500 Hour Training: Overview

Union Yoga Teacher Training is accredited by Yoga Alliance UK as a training provider for 200 hour and 500 hour certification. The minimum standards for the 500 hour certification programme can be viewed here, 500 hour Yoga Alliance standards.

The number of contact hours (assuming the 200 hour Yoga Alliance certification is completed) will be 170. These hours can be made up through attending Union Yoga core modules, and by Electives which form part of the course.

At least 60 hours must be completed within Union Yoga core modules. The remaining contact hours can be completed by attending the Electives. At present, core modules will take place at the Union Yoga Centre in Edinburgh, but may be extended to other locations if there is demand.

Elective workshops consist of workshops taught by the principal teachers at Union Yoga, and by guest teachers invited to teach specific topics for the 500 hour course. Electives will take place at various locations around the country. Electives will only count towards total hours after the applicant has formally joined the 500 hour programme.

The remaining 130 hours are non- contact hours and accumulated through home study, tutorials, and by becoming mentors for 200 hour diploma students. Additional hours can be taken by, where appropriate, assisting on 200 hour courses.

To qualify the teacher must complete an assessment towards the end of the course.

Course Format

The course will take the form of a total of 170 contact teaching hours, comprising:

6 Weekends of Core Modules, which are compulsory, PLUS

110 hours of specialist electives which will cover approximately 10 Weekends (Saturday and Sunday). Some Electives may consist of more days. Electives will take place at various locations in the UK, and will be open to any teachers or advanced students.

At present the Core Modules will take place at Union Yoga Centre, Edinburgh, but may be extended to other locations if there is enough demand.

There is NO time limit on either Core Modules or Electives.

Union Yoga Teacher Training is greatly honoured and privileged to be able to offer Electives by world renowned teachers, who are contributing to the 500 Hour Program.

For current dates of Core Modules and confirmed Electives click here

Course Content

Some of the topics covered are listed below but are not exhaustive. Electives will be constantly added: check our dates page for updates!
• Yoga Philosophy and History
• Anatomy and Physiology of Hatha Yoga
• Techniques in Astanga Vinyasa and Second Series Asanas
• Learning to adjust with awareness and sensitivity: Combining the latest flexibility research with adjusting is a powerful tool for increasing both flexibility and strength.
• Vinyasa Krama: Sequences for particular purposes, including Flow Yoga
• Esoteric teachings of Hatha and Tantra: Teaching Mudra and Bandha
• Yoga Nidra:
• Chanting and Kirtan
• Teaching Yoga to Children
• Pregnancy Yoga
• Yoga and Drama-improving your teaching presentation
• Yoga and Sport
• Yoga and Stress
• Systematic study and practice of Pranayama

For an approximate breakdown of how the hours are distributed among the key topics refer to 500 hour Yoga Alliance UK Standards

Anyone enrolled on the 500 hour course before 10th October will continue under the conditions at the start of their course, and do not need to comply with the conditions now set out.

To sign up, please contact Brian Cooper on yogiswaroop@yahoo.co.uk