Ananda Yoga® Teacher Training Online

20-Week Professional Online Training Course

Sept 8, 2024 - Feb 23, 2025

Become a Magnetic Yoga Teacher from the Comfort of Your Home

Do you want to share yoga with others but cannot afford to take time off for in-person yoga teacher training? Have you experienced the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits of yoga and would like to integrate yoga practice more in daily life?

Ananda Yoga Teacher Training Online is a dynamic professional training based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. It is designed not only to give you the skills to teach yoga online and in person, but also to help you grow into your higher Self.

Join us for a transformative journey transcending the limitations of space to deepen your connection with the people, teachings, and way of life that will support you in becoming an inspiring and dynamic yoga teacher.

RYT 200-hr Certification Online Training

Cost: $2995 (early bird) $3350 (regular)

Early Bird Tuition: Apply by Aug 23, pay in full by Aug 25

Cost: $2995 (early bird) $3350 (regular)

Early Bird Tuition: Apply by Aug 23, pay in full by Aug 25

130 hours of live classes & workshops & 70 hours of pre-recorded material
250-page manual
Lifetime access to Ananda Yoga Asana & Pranayama video library
Lifetime access to pre-taped modules & recordings of 100+ hours of live classes
2x/week live online sadhana & Ananda Yoga classes
Personal feedback & coaching from faculty
Certificate of completion as a RYT-200 Level 1 Yoga Teacher

Prefer to take it in-person?

Free Zoom Info Session

Recorded January 3, 2023

Watch this introductory session with Director Melody Hansen to learn more about Ananda Yoga Teacher Training.

“This program was such an amazing experience! I was nervous about participating in an online YTT initially, but from the very first weekend, I found that the personal attention and structure of the program really supported each student and we had the opportunity to practice what we were learning right away.”

— Melissa Y, 2022 Graduate, WA

Why Take Ananda Yoga Teacher Training Online?

Immerse Yourself in Spiritual Community

This immersive online training is broadcasted from Ananda Village, an intentional spiritual community based on the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda.

You will also have the boon to connect with spiritual seekers from all around the world.

Even though this program is online, students are able to develop a personal connection with fellow students through:

1-1 and group practice teaching sessions via Zoom
Optional sharing circles
Participation and interaction in live classes
Interactive discussion forums

Our past graduates come from France, Canada, Sweden, Austria, and within the United States. California etc.

Integrate Yoga into Your Daily Life

Balance home, work and training to get certified as a yoga teacher. Our training is intensive and in-depth but enriching and doable for parents and full time-working professionals.

The 5-month duration of this training gives you ample time and space to absorb the teachings and hone your skills as a yoga teacher.

Graduates testify that they actually preferred taking the training online because it allowed them the:

1. Flexibility to study at their own time
2. Opportunity to apply and practice the teachings in daily life
3. First hand experience of transformative effects of living yoga principles and developing a regular Ananda Yoga practice.

Learn in a Supportive Environment

Ananda’s teaching approach will support you to deepen your own intuitive understanding of your inner life – your challenges, your gifts – as a path to becoming an inspiring yoga teacher.

We will share with you ways to ignite and heighten your teaching ability to utilize yoga science and your intuition to best serve your students and yourself as a whole person— body, mind and spirit.

The structure and pace of this training is conducive to your success.

You get lots of practice teaching yoga from day one to your peers and receive guidance on how to refine your teaching.
We also offer specialty classes to help you find your presence as a teacher, such as voice projection and increasing your energy & magnetism.

Receive Lifetime Access to All Material

All live classes, teaching workshops and sadhanas are recorded.

At the end of the training, the 20 weeks of content (all pdfs, pre-recorded and live classes) are available to you for post-graduation enrichment and review.

