If you haven’t picked up on it, we’re pretty stoked about Ashtanga-Vinyasa yoga over here! Training in Ashtanga, compared to Hatha or other yoga styles, will give you a leg up as a yoga teacher and a sturdy personal practice to last a lifetime. So, you’re on board, but which is the best Ashtanga course out there?
We’ve done the legwork and selected 8 of the top Yoga Alliance certified 200 hour Ashtanga-Vinyasa yoga teacher trainings from all corners of the globe. Whether you’re dreaming of practicing in Europe, Central America, or Asia, we’ve got your back.
Get ready to push your limits, work up a sweat (there’s no denying Ashtanga’s reputation as a demanding exercise!), and plunge headfirst into a life-changing experience. This handpicked line-up of the world’s top 8 200-hour Ashtanga-Vinyasa yoga teacher trainings will fuel, exhilarate, and awaken your inner glow. Buckle up, and let the adventure take flight!
| S.no. | School | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | All Yoga | USD 3150 | Bali or Thailand |
| 2. | Alpha Yoga School | £2762 | Greece |
| 3. | Doron Yoga School | £2994 | Guatemala |
| 4. | Tribe Yoga | £2337 | Sri Lanka |
| 5. | Devvrat Yoga Sangha | £1069 | India |
| 6. | Wild Warrior Yoga | £2385 | Spain |
| 7. | Pokhara Yoga School | £972 | Nepal |
| 8. | Drishti Yoga School | £890 | India |
1. All Yoga in Bali & Thailand, Ashtanga yoga teacher training
Since 2009, All Yoga has been renowned for its comprehensive Ashtanga yoga teacher training in Bali and Thailand. This result-based yoga teacher training has been time-tested, creating some of the best teachers in the industry. The training, limited to 20-22 students per course to ensure quality and a conducive learning environment, combines the Ashtanga Vinyasa method with a creative sequencing approach used in Vinyasa. Over 2300 graduates have placed their trust in All Yoga’s program, which offers a profound understanding of functional anatomy, breath work, and energetic elements within each pose.
All Yoga’s popular 200 hour yoga teacher training course is based on the Ashtanga Primary Series. The yoga course equips the participants to confidently lead a modified Ashtanga class, suitable for all levels, and provide modifications for students with injuries or physical limitations. It involves theoretical modules including yoga anatomy, philosophy, history of Indian yogic culture including study of Patanjali’s yoga sutras, and sequencing. This hands-on approach also covers the art of adjustments, introduction to yoga chikitsa (yoga therapy), key pose alignments, usage of basic props, and the business side of yoga, such as marketing, pricing, and time management. Students also get the opportunity to try out various yoga styles like Vinyasa, Yin, and Rocket Yoga (which includes elements of the intermediate series in Ashtanga).
The 23-day training program at All Yoga follows a well-rounded schedule, with each day beginning with kriyas, breathwork, and meditation sessions. This holistic approach is followed by dynamic asana sessions, lectures, and experience in leading flows under the guidance of highly experienced instructors. This comprehensive yoga certification course includes specialized workshops to enhance your practice. You will gain a deeper understanding of the roots and essence of yoga through the philosophy sessions led by the renowned guest teacher, Dr. Ganesh. Moreover, the anatomy sessions provide insights into how yoga affects our physiology.
The course also allows time for relaxation with optional activities like snorkeling, surfing, or simply unwinding with a massage. The final exam involves leading a fellow peer through a modified version of the primary series of ashtanga yoga. The All Yoga Ashtanga teacher training experience empowers, inspires, and leaves a lasting impact, making it a perfect choice for those eager to share their love for this discipline.
School: All Yoga Training
Location: Bali and Thailand
Length: 23 days
Price: £3182
2. Alpha Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training School, Greece
Alpha Yoga School’s 200-hour Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training in Greece is more than just a stepping stone to becoming a yoga instructor. It’s a foundational training, perfect for serious yogis looking to deepen their practice, learn about yoga’s true meaning, and possibly teach yoga. They also welcome existing teachers seeking to broaden their understanding of ashtanga. Focusing on the Ashtanga method, participants will acquire a sturdy physical practice that opens, strengthens, and purifies the body while providing a meditative, moving experience.
