The Byron Yoga Centre Teacher Training courses include daily asana practice; either a yoga class or throughout the day during sessions. We strongly recommend that applicants have a consistent asana practice and are relatively comfortable practicing daily.

People with a foundation in the basic and fundamental yoga postures are suited for this training. An advanced practitioner is not necessarily a person who can move deeply into advanced postures; an advanced practitioner is someone who comes to the mat with a level of maturity, a willingness to learn and an understanding of the limits of their own body.

This course is not ideally suited to people completely new to yoga and we recommend you develop your asana practice first through local classes to learn the fundamentals of yoga basics. During the training you will deepen your understanding of the asanas while simultaneously learning how to teach.

If you have a regular yoga practice you may be more ready than you realise. We encourage you to call the Byron Yoga Centre team on (02) 6685 8327 if you’re uncertain of your suitability for the training.

Upon successful completion of the Byron Yoga Centre Teacher Training, trainees will receive a Byron Yoga Centre certificate as an acknowledgment. This is the first step toward teaching. With this certificate, new teachers can begin the process of refining their skills as yoga teachers at many local gyms and small yoga studios, as well as with private clients.

Trainees will also receive their Yoga Alliance 200-Hour Certification (RYT200) as soon as they apply for it and pay a registration fee. Yoga Alliance 200-Hour Certification offers the added benefit of a listing on their website and the recognition of a national certifying body. Yoga Alliance certification is also a requirement for employment at many gyms and yoga studios.

Byron Yoga Centre is proud to announce the introduction of a Certificate IV level yoga teacher training qualification which is accredited as a ASQA nationally recognised course.

Our full time 52 week training is Australia’s first, fully accredited Certificate IV in Yoga Teaching and also Yoga Alliance and YTAA recognised.

This represents the highest possible qualification in yoga teaching that is recognised both in Australia and internationally. This is in addition to all of our teacher training courses still holding the internationally recognised Yoga Alliance Accreditation and eligibility for the Yoga Teachers Association of Australia.

In order to be able to offer this high standard of teacher training, Byron Yoga Centre is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) in Australia, and all our trainers are nationally recognised Training and Assessment trainers and assessors.

This course offers the best possible investment you can make in your yoga training.The course is comprised of 10 units of competency that are transferable within the ASQA education system. These are:

  • YGTWOR401A Work within a yoga school framework
  • YGTPRC402A Perform a range of Yoga practices
  • YGTTEA403A Teach a general yoga class
  • HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety
  • HLTAAP001 Recognise healthy body systems
  • HLTAID003 Provide first aid
  • BSBSMB420 Evaluate and develop small business operations
  • TAEDEL401 Plan, organise and deliver group-based learning
  • CHCLAH006 Coordinate planning, implementation and monitoring of leisure and health programs
  • CHCCOM006 Establish and manage client relationships

In addition to this, the course still holds the internationally recognised Yoga Alliance 500 hour Accreditation and eligibility for the Yoga Teachers Association of Australia (350 hours). To offer this high standard of teacher training Byron Yoga Centre is now a RTO (Registered Training Organisation) in Australia which is similar to a TAFE, and all our trainers are nationally recognised training and assessment trained trainers.

The course is a Centrelink approved short course. You may apply to Centrelink for Austudy, the Education Supplement or the Education Entry Payment. Our institution code for Centrelink is 2P978.

Entry Requirements

A pre-requisite to the course is that learners have had a minimum of one hundred and twenty hours of class asana instruction over a two year period, which must be verified by their yoga teacher.

A requirement for entry into the course is that the participant has a history of regular committed practice of yoga for a period of at least two years.

Documented evidence of an IELTS score of 5.5 is required

Students are required to demonstrate the equivalent of Australian High School Year 10 proficiency in literacy and numeracy

RTO No. 91522 | Course Code. 10865NAT | CRICOS Code. 03418E

You must demonstrate English Language Proficiency and hold an IELTS Certificate showing an Overall Band Score at a minimum level of 5.5.

 About the The VET Training System

Education is one of Australia’s best strategies to achieve social, economic and environmental sustainability.

