Top 5 Complaints About Online Yoga Teacher Training (and How We Solve Them)
Online Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) offering has grown enormously since the pandemic. This is when we launched our first online YTT, out of necessity. The pandemic caught us halfway through two 200-hour and one 300-hour extensive training courses, which we had to switch online. What began as an emergency solution became a revelation: online training can be far-reaching. It could make our courses accessible to people who cannot take three weeks off for an intensive, those living in smaller communities who would otherwise commute for weekend trainings, people with limited budgets, and even those with social anxiety who might find in-person settings overwhelming. But we wanted to do it properly, so we asked the people who matter most - our trainees and prospective students.
While flexibility of an online training is a huge advantage, many students have real concerns about studying online, and rightly so. Our 200-hour and 300-hour online Yoga Teacher Training were designed to address these concerns and overcome the common pitfalls of online learning. Here are some of the most frequent complaints about online YTT we found on various forums, along with our approach to addressing them.
Complaint #1: “Nobody corrected my alignment.”
One of the most repeated concerns about online training is the lack of personalised guidance, and I do understand where this concern comes from. Many schools rely on live group classes where the teacher can’t both lead the practice and observe dozens of students on screen.
How we solve this:
You’ll submit videos and receive detailed corrections on alignment as well as teaching, and get tailored guidance throughout the course.
You'll meet with your mentor live online, who will watch you practice, teach, and take notes, focused entirely on you, so she/he can give you feedback afterwards.
We also encourage trainees to keep attending in-person classes locally for additional hands-on adjustments, and you’re welcome to join our in-person modules, retreats, or workshops in Europe and beyond.
Complaint #2: “I felt unprepared to teach after graduating.”
Sadly, some trainees invest in a 200-hour course and come out doubting themselves, unsure of how to sequence or lead a class. Unfortunately, this doesn’t only happen after completing an online course - we have some students attending our in-person and online 200-hour trainings after completing an in-person 200-hour course and coming out unable to teach more than one set sequence.
How we solve this:
Our online training is the same curriculum we use in person, developed over 15+ years and tested with thousands of trainees. Because of our structured method and emphasis on clarity in teaching language, our graduates consistently report that they feel ready to step into the role of teacher with confidence as soon as they get their diploma.
Just as our in-person course graduates, you will learn how to teach a wide range of classes, and how to adapt them to who is in front of you.
Many of our students say they feel very confident to teach the moment they got their diploma. In their own words:
”After completing this course, I feel that I have a strong foundation to begin my journey as a teacher.” Magda
“The program is incredibly well-structured and provided me with the tools and knowledge to teach yoga effectively.” Sarah
“I learned so much and now I feel confident sharing what I know with my local community.” Jennifer
Read more here
Complaint #3: “Online learning requires too much self-discipline.”
It’s true: online training requires focus and motivation. Some people thrive with flexibility, others struggle.
How we solve this:
Our programme is structured with regular mentor check-ins, coursework, deadlines, and accountability, so you’re not left alone.
If self-discipline is a concern, we’ve put together practical advice in this blog post on staying motivated in online learning.
And remember, if you know you’ll do better in a hybrid or in-person format, that’s a valid choice. What matters most is finding the right fit.
Complaint #4: “There’s no real sense of community.”
Many trainees miss the bonds formed during in-person trainings, the friendships, peer support, and professional network.
How we solve this:
We work to cultivate community even in the online space:
We link graduates with local teachers and alumni so they can keep learning and supporting one another.
Our retreats, workshops, and in-person short modules are another opportunity to meet fellow Spanda trainees face-to-face.
We try to stay connected with our students via social media, follow their journey and even share their classes and retreats in our stories.
When you complete our training, you will always be a part of Spanda Sangha, will be able to reach out with questions, and will always be the first to be offered assistant or other opportunities. We only hire our former students, as a way to support them and help them grow.
Complaint #5: “You can’t learn hands-on adjustments online.”
This is true, and we won’t pretend otherwise. No online programme can fully replace the tactile learning of manual adjustments.
How we solve this:
Instead of trying to replicate something impossible, we emphasise verbal adjustments and clear instructional language. When a teacher gives precise verbal cues, students rarely need physical correction.
For those who want to dive deeper into hands-on skills, we advise students to take optional workshops where this can be practised safely and thoroughly.
Other Concerns You Won’t Need to Raise With Us
Yoga Alliance Certified
On forums, we often see confusion around accreditation. Some students discover that a school claiming to be Yoga Alliance–registered is not actually listed in the official Yoga Alliance Directory for online programmes, which understandably raises questions about the validity of their certificate.
At Spanda, both our 200-hour and 300-hour trainings are fully Yoga Alliance certified for online delivery. You can verify our listing directly, ensuring that your qualification is recognised worldwide.
Proven Track Record
Another concern is the credibility of newer schools. Many online YTTs appeared suddenly during the pandemic, sometimes with little history or teaching experience behind them. Trainees worry about investing in a programme without a proven background.
At Spanda, we bring 15+ years of experience running in-person teacher trainings across the globe. When we moved online, we adapted a curriculum that had already trained thousands of confident teachers, not something created overnight.
Personal Mentorship
A frequent complaint about online training is the lack of personal attention. Students describe feeling like “just another box on Zoom,” with little or no direct feedback on their teaching or practice.
That’s why every Spanda trainee works with a dedicated mentor, receiving one-to-one feedback on alignment, sequencing, and teaching methodology. This individualised attention is something many (or any) online programmes simply don’t provide.
Final Thoughts
We’ve looked at many of the cons of online training and how we address them, but there is also another side to this coin - the pros. Apart from the obvious benefits of flexibility and cost-effectiveness, there are other advantages too. For instance, I am currently taking a master’s degree in Applied Neuroscience online. Even though I can attend lectures in person when in London, I rarely take this opportunity. Why? Because I am an avid note-taker. I like to pause lectures, write notes in my own words, and research further if needed, as well as revisit lectures when needed. This is impossible in a live lecture, but entirely possible online. In the same way, our yoga trainees can pause and revisit lessons, or even transcribe teaching instructions until they find their own words. Many also find that practising in the comfort of their own home creates a more relaxed environment in which to learn, free from the pressures of a different setting.
Online yoga teacher training isn’t perfect, just as in-person training isn't perfect. But, yes, there are some very real concerns we listened and took into consideration when designing our courses, and we hope that those who choose an online course will find one that checks many of their boxes.
If you’re ready to become a confident, skilled yoga teacher with the flexibility of online learning, explore our programmes here:
Nina Vukas
About the Author
Nina is the Founder, Lead Trainer and Programme Director of Spanda Institute. Alongside teaching, she enjoys sharing her insights as a blogger and columnist. She is also the author of most of our manuals and has published two books.
