12/29/2025
Can I let you in on a Little Behind-the-Scenes Truth About Yoga Teacher Training?
I always knew the teachers we trained were good. I knew our brand-new graduates were often mistaken for much more experienced teachers. But I honestly didn’t realize the scale of the difference until I tried to staff two studios with truly exceptional teachers.
Over the last few years, I’ve auditioned many teachers trained through other programs. Too many of them needed significant additional training before I would feel comfortable trusting them with your bodies.
Yoga already holds a higher standard than much of the fitness world. Yovana Yoga standards are even higher.
To teach yoga (outside of most gyms), a minimum of 200 hours of training is required. By comparison, instructors for barre or Pilates may have as little as 6 hours of training. That’s not a judgment—just an important reality. Less training doesn’t mean less care; it simply means fewer tools and less depth when working with complex, real human bodies.
So here’s my advice:
Be intentional about who you trust with your body. And before you invest your time, energy, and money into a teacher training, take classes with the trainer and with some of their graduates. Experience the teaching quality firsthand.
If you’re interested in our 200-hour yoga teacher training, email me and I’ll set you up with a few complimentary classes—with me as your potential trainer and with some of our graduates—so you can truly feel the difference for yourself. Just message me with you interest.
Sincerely,
Sarah DeFoor E-RYT500 and Yoga Educator
4,500 teaching hours
1,200 hours of training
