How to choose the right yoga teacher training (and what to avoid)
If you’ve been thinking about doing your 200-hour yoga teacher training, you already know there are hundreds of options out there. Some are online, others abroad, some are intensive, and some take months to complete. It can be hard to tell what’s authentic and what’s just clever marketing.
So how do you know which training is right for you? And more importantly, which ones to skip?
Look for authentic teachings, not trends
Yoga isn’t only about flexibility or fitness. It’s a deep philosophical and spiritual system that has been passed down for thousands of years. A good yoga teacher training stays true to the original texts such as The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, The Hatha Yoga Pradipika, and The Bhagavad Gita.
If a course focuses only on posture, it’s missing the essence of yoga. The physical practice, or asana, is one part of a much wider system that includes breathwork, meditation, ethics, and philosophy.
When a school uses verifiable content from authentic sources, you can trust that you’re learning yoga in its full context rather than a simplified or modernized version.
Yoga Dharma teaches through a Sutric and Tantric approach, grounding every lesson in genuine, traceable sources. Students are encouraged to study, question, and cross-reference everything they learn. It’s not about memorizing information. It’s about understanding and direct experience.
Attention to alignment and anatomy
One of the biggest gaps in many modern teacher trainings is a real understanding of alignment. Alignment is not just about getting into the shape of a pose. It’s about knowing why the body moves in that way and how to guide it safely.
A quality training dedicates time to applied anatomy and intelligent adjustment. This builds confidence as a teacher and helps prevent injury for your future students.
Yoga Alliance accredited
Accreditation matters because it provides structure and recognition. A Yoga Alliance registered school follows international standards for curriculum, teaching hours, and assessment.
While accreditation alone does not guarantee quality, it ensures that your certification is recognized worldwide and that the program meets key requirements for professional teaching.
Look for a clear course structure
A strong yoga training has a clear and logical structure that allows knowledge to build gradually. You should feel supported, not overwhelmed.
Here’s what a typical day in our 200-hour program looks like:
06:30 Shat Karmas (cleansing practices)
07:00 Asana practice
09:00 Pranayama
09:30 Breakfast and free time
11:30 Presentations and philosophy
13:00 Break
13:30 Adjustment clinic
15:00 Anatomy and applied study
16:30 Dinner and rest
19:00 Study period and reflection
The days are full but balanced, with space for both learning and integration.
What you should be learning
A well-rounded YTT should include more than asana. The study should cover a range of subjects that help you grow as both a practitioner and a teacher.
- Sequencing, adjusting, and lesson planning
- Anatomy and physiology, including the nervous system
- The Yoga Sutras and Hatha Yoga Pradipika
- Subtle body systems such as chakras, vayus, and koshas
- Pranayama, meditation, and pratyahara
- Ethics, professional conduct, and teaching skills
- The Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads
- Philosophy, including Samkhya and Shiva–Shakti principles
This kind of learning gives you a deep and practical understanding of yoga that you can live, not just teach.
What to avoid
Be cautious of programs that:
- Focus only on the physical aspect of yoga
- Skip traditional philosophy or Sanskrit study
- Discourage questions or discussion
- Feel more like a holiday than a training
A good teacher training requires time and attention. If a course rushes through essential study or avoids discussing lineage, it may not provide the foundation you need.
The bottom line
Choosing the right yoga teacher training is not about location or marketing. It’s about depth, honesty, and respect for the tradition. Look for teachers who can trace their knowledge back to the original sources and who invite you to explore them too.
A true yoga training will challenge you to think, to practice with intention, and to experience yoga beyond the mat. That is how you grow into a teacher who carries this tradition forward with integrity.
Our next Bulgaria yoga teacher training
Duration: July 6 – July 20, 2026
Location: Yoga Dharma BG, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
Accreditation: Yoga Alliance Europe & International
Investment: How to choose the right yoga teacher training (and what to avoid)
If you’ve been thinking about doing your 200-hour yoga teacher training, you already know there are hundreds of options out there. Some are online, others abroad, some are intensive, and some take months to complete. It can be hard to tell what’s authentic and what’s just clever marketing.
