Should You Take Your 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Certification Online or In-Person?
Maybe you're drawn to studying in a beautiful retreat setting but concerned about cost and time commitment, or perhaps you're intrigued by online flexibility but worried about missing essential hands-on learning and community connection.
Here's what might surprise you: After leading both in-person and online certification programs for several years, I'm now 100% convinced that online is the superior choice for most people in most situations. And I’m saying this as someone who always been, still is, and forever will be passionate about in-person yoga experiences.
I wrote this comprehensive guide to explain my thought process. We'll examine online versus in-person yoga teacher training across 10 crucial factors - from content quality and cost to community and learning retention - so you can make the best decision for your unique goals and situation.
But before we dive into the detailed comparison of online and in-person trainings, we need to make a few very important notes:
1. Your Teacher Is The Real Key To Success (Not the Format)
At first glance, it looks like all YTTs are created equal. That's because they (almost) all follow the standards of the Yoga Alliance for RYT 200 certification. But in reality there are huge differences in quality. And the main difference between “excellent”, “okay” and “really bad” trainings is NOT the format (online vs. in-person) but the lead teacher. So the most important thing you need to do when choosing your training is to make sure that you
have full confidence in your teacher,
want to spend 200 hours listening to them, and
like their teaching style.
When you find the right guide, the question we’re discussing in this guide almost doesn’t matter anymore.
2. Education vs. Vacation
A 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training - the name says it all - is a professional certification program. The main goal of a YTT student should be to learn. You don’t necessarily have to want to teach. It makes total sense to take a 200 hour YTT to advance your personal practice or to become more yogic or to understand yoga fully.
But you have to want to LEARN.
If what you really want is to have "a good time” than that's great too! You just have to be honest with yourself because it changes everything. In this case I suggest you stop reading now, because it's fairly obvious that an in-person yoga experience in a beautiful location, together with other people who also love yoga will be much more fun than an online YTT.
In this case, the real question is if you should join a 200 Hour YTT at all. In my opinion, a yoga retreat will be the better option because it's cheaper plus you don't have to spend 8 to 10 hours per day studying stuff you don't really care about.
3. Yes, You Can Get A Job
Many people are still wondering if they can find work as a yoga teacher if they “only” take an online YTT. Let me assure you: Yes, you can. I have seen many graduates of my own training get hired by studios around the world. And I also know from personal experience as a studio manager that what people care about when hiring yoga teachers are - drumroll please! - TEACHING SKILLS.
4. The Devil Is In The Details
“Online” and “In-person” are big word-buckets. So be careful!
Some online trainings are entirely prerecorded.
Others happen live on Zoom.
Some online YTTs include both prerecorded and live elements.
Some in-person YTTs last only 21 days - which means 10 hours of study per day for 3 weeks straight.
Other trainings are spread out over a 5 weeks (good bye vacation days!)
Some trainings are divided into multiple modules (students come together for intensive periods of study with breaks in between).
And some trainings happen over the course of 10 weekends in a row.
Some in-person YTTs take place in the yoga studio around the corner.
Others require you to fly halfway around the world.
You see … this comparison of "online" and "in-person" YTTs is limited.
But still very helpful. So keep reading because we’re about to dive in now! 😊
Online vs In-Person Yoga Teacher Training: Complete Comparison
Okay, let’s do this. We’ll now go over what I think are the 10 most important YTT factors and compare the potential of online and in-person teacher trainings. To make this a fair comparison, we'll assume that you're choosing between two versions of the same training, led by the same experienced, highly knowledgeable and skillful teacher. The only difference is that one happens online, the other in-person. Which one should you choose?
Let's start with an overview and then look at the details:
Category | Online | In-Person |
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Content Quality |
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Learning |
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Personal Feedback |
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Cost |
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Convenience |
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Commitment |
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Risk |
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Setting |
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Community |
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Environmental Impact |
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1. Content Quality: Why Online YTT Often Delivers Superior Education
✅ Point goes to: Online (1:0)
The first and number one most important factor for choosing your YTT is content quality. And I firmly believe that the best online training beats the best in-person YTT. Easily! The reason is simple: Teachers are humans. And humans get tired.
