What to Look for While Choosing a Yoga School for Your 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training

Madhura Bhagwat, director and founder of The Yoga Nerds in Kakasana (Crow Pose)

Choosing the Right Yoga School: Where Do You Even Begin?

So, you have decided to become a yoga teacher or perhaps just want to deepen your practice with a 200-hour yoga teacher training (YTTC). But with so many schools and styles to choose from, where do you even start?

Is a £4,000 training necessarily better than a more affordable one? Does a yoga school’s Instagram popularity mean quality education? Should you go for an in-person training, online course, or a hybrid model?

There is no shortage of yoga schools claiming to offer the best teacher training, but not all are created equal. Before making the commitment, here is what you should be looking for to ensure you get a high-quality, authentic, and valuable training experience.

1. The Teachers: Learning from Experience, Not Just Certification

A yoga school is only as good as its teachers. A well-structured syllabus means nothing if the educators themselves lack experience, depth, and authenticity.

Ask yourself:

• Are the lead teachers experienced educators (not just in yoga poses, but in all concepts within yoga), or did they just complete their own 200-hour training a year ago?

• Do they have a strong foundation in yoga philosophy, prāṇāyāma, anatomy, and teaching methodology?

• Are there Indian teachers on the faculty who bring in-depth knowledge of yoga’s cultural and historical roots?

If you are training to become a yoga teacher, you should be learning from teachers who have studied yoga as a way of life, not just as a fitness trend. This is why The Yoga Nerds ensures that every YTTC includes a team of Indian teachers alongside Scottish or non-Indian educators, offering authentic yogic wisdom combined with modern teaching techniques.

2. Authenticity Over Hype: Popularity on Social Media Doesn’t Mean Quality Training

We have all seen the ultra-polished Instagram yoga schools - professional photography, aspirational captions, and glowing testimonials. But ask yourself:

• Is this school truly about yoga education, or just a well-marketed brand?

• Do they provide in-depth knowledge, or do they just focus on postures and aesthetics?

A beautiful retreat setting and influencer endorsements do not guarantee a thorough, structured, and authentic yoga education. Instead of looking at social media numbers, check:

• Their course syllabus - does it include philosophy, prāṇāyāma, subtle body, and teaching methodology?

• Their graduates - are they well-trained, knowledgeable, and confident in teaching?

• Their teaching approach - do they focus on real learning or just an impressive experience?

3. Expensive Doesn’t Mean Better: What Are You Really Paying For?

Many assume that the higher the price, the better the training. This is not always true.

Some high-end yoga schools charge thousands simply because of branding, location, and luxurious settings, not necessarily because they offer better education. Instead of getting caught up in price tags, look at:

• The teachers - are they qualified and experienced?

• The syllabus - is it comprehensive or just posture-heavy?

• Post-training support - do they offer mentorship, continuing education, and real-world teaching opportunities?

A great 200-hour YTTC should be affordable, high-quality, and accessible, ensuring you invest in education, not just an experience.

4. Why a Hybrid Format is More Beneficial Than Just In-Person Training in Modern Times

Traditionally, yoga teacher training was always in-person, but in today’s world, a hybrid model (online + in-person) offers greater flexibility, accessibility, and affordability.

Why choose hybrid over fully in-person?

• Lower costs - No need to relocate for a full month or spend extra on travel. Utilise that extra money elsewhere more prudently.

• Learn at your own pace - Online modules allow deeper study without feeling rushed.

• More accessible - Scottish and European students can learn from Indian teachers without flying to India.

• Balanced approach - Get both theory online and hands-on teaching experience in-person.

The Yoga Nerds offer one of the most accessible hybrid teacher trainings, allowing you to study online from Scotland, join in-person sessions a wee trip from Edinburgh, or complete your training in Goa - all while learning from teachers who truly understand yoga’s depth.

5. The Curriculum: A 200-Hour Training Should Offer More Than Just Poses

A strong YTTC should not just teach you how to do asanas but also how to think, teach, and live as a yogi.

A well-rounded curriculum should cover:

Yoga Philosophy & History

• Are you learning more than just the Yoga Sūtras?

• Does the training cover the Bhagavad Gītā, Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā, Tantra, and other authentic sources?

Prāṇāyāma, Meditation & The Subtle Body

• Are breathwork and meditation integrated into the training, or just optional add-ons?

• Does the training explore prāṇa, nāḍīs, chakras, and energy systems?

Teaching Methodology & Sequencing

• Are you being taught how to design intelligent sequences and adapt to students' needs?

• Will you graduate feeling confident to teach a class, not just practice for yourself?

Anatomy & Physiology for Yoga

• Is the anatomy yoga-specific rather than generic movement science?

• Are you learning injury prevention and safe adjustments?

If a yoga school only focuses on asana and cueing, it is not a complete teacher training.

6. Post-Training Support: Does the School Help You Grow Beyond 200 Hours?

The real training starts when you begin teaching. A good YTTC does not just certify you and send you off - it should offer ongoing support and education.

Look for schools that provide:

• Mentorship and guidance after the training

• Opportunities for continued learning, like workshops and advanced courses

• A community of teachers to stay connected with

At The Yoga Nerds, we offer ongoing continuing education in collaboration with Yoga with Kassandra, ensuring you continue to grow as a teacher long after your 200-hour training.

How to Choose the Best Yoga School for Your Training

Choosing the right 200-hour yoga teacher training is not just about getting a certificate. It is about finding a school that aligns with your values, offers genuine education, and prepares you to be an excellent teacher.

Ask yourself:

✔️ Does the school offer authentic teachings, not just yoga trends?

✔️ Are there Indian teachers on the faculty, bringing depth and tradition?

✔️ Does the course cover philosophy, subtle body, prāṇāyāma, and teaching skills?

✔️ Is it affordable and accessible without unnecessary luxury pricing?

✔️ Does it offer mentorship and ongoing education beyond the 200 hours?

If the answer is yes, then you are on the right path.

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If you are considering training, explore The Yoga Nerds’ offerings online, in Scotland, and in Goa - where depth, tradition, and modern learning come together.

Until next time, keep questioning, keep learning, and keep evolving.

Namaste.