Your library of teacher training resources include:

Ananda Yoga Asana Video Library – professional and easy to download, instructional videos for each asana (30 Level 1 poses) and pranayama (10 techniques)
High-quality pre-taped learning modules for each curriculum category
Recordings of all live classes and sadhanas to review and deepen your understanding
Ananda Yoga Teacher Training Manual – 8 sections, 250 pages, printable PDF
Ananda Yoga Asana and Affirmation flashcards for study, practice and class planning

What You'll Learn

31 Hatha Yoga asanas each with an uplifting affirmation, including how to draw their physical, energetic, and spiritual benefits
How to plan a class: structure and sequence, teach yoga postures in groups, one-on-one, and to students of all walks of life (accessible yoga)
Asana mechanics, anatomy & physiology, safety cautions, and how to adapt asanas for student limitations
How to work directly with the body's subtle energy, including the chakras and kundalini
Classical pranayama, yoga meditation techniques and Yogananda's renowned Energization Exercises
Study of yoga philosophy: Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, The Bhagavad Gita, and Ashtanga Yoga (8-limbs)
Yoga lifestyle, including yogic diet and magnetic living

Questions? Schedule Call with Program Director Melody Hansen

Questions? Schedule Call

“I don’t know if you’ll find a better yoga teacher training than this! To learn the technical and philosophical aspects of yoga while also being deeply rooted in the spiritual was truly a great gift!”

— Daniel M., 2022 Graduate, Canada

Meet Your Instructors

All our instructors practice yoga and meditation daily and are disciples of Paramhansa Yogananda who make it a priority to live the teachings.

Melody Hansen

Melody, E-RYT 500, directs the Ananda Yoga Teacher Training and Restorative Yoga Teacher Training online programs.

She is a Certified Ananda Yoga Therapist, C-IAYT and a trained Prenatal Yoga Instructor. Melody has been practicing the teachings of yoga since the age of 14, and began teaching at age 17. She loves to help her students experience the depth of Ananda Yoga and Meditation.

She will be the main asana instructor for this course and will support you every step of the way in becoming a confident yoga teacher. It is her joy to serve you!

Darshana Moore

Darshana, E-RYT 200, became interested in meditation and found the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda and Swami Kriyananda in 2009. Since then, she has been applying them in her own life and sharing them with others.

Darshana moved to Ananda Village in 2011 and graduated from Ananda Yoga Teacher Training and Ananda Meditation Teacher Training in 2012. She is currently studying to become a certified yoga therapist.

Darshana teaches asana, meditation and yoga philosophy.

Arya Cheng

Arya Cheng, RYT-200, is a gifted yoga and meditation teacher, and wonderful kirtan (spiritual chanting) leader. She is passionate about sharing yoga as a tool for managing stress, transformation and healing in body, mind and soul.

Her journey as a yogi started at age 14, when she attended Ananda’s Living With Spirit Program and experienced first hand the transformative effects of yoga and meditation.

Arya currently lives at Ananda Village and serves as an Ananda Yoga Instructor for the Ananda School of Yoga and Meditation and support staff for the Karma Yoga Program.

In this training, she will be a lead asana instructor and here to encourage you to shine your light!

Alba Simaku

Alba, RYT-200, recently graduated from AYTTO and is passionate about sharing the transformative approach of Ananda Yoga. She has been practicing yoga since the age of 21 and is a trained Ananda meditation teacher and restorative yoga instructor.

Currently based in France, she is working on developing Ananda Francophone to help spread the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda in French-speaking countries.

In this course, Alba will be an asana instructor and lead a weekly sadhana. She is inspired to help students integrate the healing potential of yoga into their own lives, so that they can share it with others.

Tracy Anderson

Tracy, E-RYT 500 and C-IAYT, received her yoga and meditation training certifications from Ananda beginning in 1993, and soon after completed massage therapy (LMT, BCTMB), personal training, and Pilates certifications.

She enjoys teaching and sharing therapy at YMCAs, schools, hospitals, and a home studio. She helps lead an Ananda Midwest Meditation Group and yearly retreats and is an Ananda minister. It was her blessing to help teach the first AYTT in India, and now assist with AYTTO. She looks forward to infusing your study of anatomy with energy and joy, experiential learning, and its many practical applications!

Nayaswami Gyandev

Nayaswami Gyandev McCord, E-RYT 500, is the Director of the Ananda School of Yoga & Meditation. Gyandev has an advanced certificate in online teaching methodology, is the Director of Ananda Yoga worldwide, and is a co-founder of Yoga Alliance.

A member of the teaching staff at the Expanding Light Retreat for more than 30 years he is well known internationally for his profound ability to share the teachings of yoga asana, meditation, yoga philosophy, and the joy that comes from living a yogic lifestyle.

Nayaswami Diksha

Diksha, E-RYT 500, is an Ananda minister, Counselor, and Level 2 Ananda Yoga teacher, and co-directs the Ananda Meditation® Teacher Trainings in person and online.

