Hello, yoga enthusiasts! Have you ever witnessed an experienced yoga teacher effortlessly guiding a class, their voice soothing and calm, connecting detailed movements with great knowledge? Or have you experienced that “aha” moment in your own practice when something just clicks, connecting you at a deeper level to both body and mind?
If you have ever gone through imparting the magic of yoga to others or deepening your own practice to greater heights, you might have come across the terms “RYT 200” and “E-RYT 200.” But these acronyms are no more than milestones on the journey of a yoga teacher.
In this blog post, we will demystify RYT 200 and E-RYT 200 as we discover what they are all about, what they entail, and how they help propel you on the ultimate road to being the best possible yoga teacher (or practitioner).
Now, brew yourself a cup of tea, settle down, and join me in the dive!
What is RYT 200?
Well, let’s define this acronym first. RYT means “Registered Yoga Teacher, and he is a Registered Yoga Teacher who has undergone at least 200 hour yoga teacher training course. This is what you could call a yoga driver’s license—a basic certification attesting to your knowledge and skills to train others well and safely through their yoga journey.
An RYT 200 (Registered Yoga Teacher) program is a dive into the world of yoga. You will dive into subjects such as:
- Asana (postures): You will learn alignment postures for your own body, benefits, and particular information about their correct forms and modifications.
- Pranayama (breathwork): You’ll find the power of your breath in this section! You’ll learn different techniques of breathing and how to manage it to promote greater depth in your practice and help to manage stress.
- Meditation: You’ll explore techniques of meditation, cultivate mindfulness, and learn to guide people into a meditative state.
- Yoga Philosophy: Explore the origins and key concepts of karma and reincarnation, the ancient teaching values in modern life, and the vast subject of yoga philosophy.
- Anatomy and Physiology: Look in-depth at how the human body operates with musculoskeletal tissues and how it relates to yoga practice.
- Teaching methodology: This is where the real magic happens—I will teach you interactive techniques of teaching in the safe and inclusive environment and give clear and concise instructions.
- Ethics and professionalism: You’ll explore ethical considerations while teaching yoga, such as boundaries, confidentiality, and how to build a sustainable and ethical teaching practice.
However, RYT 200 is not only meant to prepare one for teaching. It’s the inward journey that will make for an improved practice.
Deepening Your Journey: You will get a deeper view into the “why” for each pose and breath, and this is to use in your personal practice.
- An Empowering Foundation: You will build a strong capability for yoga knowledge that’ll hold you in stead for more years of practice on and off the mats.
- Build Teaching Skills: Be it for teaching or non-teaching purposes, the communication and people skills that come into play during the training are invaluable in any walk of life.
- Open Opportunities: You may be a source of opportunism by virtue of your RYT 200 in studios, gyms, and your own community.
- Build Confidence and Self-Awareness: The capacity to learn to teach and share will empower you with personal confidence and a deeply founded sense of “self” with respect to a relationship of interpersonal connection with the world.
There you are; a gist of what RYT 200 is like. It presents its positives as much as it does challenges; the hard journey will add spice to your yoga practice and life.
What is E-RYT 200?
Thus, we have E-RYT 200. The designation means “Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher,” and this certification is an important milestone in acknowledging those who have dedicated themselves to the ancient art and science of yoga teaching.
Whereas RYT 200 is more of an entry-level program, E-RYT 200 is more advanced. It gives good recognition to your experience and contribution to the yoga community.
To become an E-RYT 200, you need to meet a few key requirements:
- Keep your RYT 200: You must have a current active RYT 200 certification.
- Log Those Teaching Hours: By clocking in a minimum of 1000 hours of actual teaching, you show your dedication and hands-on application of your yoga credentials.
- Continuing Education: This continues your growth and evolution as a teacher, as continuing education credits must be accumulated.
So, why go for the E-RYT 200?
- Doctorate in Yoga: This instantly confers extensive professional credibility on you within the yoga community and says to your potential students and employers that you are a tried-and-tested teacher.
- E-RYT 200 offers many advantages. It can increase your chances of getting hired as a teacher. Many accredited studios and organizations will give preference to hiring more seasoned teachers with higher certifications.
- Get to Advanced Learning: E-RYT 200 gives you access to certain training, workshops, and retreats typically not available to standard RYT 200 credentials.
- Receive More Recognition: E-RYT 200 is a badge that brings a great deal of recognition and respect within the yoga community. It is a symbol of your devotion and steadfastness to the teaching craft.
With E-RYT 200, the entire process thus becomes a marathon and not a sprint. Dedication, perseverance, and a business-like seriousness about teaching are the hallmarks of this stature. But the rewards are enormous: affirmation of your growth as a teacher and the promise of providing structure and quality yoga instruction for your students.
Choosing the Right Certification Path
Now, you have chosen to set out on this amazing journey, but the biggest question still looms: “Which path is right for me?”
