Frequently Asked Questions
IS THE 200 HR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMME ACCREDITED?
​
The Active Balance Yoga Teacher Diploma is accredited by Yoga Alliance. Once qualified you can join the Yoga Alliance register and use the letters RYT 200 after your name.
The course is also registered with the Independent Yoga Network. Membership with the Independent Yoga Network (IYN) allows you to use the letters RYT after your name and you can join the Register for Exercise Professionals (REPs), which is useful if you want to work within the fitness industry.
​
These organisations offer professional support, insurance options and professional standards with regards to your role as a yoga teacher.
​
WHAT WILL THE 200 HR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMME COVER?
The Active Balance Yoga Teacher Training is a comprehensive programme that covers in great depth the practical skills and knowledge required to teach yoga safely and professionally.
The course covers yoga poses (asana), yoga breathing techniques (pranayama), and mudras and bandhas. All will be studied in detail, with regards to alignment, benefits and contraindications, modifications and adjustments as well as effective and safe sequencing.
In addition, the programme includes applied anatomy modules, yoga philosophy elements, and energetic anatomy with techniques aimed at holistic development.
We will study the business of teaching yoga, registration with professional bodies, insurance, taxation, ethical marketing, and relationships with other yoga teachers.
WHAT IS THE EXPERIENCE OF THE PROGRAMME LEADER?
Stefan has taught yoga for over 30 years. He runs successful yoga classes, workshops and charity events in the East Midlands.
He trained in Integral yoga in his country, Romania, and also qualified with a Power Yoga school here in the UK.
Stefan has years of experience teaching sports massage for a Further Education provider and UKHolistics as well as teaching and assessing for other yoga teacher training schools.
Stefan shares his passion for studying, practicing and teaching yoga with his students within a safe and supportive environment. His students describe him as motivational and inspirational, and his classes as compassionate, fun and inclusive. You are welcome to read what our students say in the Testimonials.
​
HOW MANY CONTACT HOURS WILL I RECEIVE ON THE 200 HR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMME?
The Active Balance Yoga Teacher Diploma is a 200 hours qualification. This is the industry standard, which requires a minimum of 180 contact hours and a minimum of 20 self-study hours. The programme is delivered over one weekend a month for eleven months to provide sufficient time between each module to assimilate the theory and reflect on the practical, physiological and philosophical elements that are part of the Yoga Teacher Training programme.
​
WHAT HAPPENS IF I MISS PART OF THE PROGRAMME?
To qualify as a yoga teacher and register with Yoga Alliance, you must complete a minimum of 200 hours training. If you miss a training weekend, you will need to recuperate the hours. We aim to be as flexible as possible, but it is in the best interests of students to ensure, before they join the programme, that they can commit fully and take part in all the modules.
I AM NEW TO YOGA. CAN I JOIN THE 200 HR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMME?
​
To be accepted on the programme, you need to have practiced yoga for a minimum of two years prior to the start date. This will enable you to make the most of the Teacher Training programme, and will also ensure you can train safely and teach once qualified. Therefore, we recommend you continue to attend yoga classes and focus on your personal practice. We look forward to you joining us when you are ready!
​
DO I NEED TO BE VERY FLEXIBLE TO ENROL ON THE A YOGA TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMME?
​
Certainly not! You do need to have practiced yoga regularly for a minimum of two years before enrolling on the 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training programme. That will mean that your body is prepared to take part in this level of intensive training. The training maybe challenging at times, but you will always work with the body, not against it. Safe practice is a priority, and on that safety, we can build effective teaching and practice methods. We expect people of all ages, body types, and levels of fitness and flexibility to be able to successfully complete their training and to inspire others to benefit from regular yoga classes.
HOW MUCH TEACHING WILL I DO ON THE 200 HR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMME?
You will be encouraged to teach from day one and will be given the opportunity to teach frequently throughout the programme. You will practice and develop your teaching skills when studying each module and you will also complete practical teaching assessments.
We will also encourage you to practice teaching yoga on family and friends throughout the duration of the programme. This is an excellent way to develop, as a yoga teacher trainee, your practical skills and prepare for the teaching assessments.
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED DURING THE 200 HR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMME?
You will be continually assessed throughout the programme. However, formal assessments take place midway through the training period and at the end.
CAN I SPREAD THE COST?
Yes, you can. In order to reserve your place on the 200 Hr Yoga Teacher Training programme, you must pay a non-refundable deposit of £600.
You can, then, pay in instalments the remainder of the tuition fee. You can find more information in PAYMENT OPTIONS.
WHAT WILL THE COST COVER?
The cost of the 200 Hr Yoga Teacher Training programme covers eleven training weekends, the training manual and workbook, the theoretical and practical assessments and the Yoga Teacher Diploma and Meditation Teacher Certificate.
There are a few extra costs to consider - the purchase of the books recommended for extra reading (you will be given a reading list) and yoga equipment (you need a yoga mat, a yoga belt, yoga blocks etc).
Before you start teaching yoga to the public, you will also need to take part in a first aid course. It isn't very costly, but it is important for your insurance and for the safety of your students.
​
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME DURING THE 200 HR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMME?
​
The programme requires full attendance and participation. As expected, it does involve study time, homework and practicing the art of teaching yoga and meditation techniques with family and friends. This will ensure a solid theoretical and practical knowledge by the end of the programme.
All that the School asks from our students is a passion for yoga, dedication to their training, and the basic human quality of respect.
In line with the ethical and moral code of yoga, Yama and Niyama, which we study on the programme, you are expected to be respectful toward your colleagues and toward your teachers. Disrespectful, illegal, or abusive behaviour will be challenged and will not be tolerated. Such behaviour can result in being asked to leave the programme, without the right of a refunds. The Active Balance Yoga School takes pride in its role of training its students to become safe and effective yoga teachers, especially as the role of the yoga teacher can often involve working with vulnerable people.
The vast majority of people who are attracted to this beautiful and exciting journey as yoga teachers are wonderful human beings and totally dedicated to improving the lives of others. They will always benefit from the support of the School, throughout their training and beyond. When that is not the case, and in order to protect the public, the programme leader reserves the right of dismissal from the School, without a refund, or the right to release a Yoga Practitioner Certificate instead of a Yoga Teacher Diploma.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER THE 200 HR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMME IS COMPLETED?
Once students complete the training programme, they can register with Yoga Alliance and/or with Independent Yoga Network and qualify for public liability insurance. During training, we discuss the options that are available and we make sure students feel fully equipped to teach yoga and meditation in a modern setting: a yoga studio, a gym, corporate, public or private classes.
Please CONTACT US if you have any other questions.
​
​
​