
Welcome back friends! I’m excited to share with you this series of posts that I hope is really helpful for you as you consider which online yoga teacher training is best for you.
I get that it’s a little daunting as you’re basically going back to school! And I know you want to make sure you invest your time, money, and energy in a program that will deliver what you’re looking for and take you where you want to go!
That’s why, first, make sure you’re clear on whether it’s really a 200-hour training you’re looking for and read a bit about what you can expect in a 200-hour certification program.
Next, if you’re still unsure about doing your training online, we’ll touch on that here!
The rest of this post will be about breaking things down and looking at two online 200-hour yoga teacher trainings side-by-side. We’ll cover some notable features and pros and cons of each training, their prices, and key comparison points using their online content, brochures and syllabuses when available, and Yoga Alliance verified student reviews.
This time we’ll contrast Uplifted Yoga Academy and Siddhi Yoga International.
Siddhi Yoga International is an India-rooted school that emphasizes yoga’s spiritual and philosophical foundations alongside asana. Their 200-hour curriculum is delivered primarily through pre-recorded lessons with ongoing live support calls for Q&A and practice. You’ll see “multi-style” exposure—Hatha, Vinyasa, Bhakti, Karma, Mantra, and Raja—taught by Indian teachers so students can experience classical teachings from home. Siddhi Yoga positions itself as an affordable, accessible path for aspiring teachers who prefer a low-pressure, study-at-your-own-pace experience.
Siddhi Yoga is on a mission to provide a training that offers both depth and affordability and brings Indian yoga teacher trainers to you.
Uplifted Yoga Academy supports you in using yoga to transform off the mat and in succeeding as a yoga teacher in the digital age.
Okay, let’s get into it!
Why Choose Online Yoga Teacher Training?
I get that there are probably some lingering doubts and questions around doing your certification online instead of in-person. There are of course both pros and cons to consider with any potential course of action, and here we’ll focus on some of the pros of online training as you think about what’s best for you!
- Ready-made references. If you’ve attended any sort of in-person training, you might have experienced how tricky it is to remain present, take notes, and remember to take some photos or videos to refer to as you want to capture EVERYTHING that you’re learning. Online programs have the leg-up over in-person trainings when it comes to this as you already get high-quality recordings of all the content so you can access exactly what you learned in your training at any time.
- Save money, honey. Training from home lets you save the additional money you might spend with in-person trainings on childcare, flights, transportation, parking, food, and accommodations. Add in also not needing to take time off from work and you get to save all-around!
- Integrate as you go. It’s not uncommon for students to finish their intensive, in-person trainings and then struggle with re-entering the “real world” and figuring out how to integrate all they’ve learned. This is why it can be beneficial to go through the material slowly while leading your normal life so you have time to process the information and immediately practice integrating what you’ve learned. This also lets you come back to your teachers with questions based on real-life scenarios so you can get more benefit from your training in your daily life.
- Live your life. The ability to train from home and go through the material in your own time allows you to stay connected with what’s important to you and maintain your relationships, family-life, career, and hobbies—yay!
The Stack Up: Uplifted Yoga vs. Siddhi Yoga 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training
Uplifted | Siddhi Yoga | |
Lifetime Access to Course Materials | Yes | Yes |
Curriculum Includes Business Training | Yes | No |
Graduation Rate | 96% | Not available |
Study Model | Hybrid format — combines a self-paced, at-home video curriculum with a cohort-based live call structure for accountability, practice teaching, and real-time feedback. | Primarily self-paced and pre-recorded, with optional live support and Q&A calls offered regularly for additional guidance. |
Payment Plans Available | Yes | Yes |
Refund Policy | Non-refundable | Full refund within 7 days |
Completion Deadline | 18 months | 12 months |
Lead Teacher(s) and Credentials | Brett Larkin E-RYT 500, RPYT, YACEP; Katrina Flahive, 500 E-RYT, Trauma Informed, Kids Yoga | Dr. Sumit Sharma Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy, Diploma in Sports Medicine; Shobhit Ghanshyala E-RYT 500, YACEP; Yogacharya Sandeep Pandeymaster’s degree in Yoga and Indian Philosophy |
Print Manual Included | Yes | No |
Synchronous Completion with Other Students | Yes | No |
Max Call Size | 45 for live calls; 6-10 for study groups | No maximum; 2-3 stated as typical |
Individualized Posture Feedback | Built-in | By request |
Tuition Includes All Reading Materials | No (3 books to purchase) | Yes |
Year Established | 2015 | 2013 |
Price | $2850 | $397 |
Yoga Alliance Accreditation
Uplifted Yoga Academy has been a Registered Yoga School (RYS) with Yoga Alliance since 2016 under ID 197303. Yoga Alliance currently recognizes online and distance learning for the RYT 200 credential.
