Business Details
29 Years
experience
Empowering Yoga Professionals Worldwide
We are a global organization dedicated to supporting yoga professionals and expanding access to yoga worldwide. Founded in 1997, our mission centers on advocating for yoga's holistic benefits while fostering inclusivity and accessibility. We provide credentialing programs, continuing education resources, and community-building initiatives to empower teachers and schools. Our work prioritizes ethical standards, equity in practice, and partnerships that bring yoga to underserved populations.With over 100,000 members across 100+ countries, we combine decades of industry expertise with a commitment to removing barriers to yoga practice. Our team includes seasoned professionals in education, public policy, and nonprofit management who guide strategic initiatives aligned with our core values of connection, progress, and kindness. Through advocacy efforts and research partnerships, we strive to position yoga as a transformative tool for personal growth and societal change.
Services
Credentialing Programs
Member Resources
Community Initiatives
Advocacy Efforts
Continuing Education
Details
- Year established: 1997
Highlights and features
- We offer the yoga industry's most recognized credentialing programs
- We provide exclusive member benefits including business resources and discounts
- Our global network connects 100,000+ yoga professionals across 100+ countries
- We lead advocacy efforts for yoga accessibility and equity
- Our continuing education platform supports professional growth with verified training
What people say
Supportive community
Valuable resources
Inclusive practices
Professional growth
Global impact
Services
Credentialing Programs
Our credentialing programs establish professional standards for yoga teachers and schools. We offer Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) and Registered Yoga School (RYS) designations that validate expertise and ensure quality instruction. These credentials require meeting rigorous training requirements while adhering to our ethical code of conduct.
Member Resources
We provide exclusive resources to support yoga professionals' growth. Members access business tools, insurance programs, continuing education opportunities, and networking platforms. Our resources help teachers and schools enhance their practice while navigating industry challenges effectively.
Community Initiatives
Our community programs expand yoga access to underserved populations. We partner with organizations serving refugees, schools, and healthcare facilities to bring yoga's benefits to diverse communities. These initiatives focus on trauma recovery, wellness education, and social equity through yoga practice.
Advocacy Efforts
We advocate for yoga's recognition as a valuable wellness practice through policy initiatives. Our advocacy includes promoting yoga in healthcare systems, educational institutions, and workplace wellness programs. We work with policymakers to create environments supporting yoga practice accessibility and professional development.
Continuing Education
Our continuing education platform offers professional development opportunities for credentialed yoga teachers. The approved curriculum covers specialized topics like prenatal yoga, children's yoga, and therapeutic applications. These programs help maintain teaching excellence while expanding instructors' expertise in emerging yoga disciplines.
People
Shannon Roche
President, CEO & Ex-Officio Member
With 20 years of yoga practice, Shannon leads strategic initiatives for global yoga accessibility. She previously worked on Obama's economic policy team and co-founded innovative nonprofits. Holds degrees from Duke and Harvard, focusing on social change through institutional partnerships.
Dani Reese
Head of Community Engagement
Over 10 years in wellness industry with Yoga Alliance. Oversees member experience and community expansion initiatives. Combines yoga teaching experience with organizational leadership to strengthen global yoga networks. Holds degrees from West Virginia University and University of Colorado Boulder.
Kristina Graff
Head of Social Impact
Public health professional with 20+ years addressing health inequities globally. Leads initiatives expanding yoga's reach in high-need communities. Holds Master of Public Affairs from Princeton and BA from Duke. Focuses on scaling innovative platforms for measurable social impact.
Toni Carey
Head of Strategic Communications
Marketing leader with decade of health sector experience. Co-founded Black Girls RUN! and led campaigns for Partnership for a Healthier America. Holds communications degrees from Middle Tennessee State and Seton Hall Universities. Specializes in amplifying marginalized voices in wellness spaces.
