ISSA Yoga 200 Certification Review: Is It Worth It?
The ISSA Yoga 200 certification program stands out as a flexible, affordable, and science-backed path to becoming a certified yoga instructor. It’s the only yoga certification accredited by the NCCA and approved by Yoga Alliance, making it both credible and career-ready. With a 100% online format, live support, and practical teaching tools, it’s ideal for anyone looking to balance yoga study with a busy lifestyle.
We took a deep dive into the program, comparing it to other top yoga certifications, reviewing student feedback, and breaking down exactly what you get for your investment. Here’s everything you should know before enrolling.
Quick Review
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | $99–$179/month (12 months) |
| Format | 100% online, self-paced |
| Duration | 10 weeks (suggested), 6 months max (extensions available for a fee) |
| Accreditation | Yoga Alliance RYS, NCCA-accredited |
| Certification | RYT-200 eligible |
| Exam | Open-book, untimed, multiple choice |
| Support | Live weekly sessions, unlimited email/phone/chat |
ISSA Yoga 200 Certification Cost Breakdown
ISSA offers three flexible Yoga Certification Bundles tailored to different career goals and budgets:
Yoga 200
Perfect for beginners looking to start their yoga journey at an affordable price. Includes CPR/AED Certification and costs $99/month for 12 months (0% interest) or $988 if paid in full. 30 CEUs.
Mind-Body Bundle
Ideal for certified or advancing yogis looking to expand their skills. Includes everything in Yoga 200 plus Guided Group Meditation, Eight Limbs of Yoga, Pranayama Health Benefits, Back Pain Relief and Yoga, Transformation Specialist, and a FREE Pilates Instructor course. Priced at $119/month (12 months) or $1,228 total when paid in full. 55 CEUs.
Holistic-Master Bundle
The ultimate all-in-one program for yoga professionals building a full wellness career. Includes all Mind-Body courses plus Nutritionist, Life Coach, and Ante & Post Natal Coaching Certifications. Costs $179/month (12 months) or $1,798.02 when paid in full. 135 CEUs
Pricing Comparison: ISSA vs. Other Yoga Certification Programs
| Program | Price | Format |
|---|---|---|
| ISSA Yoga 200 | $988 | Online |
| My Vinyasa Practice | $425+ | Online |
| Brett Larkin Online | $1,000-$7,000 | Online |
| Kripalu School | $2,808+ | In-person / Retreat |
ISSA’s Yoga 200 program sits in the mid-range price category. Yes, there are cheaper options out there, but few match its quality and credibility. With ISSA, you’re earning your certification from a globally recognized institution while enjoying the flexibility of a fully online, self-paced course. It’s a balance of affordability, reputation, and convenience, making it well worth every cent.
ISSA Yoga 200 Certification Review: Is It Worth It?
Course Content & Curriculum Quality
ISSA’s Yoga 200 delivers a comprehensive 200-hour curriculum that covers all Yoga Alliance requirements and then some. The course is thoughtfully divided into 10 weekly modules.
Core Topics Covered:
- Teaching & Cueing Principles
- Sequencing Principles
- In-Depth Posture Sequencing
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Meditation & Pranayama (breathing techniques)
- Yoga History & Philosophy
- Ethics
- Professional Development & Business Building
The standout feature is ISSA’s science-based approach. Unlike many traditional programs that lean heavily on intuition and spirituality alone, ISSA integrates biomechanics, exercise science, and natural movement principles. This makes it particularly valuable for:
- Personal trainers expanding into yoga
- Students who appreciate evidence-based learning
- Instructors who want to explain the "why" behind poses
You’ll learn 80+ fundamental yoga postures with detailed breakdowns of:
- Purpose of each pose
- Proper cueing techniques
- Props and modifications
- Variations for different levels
- Safety precautions and contraindications
The signature 37-pose foundational class means you’ll have a complete, ready-to-teach Hatha/Vinyasa class from day one, a huge confidence booster for new teachers.
The curriculum focuses primarily on Hatha and Vinyasa styles. The Mind-Body and Holistic Master bundles do include some supplementary courses (Back Pain Relief & Yoga, Pranayama Health Benefits, Eight Limbs of Yoga, Guided Group Meditation, and Transformation Specialist) for those who are interested.
Study Experience & Materials
ISSA has clearly invested in creating high-quality learning materials.
Video Content (30+ Hours)
The video lectures feature expert yoga instructors demonstrating proper alignment, posture adjustments, and teaching techniques. Videos are professionally produced and easy to follow. The platform allows you to pause, rewind, and rewatch as needed which is a major advantage over one-time in-person demonstrations.
Written Materials (260+ Pages)
The Yoga 200-Hour Teacher Training Manual is comprehensive and well-organized. The separate Asana Guidebook serves as an excellent quick-reference tool you’ll use long after certification.
Interactive Elements:
- Live Weekly Virtual Study Studio Sessions – One-hour sessions where instructors dive deeper into topics, answer questions, and provide additional guidance. All sessions are recorded, so you can watch on your schedule.
- Guided Meditations – Audio tracks help you prepare mentally for learning and develop your own meditation practice
- Worksheets & Practice Sessions – Practical exercises to apply what you’re learning
- Chapter Quizzes – Track your progress and identify areas needing review
Platform Usability
The online learning platform is straightforward and accessible from any device. Content is easy to navigate, searchable, and available 24/7. The only downside is that purely online learning requires significant self-motivation.
Student Support
ISSA provides unlimited support via phone, chat, or email from their dedicated Success Team. Based on student testimonials, responses are typically quick and helpful. The live weekly sessions also provide opportunities for direct interaction with instructors.