Uplifted is also accredited through leading fitness organizations — ACE (20 CECs), AFAA (1.5 CEUs), and NASM (1.9 CEUs) — making it one of the few YTTs to carry multi-industry continuing education recognition.
Over the years, hundreds of doctors, nurses, and health professionals have chosen Uplifted for its evidence-informed, trauma-aware, and professionally accredited approach to yoga education.
(Siddhi Yoga is also an RYS with Yoga Alliance; always verify a school’s current listing on the Yoga Alliance directory.)
Who Each Program Is For
Choose Uplifted if you want…
- A cohort-based program with weekly live calls and personalized feedback
- A high-touch experience that ensures graduation (96% completion rate)
- A trauma-informed approach that balances personal growth and teaching skill
- 10+ hours of business training for yoga career development
- A printed manual shipped to your door
Choose Siddhi Yoga if you want…
- A traditional Indian lineage approach taught by teachers in Rishikesh
- A budget-friendly, fully self-paced structure
- Exposure to multiple styles of yoga (Hatha, Bhakti, Karma, Mantra, Raja, Vinyasa)
- A low-pressure environment with flexible live support sessions
Key Differences at a Glance
- Format: Uplifted = Hybrid (self-paced + cohort live calls); Siddhi = Self-paced with live support calls
- Graduation Momentum: Uplifted’s structure → 96% completion; Siddhi = self-led pacing
- Business Training: Uplifted = 10+ hours; Siddhi = None
- Practice Teaching: Uplifted = Required; Siddhi = Optional / by request
- Materials: Uplifted = Printed manual; Siddhi = Digital only
- Price Point: Uplifted = Premium; Siddhi = Budget-friendly
- Focus: Uplifted = Modern anatomy + business; Siddhi = Traditional Indian yoga philosophy
Uplifted Yoga Academy: An Overview
The Uplifted Yoga Academy 200-hour yoga teacher training is known as the “original” online teacher training that’s been certifying students virtually since long before Covid. The Uplifted program is known for balancing the ancient philosophies and teachings of yoga with preparing you to teach in the modern world so that you can fully tap into yoga’s power for personal growth and create your best life. Students love the program’s equal emphasis on traditional yoga through meditation, pranayama, asana, and embodying yogic philosophy and on the modern aspects of working with fascia and thriving as a yogipreneur.
3 Key Features of Uplifted Yoga 200-Hour YTT
What sets the Uplifted Yoga Academy’s programs apart is their commitment to overdeliver. Even though the Yoga Alliance isn’t rigorous in their training oversight, founder Brett Larkin is dedicated to exceeding the Yoga Alliance standards and providing a 200-hour credential that goes far beyond the Yoga Alliance requirements.
What further distinguishes the Uplifted program is that despite being a modern, western, and online training, it emphasizes the traditions of yoga so that students can fully immerse themselves in the yogic lifestyle. The certification shares about meditation, pranayama breathing techniques, the fascial system, the chakra system, igniting your best life through yoga asana, and bringing yoga philosophy into your daily life.
Other noteworthy features of the Uplifted 200-hour training include:
- The best in business training. The Uplifted online yoga teacher certification includes over 10 hours of business training plus the options of mentorship from Brett and teaching with Uplifted. Their business modules cover how to: market yourself as a yoga teacher, lead live classes on Zoom, negotiate pay with yoga studios, price your classes, accept payments from students, choose yoga insurance, build an online presence, get private and corporate clients, create a website, optimize your social media, and run email marketing campaigns. Plus, you’ll learn what tech tools you need to run your business, how much yoga teachers make in the industry, and more!
- High graduation rate. Some online trainings know that most of their students won’t complete the training and don’t do anything to change that—but not Uplifted! It is the personal mission of the founder and lead trainer, Brett Larkin, to get you to graduation. This, plus the course completion deadline and proven hybrid pre-recorded/live format make you virtually guaranteed to graduate from the Uplifted program.