Benjamin Varadi
Board Member
Law professor specializing in nonprofit governance and social responsibility. Holds yoga teaching credential and integrates mind-body practices into legal scholarship. Serves on the board to strengthen organizational ethics and community impact frameworks.
Questions
What does Yoga Alliance do?
We support yoga professionals through credentialing, resources, and advocacy. Our mission expands yoga access while maintaining ethical teaching standards globally.
How can I verify a yoga teacher's credentials?
Use our online directories to check Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) and Registered Yoga School (RYS) credentials against our established professional standards.
What benefits do members receive?
Members access business resources, insurance programs, continuing education, networking opportunities, and exclusive discounts for yoga professionals.
How does Yoga Alliance support underserved communities?
We partner with organizations to bring yoga to refugee centers, schools, and healthcare facilities through funding programs and training initiatives.
What advocacy efforts do you prioritize?
We advocate for yoga's inclusion in healthcare systems, educational institutions, and workplace wellness programs to improve accessibility and professional recognition.
Reviews (4)
Kevin James Karas
Jan 23, 2022
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I've been a member of the organization since 2016. I started as a registered yoga teacher (RYT) at the 200 hour level and spent many years working my way up to the experienced e-RYT 500 designation. The organization also provided me with the opportunity to open my own registered yoga school (RYS) at the 200 hour foundations level to begin training students to become teachers. This accreditation has helped me to grow my professional yoga career in a variety of ways.
They've also provided me with a ton of member benefits such as online continuing through digital programs and opportunities to connect with other yoga teachers around the world through their online CommUnity. As someone that's been in the yoga community for 15 years now, I'm so grateful that I decided to join and am thrilled to be a part of this organization.
They've also provided me with a ton of member benefits such as online continuing through digital programs and opportunities to connect with other yoga teachers around the world through their online CommUnity. As someone that's been in the yoga community for 15 years now, I'm so grateful that I decided to join and am thrilled to be a part of this organization.
Ruth Winstrom
Jan 08, 2022
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I echo what others have said. This "non-profit business" is a money racket. They demand money and do nothing to support teachers, studios, or yoga schools. They are supposed to be the managing entity for yoga, but I know for a fact that they don't check anything - from school efficacy or quality to the certificates that teachers upload to the number of hours that teachers log. They have started an "up-level" requirement for schools, and they don't even have it organized.
So after schools have spent countless hours on their "up-level" program, they have decided to put a hold on that process because they are so unorganized. Their website is also a million years old and hardly works. Spend some of OUR hard-earned money on actually doing your jobs.
So after schools have spent countless hours on their "up-level" program, they have decided to put a hold on that process because they are so unorganized. Their website is also a million years old and hardly works. Spend some of OUR hard-earned money on actually doing your jobs.
Angelica G.
May 06, 2021
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I've been an unwilling registrant of YA for 10 years because I've run a yoga school for that long. They do nothing for yoga teachers and schools. The organization is just incredibly good at marketing. You don't need this to teach. Being registered with YA means nothing more than you got suckered into paying them. But they've done such a good job marketing that students think this is necessary. Schools pay them money to file paperwork but don't have to uphold the standards because YA can't legally hold anyone accountable. YA isn't recognized by any institution whatsoever.
No governments. No states. No cities. They are a fake certification company that's 100% about making money. No one needs them to teach. The organization is filled with contradictions and circle speak. They don't even abide by their own rules and ethical standards. They offer nothing but a listing. I've taught yoga for 16 years all over the world full-time and not once has any employer ever asked if I was YA registered.
No governments. No states. No cities. They are a fake certification company that's 100% about making money. No one needs them to teach. The organization is filled with contradictions and circle speak. They don't even abide by their own rules and ethical standards. They offer nothing but a listing. I've taught yoga for 16 years all over the world full-time and not once has any employer ever asked if I was YA registered.
Katherene Wedic
Jul 23, 2020
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They did not provide proper support regarding a glich in their system, causing unnecessary difficulty. Something indicative of current institutions, along with mindless accountability through paperwork.
