Becoming a Certified Yoga Instructor: My YTT200 Journey

My Journey to Becoming a Certified Yoga Instructor (YTT200)

Happy to share—I just graduated from my YTT200 course! 🎉 I’ve been practicing yoga for almost 15 years and decided to get my certification to deepen my knowledge of yoga, its philosophies, and the yogic lifestyle. Transparently, I also saw this as a strategic move to elevate my wellness brand and connect with the right audience for the long term.

Would it surprise you to hear that most people don’t join YTT200 to become instructors? Many of my classmates enrolled simply to learn more about yoga and grow personally. What we all walked away with was not only a wealth of knowledge but also a strong foundation to guide our own unique yoga journeys, wherever they may lead.

2. How to Choose the Right Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) Program

While I’m not affiliated with her brand, I can’t recommend Cathy Madeo’s Yoga class enough—it has everything you need! Her program focuses on alignment in the Asana clinics while also covering anatomy, Sanskrit translations, and even handstand instruction. And since it’s fully online, it offers both accessibility and high-quality content. I plan to offer my own online yoga instruction in the near future, but I have to give a shoutout to the teacher who helped me build my foundation.

Choosing an online yoga course can feel overwhelming. Some people select a program based on the yoga style they want to specialize in, the instructor’s teaching style, or whether the course is self-paced, online, or in-person. When selecting my program, I prioritized three things:

  • Ethical Standards – I chose a Yoga Alliance-certified course to ensure legitimacy.
  • Instructor’s Teaching Style – Social media is a great way to get a sense of an instructor’s approach before committing.
  • Live Sessions – Having real-time interaction made a huge difference in my learning experience.

3. Cost & Financial Considerations

I paid about $1,500 for my 12-week course, but prices can range up to $5,000. Many programs offer additional specialized courses, so if you’re unsure, starting with a lower-cost course is a great way to test the waters. Retreat-based YTTs are also an option for those seeking immersive, in-person experiences while connecting with a community.

4. What to Expect During Training

Life happened while I was in training, but I tried my best to stay committed to the process. My program included live weekend sessions combined with a self-paced curriculum, allowing me to review posture videos and reinforce my learning outside of class time.

Key Takeaways from My Training:

  • Come with questions after watching videos—it’ll help you feel more confident as you progress.
  • Don’t stress about mobility or flexibility. My class had students ranging from their 30s to their 60s, and our instructor ensured an inclusive environment for all.
  • A high-quality YTT will focus on yoga philosophy and lifestyle, not just cool poses. Some programs also offer insights into yoga business development and social media marketing for future instructors.

Essential Equipment: The only must-haves are a yoga mat and blocks. [This] is the mat I used, and my instructor recommended these high-quality blocks that last a lifetime.

Journaling & Recommended Reads: Keeping a journal throughout training helped me track my progress and reflect on the inner work yoga brings. Here are a few classic books to explore:

Check out my Yoga Essentials list HERE!

Going through YTT during stressful life moments actually helped me manage challenges more mindfully. Investing in this training created a structured space for self-care, personal growth, and resilience.

5. Certification & Graduation Requirement

Since my course was online and self-paced with live Q&A sessions, progress was tracked through module completion, video lessons, and quizzes. There was no real way to “fail”—and honestly, that wouldn’t align with yoga philosophy anyway! Life happens, and most instructors are understanding if you communicate with them.

Once you complete your coursework and receive instructor approval, you’re officially certified! If you plan to teach professionally, registering with Yoga Alliance is a great next step for credibility. For new instructors opening in-person studios, they might also consider getting CPR or First Aid certified.

6. Finding Your First Teaching Opportunity

Upon graduation, yoga instructors pursue different paths—some start online programs, others teach in studios or work with private clients. Many embrace yoga as a lifelong practice and continue learning through advanced training.

Ways to Gain Experience:

  • Teach at studios, gyms, or corporate wellness programs
  • Offer free or donation-based classes to build confidence
  • Sub for other teachers—a great way to break into the industry

For me, I’m focusing on building my online presence before offering paid services. April is all about brand awareness for CocoGlows and my new YouTube channel YogaFlowCoco—be sure to subscribe! ❤️

7. My Take on YTT200

Whether you’re looking to deepen your personal practice or start a wellness business, YTT200 is a valuable investment. The next step, YTT300, offers a more advanced dive into teaching, ideal for those wanting to refine their expertise.

If you’re curious about certification, start with a smaller supplemental course to see if it’s for you. YouTube is great for general learning, but having an instructor provides real-time feedback, alignment cues, and personalized guidance—especially if you’re considering teaching.

I’d love to invite you on my journey as I work toward launching my own yoga course this year! Subscribe to my newsletter (link below) for weekly updates, insights, and behind-the-scenes content. Let’s grow together! 🌿✨

YouTube: YogaFlowCoco
Instagram: YogaFlowCoco