🐾 Why We’re Not Yoga Alliance — And Why You Don’t Have to Be Either
At Spotted Dog Yoga & SUP, we believe in real practice for real people. That means we don’t follow trends just because everyone else does — and we don’t affiliate with Yoga Alliance. Not because we’re rebels (okay, maybe a little), but because we believe in substance over status.
Here’s why.
🚫 What Yoga Alliance Actually Is
Yoga Alliance is often presented as a governing body — but it’s not. It’s a registry, not a regulator. It doesn’t certify teachers. It doesn’t evaluate studios. It doesn’t enforce standards. It’s essentially a directory where teachers and schools pay to be listed.
Yet somehow, it’s become the industry’s stamp of approval. Studios slap “Yoga Alliance Certified” on their websites. Teachers feel pressured to register. And students assume it’s a mark of quality.
But here’s the truth: being listed on Yoga Alliance doesn’t guarantee anything about the depth, integrity, or effectiveness of a training.
💡 What Actually Matters in a Teacher Training
Who’s teaching you — Are they experienced? Are they walking the talk? Do they offer mentorship beyond the mat?
What you’re learning — Are you getting hands-on practice? Real feedback? A consistent methodology?
How you’re supported — Is there community? Accountability? Ongoing growth after graduation?
At Spotted Dog Yoga, our Awaken 200-Hour Teacher Training is led by Tier 3 Baptiste Power Yoga certified teachers Nick and Katie Clark — two of the most experienced and respected teachers in the region. They’ve trained directly with Baron Baptiste, one of the most influential yoga teachers in the world, and are certified through the Baptiste Institute.
Our studio is proud to be the only Baptiste Power Yoga affiliate in the Greater Sacramento area, offering consistent, high-integrity instruction based on the Journey Into Power sequence and the Baptiste methodology.
This isn’t a registry listing. It’s a lineage.
🧘♀️ Why You Don’t Need Yoga Alliance to Teach
Here’s the kicker: you don’t need Yoga Alliance to teach yoga. Studios hire teachers based on skill, presence, and connection — not a listing on a website. Many of the most impactful teachers in the world aren’t registered. And many registered teachers still feel unprepared to lead a class.
If you’re passionate, trained well, and committed to growth, you’re ready. Period.
🔥 So Why Do People Feel Like They Should?
Because the industry has created a false sense of legitimacy. Because it’s easier to sell a training when you can say “we’re Yoga Alliance certified.” Because fear sells — and Yoga Alliance has become a safety blanket.
But we’re not here to sell fear. We’re here to build leaders.
🐶 Real Practice. Real People. No Fluff.
At Spotted Dog Yoga & SUP, we don’t do cookie-cutter yoga. We do real practice in a community that plays hard, loves big, and lives spotted. Our training isn’t about checking boxes — it’s about showing up fully, learning deeply, and leading boldly.
If that sounds like your kind of training, we’d love to talk.
👉 Learn more about Awaken 200-Hour Teacher Training
📩 Or reach out with questions — we’re here to keep it real.
