YAA Equivalency Certification
Overview
Are you a yoga teacher looking to deepen your skills and expand your impact in your community? The YAA is committed to supporting yoga teachers in offering safe, accessible, and trauma-sensitive yoga to everyone, while upholding high professional standards across diverse styles and lineages.
The YAA recognizes certified 200-hour (or higher) hatha yoga teacher training programs from both provincial and international institutions. While some restrictions may apply, each application is carefully reviewed on an individual basis, with accessible upgrading options available if needed. Teachers can apply for YAA Equivalency Certification at the 200- or 500-Hour Levels, and additional hours from training, workshops, or classes with qualified instructors can contribute toward more Advanced Training Levels.
We’re here to support your professional journey with free webinars, trauma-informed training, and resources tailored to help you grow as a teacher and make yoga more inclusive across Alberta. Together, we can strengthen the yoga community and create lasting, meaningful change.
If you’re ready to take the next step, the YAA is here to help. Let’s grow and make an impact—together.
200-Hour Requirements
- 200 hours of yoga teacher training from a YAA or Yoga Alliance recognized hatha yoga program (assessment is available for other programs world-wide).
- A minimum of 1 year* since the start of your first formal hatha yoga teacher training program. *New*
- A minimum of 10 hours of teacher training, workshops or classes with a YAA Certified Senior Teacher or a YAA sponsored Senior Teacher. YAA sponsored events are available (one YAA Teaching Skills Workshop or two YAA Core Curriculum Classes recommended). Other events with YAA Senior Teachers may be found on our Events Calendar.
- A character reference letter (see form for details).
- Current CPR Certification (any level).
Please contact the Certification Coordinator at ac.ag1734540350oy@tr1734540350ec1734540350 with any questions.
500-Hour Requirements
- 500 hours of yoga teacher training from a YAA or Yoga Alliance recognized hatha yoga program, or an equivalent combination of programs (assessment is available for other programs world-wide).
- A minimum of 2 years since the start of your first (200-Hour) hatha yoga teacher training program.
- A minimum of 10 hours of teacher training, workshops or classes with a YAA Certified Senior Teacher or a YAA sponsored Senior Teacher (one YAA Teaching Skills Workshop or two YAA Core Curriculum Classes recommended). YAA sponsored events and other events province-wide are listed on our Events Calendar. Please see our Teacher Directory to find YAA Senior Teachers.
- A character reference letter (see form for details).
- Current CPR Certification (any level).
Support for YAA Certified Teachers
- The Yoga Bridge magazine, a valuable enrichment tool with opportunities for teachers to submit photos, articles, ads and free event listings which reaches 1,500 - 2,000 yoga enthusiasts province-wide, published 3x per year.
- Free directory listings and event listings on our website help connect students with teachers.
- Certification and Yoga Alliance recognition with flexible, low-cost upgrading and ongoing mentorship opportunities.
- Free workshops, classes, community gatherings and professional development webinars.
- Discounts rates for liability insurance, First Aid/CPR training and Pro Zoom licensing.
- High quality yoga props, mats, and accessories available at excellent prices. Locally sourced where possible.
- Public education and advocacy for support of yoga by government and other funding agencies.
- Community job postings, outreach placements and other opportunities to teach.
Why Certify?
With the significant increase in the popularity of yoga, as well as growing scientific support and medical referrals, yoga classes are getting fuller and students’ needs more diverse. However, there is currently no legislation or licensing requirements for regulating yoga teachers in North America.
The market has resulted in a proliferation of yoga training programs, with vast differences in content, delivery methods, leadership and timing, making it difficult to ensure teachers are adequately trained to offer safe modifications for the myriad number of injuries, conditions and limitations amongst students in a typical yoga class. Some teacher training programs offer teacher training through pre-recorded sessions, in a very short time period, and with no prior yoga experience required. So why would a yoga teacher voluntarily submit to the stringent requirements set by the YAA?
It is precisely because they believed in setting high standards, to benefit and protect both the teachers and the public, that dedicated local yoga teachers banded together to form the Yoga Association of Alberta almost 50 years ago. The YAA is now recognized as having some of the highest training and certification standards in North America, and is a thriving community of mutual inspiration and cooperative peer support.
The Yoga Sutras call for steady practice over an extended period of time, along with devotion, discipline, deep understanding and faith. The Bhagavad Gita defines yoga as skill in action. Yoga teachers and yoga teacher training should exemplify these qualities.
Own Your Own Studio?
If you are running your own teacher training program, your students can apply for YAA Equivalency Certification. This will give them connection with professional support, discount insurance rates, and recognition by the Yoga Alliance. After graduation, students can still continue to access classes and workshops through your studio, and apply them towards ongoing Recertification requirements with the YAA. This ensures long-term engagement with your students throughout their career!
Ensure all your teachers and trainers are YAA Certified, and your studio will also be recognized for the highest standards of quality teaching, integrity, and credibility.
Contact ac.ag1734540350oy@tr1734540350ec1734540350 to ask us about our upcoming accreditation program and get your program pre-approved.
Advanced Training Levels
All YAA Certified Hatha Yoga Teachers meet professional upgrading standards and maintain regular attendance in both classes/workshops and teaching hours, and must apply for Recertification every three years.
With further training and experience, YAA Certified Teachers may also qualify for Advanced Training Levels with recognition for Intermediate (750-Hour Level) and Senior Teacher Status (1,000-Hour Level). Once YAA Certification has been approved, teachers are automatically en route to Advanced Training Levels and can start collecting hours towards those levels.
Don't Yet Qualify?
Teachers who have graduated from a YAA or Yoga Alliance approved 200-Hour training but do not yet meet the full YAA Certification requirements can apply for the Equivalency Upgrading Track and gain access to professional support including the YAA’s liability insurance, Teacher Directory, and events listings. There is no application fee but Full or Lifetime YAA Membership is required. Teachers are expected to attend a minimum of 10 hours of training with YAA Certified Senior Teachers over a two-year period and are guided and encouraged to apply for YAA Equivalency Certification once they’ve met the full requirements.
Application
- To apply for Equivalency Certification, download and submit the Equivalency Certification Application. Required documentation is outlined on the form. All documents can be mailed to our office or emailed to ac.ag1734540350oy@tr1734540350ec1734540350.
- Pay the Equivalency Certification Fee online, submit a cheque with your application, or call the YAA Office with a credit card number. ($350 fee now includes Lifetime YAA Membership.)
- Applicants with significant experience as required may also include an Application for Intermediate or Senior Teacher Status with the applicable documentation and the Upgrade fee ($75).
- Any questions, email ac.ag1734540350oy@tr1734540350ec1734540350. You will be contacted directly with initial assessment results within 2 weeks. Final Certification requires approval of the Certification Committee and Executive Board (Jan, May & Sept approvals).