Signing up for a yoga teacher training program is a big decision. Whether you want to teach professionally or deepen your personal practice, choosing the right program matters. The teacher training you select will shape your understanding of yoga, your teaching voice, and the community you build around your practice.
Chicago has no shortage of yoga teacher training programs. A quick search will show you dozens of options, each with different formats, philosophies, and price points. So how do you choose the one that is right for you?
At Yoga Now Chicago, we have been running Yoga Alliance-registered 200-hour and 500-hour teacher training programs since our founding in 2003. Our program is led by Amy Beth Treciokas, an E-RYT 500 and YACEP with decades of experience studying and teaching yoga. Over the years, we have trained hundreds of teachers, many of whom now teach at studios throughout Chicago and beyond.
This guide will walk you through what to look for in a yoga teacher training program, what makes a strong program, and how to evaluate your options in Chicago.
What Is Yoga Teacher Training (YTT)?
Yoga teacher training, commonly called YTT, is an immersive educational program that prepares you to teach yoga. The standard entry point is a 200-hour program, which covers the fundamentals of yoga philosophy, anatomy, teaching methodology, and practice. After completing a 200-hour YTT, you can register with Yoga Alliance as an RYT-200 (Registered Yoga Teacher).
A 500-hour program builds on the 200-hour foundation with more advanced study. Completing both the 200-hour and 500-hour programs qualifies you to register as an RYT-500.
Some people enroll in YTT because they want to teach. Others enroll because they want to deepen their practice and understanding of yoga. Both are valid reasons. A good program serves both intentions well.
What to Look for in a Yoga Teacher Training Program
Not all YTT programs are created equal. Here are the factors that matter most:
The Lead Trainer’s Experience
This is arguably the single most important factor. The lead trainer sets the tone for the entire program. Look for someone with substantial teaching experience, deep study in a specific tradition, and a track record of training teachers.
Ask about their credentials. E-RYT 500 means the teacher has completed a 500-hour training and has at least 1,000 hours of teaching experience. YACEP means they are a Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider. These designations indicate a serious, experienced teacher.
Look beyond credentials too. Where did they study? Who were their teachers? How long have they been practicing? A teacher who has spent decades in deep study will bring a richness to the training that no weekend certification can replicate.
Curriculum Depth
A comprehensive YTT program should cover more than just how to teach poses. Look for a curriculum that includes:
- Asana technique and alignment – understanding the mechanics of each pose
- Anatomy and physiology – how the body works and how to keep students safe
- Yoga philosophy – the Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, and the history of yoga
- Teaching methodology – how to sequence classes, give cues, and hold space
- Pranayama and meditation – breathwork and contemplative practices
- Hands-on adjustments – how to safely and respectfully adjust students
- Business of yoga – practical guidance for building a teaching career
If a program focuses almost entirely on asana and skims over philosophy, anatomy, or teaching skills, you may graduate without the well-rounded foundation you need.
Program Format and Schedule
YTT programs generally come in two formats: intensive (full-time over a few weeks) and extended (part-time over several months). Both have advantages.
Intensive programs immerse you completely, which can accelerate learning. But they are demanding and leave little room for processing what you are absorbing.
Extended programs allow you to integrate the material over time, continue your regular work schedule, and apply what you are learning in your daily practice. Most of our students at Yoga Now prefer the extended format because it gives them time to absorb and practice between sessions.
Community and Class Size
A YTT program is not just about the curriculum. It is also about the people you train with. Smaller class sizes mean more individual attention from the lead trainer, more opportunities to practice teaching, and deeper connections with your cohort.
Ask about the typical class size. Programs with twenty or more students can feel impersonal. Programs with eight to twelve students tend to foster the kind of intimate, supportive environment where the best learning happens.
Studio Culture and Lineage
The studio where you train matters. You will be spending a lot of time there. Visit the studio before you enroll. Take some classes. Talk to teachers who graduated from the program. Get a feel for the community and the energy.
Pay attention to the studio’s lineage too. Yoga has many traditions, and a studio that is grounded in a specific lineage (such as Ashtanga, Iyengar, or Kundalini) will offer a more focused and coherent training than a studio that blends everything together without depth in any one tradition.
The Yoga Now Teacher Training Program
At Yoga Now, our teacher training is rooted in the Ashtanga tradition and informed by decades of study in Mysore, India. Here is what sets our program apart:
A Lead Trainer With Deep Roots
Amy Beth Treciokas founded Yoga Now in 2003. She holds an E-RYT 500 and YACEP designation and has been teaching yoga since the late 1990s. Amy Beth traveled to Mysore, India fourteen times to study with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and was authorized to teach Ashtanga yoga in 1999. She brings over two decades of direct study in the Ashtanga lineage to every training.
