Advanced Training Levels
Overview
The YAA supports ongoing training and mentorship for its certified teachers and encourages teachers to continue to upgrade their yoga training beyond completion of their initial certification. Although all YAA Teachers meet professional upgrading standards and apply for Recertification every three years, Advanced Training Levels are optional. Teachers who have not yet been certified through the YAA must first apply for YAA Equivalency Certification before applying for Advanced Training Levels.
- 500-Hour Level is available to teachers with 500 hours of qualified training.
- 750-Hour Level (Intermediate Teacher Status) is intended for those with significant experience who plan to mentor or train teachers in the future.
- 1,000-Hour Level (Senior Teacher Status) is intended for those who mentor or train yoga teachers.
- Permanent Certification is separate from Advanced Training Levels and available after 20 years of YAA Certification. It can be granted at any level.
500-Hour Level
YAA 200-Hour Level Certified Teachers with additional training may apply for the 500-Hour Level Certification. Requirements:
- YAA Certification at the 200-Hour Level.
- Attendance in an additional 300 hours of hatha yoga classes and/or workshops taught by YAA Intermediate or Senior Teachers (or equivalent). At least 15 of those hours must be Anatomy and Physiology courses or trainings which apply these principles to the practice of yoga.
- 500-Hour Level Certification may also be granted directly through the YAA Equivalency Certification Program.
750-Hour Level (Intermediate Teacher Status)
YAA 500-Hour Level Teachers with additional training and experience may apply for the 750-Hour Level (Intermediate Teacher Status). Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- YAA Certification at the 500-Hour Level
- Attendance in an additional 250 hours of hatha yoga classes and/or workshops taught by YAA Intermediate or Senior Teachers (or equivalent)
- 10 or more years of ongoing learning and practice of hatha yoga, including
- 5 or more years of ongoing teaching experience as a YAA Certified Teacher (or equivalent), with
- 1,000 or more hours of teaching experience
- Two reference letters are also required.
1,000-Hour Level (Senior Teacher Status)
YAA 500-Hour Level Teachers with additional training and experience may apply for the 1,000-Hour Level (Senior Teacher Status). A YAA Senior Teacher is qualified to mentor teachers through the YAA-TTP and all Advanced Training Levels. Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- YAA Certification at the 500-Hour Level
- Attendance in an additional 500 hours of hatha yoga classes and/or workshops taught by YAA Intermediate or Senior Teachers (or equivalent)
- 20 or more years of ongoing learning and practice of hatha yoga, including
- 10 or more years of ongoing teaching experience as a YAA Certified Teacher (or equivalent), with
- 2,000 or more hours of teaching experience.
- Two reference letters are also required.
The YAA-TTP is a registered school with the Yoga Alliance at the 200- and 500-Hour Levels.
