Meditation & mindfulness is exploding worldwide and with it, a variety of career opportunities in the field of meditation. You don’t need want to be a full-time professional meditation teacher to take teacher training. Meditation teacher training is a great way to simply deepen your practice or to apply principles of meditation to your profession in education, healthcare, business, leadership, or anything.
You’ll quickly find there are a number of options for meditation teacher training worldwide. For new students, it’s hard to know what programs are really like, especially if you’re not looking for a specific style of meditation training. At East+West, our mission is to help facilitate relationships for students with some of the best, most respected teachers in the world and to support students in their own self-growth and healing journeys.
Consider for a moment that there is a HUGE variance in the experience of teachers leading meditation teacher training. It is a completely unregulated field, meaning literally anyone in the world can put up a website and begin offering training. This makes it increasingly important that you properly vet the teachers and the program before signing up.
Meditation is a sensitive and subtle topic, and you want to make sure that you choose a teacher or teacher you can trust. For this reason, we always recommend taking classes with a specific teacher prior to signing up for training to make sure the teacher and the practice resonate. To help in your search, we’ve curated a collection of trustworthy and respected programs with highly experienced teachers that each offer something special and unique.
**Note that none of these schools paid to be on this list and many are teachers we have practiced with personally and are programs we believe in. We curated this list amongst our team of our personal favorite teachers, who also have a reputation of being highly respected in the industry. We hope this acts as a helpful resource as you continue your meditation journey, both as a practitioner and facilitator.
Questions To Consider When Looking For a Meditation Teacher Training:
Do I need to be certified to teach meditation?
Short answer, no. There’s no legal requirement to teach meditation anywhere on earth. When you are getting certified in meditation, it’s a professional credential, which is also important. When you apply for a job at a studio, as a health coach, or are just trying to make yourself stand out on the job market, a meditation certification is a great boost. Most important is that you choose a teacher or team you feel genuinely inspired around. The real world of meditation is less about professional credentials and more about embodiment and passion. The most important thing is you choose a meditation teacher you know you can fall in love with.
Should I Train Online or in-person?
It’s honestly hard in the COVID world to find options for live, in-person meditation certification courses. Our recommendation if you are looking for training in 2021 is to find one online, or that is a hybrid. The experience is different, but you’ll be surprised how far you can get online. What’s cool about doing meditation teacher training online is that they are typically much less expensive, and allow you to slowly get your feet wet. If you decide you love it and it’s for you, you can always go deeper in the future by doing in-person meditation training. It’s great to study with multiple teachers because each teacher has a slightly different perspective, and will help illuminate different aspects of the path of the meditation practice for you. Here it is important to consider what learning environment suits you most and what type of format will best support you. Consider making a pros/cons list for both options and see what resonates most.
Should I Do A Live Or Pre-Recorded Training?
We’re really big on this one. We highly recommend programs that have at least a live component, which helps students stay accountable and feel connected to Sangha (community). Pre-recorded-only programs teach the techniques but will miss the real heart of meditation.
However, sometimes it can be nice to know you can take recorded material at any point and work around your personal schedule. Some programs offer a hybrid option with pre-recorded material and live sessions, which offers a nice balance for folks managing a busier schedule. For others, it is important to have the full experience live to feel more immersive. Again, this is a personal choice, and best to consider what learning environment appeals to you most.
What Style Of Meditation Is Being Offered? Is this the style you want to focus on?
It’s important to think about what style of meditation is being taught in your meditation training. Consider the teacher’s personal meditation background and if it resonates for you. Certain styles or approaches to meditation may speak to you more than others, so it’s important to consider what is being offered in the meditation training. Consider your own meditation practice and the approach that speaks to you the most. Here’s an example of some of the styles out there:
- Buddhist Meditation
- Vedic Meditation
- Transcendental Meditation
- Zen Meditation
- Sound Meditation
- Mantra Meditation (Bhakti)
Is the program accredited? Is this something that matters to you?
The second part of this question is the most valuable one to ask. As mentioned above, you do not need an “official” certification to teach meditation, but just like any professional endeavor, it can be helpful to have it. Most studios or corporate jobs in meditation and mindfulness will require you to have some sort of certification to be considered for the job. Consider the program and its credentials and what matters most to you when it comes to your meditation journey.
Are the facilitators steeped in their own personal practice?
This is quite possibly the most important thing to look out for as you search for meditation training. It is best to find a teacher that resonates with you and that you have a connection with, or to at least know the teacher embodies the practice. How can you know this? Try to connect 1:1 with the teacher. Watch videos or make a point to take classes of your own with the teacher ahead of time. By doing this, you’ll likely be able to get a sense of that teacher’s presence and overall philosophy and personal practice.
What are your personal goals and intentions?
Just like any meaningful endeavor, consider what you’re hoping to get from your meditation training. What are your motivations and intentions? What type of experience are you looking to have? Do you want to simply deepen your own meditation practice or are you choosing to focus on becoming a teacher that will feel prepared to hold space for others? Certain programs focus on different things, so it’s important to know your own personal goals.
Our Top Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher Trainings
1. The Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program With Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach
Overview:
A two-year professional training program for teaching awareness and compassion-based practices with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. This is a thorough training in mindfulness, lovingkindness, and compassion and offers participants the unique opportunity to become part of a worldwide movement of people dedicated to bringing mindfulness meditation to local and global communities and people from all walks of life.
