200 Hours, 300 Hours… But Are We Really Learning Yoga? With Medha Bhaskar

I had such an eye-opening conversation with Medha Bhaskar about the true essence of yoga education and what’s missing in the way we approach it today. We dove into the boom of teacher training programs, how they’ve evolved, and why so many graduates leave still feeling unprepared to teach or embody yoga in its fullest sense. Medha shared her experiences navigating this space and how her own path has shaped her perspective on meaningful yoga learning beyond just the hours and certifications.

We explored the tension between what students expect from yoga teacher trainings and what’s actually being delivered, and why the industry has become more focused on standardization rather than depth. If you’ve ever questioned whether hours equal mastery or wondered how to create a richer, more integrated learning journey, this episode will resonate with you deeply.

Episode Highlights:

• Why Medha became interested in yoga teacher training and what inspired her journey.
• Steps a participant should take before enrolling in a yoga teacher training program.
• Key elements to look for in a core 200-hour yoga teacher training syllabus.
• The original intent behind 200-hour and 300-hour trainings and how they are perceived today.
• The fundamental differences between 200-hour and 300-hour trainings, whether everyone needs to advance, and what topics should be included at the 300-hour level were explored.
• Faculty structure: whether to have lead teachers with guest faculty or a fully equal model, and which approach works best.
• Staying accountable after teacher training: how to keep the momentum alive once the graduation glow fades.
• Alternatives to Yoga Alliance: exploring India’s initiatives and whether certification really matters for teacher trainings.
• How students can evaluate the credibility and quality of yoga schools and trainers.

Resources and Links Mentioned:

• Amrutha Bindu Yoga
• We’re Hiring: Operations & Admin Assistant
• Join our mailing list
• Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube
• Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube
• Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!