The program is streamlined to foster a laser-like focus on essential Ashtanga and Vinyasa elements, avoiding distractions like acro-yoga, chair yoga, or cacao ceremonies. You’ll split your time between Ashtanga and Vinyasa, practicing three classes of each type per week. These morning live sessions complement the theory explored in module on pedagogy. By the end of this course, you’ll deepen your ashtanga practice (including learning the Sanskrit name for each pose), enhance physical awareness, and learn essential sequencing principles for creating your own flow classes. Participants will get hands-on experience leading sessions, planning, and receiving constructive feedback from other students and instructors.
More than just asanas, the Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training delves into anatomy, examining more than 51 postures and their correct, safe positioning. You’ll familiarize yourself with common misalignments and modifications for advanced poses, benefiting your practice and teaching journey. The course further explores yoga’s roots (looking at texts such as the Bhagavad Gita), significance, ethics, and applications in daily life. Open to all yogis, regardless of injuries or health conditions, the course welcomes anyone with an open mind and a sincere desire to learn.
School: Alpha Yoga School
Location: Greece
Length: 22 days
Price: £2762
3. Doron Yoga School, Guatemala
The Doron Yoga Ashtanga Teacher Training Program promises to be a life-altering, growth-filled, and transformational experience. This holistic approach to yoga (and life in general) merges meditation, pranayama, yoga asana, nutrition, Ayurveda, philosophy, and energy work for a balanced, wholesome life. The all-inclusive pricing includes three nutritious vegetarian meals a day and accommodations in eco-friendly housing. The curriculum is grounded in Krishnamacharya’s teachings, particularly from the Ashtanga yoga system, enriched with insights from various yoga and Buddhist traditions. It’s more than just learning the Ashtanga primary series; it’s about mastering a sustainable practice.
ons and modifications iThe program offers a well-structured sequence-building approach, with 19 building blocks, each offering a variety of poses. This gives a solid structure that maintains class balance but allows flexibility to adapt to various levels or just for fun. It strikes a balance between a strong yang practice (movement combined with mental focus and breath), and moments of deep, still stretching. Key topics covered include the history of yoga, understanding different yoga schools, applied anatomy, variations and modifications in asanas, breathwork, energy centers, Ayurveda, and teaching skills, among others.
Not just a teacher training program, it’s a personal journey ideal for anyone involved in self-enquiry. Whether or not you plan to become a teacher, it’s an opportunity to increase self-awareness and deepen your relationship with your practice. For those wishing to teach, the program acknowledges that the ability to inspire others comes from your genuine passion for the subject, the depth of your understanding, and your capacity to communicate it to your students. This course cultivates these skills, preparing you to contribute meaningfully to the yoga community through your offerings. It also comes with a few bonuses, including a fire ceremony night, Zen dance, and various meditations.
School: Doron Yoga School
Location: Guatemala
Length: 21 days
Price: £2994
4. Tribe Yoga, Sri Lanka
Tribe Yoga’s Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training is more than just a course; it’s a deep immersion into a holistic and healthy yogic lifestyle. This experience allows you to explore and nurture yourself at your own pace, catalyzing personal growth, healing, and transformation. Guided by highly experienced and passionate teachers, you’ll delve into yogic living, conscious eating, self-healing, and self-love, helping you adopt lifestyle changes that encourage overall well-being. Open to both beginners and advanced yogis, this training is designed to touch all aspects of your life, fostering more spiritual awareness and overall mental and physical health.
The yoga teacher training not only caters to those who want to teach but also those who simply want to deepen their yoga practice. If becoming a teacher is your aspiration, this training provides a supportive environment for accessing your inner guru, building confidence and skill, and enabling you to teach clearly and precisely. You’ll develop essential adjustment skills and learn pedagogy, making you a sensitive and competent yoga instructor. But even if becoming a teacher isn’t your goal, you’ll benefit immensely from the wealth of yoga disciplines and ancient wisdom taught, enriching your daily practice and overall life.
Tribe Yoga’s Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training courses have been evolving since 2007, and are certified with Yoga Alliance. Their ‘down to earth’ approach resonates with trainees, and they celebrate the individuality of each student through a fusion of various yoga styles and disciplines. Alongside asana, pranayama, and meditation, they introduce conscious eating, purification practices, healing, chanting, and other spiritually empowering practices. Be prepared for a demanding yet rewarding experience with long training days requiring continuous focus and commitment. By the end of the training, you will be equipped to teach a 75-minute class confidently. The cost includes two daily vegetarian meals and introduces optional fasting and detox practices. Ultimately, this training offers tools, understanding, and inspiration to revitalize your life on all levels.
Tribe Yoga also offer a 20-hour online program on their website, with pre recorded videos, so that you can get a feel for the school before committing to a full training.
