Before we get into the pros and cons of  Online Yoga Teacher Training vs. In-Person Training, we want to tell you that we love Yoga. We’ve been practising since we were teenagers, Carla has been teaching since 2017 and we’ve been creating our Online Yoga classes since 2018. Now, we share these classes on the MerryBody App, plus, in the most exciting news ever, we have also launched The School of MerryBody 200 Hour Online Yoga Teacher Training! 

Personally, we’ve both done online and in-person teacher training courses. We have a great understanding of the pros and cons of each. We’re going to take you through these in the below article to help you make an informed decision about which method of training is right for you.

Pros and Cons of Online Yoga Teacher Training vs. In-Person Training

Yoga continues to rise in popularity, it’s not only a fantastic form of exercise but it’s a mindfulness practice that decreases stress and anxiety. In today’s busy world, a method that decreases stress and anxiety is not a nicety but it’s a necessity! This is also why Yoga Teacher Training Courses are becoming more and more popular too. These courses go into more depth than a regular Yoga Asana Class. They teach you the history of Yoga, philosophy, pranayama and meditation, how to teach and more. But most importantly they take you on a personal development journey, they can be extremely transformational. 

With the rise of online learning, it’s now possible to become a certified Yoga Teacher through a completely online program. However, there are pros and cons to both online Yoga Teacher training and in-person training. 

Pros of Online Yoga Teacher Training

1. Flexibility: One of the biggest advantages of online Yoga Teacher training is the flexibility it offers. With online training, you can learn at your own pace and on your own schedule. This is particularly beneficial if you work full-time, have kids or have other commitments that make it difficult to attend training sessions at specific times.
2. Affordability: Online Yoga Teacher training is often more affordable than in-person training. This is because online programs don’t have the same overhead costs as in-person programs, such as rent for a physical studio. Additionally, online programs often offer payment plans or financing options, making it easier for you to afford the cost of training.
3. Accessibility: Online Yoga Teacher training is accessible to those who live in remote areas or who may not have access to in-person training. This is particularly beneficial if you live in areas without a Yoga Studio or if you have issues that make it difficult to attend in-person training sessions.
4. Less Interaction with People: This one really is a pro and a con! It’s a pro because one thing we noticed often during in-person training was that other students would ask really time-consuming and personal questions. These questions would raise 20-30 minute discussions that only affected themselves. From our perspectives, these discussions were not always appropriate for these Yoga Teacher Trainings and they took time away from everyone else’s studies. Also, it’s a big pro if you are going through a time of low self-esteem and confidence, sometimes in person trainings can be very overwhelming!

Cons of Online Yoga Teacher Training

1. Lack of Personal Interaction: And here it is as a con! There is less face-to-face interaction with instructors and other students. However, it’s not always the case, some online teachers (us included!) are very hands-on. We actually feel like we are more accessible!
2. Limited Hands-On Experience: Online Yoga Teacher training may not provide as much hands-on experience as in-person training. It will more self-directed, for example, you might need to gather your friends/family to teach your very first in-person class. 
3. Self-Motivation: Online Yoga Teacher training requires a certain level of self-motivation, organisation and discipline. It can be easy to get distracted or lose focus when working independently, BUT, once again this depends on how engaging and well-produced the online content is. We recommend turning off notifications to help you stay focused, this article, Creative Ways to Use the Internet for Self-care has a bunch of other great tips. 
4. Quality of Production and Online Platform: Bad audio, video and online user experiences are our pet peeves. You can’t just film a course and throw it up online, well you can but it will be awful (in our opinions). This is why we invest in the best quality video and audio for all our online production (that we sell that is… our social media videos are fairly amateur at times). It’s essential to create a simple and lovely user experience. This means intuitive navigation and content layouts and no heavy load times.

Pros of In-Person Yoga Teacher Training

1. Direct Feedback: In-person Yoga Teacher training allows for direct feedback and physical adjustments from instructors. This can be especially beneficial for individuals who are new to yoga or who may need extra support or guidance.
2. Hands-On Experience: In-person yoga teacher training provides more hands-on experience than online training. This is because you have the opportunity to practice and teach Yoga Poses in real-time, with direct feedback from instructors and other students. 
3. Personal Interaction: In-person Yoga Teacher training provides the opportunity for personal interaction with instructors and other students. This can be a valuable source of support and motivation throughout the training process.

Cons of In-Person Yoga Teacher Training

1. Cost: In-person Yoga Teacher training can be expensive, especially if you need to travel or stay in a hotel to attend training sessions.
2. Time Commitment: In-person Yoga Teacher training often requires a significant time commitment, with training sessions lasting several days or weeks. This can be challenging for individuals who work full-time or have other commitments, like kids!
3. Location: In-person yoga teacher training may not be accessible to individuals who live in remote areas or who may not have access to a yoga studio that offers training.

Ultimately, the decision between online Yoga Teacher training and in-person training depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you value flexibility and affordability, then online training is the best option for you. If you have family, work, social, life commitments, again, online is better! However, if you prefer to be at a Studio, in-person training may be for you. Our number one tip is to reach out to the Teacher Trainer organising the course, if you have queries or want to get a feel for them as a teacher, go to their classes, see if you can have a quick catch-up before committing.   

If you’d like to join our MerryBody 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Course, you can find out more over HERE. If you have any further questions do not hesitate to reach out! We’re here to help.

Always merrymaking,

Emma + Carla