- Real-time, personalized feedback. Uplifted Yoga Academy wants to ensure that even though you’re training virtually, you know your stuff when it comes to alignment—both your own and your students’. The lead trainer herself is involved in giving you personal feedback on your postures and you get to see the feedback for other students so that by the end of the course you have seen many bodies in poses instead of just a few as is common in large, in-person groups.
Fall in love with my 200-Hour teacher training or …
Experience 3 Training Videos from Inside My 200-Hour Online YTT
Pros and Cons of Uplifted Yoga 200-Hour YTT
Pros
- Unparalleled business training
- Know that you’ll graduate
- Get personalized feedback
Cons
- Might be too much on business for the yogi who’s not training to teach
- Higher pressure on the casual yogi
- You will be seen (if you’re looking to learn quickly or casually without embodying what you learn, this might not be for you)
Uplifted Yoga 200-Hour YTT Pricing
In terms of cost, the Uplifted course is on the higher side for online yoga teacher training due to its proven graduation formula, long track record of online training, and unmatched business training. There is a handful of other online training in a similar price range.
- Example payment plan:$712.50 up front then $712.50/month for 3 months
Siddhi Yoga: An Overview
Siddhi Yoga is known for helping make the ancient wisdom of yoga accessible as it’s led by “top yoga masters” from Rishikesh so you can experience traditional teaching without having to make the journey to India. Contrary to the common portrayal of yoga as fitness, they aim to help students embrace the spiritual aspect of yoga beyond asana and to attain expertise in spiritual discipline. As the yoga they share is not just physical, it is truly accessible for everyone and physical fitness can be just an added benefit. Students love the warmth of the teachers as well as their professionalism, patience, and depth of knowledge.
3 Key Features of Siddhi Yoga’s 200-Hour YTT
Standout aspects of the Siddhi Yoga training are its experience with in-person courses and the daily live calls for either yoga practice or Q&A. Another unique element of this training is that your certificate will be in “multi style yoga” as they share various types of the practice including Hatha, Karma, Bhakti, Mantra, Raja, and Vinyasa yoga.
Three more distinctive features of the Siddhi Yoga certification are:
- Study traditional Indian yoga from home. Many yogis want to visit the birthplace of yoga at some point. And, let’s be real, it’s a bit far, expensive, and intimidating, am I right? If you’re interested in studying with Indian yogic tradition-holders, the Siddhi Yoga school saves you the cost and jet-lag and makes connecting with yoga’s roots accessible to all!
- Low cost. “Yoga school” can be expensive! Siddhi Yoga makes yoga teacher training affordable by having a low price point as well as by sometimes bundling their 200-hour yoga teacher training program with other courses to further increase the value of your investment.
- Small group call size. Because Siddhi Yoga offers different types of live calls everyday, their average call size is reported to be just a few students. This means you can be sure you’ll get your questions answered on the weekend calls with lead trainers and get the individualized attention that you want.
Pros and Cons of Siddhi Yoga’s 200-Hour YTT
Pros
- Access to Indian teachers and traditional teachings
- Affordable
- Small group call size
Cons
- No business training
- Less incentive to graduate
- No consistent peer group
Siddhi Yoga’s 200-Hour YTT Pricing
Siddhi Yoga has a low training cost along with several other online trainings that make their margins work by offsetting the low cost with high enrollment numbers.
- Example Payment Plan: $165/month for 3 months
So Which Is Better: Uplifted or Siddhi Yoga?
If you’re looking for a traditional approach to yoga and prioritize a budget-friendly and low-pressure option, Siddhi Yoga might be the program for you!
If you’re interested in additionally learning a modern approach to yoga and are willing to spend more to ensure that you graduate and can build a business afterwards, the Uplifted training could be a great fit!
If you’re still not quite sure what you’re looking for in a training, perhaps start by getting more clear on that!
You can read about more top trainings to explore different options and their unique benefits so you can discover what’s important FOR YOU in your yoga teacher training.
My Honest Take (Brett’s Perspective)
Both of these programs serve very different types of students. If your goal is to immerse yourself in traditional Indian teachings at a low cost and flexible pace, Siddhi Yoga offers incredible value.
