Frequently Asked Questions

When you join our all-inclusive training program, you’re not just stepping into a yoga class—you’re entering a sanctuary created for those who have faced hardship and seek healing. Our program goes beyond foundational training by offering exclusive resources in Breathwork (Pranayama), Ayurveda, and Trauma-Sensitive Yoga, with special support for those recovering from the physical, mental, and emotional demands of service life. We’re here to stand beside you, offering a deeper level of care and community at every step. Discover the strength within you and a support system that truly understands. At Lotus River Wellness, we offer and fulfill all Yoga Alliance requirements for our 200-hour Teacher Training.

Yoga goes beyond the physical; it’s a path of disciplined dedication that brings harmony to body, mind, and spirit. Deciding to become a Yoga Teacher marks a meaningful step toward a deeper understanding of this transformative, ancient practice. Here are key insights to help you prepare for your Yoga Teacher Training journey: Embracing the Commitment : Beginning a yoga teacher training course requires a dedicated investment of time, energy, and resources. This journey involves not only developing your physical practice but also delving into philosophy, yoga anatomy, and teaching methods. Embracing the depth of this commitment will help you move through the journey with greater ease and purpose. Preparing Physically : A baseline level of physical fitness and familiarity with essential yoga poses can support you throughout the training. We recommend establishing a regular daily practice before beginning your program. This foundation will help build strength, flexibility, and endurance, allowing the training schedule to feel like a natural extension of your practice. Preparing Mentally and Emotionally : Yoga Teacher Training can be both physically and emotionally challenging. The program invites self-reflection and personal growth, so it’s helpful to cultivate mental clarity and emotional balance beforehand. Techniques like meditation and pranayama (breathwork) can be invaluable tools to center and strengthen your mind and emotions as you embark on this path. Financial Preparation : Yoga Teacher Training is also an investment in yourself. Beyond tuition, factor in additional costs like books, materials, and any personal expenses you may need along the way. Setting aside a buffer for unexpected costs will help you feel financially prepared and focus fully on your learning. Selecting the Right School and Style : With so many yoga schools and styles to choose from, it’s important to research thoroughly. Consider factors like the curriculum, style of yoga, experience of the teachers, flexibility of the course, and what is included in the enrollment package. Finding a school aligned with your personal values and aspirations will enhance your experience and growth as a teacher. Final Thoughts : As you begin your Yoga Teacher Training, remember that this journey is one of self-discovery. The skills you cultivate will require mindful preparation and wholehearted commitment. This is not just about earning the title of Yoga Teacher—it’s also about deepening your personal practice and nurturing your physical, mental, and emotional transformation. This journey will ultimately help you cultivate strength and harmony, preparing you for a fulfilling future both on and off the mat.

Our all-inclusive training program offers both online and in-person community support groups that students and graduates can access throughout and beyond their training journey. We’ve built a genuine support network of like-minded individuals and have established local in-person community groups near many major military installations across the U.S. Be sure to visit our Events page for details on upcoming gatherings in your area.

Absolutely. Many students take our trainings to deepen their own practice without any intention of ever teaching a yoga class. With many of our students being connected to the Special Operations Military community, we feel that by integrating the needs of the body, mind, and spirit – our community can receive a deeper healing and wellness that lasts a lifetime.

Our Teacher Training offers two thoughtfully designed options to enhance your journey while accommodating your needs. The 200-Hour Virtual Yoga Teacher Training can be completed in as little as 25-days, and up to One Year*. During your initial interview, be ready to discuss your intended timeline for completing the program. Will you fully immerse yourself and complete the training in an intensive 25-day format, or would you prefer a more gradual approach, taking up to a full year to finish? Your choice will help us support you in reaching your goals. Please contact programs@LotusRiverWellness.org for more information. *Please Note : MyCAA Scholarship Students must complete our 200-hr YTT within 6-months of start date.

Yes. Domestic and International standards are fulfilled in our training programs. Upon successful completion of your program, you will receive a certificate that proves eligibility to work as a Yoga Teacher. At Lotus River Wellness, we offer and fulfill all Yoga Alliance requirements for our 200-hour Teacher Trainings.

Yes! All programs offered at Lotus River Wellness are safe for beginners. We do recommend that beginner yogi’s move slowly and take their time to ensure they are able to receive all the information that is shared. Our Zen Den and Student Led Live Elements are great resources for beginners.