Details:
Course Length: 2 years
Format: Online with opportunity for 2 in-person meetings
Certification: Upon completion, you will be a certified meditation and mindfulness instructor by both the Awareness Training Institute and the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California at Berkeley.
Cost: $6,700
The Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training Certification Program
2. Active Consciousness Meditation Teacher Training With Punnu Singh Wasu
Overview:
These trainings are for anyone interested in getting a regular meditation practice, going deeper in their personal practice and understanding as well as teaching meditation to others. Furthermore, it is also for yoga teachers seeking a way to integrate meditation into their classes to enhance the overall depth and benefits of the yoga asanas for their students.
Course Lengths: 50hr, 100hr, 200hr
Format: Live (in person) in Ubud, Bali
Certification: 50hr, 100hr; 200-hour Active Consciousness Meditation certification
Cost: $1,650-$2,900
3. Chopra Meditation Instruction Certification
Overview:
In this training program, you will learn all skill levels and build tools for creating curriculums and presentations. You will work in small online study groups with peers and receive hands-on experience in sharing philosophy and techniques. Upon completing this course, you will graduate with an internationally recognized certification, access to the newest meditation research and studies, and exclusive teaching and business development resources.
Details:
Course Length: 10 weeks
Format: Online (live & recorded sessions)
Certification: Chopra Meditation Certification
Cost: $2,295-$2,495
View this post on Instagram
4. Center for Mindful Self-Compassion Training (With MSC teachers)
Overview:
The foundation for teaching Mindful Self Compassion (MSC) is to embody the qualities of mindfulness and self-compassion and to have an ongoing, daily practice. MSC teachers are often profoundly moved by the transformation of their participants and honored to share in this transformation. This training supports prospective teachers in every step of their journey to becoming Trained or Certified Teachers.
Details:
Course Length: There are a few different avenues you can take within this certification. See all course options here.
Format: Residential or Online
Certification: Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher
Cost: $1,595-$2,195
Center for Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher Training
5. Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training With Cyndi Lee
Overview:
This unique, self-guided online course designed by a senior teacher, Cyndi Lee, is open to all levels of students that are looking to either learn a new approach to meditation or refresh and deepen their existing practice. The course is broken up into two distinct parts, focusing on personal practice and then the art of teaching others. This course offers a unique perspective on meditation, intended to make the practice more accessible to all.
Details:
Course Length: Self-guided and timed
Format: Online & Self-Guided
Certification: Not a formal certification, but continued education credits through Yoga Alliance.
Cost: $229
Yoga International Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training
6. Yin & Meditation Teacher Training With Tiffany Cruikshank & Yoga Medicine Staff
Overview:
The Yin & Meditation Yoga Teacher Training is an advanced course for active yoga teachers, physicians, healthcare providers, and those who are interested in learning more about meditation and Yin Yoga. *This program is recommended for people already working with students and clients within a yoga or therapeutic setting.
Details:
Course Length: 55 hours (self-paced)
Format: Online / Digital Manual
Certification: Hours towards a Yoga Medicine certification and/or Yoga Alliance
Cost: $1,390
Yoga Medicine Yin & Meditation Yoga Teacher Training | Online
7. Yoga Kula 20-hour Meditation Training
Overview:
Yoga Kula’s 100-Hour Meditation Teacher Training provides the necessary knowledge and embodied practice to lead a life of more presence, compassion, and resilience. Whether you want to begin teaching meditation classes or simply deepen your personal practice, this training offers a strong foundation for awareness, growth, and self-discovery.
Details:
Course Length: Self-paced (can be completed in modules over time)
Format: Hybrid Model is broken up into different modules (in-person and online)
Certification: 100-Hour Mindfulness Teacher Training Certification
Cost: Cost per module differs*
8. The Path Online Meditation Teacher Training
Overview:
“The Path” meditation training is known for cultivating community and teaching Buddhist wisdom in an inspiring and relatable way. This program also covers the neuroscience behind meditation, explaining how and why meditation affects the brain so profoundly. This course is ideal for anyone looking to become a meditation teacher or for anyone looking to skillfully integrate meditation teaching into your workplace.
Details:
Course Length: 3 months
Format: Online Live Sessions
Certification: Certificate for Teaching Mindfulness and Compassion Meditation
Cost: $1,800
The Path Online MEDITATION TEACHER TRAINING
View this post on Instagram
9. iRest Yoga Nidra & Meditation Teacher Training With Richard Miller and Stephanie Lopez
Overview:
The iRest® Yoga Nidra Meditation Level 1 Teacher Training is designed to provide you with the basic principles, history, theory, practice, and delivery of iRest. It teaches you how to incorporate the simple yet profound 10-step iRest protocol into your life, your yoga teaching, and/or your clinical practice. Through this training, you will gain a further understanding of iRest as a comprehensive approach to meditation.
Details:
Course Length: Self-paced (30 hours)
Format: Online / pre-recorded
Certification: Level 1 iRest Teacher
Cost: $1,595
iRest Yoga Nidra Meditation Training
Additional Meditation Resources:
Spirit Rock Insight Meditation Center
Jack Kornfield Meditations & Courses
Tara Brach Courses & Resources
Sam Harris Resources & Podcast
Meditation Unlocked With Gary Kraftsow
Meditation Courses With Elena Brower
Read about us:
