You’re running a studio or program.
But it’s a LOT.
You’re struggling to make a sustainable living without running yourself ragged
You’ve thought about creating a teacher training program, but don’t know where to start
Getting a program accredited feels overwhelming, and you're not sure the cost and effort are worth it
One-size-fits-none standards restrict you from being honest about your programs or teaching the content that’s most important to you
You feel overlooked or misrepresented by large credentialing organizations
You struggling to fill your teacher trainings and don’t know what else to do
LEVEL
1
Accountability without bureaucracy
Honest representations of what you actually teach, modern resources for creating programs, and ongoing administrative support
Free promotional opportunities for you and your students
Marketing tools for your school and your graduates
Modern, user-friendly directory of your graduates plus free resources for creating workshops and retreats
Your School
Give Back Fund
AYC Operations
Hands-on support for your growth
Members also receive monthly business coaching with industry experts, from an organization that lives its values of transparency, generosity, practice, and right livelihood.
A new clinic each month with yoga industry experts and live Q&A
“One session was worth the cost of membership” —AYC member
BONUS!
Join now and get our Business Clinic Bundle
Get the videos, slides, handouts, and worksheets for all our past business clinics.
Not sure?
Don’t take our word for it
— listen to our members
The yoga member organization of the future
Your school can actually save money with AYC membership
Program Setup
Accreditation model
Hours based
Competency based
Annual fees
$240
per program
$85
per person
owners or lead faculty
$216
per school
includes school and owner profiles
One-time fees
$400
application fee per YTT
$108
accreditation fee per YTT
Revenue share
None
40%
of graduates’ verification fees
set by each school
Revenue share
of AYC membership dues
Smaller schools can
offset their operating costs
For example, a new school with:
1
YTT
program
25
new grads/yr
50%
registering
$54
verification
fee
See the $12,000 difference?
Larger schools can
build a new revenue stream
For example, an existing school with:
2
YTT
programs
50
new grads/yr
50%
registering
120
past grads
30%
registering
$54
verification
fee
See the $40,000 difference?
Your teachers get more value from your credentials
Teacher Features
Competency-based certification
Hours-based
registration
Yes
Specialty badges
None
18, with more to come
Event promotion
Only CEs
Workshops, retreats, trainings, and on-demand
Revenue share
None
Based on your mentees and program graduates
Teacher profiles
Basic facts
So good you can use it as your website
Directory
Basic registry
Modern, user-friendly experience
Yoga teaching insurance
Ask for a quote
Flat $60 (66% off) for teachers in training
Business coaching
None
Monthly sessions with the CEO and industry experts
Application fee
$50
$0
YA credential upgrade fee /
AYC verification fee
$50 each
Set by schools
($54+ for YTTs, $10+ for CEs)
Annual membership dues
$65
$54 during YTT year 1
$108 after that
How it works
FAQs
What are the benefits of AYC membership?
Professional membership includes: 1. School Profile: Share your lineage, events, faculty, and web links 2. Program Accreditation: Receive school accreditation and create training programs and CEs 3. Program Promotion: Feature your school, events, training programs, and CEs on our directory 4. Free Support: Free 1-on-1 onboarding and ongoing tech support over Zoom 5. Revenue Share: Get 40% of graduates’ one-time certification verification fees PLUS recurring revenue share from AYC’s membership pool Plus all the Premium features: 1. Teacher Profile: Share your influences, bio, and web links 2. Directory Inclusion: Be seen on the AYC map and findable in searches 3. Mentor Connection: Follow your mentors and find trainings in your lineage 4. Certified Expertise: Have your yoga history and specialties reviewed and receive an AYC-verified level 5. Event Promotion: Promote your workshops, retreats, and online courses on the directory 6. Business Coaching: Attend monthly clinics with yoga business leaders 7. Member Benefits: Exclusive discounts, free education, and group insurance rates 8. Revenue Share: Accept mentees and earn recurring income from AYC’s membership pool AYC is the membership that pays for itself.
What does it cost to join?
Premium membership is 50% off your first year if you join while you’re in training. That’s $54 for your first year, and $108 after that. Optional add-on costs: 1. New Credential Verification: $54 to $250 each (one-time fee determined by each school) 2. CE Verification: $10 to $250 each (one-time fee determined by each school) Satisfaction Guarantee: If you’ve completed your AYC onboarding and don’t feel like membership has paid for itself, we’ll refund any membership fees (minus any revenue share paid to your mentors/schools)
Does certification last forever, or do teachers have to renew every year?
Once verified, your AYC certifications last forever. Premium profiles display all teacher features (including credentials, workshops, retreats, events, mentees, etc). If you downgrade to Free membership, you're legally still certified by AYC, however your profile will no longer display those features and you will lose access to AYC's member benefits like business coaching and special discounts.
How are AYC levels calculated?
Teachers submit their training history, teaching experience, and specialties for review. Programs submit their core competencies, evaluation methods, and faculty. AYC certification and accreditation is based on actual competencies — not just hours logged.
I don’t own a yoga school but I’ve been teaching for a while. Should I get Pro or Premium?
Premium allows you to verify your credentials and promote your workshops and retreats, but if you want to certify your students and include other faculty for your programs, Professional will enable you to do that.
We have multiple owners, how should we sign up?
One owner will have a Professional membership and will create the school profile, and the co-owner(s) sign up at the Premium level. In the Faculty section of the school profile, the Professional member can list the additional owner(s) as “Admin”. This will give all owners full access to the school profile.
We’re a nonprofit or institution, how should we sign up?
You will sign up at the Professional membership level. Every Professional member has a teacher profile and a school profile; in this case, you'll add your institution name for both. Your main focus will be primarily on building your school profile. This is where you’ll create accredited programs, list additional faculty and promote events.
Can I register with both AYC and YA?
Yes. AYC membership doesn't require you to leave any other organization. We offer different benefits and a different type of certification (not just registration).
How is AYC different than Yoga Alliance?
AYC recognizes competency, lineage, and teaching context, not just hours completed. AYC certifies teachers; Yoga Alliance registers them. You also get active business support, not just a registry listing. AYC is your yoga business in a box. See the charts above for more details.
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