When I was leading in-person trainings I had to teach many long for multiple weeks in a row. I cannot tell you how exhausted I was on the afternoon of the last day of a YTT! For my online YTT, on the other hand, I could take as much time as I wanted to prepare each and every class. So that’s what I did! I wanted to do the best job I possibly could for the sake of my students. But also because I never ever wanted to have to film the whole 200 Hour training again.
Additional considerations:
Obviously, the freshness factor only applies to prerecorded content. If your online YTT happens live on Zoom, then an in-person program by the same teacher will probably give you better content quality because we fatigue faster when staring at a screen.
In-person YTTs do have the advantage that teachers can answer student questions right away. That’s nice. But in a really good prerecorded YTT many questions won’t have to be asked because the teacher does a better job of explaining things.
Plus, your YTT time doesn’t get eaten up by questions from other students that you didn’t need an answer to because you already got the idea.
In my experience, it's fair to assume that in in-person trainings 5 minutes of every hour are "wasted" on small talk or lost because of late starts. This adds up to more than 16 training hours. The only way to get this time back is by adding 5 minutes at the end of class - which makes breaks shorter and drains batteries faster.
2. Learning & Retention: How Online Training Optimizes Your Study Experience
✅ Point goes to: Online (2:0)
Content quality answered the question Which setting is best for my teacher? This next point - Learning & Retention - is about the flip side question: Which environment is best for you as the student? Again, I think that the online YTT is the clear winner because guess what: You’re also a human. You also get tired. I can guarantee that no matter how much coffee you drink, you'll be exhausted at the end of a long training day. And even more so after 3 or 4 training weeks. And I don’t care how smart you are … you will not remember everything. And many of the concepts that you’ll learn about and grapple with in a good 200 hour YTT need to sink in.
This is where online YTTs shine!
Create the training schedule that works for you
Take breaks when your brain needs them
Expect a front row seat for every single class
Press pause to write down notes (instead of scribbling things down frantically)
Reflect for as long as you want (rather than stick to the group schedule)
Rewatch lectures whenever you want (think 3 years into the future and you know how valuable this will be)
Additional considerations:
Once again, the advantage evaporates if your online YTT happens mostly live on Zoom.
We should not overlook that good in-person YTTs create a group dynamic that you can't quite recreate online (more on this in a little bit). This is an important aspect and for some students it's a game changer. But I think it's fair to say that the advantages listed above outweigh this aspect.
3. Personal Feedback: In-Person vs Online Teaching Support
✅ Point goes to: Tie (3:1)
Let's talk about feedback and hands-on adjustments now. Most people assume that since yoga is a physical practice you'll get better feedback when you're in the room with your teacher. I was a big believer myself - until I created an online YTT. Let me explain:
Yes, it's much easier for teachers to give detailed, personal feedback to individual students in real life. Plus, it's easier for students to receive the feedback when your teacher can touch you, demonstrate something in front of you, and answer follow up questions right away.
Image Credit: Trimurti Yoga
But there is one problem which many people forget: You're not the only student in the room. The best yoga teacher trainers lead sold out YTTs with 30 to 50+ participants. As a result, they can't afford to take much time for individual feedback. When I led in person trainings I tried to give as many helpful comments as possible during classes and pose workshops. I also tried to be available after class for individual questions. But it was impossible for me to give personal feedback to every student for every pose we practiced.
The situation is totally different in online YTTs because feedback can happen asynchronously. In the Movement Wisdom 200 Hour YTT for example students can hand in 30 asana selfies (exactly what it sounds like … ) over the course of their training journey. My Teaching Assistant Hanna and I take the time to give detailed personal feedback on every single picture we receive.
So in my opinion both formats deserve a point. Giving feedback in person is still the best way to do it. But in the context of a YTT you can't expect much individual attention. Online, you can get really helpful feedback, and lots of it. But you don't have the advantage of physical touch and live demonstration.
