H

atha yoga is a form of mind-body exercise that has become popular in the Western world for various reasons. It’s a practical exercise involving physical postures in connection with your breath. This connection helps you develop mental focus and connects your mind, body, and spirit.

So, when did Hatha originate? It grew from yogic traditions dating back to the 2nd century BCE or 5th century CE. This style of yoga focuses on mastery of the body to attain spiritual perfection. The goal is for your mind to withdraw from external objects.

Hatha believes in the importance of diet, pranayama, and postures. It develops your strength, flexibility, relaxation, and mental concentration. A study of ten volunteers who participated in two Hatha yoga classes a week for eight weeks found that muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility all increased.

Becoming a Hatha Yoga teacher is now easier than ever with the availability of online teacher training. But with so many options, which one is best? Let’s explore our top choices!

What Does Hatha Yoga Mean?

The word Hatha in Sanskrit means “Discipline of Force.” Hatha yoga, as a discipline, can be used to describe many types of yoga in the Western world. When Hatha yoga was originated, it was a life philosophy that emphasized the awareness of self and how to obtain inner peace.

Hatha yoga is also interpreted to signify the beautiful and mysterious union of the sun and the moon. The term Hatha denotes the overall goal of the system. It is the ultimate purpose behind the practice of yoga as a whole.

Hatha yoga is primarily asana practice. Asana means an individual yoga posture. The modern form of Hatha yoga is where students go into the basics of each pose. The goal is alignment and remaining in each asana for many breaths.

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The Best Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Online​

1. Akasha Yoga Academy’s 80-Hour Online Hatha and Pranayama Training

Co-directors Kirsten and Burkhard lead the teacher training at Akasha Yoga Academy. They have over 15 years of research and practice and over 5000 hours of teaching experience. It’s safe to say that you’re in good hands at Akasha Yoga Academy.

The 80-hour Advanced Hatha and Pranayama Online Teacher Training offered by Akasha Yoga Academy is an experience. You will:

  1. Learn how to integrate your breath into asanas
  2. Participate in arm balancing workshops
  3. Develop and advance your Pranayama practice
  4. Explore the roots of yoga with source scriptures

In addition to the course, Akasha Yoga Academy offers seven bonuses to your teacher training:

  1. The 8 Limbs of Yoga workshop
  2. Yoga Teacher Resume
  3. 24 guided audio meditations
  4. Yoga Liability Waiver template
  5. Cover Letter Template
  6. New Client Intake Form
  7. A Yearly Planner

Key facts:

  1. Prerequisites: None
  2. Format: Online
  3. Hours of study: 80 hours
  4. Duration: At your own pace
  5. Price: One-time payment of $600 or 3-month payments of $220 each
  6. Certification/Accreditation: Yoga Alliance

Reviews:

  1. Yoga Alliance Reviews: 5 stars, 226 reviews
  2. Google Reviews: 4.9 stars, 103 reviews

2. Movement Wisdom Yoga

Movement Wisdom Yoga by Jess Rose explores four different styles of yoga, including Hatha. The others are Vinyasa, Yin, and Restorative. In this 200-hour teacher training, you will explore the following:

  1. Asana Practice with 30 full-length classes
  2. Asana Labs takes an in-depth look at over 100 yoga poses
  3. Master cueing, sequencing, and teaching yoga
  4. Anatomy
  5. Philosophy
  6. Meditation
  7. Breathwork
  8. Personal Growth and Your Subtle Body
  9. The Business of Yoga

But that’s not all! You’ll participate in journaling exercises, access to the community, and a 400-page training manual.

Key facts:

  1. Prerequisites: N/A
  2. Format: Online
  3. Hours of study: 200 hours
  4. Duration: 1 year
  5. Price: $945 one-time payment; 3 payments of $345 or 6 payments of $195
  6. Certification/Accreditation: Yoga Alliance

Reviews:

  1. Yoga Alliance Reviews: 5 stars, 10 reviews
  2. Google Reviews: N/A

3. The Peaceful Warriors’ 200 Hour Online YTT Pathway

Up next is The Peaceful Warrior Yoga School 200-Hour Online YTT Pathway, and it contains eight modules:

  1. Yoga Anatomy and Physiology
  2. Yoga History
  3. Yoga Philosophy and Lifestyle
  4. Asana/Posture Alignment and Teaching
  5. The Subtle Body, Pranayama and Meditation
  6. Hatha and Vinyasa Practice and Sequencing
  7. Teaching Different Demographics
  8. Business for Yogis

Bonus training opportunity! If you don’t want to commit to 200 hours, The Peaceful Warrior Yoga School also offers the 80-hour Hatha and Vinyasa Practice and Sequencing Course as a standalone course.

This course gives you access to all the training materials and a virtual community to enhance your journey.

Key facts:

  1. Prerequisites: N/A
  2. Format: Online
  3. Hours of study: 200 hours (or 80 hours)
  4. Duration: At your own pace
  5. Price: $1200 one-time payment, three payments for $450, or 6 payments of $250
  6. Certification/Accreditation: Yoga Alliance

Reviews:

  1. Yoga Alliance Reviews: 5 stars, 43 reviews
  2. Google Reviews: 5 stars, 72 reviews

4. Brett Larkin Yoga Uplifted’s 200 Hour Online Yoga Teacher Training

Brett Larkin Yoga Uplifted’s 200-Hour Teacher Training focuses on four styles of yoga: Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin, and Restorative. The instructors have trauma-informed certifications, and the community is enthusiastic. This certification boasts that it’s the only one that:

  1. Has eight years of experience certifying online
  2. Mails a 600-color paper manual to you
  3. Direct address to the founder, Brett Larkin
  4. 96% certification rate
  5. Interest-free payment plans
  6. A personalized Asana review

This program is split into two steps. Step 1 is self-paced. You download the videos and have access forever. Step 2 is Mastery and Implementation Live Calls. This step is where you will get individualized feedback and will progress with the same group through the process.

You will also get access to 6 bonus training sessions. These include how to:

  1. Build an online presence
  2. Create a high-converting website
  3. Email marketing campaigns
  4. Score private and corporate clients
  5. Start teaching online
  6. Optimize your social media

Key facts:

  1. Prerequisites: N/A
  2. Format: Online
  3. Hours of study: 200 hours
  4. Duration: 4 months
  5. Price: $2850 or $475 per month for six months
  6. Certification/Accreditation: Yoga Alliance

Reviews:

  1. Yoga Alliance Reviews: 5 stars, 511 reviews
  2. Google Reviews: N/A

5. Santosha Yoga Institute’s Certified Online Yoga Teacher Training

Based in Australia, Santosha Yoga Institute has over 14 years of Yoga Teacher Training, from online to in-person in Bali. This course, while self-paced, also contains live interactive sessions. The style is “vini ” flow, which combines Hatha Yoga with short Vinyasa sequences.

The training consists of 16 modules. A few examples are Yoga Anatomy, The Therapeutic Application of Yoga, and Philosophy for Daily Living.

So what sets this training apart? After you book, you will also receive a free 30 or 50-hour online yoga Teacher Training. Options include Yin Yoga, Yoga Nidra, and Meditation.

Key facts:

  1. Prerequisites: N/A
  2. Format: Online with option to convert to in-person
  3. Hours of study: 200
  4. Duration: Self-paced
  5. Price: AUD 1,490 or 5 payments of AUD 318
  6. Certification/Accreditation: Yoga Alliance and Yoga Alliance Australia

Reviews:

  1. Yoga Alliance Reviews: 4.34 stars, 466 reviews
  2. Google Reviews: N/A

6. Full Circle Yoga School’s 200 Hour Teacher Training

Full Circle Yoga School offers a variety of online teacher training, including a 200-hour Hatha-specific course. This program covers all aspects of the physical practice, such as the postures, adjustments, and alignment principles. It also delves into the history of yoga, anatomy, and pranayama. There are a total of 21 modules that you can complete at your own pace.

The benefit of this teacher training is that it dives deeper into spiritual practice. You’ll spend time working on your self-discovery and personal growth. You’ll also be introduced to an immersion in conscious living.

Key facts:

  1. Prerequisites: N/A
  2. Format: Online
  3. Hours of study: 200 hours
  4. Duration: At your own pace
  5. Price: $999
  6. Certification/Accreditation: Yoga Alliance

Reviews:

  1. Yoga Alliance Reviews: 5 stars, 107 reviews
  2. Google Reviews: 5 stars, 13 reviews

7. My Vinyasa Practice’s 200-Hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training

My Vinyasa Practice is a famous online studio that provides authentic, accessible, and affordable yoga teacher training. This 200-hour course will educate you on the history and lineages of Hatha yoga and take you through its evolution into the modern-day practice you know and love today!

Entirely taught by Maire Mcglasson, you’ll explore not only the history and philosophy of yoga but you’ll learn:

  1. The Yoga Sutras
  2. Anatomy
  3. Asana & Sequencing
  4. Pranayama
  5. Sanskrit
  6. Pancha Maya Kosha
  7. Karma & Dharma
  8. Chakra Training
  9. Meditation, Mantras, Mudras & Bandhas
  10. Ayurveda

But that’s not all! You’ll also dive into ethics, personal development, and the yoga business. Entirely online, you can move at your own pace and access one-on-one guidance tailored to your goals.

Key facts:

  1. Prerequisites: N/A
  2. Format: Online
  3. Hours of study: 200
  4. Duration: At your own pace
  5. Price: $412.50
  6. Certification/Accreditation: Yoga Alliance

Reviews:

  1. Yoga Alliance Reviews: 4.9 stars, 278 reviews
  2. Google Reviews: 5 stars, 3783 reviews

8. DoYogaWithMe’s 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Certification

DoYogaWithMe focuses on both Hatha and Vinyasa styles of yoga. This training program teaches you to find your unique voice and teaching style. So, what does the program look like? Four levels total, and the first 3 cover the 200 hours required for the Yoga Alliance. The first two levels consist of 32 self-paced online modules. These levels are worth 160 hours. Level 3 is the final 40 hours, a 6-day, live online program. Level 4 is an in-person retreat focusing on hands-on assists, pose demonstrations and your presence. This is worth 50 hours. You’ll receive over 600 pages of materials and references and lifetime access to all the materials online. You’ll meet fellow students worldwide and participate in monthly group meetings. It’ll take approximately nine months to finish the program at their suggested pace. Are you still trying to figure it out? Level 1 is free! Key facts:
  1. Prerequisites: N/A
  2. Format: Levels 1 – 3 online, Level 4 in person
  3. Hours of study: 200 – 250 hours
  4. Duration: At your own pace
  5. Price: $2,400 one-time payment or six payments of $405
  6. Certification/Accreditation: Yoga Alliance
Reviews:
  1. Yoga Alliance Reviews: 5 stars, 15 reviews
  2. Google Reviews: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Hatha Yoga?

Hatha yoga is quickly growing in popularity and has many widely recognized benefits. And not just physical! Hatha yoga can be an effective practice to reduce anxiety and calm your mind.

Do I have to teach yoga after training?

No! Many students take training to deepen their practice without the intention of teaching.

There are so many options - how do I know which one to pick?

First, figure out what your goals are. Then, pick a teacher training that aligns with your goals. Each has their own time and monetary commitment. All of these options are at your own pace or flexible. You know best what you can commit. 

What is the Yoga Alliance's Role in Certifying Hatha instructors?

The Yoga Alliance is an organization that creates the standards for yoga teachers. They certify teacher training programs and set the standards for the industry.

I’m busy and don’t know if I can commit to 200 hours. Should I wait?

No, you don’t have to wait! The beauty of these online trainings is that you can take them at your own pace. You can complete the training when you are ready.

Concluding Thoughts on the Best of the Best Hatha Yoga Teacher Training

Hatha yoga is a popular style that is growing in the Western world. These seven options have their benefits, and now you can choose the best training for you and your goals. They are all online and mostly self-paced, so pick a training you can easily integrate into your life. Happy learning.

Jennifer Triplett is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200) with the Yoga Alliance. She is also a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Pilates mat instructor. In her free time, she is a freelance writer and run coach. Jennifer is the owner of Trillium Virtual Yoga, an online yoga and Pilates studio and currently teaches both online and in person in Dallas, Texas.

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