Teacher Training
Studios that run certification programs, and what to check before you commit several thousand dollars and several months to one.
What the hours mean
Yoga certifications are usually counted in hours against the Yoga Alliance standard: 200 hour is the entry qualification most studios hire from, and 300 or 500 hour builds on it. Pilates has no single governing body, so certifications range from a weekend mat course to a comprehensive program of 450 hours or more covering every piece of apparatus. A comprehensive certification and a mat only certification are not comparable, whatever the marketing says.
What to check before enrolling
- Total contact hours, and how many are in person
- Whether observation and practice teaching hours are included
- Who actually teaches the course, not just who owns the studio
- Whether the certification is recognised by studios that hire
- Total cost including manuals, exams and registration fees
- Whether the studio hires its own graduates