Experienced Teacher Pathway | Yoga Alliance

Apply for an E-RYT 500 Credential
through the Experienced Teacher Pathway

This is a pathway to an E-RYT 500 registration for immensely experienced teachers with expertise in the field of yoga who do not otherwise fit into the requirements.

Apply Now

$150 USD  for your first year

includes application fee

The application price of $85 USD is solely for assessing the full application. A separate registration fee of $65 USD, unless already registered, is collected upon approval. Recurring renewal dues will be collected annually.

Through a defined set of qualifications, the Experienced Teacher Pathway creates opportunity for yoga teachers with extensive teaching and training expertise—outside of Yoga Alliance’s defined credentials—to obtain E-RYT 500 status.

The purpose of this pathway is to promote inclusivity across all yoga lineages and methodologies, as well as honor the full breadth and depth of yoga wisdom in our global community. This supports our mission by creating an equitable and accessible path for new members to continue their professional growth and development, without undermining the traditional pathways or the standards for which an E-RYT credential stands for.

Steps for Submitting an Application

1 Check Your Qualifications and Application Requirements

In order to be eligible for this pathway, you must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Completed a minimum of 500 hours of training from no more than 3 pathways of study [?] and can provide documentation of the training(s)
  • A minimum of 10 years of teaching experience completed after your foundational 200 hours of training and 5 years of teaching experience after 300 hours of additional training.
  • Completed a minimum of 3,000 hours of teaching experience in multiple modalities and can provide documentation of the experience(s).

2 Compile Application Materials and Review Sample Resources

Use this checklist to gather your materials and get ready to apply. Click the links for examples:

  • Letter of Intent (See an example here).
  • Yoga Resume (See an example here).
  • Official Training Documents, such as a certificate, diploma, or signed letter.
  • Recommended Additional Training documentation (examples: graduation photos, final exams, journals, training manuals, etc.)
  • Contact information (name, email and phone number) for 3 references: a student, colleague, and teacher. References will verify ethical integrity, expertise, and experience via email.

3 Submit Your Application

  • Start your application by creating an account or logging in.
  • Submit your qualifications, experience, proof of training materials, and references
  • Wait for your references to respond
  • Submit the $85 USD non-refundable application fee.
  • Receive the Credentialing Team’s response within 3-4 weeks. If approved, pay the $65 USD annual membership fee.

Ready to apply?

Apply Now

Have Questions? Please visit our Help Center.

Yoga Alliance is a nonprofit 501(c)(6). Yoga Alliance Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3). This website refers to the two organizations as "Yoga Alliance." Copyright 2024 Yoga Alliance. Yoga Alliance, the Yoga Alliance logo, RYS, RYT, and YACEP are registered marks with the USPTO and other jurisdictions.