Those forgoing straight into the RYT 200 program versus going for the E-RYT 200 eventually need some serious self-introspection. Here are a few good questions to consider:
- What do you want to achieve? Is it a full-time teaching post at an esteemed studio, community service whereby you teach yoga, or is it self-exploration? This will shape your decisions.
- What is your teaching style? Would you like to teach dynamic vinyasa flow, gentle restorative yoga, or something heretofore? Different programs endorse different teaching styles and philosophies.
- Time and Financial Considerations: RYT 200 programs typically require a considerable time commitment. So be honest with yourself about how much time you are able to give to your studies. Also, consider what the financial investment will be and draw up a budget that makes sense for you.
- Learning Style Preferences: In-Person vs. Online? Some people find that they learn best when they are in a structured classroom setting, whereas others like the flexibility to learn on their own at their own pace, as online courses allow. Some need hands-on practice; others prefer the self-paced nature of online courses and require flexibility.
- School Reputation and Vibe: Research other schools on the internet and read the reviews of past students. Again, what you are looking for here is the school’s teaching philosophy, the experience level of the lead instructors, and the feel, or rather “vibe,” of the program. Does it resonate with you?
Finding the Right RYT 200 Program
Once you have considered these factors, it’s time to begin looking for your RYT 200 program. Here are some tips:
- Dig Deep into School Research: Look for accredited yoga schools like Baliyogshala and carefully look at the curriculum offered, teacher bios, and the schedules given for courses.
- Read Those Reviews: Don’t just take the school at its word! Go through reviews from former students to get real-world perspectives of their experiences.
- Meet the Teachers: Schedule interviews with teachers you are considering. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, get a feel for their teaching style, and see if you connect with them.
- Take the Vibe Test: If you can, visit the school and sit in on a class. This really gives you a chance to feel the school’s energy and experience its teaching style.
While locking in on a perfect RYT 200 program is different for every aspiring yoga teacher, be discerning in your choice while listening to your gut. Choose a program that aligns with your values, your learning styles, and the goals you established at the beginning.
The Importance of Continuing Education
Okay, now let’s talk about something really serious: continuing education. Just like you would never stop learning after getting a driver’s license, your practice of yoga should never end with your RYT 200.
Think about the fact that yoga is an evolution. With new research emerging and new styles coming forth, it’s an unfolding meditation on your understanding deepening every class, every breath, every moment on the mat. Continuing education is really not just about maintaining certification, important as that is, but an opportunity to love learning, inspiration, and deeper connection to yoga.
Reasons why continuing education is valuable:
Stay Fresh & Current: The continually evolving landscape of yoga provides an opportunity for more prestigious research, styles, and approaches. Continuing education helps you stay up-to-date on all of this while keeping your teaching motivating and engaging.
- Expand Your Teaching Scope: Whether you want to specialize in prenatal yoga, teach to our elder population, or explore something different like Yin Yoga, continuing education provides the forum to contribute to your skill set, offering a much broader array of classes to your students.
- Deepen Your Learning: Workshops, retreats, and online courses allow you to dive deeper into specific areas of yoga, anatomy, philosophy, or meditation, and that deeper understanding will only serve to add to your practice and your ability to guide.
- Keep Your Certification Current: Several yoga organizations will grant you a certain number of credits that you require or need for you to maintain your RYT certification.
- Keep Yourself Inspired: Let’s face it, some days teaching just feels plain ordinary. Continuing education will serve to ignite your passion towards yoga, bring you to connect with other insightful teachers, and once again highlight the joys and beauties of yoga. .
So, how do you keep learning?
- Workshops and Retreats: Join interactive workshops and retreats guided by experienced teachers. These provide practical training and other opportunities for personal growth.
- Online Courses and Webinars: There are many avenues through which continuing education can be pursued online, like short courses on particular subjects to deep online trainings.
- Mentorship: Each one of you will be paired with an instructor-mentor from whom you will select one mentor, who will offer you outreach with personalized guidance, support, and feedback on your teaching.
- Read, Reflect, Grow: Vicariously appreciate yoga books, articles, and blogs through their portals. Digest your experience of teaching and search for growth opportunities.
Continuing education is not simply ticking off boxes; it implies ongoing commitment to personal and professional growth. Love that journey, keep your mind open, and never stop learning; dare to be a student, becoming ever wise.
Conclusion
So, there you go—a look into the world of RYT 200 and E-RYT 200. Whether you are just beginning your yoga journey or you are a well-practiced individual willing to deepen some of that knowledge to share your realization with others, these certifications offer their own unique path of growth and transformation.
The journey of becoming a yoga teacher (or even just deepening your own practice) is a very personal one. It, therefore, doesn’t hold an absolute set of answers or a right or wrong path. Just follow your gut instincts, let your heart guide you, and choose what feels most authentic.
Ready to take the leap? Come explore our RYT 200 program with us and experience, firsthand, the transformative powers of yoga. Our experienced teachers cannot wait to meet you and share their wisdom on your journey.
We really can’t wait to see you!