Five educational categories are required with a minimum number of hours of study for each category, plus additional hours of study decided by the school. 

 

Techniques Training/Practice (100 hours)

75 contact hours; 50 with primary E-RYTs

 

Includes asanas, pranayamas, kriyas, chanting, mantra, meditation and other traditional yoga techniques.

These hours must be a mix between: 1) analytical training in how to teach and practice the techniques and 2) guided practice of the techniques themselves. Both areas must receive substantial emphasis.

 

Note: contact hours in this category must be in a dedicated yoga teacher training environment

(into which others might occasionally be invited) rather than in classes intended for the general public. 

 

Teaching Methodology (25 hours)

15 contact hours; 10 with primary E-RYTs

 

Communication skills such as group dynamics, time management, and the establishment of priorities and boundaries, how to address the specific needs of individuals and special populations, to the degree possible in a group setting, principles of demonstration, observation, assisting and correcting, teaching styles, qualities of a teacher, the student learning process, and the business aspects of teaching yoga.

 

Business aspects of teaching yoga, communication skills, working with students with special health conditions in a group setting and addressing key elements to conducting a safe, beneficial and enjoyable class.

 

Note: a maximum of five of the above hours can be counted on the subject of  business aspects of teaching yoga.

 

Anatomy and Physiology (20 hours)

10 contact hours; 0 with primary E-RYTs

 

Includes both human physical anatomy and physiology (bodily systems, organs, etc.) and energy anatomy and physiology (chakras, nadis, etc.). Includes both the study of the subject and application of its principles to yoga practice (benefits, contraindications, healthy movement patterns, etc).

 

Note: a minimum of five hours must be spent applying anatomy and physiology principles to yoga. 

 

Yoga Philosophy, Lifestyle and Ethics for Yoga Teachers (30 hours)

20 contact hours; 0 with primary E-RYTs

 

The study of yoga philosophies and traditional texts, such as the Yoga Sutras and Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Yoga lifestyle, such as the precept of non-violence (ahimsa), and the concepts of dharma and karma

Ethics for yoga teachers, such as those involving teacher – student relationships and community

Understanding the value of teaching yoga as a service and being of service to others (seva).

 

Note: A minimum of two contact hours must be spent on ethics for yoga teachers.

 

Practicum (10 hours)

5 contact hours; 5 with primary E-RYTs

 

Includes practice teaching, giving and receiving feedback, observing others teaching, and assisting students while someone else is teaching.

 

Note: each trainee must spend a minimum of 5 contact hours of practice teaching as the lead instructor. Practice teaching does not include assisting, observing or giving feedback.

 

Remaining Contact Hours and Elective Hours 

 

The requirements detailed above ensure that all trainees of a RYS receive training and instruction in five educational categories for a minimum number of designated hours. The remaining contact hours (55 hours) and elective hours (15 hours, either contact or non-contact) are to be distributed among the five educational categories, but the hours may be allocated at the discretion of each RYS based on their program’s focus.

 

Total: 200 hours

Total Contact Hours: 180

Total Minimum ContactHours with Lead Trainer(s): 65 hours