She also directs the Spiritual Counseling Training Online course, and teaches many of the Level 2 Ananda YTT courses such as The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita and Advanced Pranayama. Diksha leads pilgrimages around the world with her husband, Gyandev. She feels that sharing the teachings of yoga is a privilege and a joy. Diksha will be teaching meditation for this course.

Barbara Bingham

Barbara is a Hatha Yoga teacher, a Registered Physical Therapist and a former gymnast. She brings all of her training together in her yoga teaching and helps people enjoy using their bodies in the healthiest way possible.

Barbara teaches anatomy and physiology classes, which she makes fun, interesting, and accessible to everyone. Barbara brings compassion and sensitive awareness to her yoga teaching.

FAQs

What are the prerequisites for participating in this course?

You need to have an established regular Hatha Yoga asana practice (3 days per week) for 6 months prior to the program. If you have other qualifications which makes this program suitable and would like for us to consider, please explain on the application form. Without an established personal practice, it would be premature to consider teaching. Although the program’s asanas are not overly demanding, you will be doing a lot of them and combined with a full schedule, it’s important to be prepared physically.

This is a professional-level online training, therefore you need to be an organized self-starter and able to make the time commitment outlined below. You need to be very comfortable with computers or mobile devices. (Note: we recommend that you have a laptop or desktop for this program, not an ipad or cell phone.) Although not difficult, the course is delivered through an online platform course page and you will be participating in a virtual learning experience (zoom webinars, online discussion forums, creating and submitting video clips, etc). You will also need to have access to a reliable internet connection for several livestream class assignments.

What are the dates of this program and what is the time commitment? Are there mandatory classes?

The course begins on Sunday, January 9th at 9:00-10:30 am PT, and concludes on Sunday, May 29th at 11:30 am PT.

All live classes will be held entirely on weekends: 3 Saturdays each month (9 AM-12 PM and 2-5:30 PM PST) and 2 Sundays each month (9 AM-12 PM PST). This allows for one full weekend off each month from live classes, however there will be assignments to complete.

You’re expected to participate online throughout the week at times convenient for you as well as attend live classes. This means you’ll need to make time for approximately 9-12 hours of each week which includes live and pre-recorded classes, self quizzes, video assignments, reading, practice time and participation in discussion forums.

Live Class Times:
Saturday 9:00 am – 12:00/12:30 pm PST
Saturday 2:00 – 5:30 pm PST
Sunday 9:00 am – 12:00/12:30 pm PST

Live Class Dates:
January 9 (Introductory Webinar – 9:00 to 10:30 AM PST)
January 15, 16, 22, 29, 30
February 5, 12, 13, 19, 26, 27
March 5, 12, 13, 19, 26*, 27*
April 9*, 10*, 16, 23*, 24*
May 7*, 8*, 14*, 21*, 22*, 28*, 29*
*Required Classes – See more schedule details here.

What is the cost of the training?

The program cost is $3350 USD. If you complete the registration process prior to Dec. 9, 2021 you will receive the Early Bird Rate of $2995 and receive the Early Bird Benefits*.

How do I prepare for the training?

Required: develop a regular Hatha Yoga practice.
Required: Purchase The Art and Science of Raja Yoga by Swami Kriyananda, and get started on the pre-course reading assignments. Note: Even if you’re unable to complete the pre-program reading, you’re still welcome to attend, but the training will be much easier and beneficial for you if you do this reading in advance.
We also recommend that you begin the process of setting up your “online studio” such as something as simple as a corner of your room with a yoga mat, props, good lighting and a stand for mobile device/laptop. More details with recommendations will be covered in the pre-course assignment and orientation.
Mark your calendar: The course web page will open for enrollees 2 weeks prior (Dec.26) to the start date of the course, and we will send a notice to enrolled students at that time. Take this opportunity to complete the pre-course assignments and familiarize yourself with the site.
Save the date: The course officially begins with a Zoom webinar on Sunday, January 9, 9:00-10:30 AM PT. This will be an opportunity to meet your instructors and introduce yourself to your classmates. We will review the requirements for certification, course guidelines and respond to any questions.

Will I get personalized feedback on my postures and on my teaching?