ISSA works with “industry-leading yoga experts” according to their marketing materials. While specific instructor credentials aren’t heavily detailed on the website, the video content demonstrates solid teaching ability and clear communication. ISSA yoga instructors are professional and approachable, clearly explaining concepts in a progressive way, using effective visual demonstrations, and striking a strong balance between traditional yoga philosophy and modern science.
ISSA Yoga 200 Certification Exam
ISSA’s final exam is open-book, untimed, and multiple choice, and you can take it from home whenever you’re ready. This format helps reduce test anxiety, promotes real understanding over memorization, and is ideal for those who struggle with traditional exams. The best part is that one free retake is included. However, it may not prepare you as thoroughly as a closed-book test, feels less rigorous than some competing certifications, and could lead to overconfidence if you rely too much on looking up answers.
Pass Rate
ISSA doesn’t publish official pass rates, but the open-book format and free retake suggest high pass rates. While this is convenient, programs with more challenging exams (like NASM for personal training) may provide better knowledge retention.
Certification Validity
Your certification is valid for 3 years. To renew:
- Complete 30 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
- Pay $99 renewal fee (waived if all CEUs are through ISSA certifications)
This aligns with Yoga Alliance RYT requirements (30 CEUs + 45 teaching hours every 3 years).
ISSA Yoga 200 Certification Exam
Pros:
- Affordable pricing - At $99/month, significantly cheaper than most 200-hour programs ($2,500-$3,500 average)
- NCCA accredited - Only yoga certification with this prestigious fitness industry accreditation
- Yoga Alliance approved - Full RYT-200 eligibility upon completion
- Science-based approach - Combines traditional yoga with exercise science and biomechanics
- Flexible 100% online format - Study anytime, anywhere, at your own pace
- Comprehensive materials - 30+ hours of video, 260+ page manual, 80+ pose breakdowns
- Live weekly support - Virtual Study Studio sessions with expert instructors (recorded for replay)
- Ready-to-teach class included - 37-pose foundational class you can use immediately
- Bundle options - Add Pilates, nutrition, life coaching certifications at discounted rates
- CPR/AED included - Required certification for employment included in all bundles
- One free exam retake - Reduces test anxiety
- Great for fitness professionals - Earns CEUs for ACE, NASM, and other certifications
Cons:
- No in-person practice teaching - You won't get hands-on experience teaching live students during training
- Limited physical adjustment training - Hands-on assists are harder to learn virtually
- Requires self-discipline - Self-paced format means you must stay motivated
- Less community feel - Misses the retreat/immersion bonding experience of in-person programs
- Open-book exam - While less stressful, may not prepare you as rigorously as closed-book tests
- 6-month completion limit - Need to purchase extension if you can't finish in time
- Strict refund policy - Only 7 days to request refund, 10% processing fee
- Limited to Hatha/Vinyasa styles - Doesn't cover specialized styles like Kundalini, Ashtanga, or Yin extensively
- No job placement assistance mentioned - You're on your own for finding teaching opportunities
- Online-only networking - No in-person connections with fellow teachers
ISSA Yoga 200 Certification Reviews and Experiences*
The ISSA Yoga 200 curriculum focuses mainly on Hatha and Vinyasa styles. Many graduates noted that while it provides a strong foundation, they needed additional training to specialize in styles like Kundalini, Ashtanga, Yin, or Restorative yoga.
Some students also expressed concerns about ISSA’s background, noting that it’s primarily known as a personal training certification company rather than a yoga-focused institution. This has led to criticism that ISSA may not fully capture the depth of yoga philosophy and culture compared to traditional yoga schools.
When it comes to instruction, ISSA offers solid, team-taught guidance,but there are some limitations. The program includes limited information about individual instructor credentials, no one-on-one mentorship, and no real-time feedback, as lessons are pre-recorded. Weekly live group sessions do offer interaction, though it’s less personal than boutique programs, which emphasize the founder’s teaching style and E-RYT credentials.
*To ensure an unbiased perspective, we analyzed hundreds of Reddit discussions, forum posts, and student reviews to capture authentic experiences with ISSA Yoga certifications, providing insights that go beyond official program descriptions.
Bottom Line: Why ISSA Yoga 200 Is a Great Choice
ISSA Yoga 200 is one of the best-value yoga certifications available today. It delivers a well-rounded, science-based approach that bridges traditional yoga philosophy with modern fitness principles. For most aspiring instructors, it strikes the perfect balance of credibility, flexibility, and affordability.
This program is especially ideal for:
- Self-motivated learners who prefer to study at their own pace
- Fitness professionals looking to expand their skill set and earn CEUs
- Busy or budget-conscious students who need a flexible, 100% online option
- Career changers seeking a holistic start with multiple certifications
- Science-minded practitioners who appreciate evidence-based learning
While the course lacks hands-on teaching practice and live mentorship, its NCCA accreditation, Yoga Alliance recognition, and comprehensive content make it a standout choice. If your goal is to become a certified, confident yoga instructor without breaking the bank, ISSA Yoga 200 is a program well worth your investment and an excellent step toward a rewarding career in wellness.
Hannah Daugherty
Hannah is a certified trainer through both the American Council on Exercise and National Academy of Sports Medicine. She also obtained her Corrective Exercise Specialist certification through NASM. With a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and a Master’s degree in Exercise Science, Hannah enjoys devoting her time to staying on top of current fitness trends and putting in to practice the many different skills she has learned, including fact checking, proofreading, and writing scholarly-based health and wellness articles. Hannah recently received her Level 2 Master Health Coach certification from Precision Nutrition, and is planning on becoming a board-certified Health Coach. She enjoys reading, weight lifting, and spending time with her husband and son.