But if you’re looking for a high-touch, guided program that supports you to actually graduate, teaches you how to earn as a yoga teacher, and helps you embody yoga as a life practice — Uplifted was built for that.
With our cohort model, printed manuals, personalized feedback, and business training, you’ll not only deepen your yoga but gain the tools to confidently share it.
FAQs About Siddhi Yoga vs Uplifted
Is Uplifted Yoga or Siddhi Yoga better for beginners?
Both are beginner-friendly. Siddhi Yoga offers more traditional teachings; Uplifted provides more structure, mentorship, and feedback for aspiring teachers.
Do both programs count for Yoga Alliance certification?
Yes. Both are Registered Yoga Schools (RYS) with Yoga Alliance and qualify graduates for the RYT-200 designation.
What makes Uplifted different from most online YTTs?
Uplifted offers a cohort model with live calls, trauma-informed faculty, personalized feedback, and 10+ hours of business training — all designed to ensure graduation and real-world success.
Which program is more affordable?
Siddhi Yoga is more budget-friendly at around $397, while Uplifted’s premium hybrid format costs $2850.
What accreditations does Uplifted have beyond Yoga Alliance?
Uplifted is also recognized by ACE (20 CECs), AFAA (1.5 CEUs), and NASM (1.9 CEUs).
Do I need teaching experience to join either program?
No prior experience required for either. Both welcome beginners and experienced practitioners alike.
How do live calls differ?
Uplifted = structured weekly cohort calls for teaching practice; Siddhi = open Q&A sessions, flexible participation.
Do I keep access to the materials forever?
Yes. Both programs offer lifetime access to course content.
What if I’m not sure I want to teach?
Uplifted is ideal if you want a personal transformation journey and a strong teaching foundation — even if you never teach. Siddhi is great for casual learners exploring yoga philosophy and practice.
Who should invest in Uplifted’s higher price point?
Students who want mentorship, accountability, business skills, and a true professional certification experience.

About the Author | Brett Larkin
Brett Larkin was the first person to bring yoga teacher training online in 2015. Since then, she’s certified over 4,000 teachers and leads one of the most comprehensive yoga education platforms on the internet. Brett and her team regularly take and review other online YTTs to stay up to date on industry best practices—so their own trainings remain the gold standard. She has over a half a million subscribers on Youtube and is also the author of Yoga Life and host of the Uplifted Yoga Podcast.
Next Steps
- Check out my YouTube channel and find some yoga classes that you can try out for yourself!
- Explore my knowledge hub for How to Become a Yoga Teacher
- Attend a 200 YTT info session to see what else you’ll learn in my online teacher training.
Experience 3 Training Videos from Inside My 200-Hour Online YTT
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
- Top Somatic Coaching Programs And How To Choose One
- The 3 Archetypes: Yoga Personality Types & Choosing A YTT
- Uplifted Yoga Teacher Training vs Akasha Yoga Academy
- Uplifted vs Ithaca Farm: Which YTT Is Right For You?
- Uplifted Yoga Teacher Training vs Drishti Beats
- Uplifted Yoga Teacher Training vs Siddhi Yoga
- Uplifted vs YogaRenew
- Which Uplifted online yoga training is right for you?
- Uplifted Yoga Training vs. Online Yoga School
- Uplifted Yoga Teacher Training vs. My Vinyasa Practice
- The 7 BEST Online Yoga Teacher Training Courses, According to An Industry Expert
- How Much Do Yoga Teacher Trainings Cost?
- Yoga Nidra Training Certification: Immersion, Online, Or In Studio
- Yoga For Runners: 7 Poses That Will Help You In The Long Run
- How to Choose a 300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Course (And Why)
- The 5 Best 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Courses EVER
- How to Choose a Yoga Teacher Training (That Won’t Rip You Off)
- Want to Become a Certified Vinyasa Yoga Teacher? Read This.
- How To Know If An Online YTT Is Legit: 8 Things To Look For
- Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Certification: Where And How To Get It
- Wanna Teach Kids Yoga? Find A Fun Childrens Yoga Teacher Training!
- Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Certification: Immersion, Online, or in Studio?
- A Guide to The Best Yin Yoga Teacher Training Programs
- Levels of Yoga Certification: What’s The Difference Between 200-, 300-, and 500-Hour YTT Courses?yoga certification
- 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training: What To Expect, How To Prepare, Where To Do It