4 min read
What Is Yoga Teacher Training (and Who Is It For)?
A clear guide to the 200-hour YTT: what you study, who it's for and what an online course looks like.
Written by
Carrie Froggett
Published on
Yoga teacher training (YTT) is a structured course that takes you beneath the asana iceberg! Most people know yoga as the fancy (or not-so-fancy) postures we see, but this is just the tip of the 'yoga iceberg.' And beneath the surface is SO much more! A YTT is usually 200 hours, and it teaches the foundations of yoga: its history and philosophy, the postures, anatomy, and how to teach. You don't have to want to teach to do the course. Many people take YTT simply to deepen their own practice.
If you're thinking about doing your yoga teacher training, you probably have some questions. Which is good. Picking a YTT is a big step, and so you need to do your research. After teaching YTT year after year, I get a lot of questions. Here are 3 of the most prominent ones I'm asked. I answer all three in this short video, and in more detail below.
Thinking about YTT? Join our free online open evening on Thursday 3 December → register here.
What is YTT?
YTT is a foundation course in yoga, most commonly 200 hours long. The modern 200-hour format took shape in the late 1990s and is now the standard starting point for anyone who wants to teach, or simply study yoga in depth.
A 200-hour YTT typically covers:
History: where yoga comes from and how it has evolved
Philosophy: the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and other texts such as the Bhagavad Gita
Postures (asana): a wide range of poses, and how each works on different bodies
Anatomy and physiology: body systems including the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and nervous systems
Teaching skills: the science of sharing and teaching, building confidence and finding your voice
The more subtle stuff: energy, the chakras, breath and meditation
Who is yoga teacher training for?
YTT is for anyone with a regular yoga practice who wants to understand it more deeply. That includes people who never plan to teach. You don't need to be flexible, advanced or able to do a handstand.
People usually come to YTT for one of these reasons:
To deepen their own practice and understand why we practise the way we do
To become a yoga teacher, whether full-time, part-time, or alongside another job, or just for friends & family!
To bring yoga into their existing work, for example as a therapist, coach, nurse, teacher or fitness professional
For personal growth: time, focus and a community during a busy or changing chapter of life
Here at The Frog Project, so many different people from different walks of life do our YTT, and benefit so much from it. Meet Ruth and Cath – two friends from Wales. They took the course to learn more about yoga, with no intention of ever teaching. Two years later they teach a weekly class at their local U3A, share workshops and have even started some light resistance training with the group!
I did the course with my good friend, Cath, out of general interest, particularly in yoga philosophy. Despite having absolutely no intention of teaching whatsoever we have co-taught a weekly Friday U3A yoga class for over 2 years. We have also run 2 day retreats and many workshops on yoga philosophy, breathing techniques etc. More recently, we have offered resistance band sessions for building strength. I think it is fair to say that the YTT is one of the best things that I have ever done and has been, literally, life-changing.
Ruth, 2024 graduate
What does our online YTT look like?
Our 200-hour online yoga teacher training runs over 16 teaching weeks (it spans 4 modules and has breaks in between to catch your breath!), starting in January 2027. It's designed to fit around work, family and everyday life.
What it involves | |
|---|---|
Live sessions | One live 3-hour session every Thursday evening, with real-time feedback on your practice and postures |
Self-paced learning | Short 10–15 minute videos you can watch whenever suits you |
Modules | Philosophy and psychology; anatomy and physiology; the subtle stuff like energy, the chakras, breath and meditation; and the science of sharing and teaching |
Certification | 200-hour Yoga Alliance certified training |
Price | £2,200, or £1,997 early bird until 13 December 2026 (payment plans available) |
Because you learn while living your normal life, the practices become part of your everyday routine rather than something separate. That's one of the biggest differences between online and retreat-style training.
Come and see for yourself. At our free online open evening on Thursday 3 December, you'll see how the course works, hear from a past trainee and ask any questions. Open evening attendees also get our lowest price of the year → save your spot.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be advanced to do yoga teacher training?
No. You need a regular practice and curiosity, not advanced poses or flexibility. A good YTT meets you where you are.
Do I have to teach after yoga teacher training?
No. Many people do YTT purely to deepen their own practice. Teaching is an option, not a requirement.
How long does a 200-hour yoga teacher training take?
It depends on the format. Intensive retreats take around 3–4 weeks; part-time online courses like ours run over 16 weeks, with one live session a week.
How much time does online YTT take each week?
On our course, it's one live 3-hour session on Thursday evenings plus short 10–15 minute self-paced videos. Give yourself around 8 hours a week.
How much does yoga teacher training cost?
Our 200-hour online YTT costs £2,200, or £1,997 with the early bird until 13 December 2026. Online training is often more affordable than retreats because there are no flights or accommodation to pay for.
Is online yoga teacher training as good as in-person?
A well-run online course with live teaching and real-time feedback can be just as thorough, and it lets you apply what you learn in everyday life. Check for live sessions, testimonials and a free taster before you choose.
When does your next YTT start?
January 2027. Come to our free online open evening on Thursday 3 December to find out more.
Are you ready to take the next step?
At The Frog Project, we've crafted our 200-hour online teacher training to honour both yoga's ancient wisdom and modern life's realities. Our 16-week format allows for true integration while building genuine connection with teachers and fellow students. Discover how our approach could support your yoga journey here.
Our next 200-hour Yoga Alliance certified teacher training starts in January 2027 and runs live online over 16 weeks.
Course fee: £2,200
Early bird: £1,997 if you book by Sunday 13th December
Come and say hello first: join me online for our teacher training open evening on Thursday 3rd December at 7.30pm–9pm UK time. Bring a cuppa, and I'll tell you all about the course and answer every question you've got.
Find out more and book your place →
Keep reading
200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training
Yoga Alliance certified and part-time over 16 teaching weeks, with teaching practice from week one. Our next training starts in January 2027.