4. Cost Comparison: Online vs In-Person YTT Investment
✅ Point goes to: Online (4:1)
When it comes to price, we don't need to beat around the bush: In-person trainings are usually a lot more expensive than online programs. I’ve seen online YTTs for anything between $200 or $4,000. And I’ve seen in-person trainings starting at $500 and going up to $10,000. So it’s pointless to try to give you a “realistic” estimate. But it’s fair to say that onilne YTTs, overall, are more affordable than in-person programs.
Additional considerations:
A really good YTT will be worth every penny! More than that, it basically pays for itself. So I wouldn’t be too focuesd on the price tag and consider the program an investment, not an expense.
Price is not necessarily a strong signal for quality. Some bad YTTs are extremly overpriced (I speak from personal experience). And some really good YTTs are extremely affordable (often because the teacher cares more about impact than money in their bank account).
5. Convenience & Flexibility: How Online Training Fits Your Life
✅ Point goes to: Online (5:1)
When it comes to convenience, once again, the point goes to online trainings. Typically, you can
Start your online YTT whenever you're ready,
Go through the course on your own timeline,
Study wherever you are in the world and whenever you want,
Put the program on hold if life gets in the way.
With in-person programs you’re tied to your teachers’ schedule and preferences. Like it or not. And if something happens - let's just say you twist your ankle on the way to the buffet (this happened to one of my students) - the group will move on without you.
Additional considerations:
Flexibility goes out the window if your training happens mostly live on Zoom.
6. Commitment & Self-Discipline Requirements
✅ Point goes to: In-person (5:2)
The flip side of flexibility is commitment. And this point clearly goes to in-person trainings which have a ton of commitment built-in. First of all, you have to go somewhere that’s not your home. So once you’re there, you’re likely to stay. And secondly, you have peer pressure. If your motivation fades away in an online training you can just close your computer screen. Done. You don't have to tell anyone that you're quitting. You just stop showing up for yourself. In an in-person program, on the other hand, you’d have to tell your teacher that you’re quitting. And other students would notice. And that feels uuuuncomfortable. 😆
Additional considerations:
Commitment isn’t necessarily a good thing. Should you really spend 200 hours of your life on a YTT you're not excited about (anymore)? Probably not. It’s like finishing a boring book just because you started it.
Because online YTTs have less lock-in, they tend to focus more heavily on positive incentives to keep you motivated.
7. Risk & Money-Back Guarantees
✅ Point goes to: Online (6:2)
The pendulum swings back when we think more about the downside of commitment, which is risk. Online trainings are the clear winner. I mean, have you ever seen an in-person program with a money back guarantee. Of course not. With in-person trainings the risks are substantial.
What if the training isn't as good as you had hoped?
What if your room is moldy?
Or the food smells like trash can?
Or you don't like your room mate?
Or you get sick a couple days before the training starts?
I've had my fair share of bad experiences as a YTT student. And from talking to hundreds of fellow yogis I know that I'm not alone. Choosing the right YTT is not easy. And so especially if you're about to join your *first* training, the option to eliminate ALL the risk is incredibly valuable.
8. Setting & Environment: The Appeal of Beautiful Locations
✅ Point goes to: In-person (6:3)
I think we all agree that taking an in-person YTT in a cool location (mountains, beach, desert, jungle …) sounds a lot more exciting than looking at your screen. This point goes to the real world teacher trainings. But there are a few important additional considerations:
An exciting setting can be a double-edged sword because it’s both inspiring and distracting. It's amazing to get out of yoga shala for a quick break between sessions and - boom - there’s the ocean! But then, after 10 minutes, you have to go back inside to study when perhaps all you want to do is go for a swim. That’s especially painful if you've sacrificed all your vacation days for the whole year to take this training.
What's more, taking a 200 Hour YTT is a golden opportunity for inner transformation. An inspiring setting can support this journey, but it's by no means necessary.
Since online YTTs are insanely flexible, you can get creative: You could, for example, book a vacation with a yoga friend and do part of your online YTT together; on your own schedule.
Finally, we all know that looks can be deceiving. The photos you see online are meant to be mouthwatering. But they only reveal what you're supposed to see. They don’t tell the whole story.