A Certified Yoga Teacher (CYT) has completed a yoga teacher training program and earned a certification, demonstrating their knowledge and skills in yoga instruction. A Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) takes certification a step further by registering with the Yoga Alliance, a widely recognized organization that sets professional standards for yoga teachers and schools. RYT status indicates that the teacher's training meets these standards and allows them to access additional benefits like visibility in the yoga community, continuing education, and professional resources. Both paths represent qualified yoga teachers, but registration with Yoga Alliance adds an extra layer of recognition and credibility.

You can use ANY device: smartphones, tablets, laptop, or desktop computer.

Yes, we offer an exclusive, in-person immersive Yoga Teacher Training program, four times a year. To ensure an intimate and highly personalized experience, our in-person retreats are kept small, with a maximum of 10 students. Our in-person programs are made possible through the generous support of donors, and our partnerships with non-profits within the SOF community.* *If you are interested in donating your rental/vacation home for LRW to host a future SOF Spouse, 25-day Immersive Retreat, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us to learn more about how you can support this transformative experience for our community.

No. If you are not planning to register with Yoga Alliance, you do not need to attend any live elements, although we highly recommend them throughout the course. All students have One-Year Access to all Elements within the LRW Member Portal. After One-Year, you will have the option for Continuing Education, Subscription, Membership, and Affiliate Opportunities.

We offer a wide variety of times for the various live elements to accommodate all schedules. Please check your student dashboard, or our Bookings Calendar to stay up to date, and RSVP.

Please note: Logging your hours is only required if you plan to register with Yoga Alliance. Many of our students do register with Yoga Alliance, therefore live elements are a required part of our training, but we do not require live hours to issue certificates. For those that wish to register with Yoga Alliance, you will receive a Live Hours Log in your Teacher Training Manual.

Student Teacher Meetups: Offered twice a week, this is the place you can ask any questions you may have. Current days, times, and links will be on our Booking Calendar. This is another way you can get synchronous learning hours. Online Study Groups: LRW provides live study groups weekly for Yoga Teacher Training. Once you are enrolled in the training, you can visit your dashboard at any time to get current dates, times, and links to log on to our live study groups on zoom. Online study groups last 1 hour and are held weekly. Practice Teaching Sessions: Online Yoga School provides one hour a week of practice teaching sessions for each of our core trainings. You can log on to practice teaching what you're learning or to observe others as they practice teaching. Our Lead Trainer will be hosting these meetings and providing feedback. Virtual Yoga Studio Classes: With your enrollment, we include live yoga classes across a variety of yoga styles and with different instructors. This is a great way for you to get the live hours that you need. As a side note, the virtual yoga studio comes with an on-demand library of yoga classes and workshops that you can also enjoy. When your membership ends, we won't auto-bill you. It just disappears from your dashboard. If you'd like to continue the membership, you can email us to discuss further. Book Club: We have a book club and you're invited to attend meetings for live interaction hours. Current times, dates and links will be shared as scheduled. We add new Elements often. You will stay up to date through your student portals.

We are here to support you! If you do not plan to register with Yoga Alliance, we will issue your certificate in a self-paced format, that will not include the live interactions that are required by Yoga Alliance. If you do plan to register with Yoga Alliance, you’re covered. Our All-Inclusive programs offer the live elements (to include 15% synchronous learning) that provide you with a log that you can use to document your live hours for your Yoga Alliance registration.

"Yoga Alliance” is the largest nonprofit association representing the yoga community, with over 7,000 Registered Yoga Schools (RYS) and more than 100,000 Registered Yoga Teachers (RYT) as of April 2020. We foster and support the high quality, safe, accessible, and equitable teaching of yoga." https://www.yogaalliance.org As a Yoga Teacher, It is optional to register with Yoga Alliance. Our Lotus River Wellness Director has been registered with Yoga Alliance since she completed her 200-hr Teacher Training. At Lotus River Wellness, we offer and fulfill all Yoga Alliance requirements for our 200-hour Teacher Trainings.

No. Registering with Yoga Alliance is optional and not required to teach yoga.

Yes, we are a Registered Yoga School, and all training programs offered are registered with Yoga Alliance. You can find us in the Yoga Alliance Directory under Lotus River Wellness.