So how do you know which training is right for you? And more importantly, which ones to skip?
Look for authentic teachings, not trends
Yoga isn’t only about flexibility or fitness. It’s a deep philosophical and spiritual system that has been passed down for thousands of years. A good yoga teacher training stays true to the original texts such as The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, The Hatha Yoga Pradipika, and The Bhagavad Gita.
If a course focuses only on posture, it’s missing the essence of yoga. The physical practice, or asana, is one part of a much wider system that includes breathwork, meditation, ethics, and philosophy.
When a school uses verifiable content from authentic sources, you can trust that you’re learning yoga in its full context rather than a simplified or modernized version.
Yoga Dharma teaches through a Sutric and Tantric approach, grounding every lesson in genuine, traceable sources. Students are encouraged to study, question, and cross-reference everything they learn. It’s not about memorizing information. It’s about understanding and direct experience.
Attention to alignment and anatomy
One of the biggest gaps in many modern teacher trainings is a real understanding of alignment. Alignment is not just about getting into the shape of a pose. It’s about knowing why the body moves in that way and how to guide it safely.
A quality training dedicates time to applied anatomy and intelligent adjustment. This builds confidence as a teacher and helps prevent injury for your future students.
Yoga Alliance accredited
Accreditation matters because it provides structure and recognition. A Yoga Alliance registered school follows international standards for curriculum, teaching hours, and assessment.
While accreditation alone does not guarantee quality, it ensures that your certification is recognized worldwide and that the program meets key requirements for professional teaching.
Look for a clear course structure
A strong yoga training has a clear and logical structure that allows knowledge to build gradually. You should feel supported, not overwhelmed.
Here’s what a typical day in our 200-hour program looks like:
06:30 Shat Karmas (cleansing practices)
07:00 Asana practice
09:00 Pranayama
09:30 Breakfast and free time
11:30 Presentations and philosophy
13:00 Break
13:30 Adjustment clinic
15:00 Anatomy and applied study
16:30 Dinner and rest
19:00 Study period and reflection
The days are full but balanced, with space for both learning and integration.
What you should be learning
A well-rounded YTT should include more than asana. The study should cover a range of subjects that help you grow as both a practitioner and a teacher.
- Sequencing, adjusting, and lesson planning
- Anatomy and physiology, including the nervous system
- The Yoga Sutras and Hatha Yoga Pradipika
- Subtle body systems such as chakras, vayus, and koshas
- Pranayama, meditation, and pratyahara
- Ethics, professional conduct, and teaching skills
- The Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads
- Philosophy, including Samkhya and Shiva–Shakti principles
This kind of learning gives you a deep and practical understanding of yoga that you can live, not just teach.
What to avoid
Be cautious of programs that:
- Focus only on the physical aspect of yoga
- Skip traditional philosophy or Sanskrit study
- Discourage questions or discussion
- Feel more like a holiday than a training
A good teacher training requires time and attention. If a course rushes through essential study or avoids discussing lineage, it may not provide the foundation you need.
The bottom line
Choosing the right yoga teacher training is not about location or marketing. It’s about depth, honesty, and respect for the tradition. Look for teachers who can trace their knowledge back to the original sources and who invite you to explore them too.
A true yoga training will challenge you to think, to practice with intention, and to experience yoga beyond the mat. That is how you grow into a teacher who carries this tradition forward with integrity.
Our next Bulgaria yoga teacher training
Your Journey
Duration: July 6 – July 20, 2026
Location: Yoga Dharma BG, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
Accreditation: Yoga Alliance Europe & International
Investment: £1,850 Early bird price. (includes all meals, accommodation, and study materials)
Transfers: We can help arrange affordable transport from Sofia airport
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