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What is the Role of the Yoga Alliance Certification Board

The role of the Yoga Alliance Certification Board is a lofty one and they take it seriously. Among other things, they emphasize and enforce the rule of mutual respect. They are sensitive and very supportive of various yoga styles and techniques. The Yoga Alliance is responsible for helping the public become better acquainted with the benefits of yoga.

Largest Accreditation Board
Yoga Alliance is the largest accreditation board in existence. Their reach is world-wide, although technically they’re based in the United States. Yoga Alliance represents teachers and training programs all over the globe.
Schools and teachers who meet the Yoga Alliance requirements for certification are recognized as RYS® schools and RYT® graduates. They are included in the Yoga Alliance world-wide directory.

Standards for RYT® Designation
The Yoga Alliance board established their national Yoga Teachers’ Registry n 1999. This registry serves to recognize and promote teachers who meet minimum training standards. Those who do are eligible to receive the RYT® designation. Teachers who graduate from Registered Yoga Schools can receive different levels of designation, depending on how much training and teaching experience they have. Yoga teachers can receive certification ranging from the 200-hour level to the 500-hour level.

Standards for RYS® Designation
Schools that register for RYS® designation have to meet specific requirements. They must provide training programs that meet the curriculum standards developed by Yoga Alliance. RYS® designated programs must also provide yoga training by qualified instructors. Absolute Yoga Sumai is prominent among the many RYS® certified schools world-wide. The RYS® designation symbolizes Absolute Yoga’s experience, dedication and commitment. This includes their approach to yoga principles, techniques and standards. It also reflects the school’s adherence to the Yoga Alliance Code of Conduct.

Yoga Alliance Code of Conduct
Those who register for Yoga Alliance Certification must agree to uphold the established Code of Conduct. This code symbolizes acceptance of the ethical and professional behavior required by those who are registered. It is provided as a standard for basic yoga principles. The Yoga Alliance Code of Conduct and various levels of certification are available on their website.

Benefits of the Yoga Alliance
There are many benefits associated with having Yoga Alliance Certification. This type of accreditation enhances the public’s perception of the yoga school and instructors that teach there. It assures students that they are being taught by well-trained professionals from an accredited school. Certified yoga instructors at Absolute Yoga Sumai have the RYT® designation from an RYS® certified school.

Yoga Alliance will hold a conference in late 2011 to further the goal of helping yoga professionals. They plan to explore the connection between modern yoga practices and the roots of traditional yoga techniques. Their agenda will include providing “…enriching continuing education sessions to grow your teaching skills and knowledge”.

Be sure to watch for more details about this event in future articles on this site. You may also want to return to consider other topics, like the upcoming article on teacher training in Thailand.

SOURCES:
Yoga Alliance – Registered Yoga Teachers