Who You Are

Yoga Alliance International (YAI) is a Canadian credentialing body created to make yoga certification accessible, fair, and competency-based. We believe yoga teaching should be evaluated by skill — not by the name of the school someone attended or the amount of money they paid. Our organization was built to offer an inclusive, modern pathway for teachers and schools across Canada who want recognized credentials without unnecessary barriers, high costs, or restrictive registration systems. YAI certifies teachers based on demonstrated ability, ethical conduct, and a clear understanding of yoga practice, education, and safety.

Mission

Our mission is to raise the standard of yoga credentialing in Canada by focusing on what truly matters: competence, integrity, and accessibility.
We exist to support yoga teachers and schools who want a clear, affordable, and meaningful credential that reflects real teaching ability. We are committed to transparent assessment, equal opportunity, and providing an alternative to expensive legacy registration systems. YAI empowers new teachers, independent schools, and community programs by offering certification that recognizes skill over status, and learning over politics.

How Credentialing Works

YAI uses a structured, evidence-based review system that evaluates applicants on actual capability rather than hours completed at a specific school.
Here’s how the process works:

  1. Apply online under your chosen level (200, 300, or 500 hours).

  2. Submit training evidence — syllabi, certificates, workshop records, or past teaching hours.

  3. Submit a 15-minute teaching video demonstrating cueing, safety, sequencing, and communication.

  4. Our assessors review your materials to ensure you meet core competencies.

  5. Receive your credential and digital certificate once competency is verified.

  6. Optional annual renewal includes continuing education or updated teaching experience.

This system allows teachers from all backgrounds — online, hybrid, or in-person — to be evaluated fairly, without discrimination toward training format or lineage.

Why Competency-Based Certification Matters

Most registration systems judge teachers by the school they attended or the hours on a certificate. But hours do not prove ability, and many teachers complete training without ever being assessed on actual teaching skills.
A competency-based model solves this problem.

Competency-based certification ensures that:

  • Teachers are evaluated on real performance, not assumptions.

  • Online and in-person graduates are treated equally.

  • Independent schools and trainers can thrive without unnecessary barriers.

  • Students receive safer, more consistent teaching from certified instructors.

  • Costs stay accessible because we focus on assessment rather than bureaucracy.

In short: competency-based credentialing reflects how modern education actually works. It respects diversity in training, embraces technology, and ensures that qualified teachers are recognized no matter where or how they learned.