Our credentialing system
The American Yoga Council promotes skills, knowledge, and experience, not follower count, so students can find the right yoga teacher for their needs and more people can enrich their lives through yoga.
Because of the diverse lineages of yoga and the vast differences in approach between various styles, each individual school determines the skills and knowledge required for certification at their school. This allows schools and senior teachers to train teachers in the way they feel is best, without simply checking boxes to meet a top-down, “one-size-fits-none” standard.
Why the American Yoga Council?
AYC defines the most essential safety drivers for yoga education and offers a platform to help the growth of yoga and yoga professionals. Our goal is to maximize honesty and transparency in yoga credentialing.
Why trust AYC accreditation?
AYC defines three key safety drivers: a code of conduct, a scope of practice, and the experience required for each level. Every school must also agree to a transparency and public review policy, as well as business best practices (e.g. refund policy, liability insurance, etc.).
AYC Scope of Practice policy
Defines safe teaching practices
AYC Scope of Practice policy
Defines safe teaching practices
AYC Code of Conduct policy
Holds schools and teachers accountable to the public
AYC Business Best Practices policy
Protects yoga students and helps businesses grow
What are the levels?
AYC sets standards for the scope of practice and experience required for each level. Each school also sets the particular skills and knowledge tested at each level.
Practitioner Training
Unique to AYC
- A credential for students to develop a personal yoga practice
- Can safely practice a particular style of yoga asana or meditation in a safe and competent way according to the school’s AYC-accredited standards
- 6+ months consistent yoga practice
- 100 practices with certifying teacher
- 50 documented practices solo
Level 1 Yoga Teacher
Similar to a 200-hour certification
- Can guide groups of people in a particular style of yoga asana or meditation practice in a safe and competent way according to the school’s AYC-accredited standards.
- Typically a new teacher
- 1+ years consistent yoga practice
- 10+ group classes taught
Level 2 Yoga Teacher
Similar to a 500-hour certification
- Can guide individuals and groups to develop and refine their own personal yoga and meditation practice in a safe and competent way according to the school’s AYC-accredited standards
- Qualified to be lead faculty for Level 1 and Practitioner trainings
- 4+ years of consistent teaching experience
- 100+ classes or privates taught
Level 3 Yoga Teacher
Similar to a 1000-hour certification
- Can convey and adapt specialized practices to particular populations in a safe and competent way according to the school’s AYC-accredited standards.
- Has established deeper specialized knowledge or skill in two or more AYC-CE categories, including lifestyle integration
- Qualified to be lead faculty for Level 1, 2 and Practitioner trainings
- 10+ years of consistent teaching experience
- 1000+ classes, privates, or workshops taught
Level 4 Yoga Teacher
Unique to AYC
- Can convey and adapt all practices above to a wide variety of individuals with varying conditions or needs in a safe and competent way according to the school’s AYC-accredited standards.
- Has established deeper specialized knowledge or skill in five or more AYC-CE categories
- Recognized as one of the most senior practitioners of that lineage
- Qualified to be lead faculty for Level 1, 2, 3 and Practitioner trainings
- Has passed AYC’s core competencies exam
- 20+ years of consistent teaching experience
- 1500+ classes, privates, or workshops taught
Master Yoga Teacher
Honorary title
- Recognized by AYC based on their teaching history OR by an AYC-M of a particular tradition after completing all levels in that tradition
- Qualified to be lead faculty for Level 1, 2, 3, 4 and Practitioner trainings
- Typically 30+ years of consistent teaching experience
Continuing Education Provider
Unique to AYC
- Any subject matter expert can apply to have their programs count as CE and create badges. They need not be a yoga teacher specifically.
- Typically 5+ years experience, demonstrated excellence, or professional credentials in a particular field of expertise
What are CE badges?
CE badges indicate training in a particular subject. Continuing education providers may accredit their programs in one of the following categories. (If you would like to request additional categories, email support@americanyogacouncil.com). CE programs are accredited in the same manner as training programs.
*AYC core competencies for Level 4 certification
Sound good?
Join hundreds of serious yoga professionals who have already claimed their usernames and created public profiles.
Still have questions?
Attend our next Open House and talk directly to AYC leadership