Our credentialing system
At the American Yoga Council, we believe that excellence in yoga teaching comes from one’s depth of knowledge, cultivated skill, and embodied experience. Our goal is to help students find the right teacher for their unique needs so that more people can access the lifelong benefits of yoga.
Because yoga is rich with diverse lineages and teaching traditions, we recognize that no single path or style is universal. That’s why, instead of enforcing a rigid, top-down framework, we support senior teachers and schools in defining the skills, competencies, and methods that reflect their lineage and values. Then we use technology to help schools be transparent and accountable for the certification requirements they create.
Why join the American Yoga Council?
At the American Yoga Council, we're redefining what it means to be a yoga professional in the modern world. We provide a supportive platform rooted in integrity, designed to elevate both the teaching and learning of yoga. Whether you're a seasoned educator, an emerging teacher, or a school committed to excellence, AYC offers a space where your work is valued, your voice is heard, and your growth is supported. Together, we’re building a future where yoga professionals can thrive—and the public can confidently trust who is guiding them.
Why trust AYC accreditation?
Our mission is simple: to create a more transparent, ethical, and empowering path for yoga education. By focusing on the most essential safety and quality standards—such as scope of practice, ethical conduct, and informed consent—we help to ensure that students are protected and teachers are respected. We collect survey data from program graduates on how well the school's program met it's objectives to help schools improve and to promote yoga teachers to the public based on their specific skills and knowledge and lineage.
AYC Scope of Practice policy
Defines safe teaching practices at each level
Transparency Policy
Improves Informed Consent
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. Yoga schools set standards for specific skills and knowledge to be tested at each level.
Practitioner Training
Unique to AYC
- A credential for students to develop a personal yoga practice
- Can 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
- 400+ hrs of classes or privates taught
Level 3 Yoga Teacher
Advanced Training, can be achieved through combining various courses of study
- 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 skills in two or more AYC-CE categories, including lifestyle integration
- Qualified to be lead faculty for Level 1, 2, Practitioner trainings and some CE
- 10+ years of consistent teaching experience
- 5,000+ hrs of 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, Practitioner trainings and some CE
- Has passed AYC’s core competencies exam*(tbd)
- 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 program accreditation and provider applications will open in September 2025. CE Providers can only offer badges in subjects which they are certified by AYC to teach in.
*AYC core competencies for Level 4 certification
Join our growing community
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