Vocational education and training (VET) is ‘education and training for work’ and part of a broader educational network in Australia that includes schools, universities and adult and community education.

The Australian VET system is one of the most sophisticated in the world because it is:

Industry-led
The employers, unions and professional associations of an industry define the outcomes that are required from training;

National
The VET system is jointly-managed by state, territory and Australian governments, in partnership with industry and training providers;

Client focused
Clients of the VET system are employers and individuals who use it or intend to use it. This simple, flexible and relevant system responds to client needs.

No, the training is not an extreme yoga asana intensive. It is designed as a fun and interactive course that is focussed on achieving a holistic knowledge of yoga and gaining the skills necessary to teach yoga to others with awareness and understanding.

Purna Yoga is an alignment based hatha yoga with emphasis on intelligent sequencing. Each teacher also adds their own style, some are more flow classes incorporating vinyasa while others hold poses for longer. All the teachers are able to offer variations and modifications so that classes are suitable for all levels and for those working with limitations or injuries. Purna means complete, and classes often include some breath work, meditation and yogic philosophy.

 If you are already familiar with human anatomy through previous study and have qualifications in physiotherapy or similar, please bring the texts you have available.

 Yes, the course is also designed for those who may not wish to be teachers at this stage of their yoga journey, but would like to deepen their own practice and experience of yoga. There is, however, a strong focus on teaching.

 Yes, our tradition respects and honors all paths. Yoga can only deepen your own spirituality.

 No, we request that you purchase these books prior to the training to gain the most from the experience. The only supplied and included material is the Yoga Teacher Training Manual. The manual will be handed out on the first day of the training. We stock the recommended reading list and you can order directly from the Byron Yoga Centre. Alternatively you can order from the Amazon website, or search your local secondhand book store.

 After you submit your completed teacher training application form and have paid the $600 deposit, you will be contacted via email with an acceptance letter, subject to availability.

 If a student withdraws or transfers from the course, the following refund policy applies:

  • If the student withdraws 45 days or more prior to course commencement the student will receive a full refund of all monies paid, minus an administration fee of $200.
  • If the student withdraws 30-44 days prior to the course commencement the student will receive 75% of the full course fee or any monies paid, minus an administration fee of $200.
  • If the student withdraws 14-29 days prior to course commencement the student will receive 50% of the full course fee or any monies paid, minus an administration fee of $200.
  • If the student withdraws 1-13 days prior to course commencement or withdraws after the course commences, the full course fee or any monies paid, is non-refundable.

 If the course is full, we still accept bookings and your deposit of $600 will hold a place on the waitlist. If we’re unable to confirm your place, you will have the choice to either have your deposit fully refunded or transferred to another course.

 Our training courses average 24 students, with a high student – teacher ratio.

 Students generally range from 20 to 55 years of age, with the average age of 35.

 To qualify for our Teacher Training Courses, you must complete an application form and include details of your background and experience. You must be proficient in English language. Each application is considered on an individual basis.

Yes, all meals and accommodation are included in the course price for the 12 and 20 day intensives, residential part time and 7 week Cert IV courses.

 The food that is provided on intensives is healthy and delicious vegetarian cuisine, it is light and easily digestible to support you during this time of study. Gluten and dairy free options are available, please advise any special dietary requests in advance.

It’s important to enjoy nurturing food during a time of physical and mental exercise, by booking the meal option it also frees up your time otherwise spent on shopping and preparing meals, so that you can study or rest instead. It would be very difficult, not to mention time-consuming, to feed yourself to the same standard at the same price and we’re unable to provide kitchen facilities.

Food included in the intensive course includes three meals a day; breakfast (porridge, muesli, fruit) lunch, dinner and fruit for afternoon tea. Herbal teas are always available. Mealtimes are also a time of socialising and bonding with your fellow students, asking questions and sharing experience which is also an important aspect of the training.

A sample of some of our dishes can be found on our website under articles and we always include a recipe in our monthly newsletter. We receive very good feedback for our catering and people often return on retreat because they enjoyed the food as well as the yoga experience so much! A typical lunch or dinner would be a vegetable soup, curry or baked dish, rice, and a variety of salads.

