YogaDownload 200-Hour Online Yoga teacher training review

In this review, I’m going to share my insights about Yoga Download’s 200-hour online yoga teacher training course, one of the most talked-about programs in Yoga Download reviews.

This thoughtfully designed program is flexible, accessible, and inspiring. Upon completion, you’ll be certified to teach Hatha and Vinyasa yoga. While the course also covers Yin Yoga, you’ll need a separate certification to teach this particular style.

YogaDownload was founded in 2003 and is the pioneer of online yoga studios. Based in Montana, Jamie Kent, the founders aimed to make yoga accessible to everyone, regardless of location or schedule.

Over the years, YogaDownload has evolved into one of the largest and most popular online yoga platforms, attracting users from around the globe.

Overview

The YTT program includes nine modules that you can complete at your own pace.

At the same time, discussion sessions offer a great way to connect—with both instructors and fellow students—fostering a sense of community along the way.

Course Content and Structure

This program consists of nine modules that cover key areas such as yoga philosophy, anatomy, asana practice, pranayama, sequencing, and teaching methods.

Each module is thoughtfully designed to combine practice, meditation, and yoga philosophy, helping you learn step by step in a balanced way.

A big highlight of this course, mentioned in many Yoga Download reviews, is its flexibility.

It’s completely self-paced, and what’s even better, you can choose between 2 or 3 options for each practice lesson, making it easy to adapt to your needs.

After each video, there’s a short questionnaire to reflect on your learning. The questions are simple but helpful, guiding you to notice important details and prepare for your teaching journey.

Detailed Breakdown of Poses

There are 16 Asana breakdown classes, including foundational poses like tabletop, high longe, etc., and advanced ones like dancer pose or eagle pose.

Each class lasts for 30-40 minutes. My favourite part? The related practice class afterwards. It’s a perfect way to apply what you have learned to your practice.

The breakdown consists of a brief introduction to each pose (the different names and Sanskrit, which muscles are involved, where to merge this pose, or the related chakra and benefits) in the beginning.

This gives you an overall clear idea of what is coming next. After that, one teacher will guide the students, and another will demonstrate.

It gives you the feeling of being in person.

You get all the details you need, like the potential injury, the variations, where to pay more attention, etc. 

Personally, I fell in love with teacher Jackie Casal Mahrou’s asana class. Her tone is clear and calm, creating a soothing experience.

She goes the extra mile to explain every detail, addressing potential challenges students might face in the pose.

Whether it’s modifying for tight hamstrings, balancing with props, or adjusting alignment, her insights are a goldmine for new yoga teachers looking to build a strong foundation for their students.

Certification and Recognition

YogaDownload is approved by Yoga Alliance, which means you can register with RYS once you get your certificate. To obtain this certification, you must complete all course requirements, which include:

• Finishing the modules: These include videos, PDFs, and other educational materials. 

• Participating in live sessions: Weekly live sessions offer chances to engage with teachers and other students.

• Submitting assignments include teaching practice sessions and other activities designed to develop your teaching skills.

• Passing assessments: Tests verify that you have understood and are capable of using the course material. 

Training Materials and Resources

The overall training manual is 131 pages long. You can download it to your device anytime or print it as you wish.

The manual covers everything, from the basic asanas, what yoga is, and meditation to teaching hacks and business in yoga.

I found it incredibly useful, as there are also detailed picture breakdowns for each asana and anatomy. 

Apart from the central manual, you can access all the practising videos from the main video stream.

If you click your profile, you will see some bonus materials in the “My Notes &Resources” session, where you can find recommended reading lists and related links. This part is mainly for your further learning.

Technology Requirements

All you need is a device and the internet—literally any device. You can log in to your account using your laptop, phone, tablet, or TV. 

Engagement and Interaction

Live Sessions and Instructor Interaction

There are 3 Live calls scheduled weekly, and you’ll receive the updated schedule one week in advance.

The Live calls are designed according to the student groups’ progress in the course. These live sessions were one of my favorite parts during the whole course.

It offers real-time guidance and connection with instructors and fellow yogis. And the best part? You don’t just learn; you’re seen, heard, and guided in real-time.

Community and Peer Support

YogaDownload offers an effective way to communicate with your teacher.

Once you are a YTT program student, you are automatically connected to all the teachers and fellow students, which means you can send a DM from the website to anyone in the community. This is also explained in the introduction video, so you can’t miss out. 

For any other more general questions, you can click the “Community” button and ask anything you want in the forum.

The community forum was like a digital sangha—a space where questions turned into conversations and strangers became fellow travellers on the yoga path.

Apart from that, you can also connect with their Facebook group.

Also Read>>> Top 10 Selection of online YTTs

Pros & Cons

Is YogaDownload Legit?

It’s legit—like “Netflix binge with yoga pants” legit. YogaDownload has been in the game since 2003, making it one of the OGs in the online yoga world.

With over 1,600 classes (yes, really), a Yoga Alliance-approved 200-hour teacher training program, and styles ranging from Hatha and Vinyasa to a little taste of Yin Yoga (though you’ll need a separate certification to teach that one—bummer, but fair).

What really seals the deal? The rave-worthy flexibility.

You can flow on your own schedule, whether it’s in your living room surrounded by houseplants or in your bedroom after a long day.

Plus, their lifetime access means you’ll always have something to fall back on—kind of like that cozy blanket you just can’t let go of.

Conclusion

My final take on YogaDownload is that it is a real hub where you can grow as a student, a teacher, and a human being.

The platform provides content to meet the needs of students with different learning styles and schedules.

Many YogaDownload reviews highlight its accessibility and comprehensive content, making it stand out among all the online YTTs for its thoughtful approach and flexibility.

If you’ve always wanted to teach yoga but were unsure if an online course could make that happen, this program will show you all the possibilities.