9. Community & Connection: Building Relationships in YTT
✅ Point goes to: In-person (6:4)
When you take your YTT in person, a sense of community is almost unavoidable. In online YTTs it’s totally possible to build a sense of community (especially if you’re part of a cohort from the start). But your teacher has to make it a point to create room for shared experiences. And you have to *want* to break the ice with your fellow students. And, honestly, virtual connections not as rich as in-person encounters. So this point goes to the in-person trainings.
10. Environmental Impact: The Carbon Footprint of Your Choice
✅ Point goes to: Online (7:4)
Finally, we should also consider the environmental impact of our YTT choice. I say this as somebody who has travelled around the world multiple times in order to lead and participate in yoga teacher trainings. (Mostly before you could get access to excellent yoga education on the internet. But still.) So I'm certainly not preaching from a high horse here. But let's face it: In person trainings - especially if you take a plane to get there - have a much much much bigger ecological footprint than online YTTs. So this last point goes to virtual yoga education programs.
Additional considerations:
But what if you walk to your local studio? If you walk or bike to a nearby studio, you dramatically reduce the amount of energy that's needed for you to become a yoga teacher. It's hard to make an exact calculation and compare whether streaming your YTT is still the "greener" option. Based on everything I could find, there's not a big difference.
The Final Score: Online YTTs Are The Clear Winner
Okay, we’ve compared the potential of online and in-person yoga teacher trainings across 10 key factors. All things considered, online YTTs win with a final score of 7:4. (The score adds up to 11 points because both online and in-person trainings got a point for the Feedback factor.) The result of our comparison is even more clear when you consider *which points* online YTTs got and which they didn’t get:
Online YTTs scored in the 3 factors that should be at the top of the list for *anybody* who cares about their yoga education: Content Quality, Learning & Retention, and Personal Feedback. Online YTTs also won the two factors that will make a huge difference for everybody who doesn’t have the luxury of a big bank account: Price and Risk.
The only three points where in-person trainings beat their online counterparts Setting, Commitment and Community. These factors may or may not feel very relevant for you. The setting becomes super relevant if you want to combine YTT and vacation. The commitment factor is relevant if you are not actually that motivated and/or you know that you get distracted easily. Finally, your training community is relevant if you want to emphasize the shared experience; which is for sure a beautiful thing but not essential for your education (plus you can also find it at your local studio or during a retreat).
My Recommendation For You
If you had asked me for a YTT recommendation before the COVID Pandemic I would have told you that in-person is the way to go. But I’ve changed my mind. Today I think that online YTTs are the better choice for most people in most situations. I recommend that you find a comprehensive online YTT with a capable teacher who you resonate with, and a money-back guarantee.
You’ll get better content.
Learn more.
Keep your training for life.
Be less stressed.
Pay less money.
Eliminate all risk.
And meet fellow yoga nerds from around the world.
Hot To Get The Best Of Both Worlds
If you don’t want to miss out on setting and/or if you’re scared that you won’t get through the training alone, I suggest that you find a real-world YTT partner. Just ask around among your yoga buddies or pitch the idea to one of your friends. Make each other a promise that you’ll do this course together. And then include a vacation or several weekend excursions to beautiful locations and do your online YTT together while you’re there. This way you get all the benefits of online YTTs and in-person trainings.
When You Should Choose To Do Your YTT In-Person
There are only two situations when I would recommend that you go for an in-person program:
1. Your teacher of choice only offers in-person trainings. Remember the teacher-trumps-everything rule from the top. If the teacher you want to study with only offers in-person programs and you can afford to join plus make the time for the course, then go for it. Format is less important than teacher.
2. There’s an in-person training with a teacher you love and it happens around the corner from where you live, on a schedule that suits you perfectly, and comes with a money back guarantee. In that case … why not?! You’ll miss out on lifetime access, and you’ll have to share your teacher with other students … but you’ll get the community benefit and the built-in commitment in exchange.
Otherwise, I honestly believe that an excellent online YTT with a teacher you like gives you the biggest bang you can get for your buck.
Okay, I hope this comparison of online and in-person trainings was helpful to you!
Lots of love
❤️ Jess