 No, town is easily accessible either a ten minute walk or it’s easy to hire a bike during your time in Byron. Please ask for details when you arrive.

 We suggest you bring a mixture of lightweight and warm, comfortable yoga clothing, layers are best, light shoes / sandals, swim wear, sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen, toiletries and first aid kit, insect repellent, camera, alarm clock, torch, journal, water bottle, light raincoat or umbrella, and daypack. Please bring your own bath and beach towel.

You will need to bring your own props to the course. These include:

  • yoga mat
  • strap
  • block
  • eye pillow

These items are provided for use at the centre, or you can bring your own if preferred.

If you are attending the 20 day intensive, you will need to bring a laptop computer.

Yes, we recommend that you purchase the required texts for reference prior to the training.

Yes, we will send a list of pre-course preparation and it is important that you have a basic understanding of anatomy before the course starts. There is a short online assignment to be completed before the course – details will be sent to you around 6 weeks before the start date. Even though it may seem awhile until the start of the course, please start this work as soon as possible and do some each day so that a regular study program is established by the start of the training.

Yes, we will email a list of the level 1 postures for you to practice and recommend you become familiar with the Sanskrit names which you can listen by referring to the course content section of the website. You should also practice with the Level 1 and/or 2 DVD prior to the training to familiarise yourself with the asanas.

Please complete the online application form including your credit card details for the $600 deposit.

The balance of the course fees are payable six weeks before the training start date.

Yes, there are some simple guidelines to help create a sattvic (yogic) environment, conducive to study and learning. Trainees in residence are expected to be cigarette, drug and alcohol free and are asked to maintain silence (where practical) in the mornings before 9am and after 9.30pm. We request trainees be mindful that the Byron Yoga Centre is a place of study and learning and that socialising can be done at the local café or beach. We also ask trainees in residence to be vegetarian on site.

To obtain a certificate and letter of completion, you must attend 100 percent of the classes to comply with Yoga Alliance requirements. However, if due to unforeseeable circumstances or illness, we offer alternative arrangements for you to make up the session/s missed eg. joining part of a later course.

Expect to spend approx 7 hours per week on written assignments, including completing a record of your practice, classes attended, observations etc. The homework is designed to support the material covered in class and help you integrate what is presented into your own practice and teaching.

If you are not planning on teaching after the training, you may choose not to complete all of the homework assignments and enrol on the course without receiving certification. However, if you wish to receive your Certification and Letter of Completion for the training, you must attend all the sessions and complete all the homework assignments.

Yes. Many participants use their free time for reading, studying, and preparing for assessments.

Yes, you will have the opportunity to teach with your fellow trainees under supervision from a senior teacher. 6am and 4pm community classes taught by trainees are offered to the public during the training. You may also be able to teach on an ongoing basis if you choose to stay in Byron to develop your teaching experience in a supported environment.

Yoga Alliance is an organization that was started in 1999 as a way to create nationally recognized standards for yoga teachers and yoga teacher trainings. More and more yoga studios across the world are requiring their teachers to register with Yoga Alliance, either at the 200 or 500 hour level. Yoga Alliance registration, however, is not a legal requirement for teaching yoga. Currently there are no legal certification requirements to be a yoga teacher.

Once you have completed all the required contact hours and correspondence work, you will be issued with a certificate allowing you to gain insurance and independently teach beginner style classes. You may also apply to Yoga Alliance for 200-Hour Certification (RYT200). A fee is payable to Yoga Alliance.

We feel that continuing education is extremely valuable and will inspire you as a teacher. The modest minimum requirement for a Yoga Alliance registered teacher is 30 CEU (continuing education credit) hours per year. We will be offering more advanced Teacher Trainings in the near future, as well as continuing education workshops and specialist courses.

All our training graduates are welcome to continue contacting us regarding questions and support. We also offer a newsletter with articles, philosophy, recipes and discounts on future trainings and retreats.

Certificates can be reprinted for a $30 charge including postage. Please email admin@byronyoga.com with your request and include your course and training dates.