If you are looking for a yoga teacher for a class or private session, for example, in Curaçao, you might come across terms like 200 RYT, 500 RYT, 200 ERYT, or 500 ERYT. For many yoga practitioners, especially tourists or beginners, these terms can sound like jargon. Below, I explain what they mean, so the next time you see them, you’ll understand what they signify for the yoga teachers you encounter.
RYT – Registered Yoga Teacher
RYT stands for Registered Yoga Teacher. This is a yoga teacher who is officially registered with Yoga Alliance, an international organisation for yoga teachers. It means the teacher has completed an accredited training program and meets certain standards in teaching, anatomy, philosophy, and safety. In addition, registration requires the teacher to take continuing education regularly to keep their knowledge up to date. What Yoga Alliance is exactly, I explain in another article.
200 RYT
A 200-hour training at a recognised school forms the basic level to become a yoga teacher. Upon completion, the teacher may use the title 200 RYT. This means they are qualified to teach a full yoga class safely and responsibly, with knowledge of basic poses, breathing techniques, and meditation. This training is ideal for beginners or for teaching regular group classes. Be aware that a teacher does not become a 200 RYT by simply combining several short teacher trainings of, for example, 50 hours. The 200-hour training is a complete, standalone program and cannot be replaced by shorter courses (unless the 200-hour program at the specific school is modular).
500 RYT
This is an advanced level. A 500-hour training consists of the 200-hour basic training, supplemented with 300 hours of advanced study. This additional training can include philosophy, anatomy, therapeutic applications, meditation, and pranayama. A 500 RYT teacher can provide personalised private classes, including for injuries or special needs, and can explain deeper yoga philosophy and guide more advanced techniques. Similarly, one does not become a 500 RYT by simply adding shorter teacher trainings to a 200-hour teacher training course. The 300-hour advanced training is a separate program and cannot be replaced by shorter teacher trainings.
ERYT – Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher
ERYT stands for Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher. This indicates that the teacher has a certain number of years and hours of teaching experience.
- 200 ERYT: a teacher with a 200-hour training and at least 1,000 teaching hours over 2 years.
- 500 ERYT: a teacher with a 500-hour training and extensive experience, often 2,000 teaching hours over 4 years.
RYT or CYT?
Finally, it’s important to note that many excellent yoga teachers are well-trained, with 200 or even 500 hours, and often hold a Yoga Alliance-accredited certificate, are not formally registered with Yoga Alliance. Whether a teacher chooses to register is a personal decision, depending on career goals or other circumstances. In some countries, holding an RYT title is more important than in others, but it’s important to note that the title is globally recognised and it allows a teacher to teach yoga anywhere in the world. In Curaçao, yoga studios generally do not require it, as long as teachers have completed a Yoga Alliance-recognised 200-hour basic training and any relevant shorter teacher trainings. These teachers cannot officially use the RYT 200 or RYT 500 title, but they may use CYT 200 or CYT 500. CYT stands for Certified Yoga Teacher. So don’t be discouraged if a teacher isn’t registered and feel free to ask about their training background.
