Last reviewed on 11 September 2026.
NNWA publishes the name and qualifications of everyone who writes and checks its material. You can see the full teaching team on the faculty page.
This guide explains what the two most common levels mean, how they relate to the certification bodies, and which one to choose. NNWA runs both, so read its advice as that of an interested provider, and check any course, including NNWA's, against the questions at the end.
What is a 200-hour yoga teacher training?
It is the standard foundation qualification for yoga teachers worldwide. A 200-hour course usually covers asana practice and alignment, pranayama, basic yoga anatomy, teaching methodology, yoga philosophy and meditation, with practice teaching. It prepares you to teach general, all-levels classes safely. Most studios treat 200 hours as the minimum they will hire. NNWA's 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training covers these areas and costs 24,999 rupees, reduced from 34,999, with EMI from 4,167 rupees a month.
What does a 400-hour course add?
Depth. A 400-hour course goes further into advanced asana, applied anatomy, pranayama and kriyas, yoga philosophy, teaching methodology and yoga for wellness. It suits people who want to teach more demanding classes, work with a wider range of students, or build towards specialisations such as yoga therapy. NNWA's Advanced Yoga Teacher Training (400 Hours) runs for sixteen weeks at level two and costs 44,999 rupees. Its course page lists YCB and Indian Yoga Association certification.
| 200 hours | 400 hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Covers | asana and alignment, pranayama, basic yoga anatomy, teaching methodology, philosophy and meditation | advanced asana, applied anatomy, pranayama and kriyas, philosophy, teaching methodology and yoga for wellness |
| Suits | someone new who wants to teach general, all-levels classes | someone teaching more demanding classes, or building towards a specialisation such as yoga therapy |
| At NNWA | foundation level | level two, over sixteen weeks |
| Fee at NNWA | 24,999 rupees | 44,999 rupees |
A longer course at a weak school can still teach less than a shorter one at a good school.
Should you do 200 hours or 400 hours first?
For almost everyone, 200 hours first. Teaching is learned by teaching, and a year of real classes after your 200-hour training will show you what you need to learn next far better than a longer course taken all at once. Some people do go straight to a longer programme because they already practise deeply and know they want to teach seriously. But for someone new to teaching, starting with the foundation and returning for advanced training later is usually the wiser and cheaper route.
The usual route, in order
Almost nobody has to choose between the two today. They are steps rather than rival options.
Take the foundation first
A 200-hour course is what most studios treat as the minimum they will hire, and it prepares you to teach general, all-levels classes safely.
Teach for a year
Teaching is learned by teaching. A year of real classes will show you what you still need far better than a longer course taken in one block.
Then decide whether the depth is worth it
If yoga is going to be the career, advanced training almost certainly pays back over time. If you expect to teach occasionally for enjoyment, it may not.
Specialise after that
Yoga therapy, prenatal yoga, yoga for older adults, children's yoga and meditation teaching are the common next steps, and nutrition is another.
How does Yoga Alliance registration fit in?
Yoga Alliance is a US-based organisation that registers yoga schools and teachers, and many international studios look for its credentials. Its teacher registrations are built around 200-hour training, with further registration after additional training that brings a teacher to 500 hours in total. Because its levels are defined in those terms, a 400-hour course is not automatically the same as a Yoga Alliance 500-hour registration. If Yoga Alliance registration matters to you, for example because you plan to teach abroad, ask any school directly whether it is a registered school and what registration its course leads to.
How does the Yoga Certification Board fit in?
The Yoga Certification Board (YCB) was set up under the Ministry of AYUSH to certify yoga professionals in India. It has defined levels such as yoga protocol instructor, yoga wellness instructor and yoga teacher and evaluator, each with its own requirements and assessment. YCB certification carries weight in Indian government programmes, schools and some institutions. If you plan to teach in India, especially in public or institutional settings, it is worth understanding which YCB level a course prepares you for.
Which one do studios in India expect?
Most studios hire teachers with a recognised 200-hour qualification and then look at how they teach in a trial class. Premium studios and international wellness resorts may prefer Yoga Alliance registration. Government programmes and schools may prefer YCB certification. Few studios require 400 hours for a general class, but a longer qualification can help you stand out, particularly for specialised or advanced classes. The trial class usually decides more than the number on your certificate.
How important is the practice teaching in a course?
Very, and it is the thing to check most carefully. A 200-hour course with plenty of observed practice teaching and feedback will make you a better teacher than a 400-hour course that is mostly lectures. Ask how many hours you will spend teaching, to whom, and who gives feedback. Ask whether you will teach beginners, older students and people with limitations, since a real class will contain all three.
What do you need to know about anatomy and safety?
Enough to keep students safe. Yoga injuries are more common than people assume, often in the neck, lower back, shoulders and knees, and usually from forcing a pose or poor alignment. A good course teaches the anatomy behind common poses, how to modify them for students with limitations, and which students should avoid certain practices, such as people with high blood pressure, glaucoma or recent surgery. Longer courses go further here, which is one of the stronger reasons to take one.
How do the two levels differ in cost and time?
A 200-hour course is shorter and cheaper, and can often be done alongside work. A 400-hour course needs roughly twice the commitment and costs more. At NNWA the difference is 24,999 rupees for 200 hours against 44,999 for 400. The better question is whether you will use the extra depth. If you plan to teach occasionally for enjoyment, 200 hours is plenty. If you intend to make yoga your career, the advanced training will almost certainly pay back over time.
What comes after 200 or 400 hours?
Specialisation. Yoga therapy, prenatal yoga, yoga for older adults, children's yoga and meditation teaching are all common next steps. NNWA's guides to yoga therapy versus yoga teacher training and to prenatal yoga teacher training explain two of these. Many teachers also add nutrition, since students ask about food constantly. Our article on studying yoga and nutrition together looks at that combination.
What should you ask before paying for yoga teacher training?
How many hours are contact hours with a teacher, and how many are self-study? How much practice teaching is included, and who observes it? Which certification bodies recognise the course: Yoga Alliance, YCB, or neither? Who are the lead teachers, and how long have they taught? What is the total fee, including any exam or registration fees? The answers matter more than the hour count printed on the certificate.
Can you teach online after yoga teacher training?
Yes, and many teachers now do, but it needs extra care. Without being in the room, you cannot adjust a student physically and you see less of their alignment. Online teachers need clearer verbal cues, more careful screening of students' health, and simpler sequences for mixed groups. A course that includes some online teaching practice is useful if you plan to work this way. Our guide to becoming a yoga teacher in India covers the practical side of starting out.
The honest summary
Start with a solid 200-hour course with plenty of practice teaching, teach for a year, and then decide whether advanced training is worth it. If you already know yoga will be your career, a 400-hour course offers valuable depth. Check which certification bodies a course is recognised by, and judge it on teaching practice and teacher quality more than on the number of hours. Those two things decide the teacher you become.