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How to Become a Yoga Teacher in the UK
Thinking about becoming a yoga teacher? Below is yogahaven founder Allie’s Guide on where to start.
So, you’ve been practising yoga for a while and you’ve started to wonder...
Could I actually teach yoga?
Maybe you’ve had that little voice in the back of your mind for months - or perhaps you’ve just
finished a class where something clicked and you thought, I’d love to share this with other people.
Whatever has brought you here, welcome. Choosing to become a yoga teacher is a really exciting
journey, but knowing where to start can feel a little overwhelming.
If you’ve been searching “yoga teacher training UK”, you’ll already know there are a lot of
options out there. Different schools, different styles, different locations, different lengths, different
prices… and lots of very beautiful-looking websites!
So how do you actually know which yoga teacher training is right for you?
We think the best place to start is not by choosing a course straight away, but by taking a little time
to work out what kind of experience you’re looking for.
What is a yoga teacher training UK qualification?
There isn’t one single government qualification required to teach yoga in the UK in the same way
there is for some regulated professions.
However, if you want to teach yoga professionally, completing a reputable 200-hour yoga teacher
training course is the most common and widely recognised starting point.
A good training should give you a strong foundation in:
• Yoga asana
• Anatomy and physiology
• Teaching methodology and sequencing
• Yoga philosophy
• History & Roots of yoga
• Breathwork
• Meditation
• Chanting, Sound
• The subtle body
• Practical teaching experience
• The business of Yoga
• Yoga off the mat: applying yoga in every day life
But choosing a yoga teacher training is about much more than gaining a certificate.
Your training will shape:
• How you practise yoga
• How you teach yoga
• And often how you see yoga as a whole
That’s why it’s worth taking your time and doing a little research before committing.
1. Start by exploring yoga teacher training options
When you first start looking for a yoga teacher training, Google can feel like a bit of a minefield.
There are hundreds of courses, and at first glance they can all look quite similar.
Our advice? Make a spreadsheet.
Honestly, it really helps.
Create a simple list of the yoga teacher trainings that initially appeal to you. You could include:
• Yoga school name
• Location (UK or abroad)
• Course dates
• Course length (intensive or part-time)
• How many years have they been teaching YTT
• Style of yoga taught
• Course cost
• What’s included (manuals, online support, etc.)
• Accommodation (if relevant)
• Lead teachers
• Course content overview
• Reviews
• Accreditation
• Your personal first impressions
This makes it much easier to compare your options without getting lost in beautifully designed
websites and marketing language.
And remember:
The course that looks best online isn’t always the course that will feel best for you.
2. Go and experience the yoga school first
If you’re considering a specific yoga teacher training UK course, go and practise there first.
This is one of the most valuable steps you can take.
Speak to the company and ask to visit the studio:
• Take a class (or a few!)
• Experience different teachers
• Notice the style of teaching
• Observe the atmosphere in the studio
• See how welcome you feel
Ask questions after class:
Speak to the teachers or studio team. Ask about their training, their experience, and what the course
is really like beyond the website.
Because you’re not just choosing a course.
You’re choosing a community to grow within.
And that matters more than you might think.
3. Choose the right yoga teacher training format for your life
There is no one “right” way to complete a yoga teacher training course.
Some people thrive in an immersive intensive. Others need more time to absorb and integrate what
they’re learning.
A 200-hour yoga teacher training is a lot of information.
You’ll be learning, and you’ll also be practising teaching - which is a completely new skill in itself.
So it’s worth asking:
How do I learn best?
Intensive yoga teacher training (including abroad)
There’s something incredibly powerful about fully immersing yourself in yoga, away from
everyday life.
You’re:
• Fully focused on learning
• Surrounded by like-minded people
• Stepping out of your normal routine
• Living and breathing yoga for a set period
But it’s also important to consider:
• Time away from work and family
• Travel and accommodation costs
• Emotional and physical intensity
• How you process large amounts of information quickly
Part-time yoga teacher training (6–12 months)
For many people, a yoga teacher training course that runs over several months is a more
sustainable and integrated option.