Becoming a Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance sets you up with a solid foundation for your career in yoga. Yoga Alliance is considered the primary regulatory body for yoga in the Western world and the gold standard for Registered Yoga Teachers. With a clear understanding of the steps to becoming a Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance, you will be well on your way to success! The Steps to Becoming a Yoga Alliance Certified Yoga Teacher: 1. Find a Yoga Teacher Training Program Registered with Yoga Alliance (RYS). 2. Complete Your Yoga Teacher Training Requirements. 3. Get Your Yoga Teacher Certification from Your Yoga School. 4. Create Your Account with Yoga Alliance. 5. Submit Your Teacher Certification with Yoga Alliance. 6. Abide by the Yoga Alliance Ethical Commitment, Code of Conduct, and Yoga Therapy Policy. 7. Pay Your Annual Renewal Fees and Maintain Your Continuing Education Requirement Every 3-Years.

Known as the elite tier for the yoga community, becoming registered with Yoga Alliance provides you more opportunities, as you grow (or maintain) your profession as a Yoga Teacher. While it is completely optional to register with Yoga Alliance, there is a lot of important reasons LRW recommends you to be registered. Giving you the ability to teach anywhere you are interested, and it provides wonderful events, discounts, inclusivity, equity, and accessibility within the industry. Keeping you connected with weekly updates and monthly newsletters that help to educate you and your students with and changes or updates. There are many benefits to registering with Yoga Alliance, and you can read about them on the Yoga Alliance site. We have put together our top 5-Benefits of Registering with Yoga Alliance: 1. Prove Your Certification Status: The primary benefit of registering with Yoga Alliance is to show others that you have met a minimum level of certification as a Yoga Teacher. Yoga Alliance approves each school, and only by completing a yoga teacher training from an approved yoga school by Yoga Alliance can you then register as a teacher with Yoga Alliance. 2. Improve Your Employability: Many employers require that all Yoga Teachers are registered with Yoga Alliance. This registration can provide peace of mind to your students and increase your ability to gain employment at various yoga studios, gyms, or schools. 3. Gain Access to Liability Insurance: Many liability insurance companies also require that you have a Yoga Alliance registration because it shows them that you have met this minimum level of certification. As the insurance company is taking on the liability of you as a yoga teacher, they want to ensure that you have the skills to safely teach yoga to your students. 4. Receive Discounts from Various Businesses: Yoga Alliance also has partnerships with many other businesses and provides discounts to members who are registered. You will receive discounts for yoga props, accessories, wellness products, insurance, supportive business tools, and more. 5. Offer Continuing Education Courses as a YACEP: As a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance, you can eventually increase your status and provide continuing education courses to other yoga teachers as a Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider (YACEP). With this added status, you can support other yoga teachers and ensure that your courses are also registered with Yoga Alliance.

The requirements may update or change at any time. LRW recommends checking in with Yoga Alliance regularly to stay abreast of new information being past. At Lotus River Wellness, we offer and fulfill all Yoga Alliance requirements for our 200-hour Teacher Trainings. Prior to Covid-19, Yoga Alliance only accepted trainings that were offered 100% in person, with a face-to-face interaction. Post Covid, Yoga Alliance now accepts online teacher training hours.

In 2024, to be a Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance, it is required that you complete 15% of your training, synchronously. Yoga Alliance defines synchronous learning as “that which takes place with both student and teacher online together, in real time”. For the 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, this means you would be required to spend 30 hours with us live. And 45-hours for the 300-hour program.

In July 2023, Yoga Alliance announced that they will be permanently accepting online trainings with a blended format, requiring 15% synchronous learning. Yoga Alliance defines synchronous learning as “real time interaction with students and teachers”. Students may take self-paced, on demand training but must be online at the same time as the teacher for 15% of the training time. Here are the current requirements for all yoga teacher trainees who want to register with Yoga Alliance: >>> 200-Hour (RYS-200) = 30-Hours of Live Interaction >>> 300-Hour (RYS-300) = 45-Hours of Live Interaction >>> 500-Hour (RYS-500) = 75-Hours of Life Interaction

At Lotus River Wellness, we virtually offer the following live elements: Student Teacher Meetups, Study Groups, Discussion Groups, Practice Teaching Sessions, Live Yoga Classes, and Book Club.