The short answer: A Registered Yoga School (RYS) is a yoga teacher training program that has been approved by Yoga Alliance and meets their minimum curriculum standards. When you graduate from an RYS, you’re eligible to register as an RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher). If your school is not an RYS, you can’t register with Yoga Alliance.

This matters because most studios, gyms, and insurance providers require — or strongly prefer — Yoga Alliance credentials.

What Does RYS Mean?

RYS stands for Registered Yoga School. There are several levels:

RYS 200 — approved to offer 200-hour yoga teacher training
RYS 300 — approved to offer 300-hour advanced training
RYS 500 — approved to offer both 200 and 300-hour (totaling 500 hours)

Uplifted Yoga, for example, is registered as RYS 197303 with Yoga Alliance — meaning our 200-hour and 300-hour programs are both fully approved.

Why Does It Matter?

Choosing an RYS matters for one simple reason: your certification is only as credible as your school. If you train at a non-registered school:

You can’t register as RYT with Yoga Alliance
Many studios won’t recognize your certification
Insurance providers may not cover you
You may not be eligible for continuing education credits

How to Verify a School Is Registered

Before enrolling in any yoga teacher training, check the Yoga Alliance directory. Search for the school name and confirm their RYS status is current. You can also ask the school directly for their RYS registration number.

What to Look for Beyond RYS Status

RYS is the minimum standard. A great training goes far beyond the minimum. Look for:

Live interaction — not just pre-recorded videos
Business training — how to actually earn a living teaching
Graduate outcomes — are graduates actually teaching?
Additional accreditations — some schools are also approved by ACE, NASM, or AFAA

The RYS label tells you a school met the bar. Your job is to find one that exceeds it. 🙏