This format allows you to:
• Learn gradually over time
• Practise between training weekends
• Continue your normal life alongside study
• Absorb and reflect on what you’re learning
• Build confidence step by step
Instead of trying to take everything in at once, you get space to:
learn → practise → reflect → return
For many students, this slower rhythm feels really supportive.
4. Think about the kind of yoga teacher you want to become
You don’t need to have this fully figured out yet, most people don’t.
But it can help to reflect on what you currently enjoy in your own practice.
Ask yourself:
• Do I love dynamic, flowing classes?
• Am I drawn to slower, grounding practices?
• Am I interested in anatomy and movement?
• Do I enjoy philosophy and meditation?
• Do I want to teach strong, energetic classes or more restorative ones?
When researching a yoga teacher training, look closely at what is actually being taught.
Because teacher training is not just about learning poses.
It’s about learning how to share yoga in a meaningful, safe and authentic way.
5. Look beyond the yoga teacher training certificate
It can be easy to compare courses based on:
• Price
• Number of hours
• Location
But we’d encourage you to go deeper than that.
Ask:
Who are the teachers?
• What is their experience?
• How long have they been teaching?
• Do you connect with their style?
What is the teaching philosophy?
• Does it resonate with you?
• Does it feel aligned with your values?
How much teaching practice is included?
Because reading about teaching yoga is very different from actually doing it.
What support is available?
• During the training
• And after you graduate
A supportive community can make a huge difference when you’re starting out.
6. You don’t need to feel “ready” for yoga teacher training
One of the most common questions we hear is:
“Am I good enough to do a yoga teacher training course?”
And the honest answer is: yes.
You don’t need to:
• Be the most flexible person in the room
• Be able to do advanced poses
• Have years of experience
• Have everything figured out
Yoga teaching is not about being the “best” at yoga.
It’s about learning how to:
• Hold space
• Guide others
• Communicate clearly
• Observe and support students
• Share yoga in an accessible way
And you will keep learning long after your training ends.
That’s part of the beauty of it.
7. Think about your future as a yoga teacher
It can also help to gently consider what you might want your teaching life to look like.
For example:
• Teaching full-time
• Teaching part-time alongside another job
• Teaching privately
• Working in studios
• Running workshops or retreats
• Teaching online or in corporate settings
You don’t need a fixed plan.
But having a sense of direction can help you choose the right yoga teacher training course for you.
8. Trust your gut when choosing a yoga teacher training course
After you’ve done your research, taken classes, and spoken to teachers, you’ll usually find a few
courses stand out.
This is where intuition matters.
Ask yourself:
• Where do I feel most at ease?
• Which teachers inspire me?
• Where do I feel excited to learn?
• Where do I feel like I belong?
Because becoming a yoga teacher is not just about completing 200 hours.
It’s about starting a new relationship with yoga — and with yourself.
So, how do you become a yoga teacher in the UK?
In simple terms, your journey might look like this:
1. Explore yoga teacher training options
Research schools, styles, locations, prices and formats.
2. Create a shortlist
Use a spreadsheet to compare your favourites.
3. Experience the schools in person
Take classes and get a feel for the community.
4. Choose your training format
Intensive or part-time - what suits your life best?
5. Select a reputable 200-hour yoga teacher training course
Look for depth, experience and support.
6. Immerse yourself in the learning
Be open, curious and willing to grow.
7. Start teaching
Your first class won’t be perfect, but you will LOVE it.
Ready to begin your yoga teacher training journey?
If you’ve been thinking about becoming a yoga teacher, maybe this is your sign to explore it a little
further.
At yogahaven, we believe a yoga teacher training course should give you:
• Strong foundations, teaching with confidence, a supportive community, and a space to grow
your own practice
Our yogahaven Yoga Teacher Training is designed for people who want to deepen their practice
and step into teaching with confidence and clarity.
Whether you’re just starting to explore or already feeling the pull to teach, we’d love to welcome
you into the yogahaven community.
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