Absolutely! One of the highlights of this professional training program is having instructors spend quality time giving you personalized feedback both in live sessions and in writing. We will be closely watching your progress within the course so that you can take the appropriate steps you need—as an individual—to become a confident, knowledgeable, and conscientious yoga instructor.

How can I know that Ananda's Yoga Teacher Training Online (AYTTO) is a high-quality training?

Our Level 1 and Level 2 programs are registered with Yoga Alliance and 200 and 500 hours. Every Ananda graduate can register with the Alliance as “Registered Yoga Teacher.” We believe that, in time, this Registry will lead to more yoga teaching opportunities for you.

More important, Ananda’s is the only training in the highly regarded yoga tradition of Paramhansa Yogananda. We’ve spent more than 25 years making our YTT into a first-rate expression of that tradition – a dynamic blend of professional training and personal growth.

Will I have to be able to do difficult yoga postures in order to be certified?

Ananda Yoga is about adapting the asana to the person, not forcing the person to do something inappropriate for his or her body. In this spirit, you need to be able to do the asanas covered in this course in ways that are appropriate for your own body and health conditions.

This may mean modifying some of the asanas, perhaps significantly in some cases, but only rarely does it mean not doing any version of the asana at all. However, you will need to know how to teach all the asanas covered in this course.

How much schedule flexibility do I need to have?

Coursework that takes place during the week is self-directed learning and can be completed at times that are convenient for you. You are free to do this coursework at whatever times of day suit your schedule. We do expect you to log in and complete your weekly video assignments, quizzes, and reading assignments before live class, be ready to apply what you’ve learned and discuss any questions you may have.

What are the technology requirements? Is there special video equipment I need?

You’ll need a device (desktop or laptop) to access the course web page on a regular basis. Although it is possible, we don’t recommend completing assignments from a mobile phone because it doesn’t allow for an ideal user experience. For live webinar classes, you’ll need a device with a camera such as a laptop with a built-in camera, a webcam that you can attach to your computer, an ipad, or a mobile phone with a built-in camera so that you can be seen by your instructors and classmates. Your internet connection needs to be reliable.

When filming yourself for special assignments, your device will need to have enough space to record a maximum of 30 minutes. You will also need to upload recordings to a video platform provided within the course or YouTube, Vimeo, Dropbox, Google Drive. If you’re concerned about some of the technological elements of the course, or if you’ve never done an online course, used Zoom, or made a video and posted it online, you can still be successful in this course!

The course web page is easy to use, intuitive and offers many “how to” instructions to help you. The pre-course assignment includes a special video “tour of the course”. These days, everyone knows someone who can help them with such basic technological tasks as making videos and uploading them to the web. If you think you will need such help, we recommend that you find a helper early in the course, rather than waiting until an assignment is due. All in all, please know that many “tech-challenged” people have done very well in all of our online courses.

Is the course self-paced, or does everyone need to move through the course together?

Everyone moves through the course together, week by week, and you’ll have assignments due each week. That’s the only way to have extensive, quality interactions with classmates and build a dynamic learning community.

Yes, you are expected to attend live classes on Saturdays (9 AM-12 PM and 2-5:30 PM PST) and Sundays (9 AM-12 PM PST). These are interactive sessions where you receive training and guidance from instructors, practice teaching what you’re learning with your classmates and experience being part of our supportive community.

We realize it may not be possible to attend all live classes therefore, you may watch the recorded version and complete the competency self-quiz before the next scheduled weekend. In order to receive your certificate of completion, you will be required to attend 75% of the live classes and watch all recorded versions of those missed.

Can you explain the application, enrollment, and registration process?

Submit your application online and within 7-10 days you will receive notification of approval or request for more information. The notification of approval will include a link with instructions on how to register and enroll (make payment) in the program to reserve your space. After enrolling, you will receive a welcome email with a link to access the course web page and begin the pre-course assignments.

Can this training be split into two segments? Is there a hybrid option?

For those who are unable to complete the training all-at-once, which is what we recommend, you have the option to split the course into two segments (part 1 & 2). Part 1 would be from January 9 to March 27, 2022, and Part 2 could either be completed in person at The Expanding Light Retreat within one year (e.g., Oct 23-Nov 6, 2022). or online the following year, April and May of 2023 (exact dates TBD). Contact Melody Hansen (melody@expandinglighr.org), the program director, for questions regarding splitting the course and/or hybrid options.

