What's the Difference Between YTT and RYT?

If you’re exploring yoga teacher training, you’ve probably seen two terms everywhere: YTT and RYT. They look similar, sound similar, and often get confused, but they mean two very different things in the yoga world.

Here’s the simplest way to understand it:

YTT is the education.

RYT is the credential.

You complete a Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) to learn how to practice, teach, cue, sequence, understand anatomy, and embody yoga philosophy. After you graduate, you can choose to register with Yoga Alliance to become an RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher).

Let’s break it down clearly and in a way that empowers beginners, military spouses, caregivers, and anyone navigating a busy or unpredictable season of life.

What Is YTT?

Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) is the structured educational program you attend to learn how to teach yoga safely, ethically, and effectively.

A 200-hour YTT includes:

• posture breakdowns

• anatomy & physiology

• safety + injury prevention

• philosophy & history

• sequencing

• teaching practice

• cueing

• trauma-sensitive options

• accessibility & modifications

• an ethical foundation for teaching

At Lotus River Wellness (LRW), our 200-hour YTT is self-paced, MyCAA-approved, military-spouse-centric, trauma-informed, and designed for all experience levels, including absolute beginners.

YTT is where you learn the craft. Every person who wants to teach yoga must complete a YTT, but not every YTT graduate chooses to become an RYT.

What Is RYT?

RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) is a credential you earn after completing YTT, if you decide to register with Yoga Alliance.

RYT is not a training.It’s a professional designation.

To become an RYT, you must:

1. Graduate from a Yoga Alliance–approved school (like LRW’s RYS-200).

2. Submit your certificate to Yoga Alliance.

3. Pay a membership fee.

4. Meet ongoing continuing education requirements.

Once approved, you earn the title RYT 200.

This registration can enhance credibility, especially when teaching at studios, bases, wellness centers, or nonprofit organizations.

YTT vs. RYT: The Key Differences

Here’s the simplest comparison:

YTT

• The training

  • 200 hours of education

  • Where you learn to teach

  • Required for teaching

  • One-time tuition

  • Provided by your school

RYT

• The credential

  • Optional registration

  • Earned after YTT

  • Not required to teach everywhere

  • Annual membership fees

  • Managed by Yoga Alliance

Think of it like this: YTT = your degree. RYT = joining the professional association.

Do You Need to Be an RYT to Teach?

No. You do not need to be an RYT to teach yoga.

Thousands of teachers work in:

• gyms

• virtual settings

• retreats

• military bases

• nonprofits

• wellness events

• corporate programs

…without registering with Yoga Alliance.

However, becoming an RYT can offer benefits:

• more credibility

• more teaching opportunities

• accountability and CE requirements

• a professional network

• easier acceptance into advanced trainings

How LRW Supports Students on Both Paths

After completing the LRW 200-hour YTT and your additional 10 unsupervised teaching hours, you earn your CYT (Certified Yoga Teacher) certificate.

From there, you may:

• apply to Yoga Alliance to become an RYT

• choose not to register

• continue with additional certifications

• teach on-base, in studios, or online

• pursue trauma-informed or military-focused roles

We support whichever path aligns with your goals.

A Real LRW Case Study

A military spouse in our program completed her 200-hour YTT while caring for a wounded veteran at home. She initially didn’t register as an RYT because she wanted to teach only in small, private community settings.

After her husband’s recovery stabilized, she chose to register with Yoga Alliance to expand her teaching into base-wide classes and nonprofit partnerships.

The beauty of the system is: You can register whenever you’re ready, your timeline is your own.

Final Answer

YTT is the educational program you complete. RYT is the professional credential you may choose to register for afterward.

You need YTT to teach. You do not need to become an RYT to teach, but it can be beneficial.

If you’re exploring a portable, meaningful, military-family-friendly career, understanding this distinction will help you make confident decisions as you grow on your yoga path.