This depth of experience matters. When you learn from someone who has dedicated their life to a specific tradition, you get more than techniques. You get context, nuance, and a living connection to the roots of the practice.
A Proven Track Record
Many of our current teachers came through our teacher training program. Cassidy Duvall completed her YTT 200 with Amy Beth and now teaches vinyasa classes at the studio. Elly Hall earned her RYT 200 through our program and teaches vinyasa rooted in the Ashtanga Half Primary series. Sirena Zapata completed her training and now teaches prenatal yoga, chair yoga, and kids yoga. Francelia Serrano Chavez completed both her RYT-200 and 500-hour training with Amy Beth and now teaches bilingual yoga, restorative classes, and meditation.
Other graduates include Hannah Olson, Katie Sue Johnson, Gennie Pilotta-Medici, and Vinay Vallabh, all of whom went through our training and are now teaching in the community. When a program produces teachers who go on to teach at the same studio where they trained, that says something about the quality of the training.
Comprehensive Curriculum
Our 200-hour program covers asana technique, anatomy, yoga philosophy, pranayama, meditation, teaching methodology, and hands-on adjustments. Students practice teaching from early in the program, building confidence and skill progressively throughout the training.
Our 500-hour program goes deeper into advanced asana, philosophy study, therapeutic applications of yoga, and the development of a personal teaching style.
Small Cohorts, Personal Attention
We keep our training groups small intentionally. This allows Amy Beth to work closely with each student, provide detailed feedback on teaching practicum, and create a supportive environment where everyone feels seen.
Questions to Ask Before You Enroll
Wherever you are considering training, here are some questions worth asking:
Who is the lead trainer, and what is their background? You want to know who is actually teaching the majority of the hours, not just whose name is on the brochure.
What is the typical class size? Smaller groups mean more attention and more opportunities to practice teaching.
What traditions or lineages inform the training? A program grounded in a specific tradition tends to offer more depth than a generic approach.
Can I talk to graduates of the program? Talking to people who have been through the training gives you honest insight into the experience.
What is the schedule and time commitment? Make sure the format works with your life.
Is the program registered with Yoga Alliance? This ensures the program meets minimum standards and that your certification will be recognized.
Is Yoga Teacher Training Right for You?
You do not need to be an advanced practitioner to enroll in YTT. You do need a consistent practice and a genuine interest in learning more. The best time to enroll is when you feel curious enough about yoga to want to understand it more deeply, whether or not you plan to teach.
Many of our graduates came into the program unsure about whether they wanted to teach. Some discovered a passion for it and now teach full time. Others use what they learned to deepen their personal practice. Both outcomes are valuable.
How to Learn More
If you are considering yoga teacher training in Chicago, we would love to talk with you. You can learn more about our program at our teacher training information page and register for the next cohort.
You are also welcome to visit the studio, take a class, and meet Amy Beth and the other teachers. We think the best way to evaluate a training program is to experience the studio firsthand. View our class schedule and find a time that works for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be advanced at yoga to enroll in teacher training?
No. You need a consistent practice and a genuine desire to learn. Many people enroll in YTT with a beginner or intermediate practice. The training is designed to meet you where you are and build from there.
What is the difference between 200-hour and 500-hour training?
The 200-hour program is the foundational training that qualifies you to register as an RYT-200 with Yoga Alliance. The 500-hour program is an advanced training that builds on the 200-hour foundation. You must complete a 200-hour program before enrolling in a 500-hour program.
How long does yoga teacher training take?
It depends on the format. Extended programs typically run over three to six months with weekend sessions. Intensive programs may run full-time over four to eight weeks. At Yoga Now, we offer an extended format that allows students to continue working while they train.
Can I teach yoga after completing a 200-hour YTT?
Yes. After completing a Yoga Alliance-registered 200-hour program, you can register as an RYT-200 and begin teaching. Many new teachers start by subbing at studios, teaching at gyms or community centers, or offering private sessions while they build experience.
How much does yoga teacher training cost in Chicago?
Costs vary widely depending on the studio, the lead trainer’s experience, and what is included. When comparing prices, consider the quality of the training, the lead trainer’s credentials, the class size, and whether books and materials are included. You can find our current tuition information on our registration page.
Ready to take the next step? Learn more about becoming a yoga teacher at Yoga Now Chicago in River North. Our next training cohort is forming now. Register here or contact us at 312-280-9642 with any questions.
Yoga Now Chicago | 742 N LaSalle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654 | 312-280-9642