Live Class Times:
Saturday 9:00 am – 12:00/12:30 pm PST
Saturday 2:00 – 5:30 pm PST
Sunday 9:00 am – 12:00/12:30 pm PST

Live Class Dates for those splitting the course:
January 9 (Introductory Webinar – 9:00 to 10:30 AM PST)
January 15, 16, 22, 29, 30
February 5, 12, 13, 19, 26, 27
March 5, 12, 13, 19, 26*, 27*
*Required Classes – See more schedule details here.

Will I get to interact with my classmates and instructors during the course?

Yes, you’ll have lots of interaction! In fact, many of the assignments require it: discussion forums, live Q&A, webinar breakout groups for practice teaching with group coaching, one-to-one practice teaching scheduled on your own time and team-teaching projects. Plentiful interaction is a best practice in online learning and this course is structured entirely around best practices. You’ll love being part of the supportive learning community that forms.

I follow a different spiritual path than that of Ananda [or no path at all]. Does that make a difference in whether or not I should attend AYTT?

Not at all. We sincerely respect all spiritual paths, and we welcome anyone who gives that same respect to our tradition, whatever his or her path may be. Of course, you should realize that AYTT takes place in the context of Ananda’s spiritual tradition, which emphasizes the time-honored approach of yoga as a tool for the Divine Quest.

Participation involves practicing a variety of yoga techniques associated with Ananda’s tradition, such as meditation and chanting as well as asana and pranayama.

My yoga background is different from the practices taught by Ananda. Is that okay?

Yes. This course takes place within the tradition of Paramhansa Yogananda and his direct disciple, Swami Kriyananda. Participants should be open to learning and teaching this approach to yoga postures and yoga philosophy. Those who come from a different tradition—or no tradition at all—should register as far in advance as possible in order to learn and practice those techniques before the course begins; we will send those links to you before the course web page opens. Then your course experience will unfold much more naturally, and your teaching and personal practice will benefit much more.

Please note: We do not ask that you discontinue your current yoga practices if they are different; we simply ask that you do the practices that are required for this program.

What is the refund policy for this program?

If you cancel 14 days or more before the start of the program, your payment will be refunded, less a $150 processing fee. If you cancel within 14 days of the start of the program, then 50% of your payment will be refunded, and the remainder will be forfeited. If you cancel more than 14 days after the start of the program, the full program cost will be forfeited.

“Even beyond the incredible depth and breadth of content I still felt the personal connection with the instructors and other students as you work often in small groups or 1:1.”

— Shawn C., 2021 Graduate, Santa Cruz CA

What Our Graduates Say

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I give the Ananda Yoga Teacher Training a 5 star rating because I got so much more out of it than I was expecting from a teacher training course. This course was put together so thoroughly and thoughtfully. It was laid out in an easy to use manner and the content went above and beyond what was required. I feel confident to go out and teach safely and effectively now. This was a life changing experience that I will hold close to my heart for the rest of my life.

I was skeptical at first that an online yoga teacher training could be as good as an in person training...You also get the benefit of learning how to teach online as well as in person. In addition you get to download the written material and video classes to review as needed after the course is finished. I feel this Yoga teacher training was the perfect combination of live interaction and recorded flexibility for a rich and deep learning experience.

Ananda Yoga on-line was an amazing experience. The class was detailed and so very well organized. The instructors are amazing and have so much patience with teaching. The information provided was useful and complete. I am grateful to have found exactly what I needed in my training, it helped me to be a yoga teacher but also helped me to learn so much more, life changing lessons.

This program has more than fulfilled my expectations!! It was so much deeper, on a theoretical, practical and spiritual level, than I had expected. I have learned so much, about yoga (physical and as a lifestyle), teaching yoga, safety, working with energy, teaching online, and last but not least about myself...

...In some ways, I think the online format allowed each of us to grow and learn at a steady pace, and have structured practice teaching throughout the course. I also appreciate that in this program we are addressing not just physical postures, but a deeper understanding of Yoga and how to apply it in daily life. By the end of the course, you definitely feel supported and ready to teach. There was a mixture of live classes, reading assignments, and recorded lessons to keep you engaged and I very much appreciate each teacher’s passion and the transmission of knowledge and wisdom, and the community of like-minded souls to step onto this path of teaching with.

Program Details

Certification Requirements

Sample Schedule

Certification Requirements

Sample Schedule