School: Tribe Yoga School
Location: Sri Lanka
Length: 22 days
Price: £2337
5. Yoga Sangha, India
Yoga Sangha presents an Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training course designed for dedicated practitioners eager to spread the transformative power of ashtanga yoga. The training combines the dynamic, meditative quality of Ashtanga with the alignment-focused Hatha style, offering a comprehensive curriculum that deepens your yoga practice and dives into philosophy, mindfulness, and breathwork. The training also provides essential teaching methodology, with a focus on anatomy and the art of instruction. Their commitment to quality means they limit classes to 12-15 people, facilitating personalized attention and an effective learning experience. They encourage self-study and self-awareness, crucial qualities in a yoga instructor.
The daily routine begins with a two-hour asana and pranayama session, emphasizing proper alignment and breathwork to harness your prana, or vital energy. To empower you to maximize the therapeutic benefits of yoga for your future students, the course equips you with practical knowledge on using props for posture support and correction. Throughout the training, you’ll delve into the Hatha Primary Series during the morning Hatha classes, with afternoons dedicated to the Ashtanga Mysore style, where the routine is personalized and adjustments given individually. Further introduction to yoga therapy is encouraged through individual consultations with an Ayurvedic doctor.
At Yoga Sangha, the priority is community. Post-training, you can count on their support, ask questions, and even propose joint ventures or contribute to their blog. Interaction with your peers is encouraged to enrich your teaching and continuing education. Furthermore, they embrace the Ayurvedic principle “you are what you eat,” emphasizing a sattvic diet – pure, honest, clean – as part of a yogic lifestyle. They provide a unique opportunity to learn yogic food preparation, and each person volunteers to prepare a sattvic meal every Friday, strengthening the sense of community. All meals adhere to Ayurvedic principles, composed of sattvic foods that maintain mind-body balance and promote lightness, clarity, and peace.
School: Devvrat Yoga Sangha
Location: Kerala, India
Length: 28 days
Price: £1069
6. Wild Warrior Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training, Spain
Wild Warrior Yoga offers a 200-hour residential Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training, approved by Yoga Alliance, and spread over four weeks. The intimate class size of a maximum of 12 people guarantees personalized attention and confidence upon graduation. Mornings are dedicated to mastering the Ashtanga Primary Series, initially guided by an experienced lead teacher, then transitioning to self-practice. On Tuesdays and Fridays, the focus switches to Vinyasa flow with specific aims or themes, such as arm balancing or Hanumanasana, supplemented by evening workshops on various techniques.
Breathwork and mindfulness sessions are a critical component of the course, introducing basic breathing techniques and developing a personalized sequence for each participant. Theory sessions explain the benefits and practices of these techniques, while the anatomy and alignment module delves into the Ashtanga Primary Series. The goal is to understand the function and purpose of postures in one’s own body and others, moving beyond aesthetics. This part of the training also aids in learning Sanskrit names of poses and the order of the primary series, fostering a refined and integrated Ashtanga self-practice.
The course also comprises a pedagogy and practicum module, focusing on developing essential skills for becoming a successful, engaging, and adaptable yoga teacher. By the end of this module, each student will have prepared a one-hour class, either using a pre-set template or creating their own sequence. Philosophy sessions center on the Patanjali sutras and the integration of the physical and philosophical aspects of yoga. Furthermore, the training includes two Ayurveda sessions, offering a glimpse into Ayurvedic routines and rituals.
The course promises to equip you with the skills to teach right after graduation. Meals, catering to a vegetarian diet, are included and served from Sunday to Thursday, with a half-day on Friday and a day off on Saturday.
School: Wild Warrior Yoga
Location: Spain
Length: 29 days
Price: £2385
7. Pokhara Ashtanga Yoga Training School, Nepal
Pokhara School in Nepal is all set to take your yoga journey to the next level with its immersive 200-hour Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training Course (YTTC). The course not only helps budding yogis build the foundation for a lifelong practice through authentic techniques, but it also teaches the art of sharing knowledge with others. The serene setting, tucked away among the mountains with views of the Fewa Lake, offers modern facilities and luxurious accommodations for a complete rejuvenating experience. A variety of multicultural teachers, well-versed in traditional yogic teachings, guide you in this journey, promising individual attention to help you add a personal touch to your yoga teaching.
