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Elevated RYS 200 Standards

Please note

These standards were launched prior to the COVID-19 pandemic that prompted substantial shifts in the yoga landscape. Since then, we have revisited and revised our standards to ensure they continue to meet the current and evolving needs of the broader yoga community.

As such, all members will be required to up-level to forthcoming enhanced standards by December 31, 2023. You will hear from us in 2022 with next steps.

Core Curriculum

In early 2020, Yoga Alliance launched new Elevated Standards to replace our Legacy Standards underlying the foundational Registered Yoga School (RYS) 200 credential. This adaptation substantially increases the baseline for this credential, providing consistency across RYS 200s and building confidence in the quality and safety of service that our members deliver to their communities.

  • Legacy RYS 200 Standards: YA standards crafted and implemented prior to February 27, 2020. RYS 200 programs were initially asked to up-level by February 2022, however, due to COVID-19's impacts on our community, previously stated dates and deadlines are currently under review. Members will be informed of all relevant changes as they develop.

  • Elevated RYS 200 Standards : Enhanced standards launched on February 27, 2020 as a result of the community-led Standards Review Project. All aspiring RYS 200 programs must now apply under these standards.

Within the Elevated Standards is a shared core curriculum inclusive of lineage, style, and methodology. This curriculum includes a clear breakdown of four Educational Categories and 12 competencies encompassing respective sub-competencies [?]—all of which must be tested [?] for integration and application of knowledge.

Under these modernized standards, each RYS also assesses the knowledge, skills, and experience of its trainees prior to certifying them as 200-hour teachers against this core curriculum.

While the core curriculum requires 200 hours of instruction and training embodying the Educational Categories and competencies above, RYS 200s are encouraged to offer additional hours as desired or needed to expand upon their unique yoga focus(es). We value the respective points of view and areas of interest for all yoga school members, and promote additional education to support the lineage, style, or methodology unique to them.

What has changed?

When compared to our Legacy Standards, the Elevated Standards do the following:

  • Embrace an Hours + Competencies model centered around a common core curriculum made up of four Educational Categories, 12 competencies, and many sub-competencies, moving away from strictly an hours-based model based on Educational Categories;

  • Require 100% of the minimally-required hours to be classroom hours [?] tied directly to the core curriculum and learning objectives;

  • Allow for a maximum of 40 classroom hours to be delivered online (shared across the categories of Anatomy & Physiology and Yoga Humanities. See the RYS 2021 Online Teaching Exemption for more information.

  • Require RYSs to assess the knowledge, skills, and experience of their trainees prior to certifying them as 200-hour teachers (something that many Legacy RYSs currently do as a “best practice”); and

  • Increase the requirements of the RYS 200 Lead Trainer.

Lead Trainer Requirements

As part of the Standards Review Project, we took an in depth look at what qualified yoga teachers to lead teacher training programs around the world—the results of which are detailed within the Teacher Trainer Qualifications working group paper. From this exploration, we adapted the Lead Trainer Requirements within the Elevated Standards to better promote consistency, quality, and safety within YTT programs.

Notably, under the Elevated Standards, all Lead Trainers must hold the E-RYT 500 credential and teach at least 150 of the minimally-required 200 hours of the foundational teacher training program. Each RYS 200 may also have up to five Lead Trainers.

Registered Yoga School (RYS) Application Process

  • All current schools will be required to up-level to forthcoming enhanced standards by December 31, 2023. [?]

  • New applicants for any Registered Yoga School (RYS) credential will apply under the strengthened application and review process, providing greater shared accountability to meet or exceed Yoga Alliance's standards.

This enhanced application allows for a deeper understanding of an applicant’s yoga teacher training program, including schedule, curriculum, assessment methods, and training manual(s) and other materials.

Application Resources

We respect and value the work, energy, time, and love that goes into becoming a Registered Yoga School. To help, we’ve put together a variety of resources to streamline the RYS applicant process.

  • Guidebook to RYS Application: Browse an application checklist, pull policy templates, review Elective Hour fact sheets and more.

  • Credentialing Process and Curriculum Development Workshop: Here from Yoga Alliance leadership and additional yoga experts on the importance, creation, and implementation of teaching standards.

  • Frequently Asked Questions: Review FAQs regarding the Elevated Standards, Ethical Commitment, application process, and more.