lifestyle & Ethics for Children?s Yoga Teachers (12 hours) 12 contact hours Basic yoga principles as they relate to children age 2-16.

Teaching children principles of yoga (Yamas, Niyamas, non-violence and karma yoga). Health and Safety guidelines whilst teaching children.

Ethical behavior requirements as related to supervision and working with children. Basics of ethical language and behavior, both when parents or guardians are present and when they are not. Total: 60 hours

03. 200 – LEVEL YTT PROGRAM

Techniques Training/Practice (total 140 hours) 100 contact hours, 40 with Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher. Training in the techniques and practice of: Asanas, pranayamas,meditation, kriyas, chanting, mantra.
Note: Contact hours in this category must be spent teaching in a yoga setting.

Teaching Methodology (total 20 hours) 10 contact hours, 10 with Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher. Principles of demonstration, observation, assisting/correcting, instruction, teaching styles, qualities of a teacher, and the student’s process of learning.

Anatomy and Physiology (total 20 hours) 10 contact hours. Anatomy/Physiology/Biomechanics of Yoga including Exercise and Fitness Knowledge Components of Physical Fitness, Energy system,contraindications, movement patterns. A minimum of 8 hours must be spent applying anatomy and physiology principles to yoga.

Practicum Teaching (total 20 hours) 10 contact hours with Experience Yoga Teacher. Student teaching as well as observing and assisting in classes taught by others. Hours may be a combination of supervised and unsupervised.

Yoga Philosophy/Lifestyle and Ethics for Yoga Teachers (20 hours) 20 contact hours Includes the study of yoga philosophies, yoga lifestyle, and ethics for yoga teachers, yogic liefestyle. A minimum of 8 contact hours must be spent on ethics for yoga teachers.

Electives (30 hours) May be contact or non-contact hours distributed among educational categories according to the school?s yoga tradition and style.

Total contact hours 150

04. 500 – LEVEL YTT PROGRAM

Techniques (225 hours) 120 contact hours with Experienced Yoga Teacher Training in the techniques and practice of: Asanas, pranayamas, meditation, kriyas, chanting, mantra. Note: Contact hours in this category must be spent teaching in a yoga setting.

Teaching Methodology (40 hours) 25 contact hours with Experienced Teacher Principles of demonstration, observation, assisting/correcting, instruction, teaching styles, qualities of a teacher, and the student’s process of learning, business aspect of yoga,

Anatomy and Physiology (50 hours) 30 contact hours with experienced Teacher Anatomy and Physiology and astral/energy/subtle Anatomy and Physiology, benefits of asanas, contraindications. 20 hours must be spent applying anatomy and physiology principles to yoga.

Psychology and Spirituality (50 hours) 20 contact hours with Experienced Teachers Psychology and Spiritulity (Chitta, Manas, Buddhi, Ahamkara, Alayavjnana, Smriti, Samskaras, Vasanas , Koshas and chakras, marmas, nadis, etc).

Philosophy/Ethics/Lifestyle (75 hours) 25 contact hours Study of Yoga Scriptures (Yoga Sutras, Patanjali,Bhagavad Gita, etc.), ethics for the yoga teacher).Yogic lifestyle.

Practicum (60 hours) 30 contact hours Includes practice teaching, receiving feedback, observing others teaching and giving feedback. Also includes assisting students while someone else is teaching A minimum of 25 contact hours must be spent actively teaching (not assisting or observing others teach).

Electives hours: 160 May be contact or non-contact hours distributed among educational categories according to the school?s yoga tradition and style.

Total hours 500- Contact Hours 440