The course at Pokhara offers a deep dive into both Hatha and Ashtanga yoga, leaving you feeling confident and prepared to share the gift of yoga with others. The school emphasizes a holistic approach to yoga, focusing not just on physical postures but also on the mental and spiritual aspects of the practice. The curriculum, designed in line with the guidelines set by Yoga Alliance USA and Yoga Alliance International, covers a wide array of subjects including Hatha Yoga Primary Series, Pranayama, Mudras, Yoga Philosophy, and more. You will also learn about teaching methods, Mantra Yoga, and Yogic Purification, among others.
An integral part of this Hatha and Ashtanga yoga teacher training is the focus on a balanced lifestyle and well-being. Attendees are served organic, Ayurvedic-focused meals to detoxify and energize the body. All meals, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, are included in the course. The aim is to create a community of yogis of all nationalities and levels, helping them achieve physical, spiritual, and mental growth, and equip them to carry forward these teachings to the world.
School: Pokhara Yoga School
Location: Nepal
Length: 22 days
Price: £972
8. Drishti Yoga School, India
Situated in the yoga capital, Rishikesh, Drishti School offers an enriching 200-hour Ashtanga yoga teacher training. This program is perfect for advanced yoga practitioners, yoga enthusiasts, personal trainers, group exercise instructors, or anyone curious about deepening their understanding of yoga. The course provides the fundamentals required to become a certified yoga teacher or elevate your own yoga practice. It’s a unique learning experience where participants learn modifications and creating a complete series of progressively difficult classes. The course also fosters a keen sense of personal growth, with ample exposure to Indian yoga culture and philosophy, all in the beautiful setting near the Holy Ganges.
The retreat offers a comprehensive syllabus designed to create well-rounded yoga teachers. Key aspects include Hatha and Ashtanga Yoga postures, breathing practices, Mudras (yoga gestures), and Yoga Nidra (Psychic Sleep), among others. You will also delve into philosophy, Anatomy and Physiology, and pedagogy. Live sessions are taught by multiple experienced teachers, allowing you to explore different teaching styles and study yoga philosophy deeply. All this happens in an intimate setting, with classes ranging from 10-15 students, ensuring plenty of individual attention.
The 25-day yoga teacher training course blends yoga philosophy with practical experience leading sessions, leaving you feeling prepared and confident to start sharing their yoga knowledge. Although the days are packed with insightful teachings, there’s also free time to relax and integrate the learnings. The retreat ensures a balanced lifestyle with three daily yogic, vegan meals, prepared in a cozy, communal environment. This Ashtanga yoga teacher training at Drishti is not just about learning yoga, it’s also about embracing a healthier, more mindful lifestyle.
School: Drishti Yoga School
Location: India
Length: 25 days
Price: £890
Conclusion
So there you have it, folks! A round-up of the world’s best Ashtanga yoga programs to help fuel your passion for this invigorating style of yoga. Undertaking an Ashtanga yoga teacher training is not just about enhancing your practice, it’s about embracing a lifestyle, a new perspective, and quite possibly, a new rewarding career.
Whether you’re an experienced yogi or a newbie, there’s an Ashtanga training out there that will match your level and aspirations. As you explore the different schools and programs, remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step—or in this case, a single yoga pose!
Why wait any longer? Dive into the vibrant world of Ashtanga yoga teacher training, and let this ancient, powerful tradition transform your mind, body, and spirit. And who knows? You might be just a yoga mat away from finding your true calling. Enjoy this amazing journey, and here’s to your exciting new chapter in the world of yoga!
FAQ
1) How do you become a teacher in Ashtanga yoga?
Kick-start your journey of becoming an ashtanga yoga teacher with a recognized Ashtanga Yoga teacher training program from a Yoga Alliance accredited school! It typically involves deepening your personal practice, learning about Ashtanga’s history and philosophy, and mastering teaching methodologies. Remember, practice makes perfect—consistent personal practice and teaching others is a part of the process too. Embrace this empowering journey and inspire others with the essence of Ashtanga!
2) What’s the difference between an ashtanga yoga teacher training and a vinyasa yoga teacher training?
Diving into yoga teacher trainings, you’ll notice key differences between Ashtanga and Vinyasa. Ashtanga Yoga teacher training is more about a set sequence of poses practiced in a precise order, allowing you to perfect each asana over time. On the other hand, Vinyasa teacher training encourages more creativity with the flow, sequencing, and rhythm. While both explore the mind-body connection, choosing between Ashtanga and Vinyasa teacher training depends on your preferred style of teaching. Stay open, explore, and let your heart guide you!
Reference: https://www.allyogatraining.com/ashtanga-yoga-teacher-training
